05-27-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 27, 1975 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) been some minor items not yet completed which represented a small part of the total construction cost. Because of these minor items, the project had not been turned over as it was not determined complete. He indicated that a great majority of the project work had been completed. Council President Parent wondered how much longer the bills could be postponed for electricity. Mr. Farra indicated that, if the Council wished, the lights could be turned off and no additional electricit expense would be incurred until the matter was resolved. Council President Parent felt it was the Redevelopment Department incurring the bills at this time. Mr. Farrand indicated that Redevelopme felt otherwise. He asked that the Council give him some guidelines on what was expected from his department concerning the downtown mall maintenance. Councilman Serge wondered about the total amount of bills outstanding at the present time. Mr. Farrand indicated that the Redevelopment Department could discuss its outstanding obligations with the Council. He stated that he could no answer that question. Councilman Kopczynski stated that he had requested the full accounting of all federal programs in the community several times in the past. He stated that this information had never been received. He stated that the money was being concentrated in the downtown mall area. He felt this could not be continued and, as long as it continued, he would not vote for appropriating money for the downtown area without being fair to the outlying areas of the city. He wondered about the speculation of a proposed 10% reduction in street lighting for the coming year. Mr. Farrand indicated that he was not aware of any street lighting reduction being dis- cussed. Councilman Kopczynski asked if there were any figures for the cost of street lighting nex year, and Mr. Farrand indicated that the city would be budgeting $670,000. He stated that the cos this year was better than a $100,000 less. Councilman Nemeth stated that many questions asked by the Council had remained , unanswered. For this reason, he made a motion that the ordinance be continued until the next meeting in order that the Department of Redevelopment could provide answers to the questions, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. Council President Parent felt the Council should invite Mr. Brownell, Director of the Redevelopment Department, to the next Council meeting in order to clarify some of the questions. Councilman Miller wondered if the Park Board was against maintaining the mall area. Mr. James Seitz, Director of the Department of Public Parks, indicated that, with the proper budget, the department could maintain the mall and would not object to doing so. He stated that he would not like, however, to maintain the mall with an inadequate budget. Councilman Miller felt a "downtowr park" was what was really being considered and the mall could be compared to the cost effective- ness of the parks. In terms of use, there were probably many more people in the downtown mall area than in some of the city's parks. He stated that the Council had never taken a stand on how the maintenance of the mall should be handled. He felt this was a concern. He stated that he would like to see the Park Department involved in the matter. Councilman Horvath felt the budget was not as large as it appeared to be. He felt there was maintenance of the area before the mall was constructed. When the mall was constructed, it was agreed that the merchants could help in maintaining the flowers, trees, etc. He wondered how much extra money was really being used for maintenance. He felt the merchants should help in the maintenance of the mall area, and he hoped some input from the merchants could be received. The motion carried. Mr. Farrand asked the Council's permission to pay the electric bills incurred. Chairman Newburn indicated that it was the Council's wish to delay action on the ordinance. For this reason, he felt everything else connected with the maintenance should be delayed also. Councilman Miller felt the Council should go on record and not recommend that the lights be turned off, and that the city would pay for its obligations regarding electric current. He felt the mall should be maintained in a first -class manner. Council President Parent made a motion to close debate, seconded by Councilman Kopczynsk: Chairman Newburn indicated that there was no debate and that the Council should proceed with the next item on the agenda. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $252,800.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMIN- ISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that he was requesting approval of funds for the second quarter in the amount of $252,800 in order to make up the $300,000 needed to complete the paving and slurry seal programs for this year. Councilman Kopczynski wondered why the Council had not been furnished a street program layout. He felt the Council was not given any input into the program and that many citizens' requests were not considered because of this. Mr. Farrand indicated that the department had reflected the requests of the councilmen over the last year. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that he had asked for an opportunity to discuss various requests with the Bureau of Streets Manager and had not bee3 given that opportunity. Council President Parent indicated that the Council had met in caucus with Mr. Farrand concerning the program. He felt the Council had been given the opportunity to discuss the matter. He indicated that perhaps Councilman Kopczynski had not been present at that meeting. Councilman Serge indicated that a street layout had been received by the Council. He indicated that his street had been paved prior to the election and he had not requested that this be done. He expressed disapproval with that. Councilman Szymkowiak felt that the councilmen had not been consulted regarding the paving of the streets within the respective districts. He state( that the councilmen were responsible to the citizens and knew of the citizens' requests concernini paving of the streets. Mr. Farrand stated that all the councilmen had had input into the program He indicated that he was aware of their requests simply by discussing certain matters with them. He felt he had not ignored their requests concerning paving priorities. Councilman Taylor stated that he felt his relationship with the Department of Public Works and Mr. Farrand was very good, and he had always had the opportunity for input into the various programs. He requested a street light at the corner of Ireland and Fellows Street. Councilman Nemeth made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, Councilman Horvath mad a motion to rise and report to the Council, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. A short recess was requested by Councilman Taylor. Recessed at 8.45 p.m. ATTEST: ATTE CITY CLERK CHAIRMAN t