09-13-04 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 13,2004 Net. SBC annually pays approximately $1.3 million dollars in both real and personal property taxes. SBC has 400 employees and 300 retirees living in South Bend. SBC employees have volunteered over 4,000 hours to community service in South Bend. SBC has donated over$700,000 dollars to non-profit organizations as well as $300,000 dollars to Project Future. Mr. Washington advised that South Bend and St. Joseph County already has access to advanced technologies found in leading-edge cities like Chicago, Los Angles and Dallas. Mr. Washington stated that if access to advanced technology was an issue or if competition did not already exist, Metro Net might make sense. But, the reality is that in 2003 SBC made approximately $15 million in capital investments in the area. As of today, there is no SBC service you can get in Chicago that is not available in South Bend. Furthermore, SBC Yahoo! DSL service is already available to 73 percent of St. Joseph County customers and SBC Indiana plans to extend the reach of broadband even further before year-end 2004. SBC invests in South Bend because competition in the telecom market has never been more vibrant with wire line, wireless, cable and satellite companies all competing for business. Mr. Washington concluded that after you have had the opportunity to reflect on our collective concerns, he would welcome the opportunity to talk with each Councilmember in more detail. COMMENTS FROM RICHARD POWERS REGARDING VOLUNTEERS IN POLICING (VIP) Mr. Richard Powers, 59175 Baneberry, South Bend, Indiana advised that he represents the Volunteers in Policing (VIP). He stated that currently there are 68 volunteers who have worked approximately 7,065 hours for the City of South Bend. Some of the places where the VIP's worked were at the Park Jefferson Apartment fire. The VIP's worked 3 shifts to help with police presence in the area. Mr. Powers noted that the VIP's helped at the Tree Lighting in front of the Morris Performing Art Center. They helped in the search and recovery of nine (9) lost children during the 2003/2004 year. Lastly during the Labor Day holiday, they are present for the ABATE Ride, which benefits muscular dystrophy. Mr. Powers along with Mr. Roger Nimtz, 5415 Abshire Drive, South Bend, Indiana, a volunteer in the VIPS program presented to Councilmember's Ann Puzzello, Chairperson, Health and Public Safety and Councilmember Derek D. Dieter, 1St District Councilmember a check for$123,058.91 in savings to the City of South Bend, Indiana for volunteer hours during the 2003/2004 year. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, President White adjourned the meeting at 9:52 p.m. II ATTEST: ATTEST: • / � ohn oorde, City Clerk aren L. White, President 41