04-22-13 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 22, 2013 BILL NO. 15-13 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE STREET TO BE VACATED IS ASSUMPTION DRIVE THAT LOOPS FROM LOCUST ROAD, THIS LOOP STREET IS APPROXIMATELY 1,750 FEET AROUND FROM LOCUST ROAD TO LOCUST ROAD AND HAS A WIDTH OF 50 FEET, SAID STREET WAS DEDICATED TO THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, PORTAGE TOWNSHIP, ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA Councilmember Oliver Davis, Chairperson, Public Works and Property Vacation Committee, reported that this committee held a meeting this afternoon and it was the consensus of the committee to send this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. John Frank, 201 S. Nappanee Street, Elkhart, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Frank advised that Provident Ministries acquired the property from the former owner and would like to expand the campus to include a warehouse and sanctuary. This being the time heretofore set for Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There was no one present wishing to speak in favor of this bill. The following individuals spoke in opposition: Mr. & Mrs. Steve Obermeyer, 3447 S. Locust Road, South Bend, Indiana, asked if when the property was vacated, would it be off limits to residents to use as a walking path. There being no one else present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember Scott seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 14-13 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 6, ARTICLE 8 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE BY THE ADDITION OF NEW SECTION 6-37.2 ADDRESSING ACCOUNTABILITY OF GOVERNMENT ACTIONS ON BUILDINGS DECLARED VACANT OR ABANDONED Councilmember Oliver Davis, Chairperson, Community Relations Committee, and Councilmember Tim Scott, Chairperson, Residential Neighborhoods Committee reported that these committees met this afternoon and send this bill to the full Council with no recommendation. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., 5117 Idlewood Drive, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Councilmember Henry Davis Jr., advised that this bill is aimed to bring greater accountability of tax dollars proposed to be used on vacant & abandoned properties, as well as the overall process involving properties proposed to be demolished by the City of South Bend. Councilmember Davis summed up by alluding to a number of amendments to this bill, which he would build understanding as to why and how a home is selected for demolition. He reiterated that there needs to be a plan. 7