03-23-81 Council Meeting Minutes

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�Wol REGULAR MEETING _ �a —�— _ MARCH 23, 1981 He indicated that on a number of occasions when questions were addressed to his of- fice from the remonstrators, they advised the petitioners to consult their own at- torney. Joseph Kernan, City Controller, indicated that in 1973 the City of South Bend came under the Indiana Property Control Program, as did all other municipalities in the State. He indicated at that time the funds were supplemented with Federal pro- grams, such as CETA, Community Development money, etc. He indicated that even with these supplements, the City has lost eight percent of its work force, City employees have been held to an average of four percent raises since that time, and the City has not been able to pursue an adequate nor orderly Capital Improvement Program. He indicated that the news from Washington and Indianapolis indicates the situation is going to get worse, as many Federal funds will not be available in the future. He gave the reductions that would be necessary if the bond issue is not approved. He indicated if the bond issue is passed, it would provide, with the reductions in the other City bond issues, a new increase in the property tax rate of twenty - eight cent- s. He indicated the way the City has been trying to save money. He indicated that the cuts that have been made are significant, but they have not had a substantial impact on the budget because of the serious problems that the City faces. He in- dicated that the City has the responsibility to provide safe and reliable equipment to our police, fire and street departments, and to protect the substantial invest- ments in streets, building and other structures. He indicated this was the most res- ponsible course of action from a fiscal point of view available the City today. May- or Parent indicated these were not easy financial times, the cost of living has gone up for everybody. He indicated it was very difficult for him to come before the community and the City Council constantly asking for increases for services. He indicated that the City budget has large amounts of money for energy, which has in- creased, adversely effecting the budget. He indicated that the General Obligation Bond was the only way the City had to catch up with fire trucks, police cars, build- ing maintenance and streets. He indicated that the City had made several savings, but had not been able to keep up with inflation. He indicated that the City had not bought a fire truck with local tax money in eight years. He indicated the City bou- ght four in the early seventies, with Federal funds and that has not kept up with the need. He indicated that the roof at the MSF building was leaking and it is going to take $300,000 to fix it, and if it is not fixed in a timely way it will cost a lot more later. He indicated it was irresponsible to make people believe these things can wait. He indicated that some people felt the City did not need a salt storage facility. He indicated the City was presently paying close to $30,000 a year to lease a place to put our salt. He indicated we would build a facility and pay it off in about five years and then the facility will be ours and will not cost as much. He indicated this would save the tax payers money.. He indicated that Mayor and the Council will be blamed for the City not being able to provide services. The fol- lowing people spoke in favor of this resolution: Stanley Przybylinski, 630 N. Johns- on; Larry DeLaurelle, 553 Edgewater; Lester Fox, 443 S. Illinois; Jeff Cummings, 1201 Oakland; Floyd Carter, 1619 Fassnacht; Harlan Noel, 3005 Bonds; Peggy Ruchti, 3023 Hilltop; Alex Niezgodski, 1336 Elliott; Melvin Reed, 1147 E. Bronson; Jeff Gib- ney, 726 W. Washington; Lucy McCullough, 1038 Niles; Wendell Walsh, 828 E. Sorin; Gene Wedel, 1001 Mayflower; Larry Clifford, 330 S. Twyckenham; Theresa Tyler, 1414 E. Wayne. Council Member Szymkowiak made a motion to recess, seconded by Council Member Taylor. The motion carried and the meeting was recessed at 8:35 p.m., and reconvened at 8:50 p.m. Irene Mutzl, 320 Parkovash, indicated that she entered this fight when she heard the Controller on a television program, and he would not reveal the due date of the remonstrance petitions. She indicated that if this bond issue had been a more reasonable amount, or like it had started, 1.9 instead of 5.9, there would not be a remonstrance. She indicated that information the remonstrators received was legally insufficient. She indicated that on February 8, she checked with the Aud- itor's office for the date the remonstrance petition was due. She indicated the Auditor's office telephoned the City Clerk's office and was told the due date was February 23. She indicated that an hour or so later she called the Auditor's office to check the date, and the Auditor's office phoned the City Clerk's office and was again told the date was February 23. She indicated she called many of the active participants and told them they had till February 23. She indicated she was not satisfied, and she attended the Council meeting on February 9th, and asked for the correct date. She could not get the date, and asked the Council if they would help her get the date. She indicated that Council Member Dombrowski asked the Council Attorney to interpret the law and ascertain the date. She indicated that on February 11, she received a call from the Auditor's office advising that a mistake had been made, the correct date should be February 16. She indicated she confirmed this with Council Member Dombrowski. She indicated that about 4 p.m., on February 16, the remonstrance petitions were turned in to the City Clerk's office. She indicated that the Auditor verified 3,108 signatures, out of 3,546, compared to the City's verified 2,118 signatures. She indicated they thought they had won. She indicated that on March 18, the City Attorney and City Controller announced the remonstance petitions were legally insufficient, because the signatures were not verified before the thirty day time frame. Dominic DeCosta, 754 N. Cottage Grove, indicated he felt that the City Attorney should have given the correct date the remonstrance petitions should be filed. He indicated they were nothing wrong in telling the facts. He indicated the remonstrators did not mind honest competition, but he felt the City used his tax dollars to fight him. He indicated that fire and police equipment only represents 1/5 of the total amount. He indicated he was not against that, but he was against it going from 1.9 to 5.9. He indicated he felt the Council should look at this bond issue very closely and if there are so many for it and so many opposed, there should be a general mandate vote. The following people spoke in opposition to the res- olution: Jane Swan, 1706 S. Walnut; Mike Waite, 1236 Vassar; Don Grimmius, 1119 Allen; Cindy Browsk, 1320 E. Randolph; Ernest Buck, 4004 S. Michgian; Rozelle New - bill, Jr., ill S. Cherry; Bill Bradley, 629 W. LaSalle; Toby Huff, 1117 Canterbury; John Lindstaedt, President of the Fair Tax Association; Fred Mutzl, 320 Parkovash; Wayne Werts, 1889 Riverside Dr.; Roy Brown, 1320 Randolph; Fred Rice, 1717 S. Ken- tucky; Arlen Huff, 1232 Canterbury.