01-08-2024 Common Council Meeting Minutes (Signed)

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REGULAR MEETING January 8, 2024 Councilmember Warner, chair of the Community Investment Committee, stated that Resolution No. 24-02 came before the Committee this afternoon, January 81h, 2024, and comes with a favorable recommendation and approved unanimously. Vice -President Niezgodski requests that the petitioner state their name and address and share key points before the council. Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity, 14th floor of the County -City Building presented. In December, the Council approved a declaratory resolution for a nine (9)-year tax abatement for the Nexus Center. Pastor Buggs and Doctor Buggs invested time, resources, and money into developing a Community Center. The Nexus Center is on South Main Street near Chippewa Ave. The final phase encompasses about 20,000 square feet total, there are large open spaces in the back of the building in addition to exterior spaces that they will be rehabbing. They will be creating community spaces including a commercial kitchen and an exterior events space. The total private investment will be close to $2.4 million. Once the project is completed the Nexus Center will hire ten new full-time staff with an average wage of twenty dollars ($20) an hour. Vice -President Niezgodski requests that the petitioner state their name and address and share key points before the council. Dr. LaRissa Chism Buggs, The Nexus Center, 3607 South Main Street, South Bend IN 46614. Thanked the council for the opportunity to be at the meeting and to have this bill considered. Dr. Chism Buggs also stated that they have put forth a lot of energy to get to this point in the project and that they are excited to offer new opportunities to the community. Pastor David Buggs, The Nexus Center, 3607 South Main Street, South Bend IN 46614. Expressed how happy they are to be here and to be citizens of the City of South Bend. We recognize the issues plaguing our city and invested a large amount of their savings to make their home and city better. Vice -President Niezgodski requests any questions to the petitioner from the council, seeing none Vice -President Niezgodski opened public hearing portion. Vice -President Niezgodski opened public hearing portion for anyone who wishes to speak for the resolution. Clerk Tirado responds that there is no one online wishing to speak in favor of the resolution. Vice -President Niezgodski opened public hearing portion for anyone who wishes to speak against the resolution. Clerk Tirado responds that there is no one online wishing to speak against the resolution. Vice -President Niezgodski closed public hearing portion and opens the council to make comments. Councilmember Dr. Davis thanked the Buggs for investing in the South side of South Bend and expressed that it was an honor to vote on this bill. Councilmember White thanked Pastor and Dr. Buggs for their commitment and their ability to stay the course and looks forward to the services that will serve our citizens. Councilmember Lee expressed excitement in this resolution and went into the Nexus Center when it started and saw the vision that Pastor and Dr. Buggs saw. To have a place for mental health and nurse partnership as well as a culture center is exciting. Councilmember Bolden -Simpson thanked Pastor and Dr. Buggs for their service to the community and being models of active citizens. Vice -President Niezgodski expressed that the Nexus Center is wonderful and very welcomed in the 6th district and thanked Dr. and Pastor Buggs.