01-22-2024 Common Council Meeting Minutes (Signed)

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REGULAR MEETING January 22, 2024 Councilmember Canneth Lee motioned to resolve into the committee of the whole, which was seconded by Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis and carried by a vote of nine(9) ayes. PUBLIC HEARINGS BILL NO. 05-24 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE FIRST EAST-WEST ALLEY SOUTH OF JEFFERSON BLVD BETWEEN NOTRE DAME AVENUE AND THE NORTH- SOUTH ALLEY TO THE EAST OF NOTRE DAME AVENUE Clerk Bianca L. Tirado read the bill to the council for its second reading. After the second reading, Councilmember Lee requested the committee report. Councilmember Sheila Niezgodski, chair of the Public Works and Property Vacation committee, stated that Bill No.05-24 came before the Public Works and Property Vacation committee this afternoon, January 22nd, 2024, and comes with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Lee requests that the petitioner(s) state their name and address and share key points before the council. Angela Smith, 914 E. Jefferson Street, South Bend, Indiana 46617 presented Bill No. 05-24, the bill, which seeks to vacate an alley on the south side of their property between them and their neighbor Mr. Hodge Patel. The alley has been grass for its existence. The property, which was once a converted business,is being renovated into a single-family unit with exterior changes to the parking lot to a front lawn. The petitioner is requesting the alley vacate to build a small residence for their aging in-laws in the back of their home.To keep a safe distance from the primary structure and to create a handicap accessible residence for the in-law, the petitioner requests that the paper alley be vacated to allocate the distance needed for the setback to meet the zoning ordinance. Councilmember Lee responds with any questions from the council to the petitioner. Seeing none of the Councilmembers, Councilmember Lee moves to Public Comment (1st) first to those physically present and then requesting Clerk Tirado if there is any public comment online. Hodge Patel, 904 E. Jefferson Street, South Bend, Indiana 46617 spoke in favor of Bill No. 05-24, a next-door neighbor of Ms. Smith. He spoke of the improvements made to 914 E. Jefferson and the open conversation the neighbors had on this alley vacate. Clerk Tirado responds that there is no more public comment from individuals participating online. Councilmember Lee requests to see if anyone in the hearing wishes to speak in opposition to Bill No. 05-24. Clerk Tirado responds that there is no public comment from individuals online wishing to speak in opposition. Councilmember Lee closes public hearing and entertained a motion regarding Bill No. 05-24 Councilmember Sheila Niezgodski motioned to send Bill No. 05-24 to the full council with a favorable recommendation, which was seconded by Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis and carried by a vote of nine(9) ayes. Council President Sharon McBride—Aye Council Vice President Sheila Niezgodski—Aye Councilmember Canneth Lee—Aye Councilmember Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers—Aye Councilmember Troy Warner—Aye Councilmember Sherry Bolden-Simpson—Aye Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis—Aye Councilmember Karen L. White—Aye Councilmember Rachel Tomas Morgan—Aye 2