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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 20, 1975
<br />REGULAR MEETING - RECONVENED (CONTINUED)
<br />indicated that he wanted to see the downtown area revitalized but not at the expense of the tax-
<br />payers. He felt the South Bend businessmen were interested in the project. Mr. Herb Getzinger,
<br />President of the Downtown Council, residing at 2741 Portland Lane, expressed support of the
<br />resolution. He indicated that the Downtown Council was interested in the downtown business
<br />community and recommended that the Common Council support the proposal. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive
<br />Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, indicated that the association was concerned about
<br />the downtown area and urged that something be done. He indicated that the association had agreed
<br />to provide some personnel to join in an effort to find solutions to the problems. He referred to
<br />the sentence in the resolution which stated: "Since the amount requested is low, the cost could
<br />be realized through savings in existing city programs." He wondered if there really was an
<br />existing savings available. He asked for an explanation for the shortage in the payments for the
<br />parking meter bonds. Mr. James Barcome, City Controller, indicated that, regarding the Sinking
<br />Fund, the city was obligated to put so much money into that fund. The city was in arrears through
<br />a technical default, according to Mr. Barcome. He indicated that the bondholders were aware of
<br />the situation. He stated that approximately $15,000 was put into the fund to start it. He
<br />stated that there was a delay concerning revenues to that fund and, in 1972, the city was merely
<br />trying to make the payments. He indicated that some possibilities for re- financing the garages
<br />had been discussed. He also indicated that there would be an estimated deficit of $10,000 in the
<br />garages this year. With more money coming out of the garage revenues, there would be less money
<br />to meet the payments, and he felt the city could not handle this. Mr. Evans expressed concern
<br />over the deficit and also concern for the downtown area. Councilman Horvath indicated that, in
<br />view of the fact that part of the resolution had been implemented already and another part of it
<br />pertained to the ordinance having first reading, he felt the resolution should be continued to
<br />the November 10th meeting along with the ordinance. He made such a motion, seconded by Councilman
<br />Serge. It was indicated that such a motion was already on the floor. Councilman Kopczynski
<br />indicated that many businesses supply free parking to its customers. He indicated that much open
<br />land has been provided for parking. He wondered if the merchants had tried to be in competition
<br />with the outlying areas by providing competitive parking. He felt the downtown merchants had not
<br />taken any steps to provide free parking for its customers. He felt there were other ways of doing
<br />things besides coming to the Council for money. He also felt the consequences of the proposals
<br />should be considered seriously before action was taken. He indicated that revenue sharing funds
<br />were coming to an end and those funds could no longer be used to "catch up ". He wanted to hear
<br />personally from the Downtown Council on what it was proposing. Mr. Blakeney indicated that many
<br />businesses were trying to help in the parking area. He indicated that several suggestions had
<br />been made; however, nothing definite had been decided upon. He felt the "little things" were
<br />needed to show people that there was still hope for the downtown area. Councilman Kopczynski
<br />asked for a figure on how many parking places would really be needed to make the downtown area a
<br />viable shopping center. He felt downtown was not being competitive and that was the real problem.
<br />Councilman Serge wondered where the amount of $2,400 to provide free parking in the garages would
<br />come from. Mr. Barcome indicated that he doubted if the funds would be available. Councilman
<br />Miller wondered if the State Board of Accounts would allow a transfer of the general funds into
<br />the Parking Meter Fund. He stated that he understood that the garages could not be subsidized
<br />directly, and Mr. Barcome indicated that Councilman Miller was correct. He felt there would be
<br />no money available to transfer. Councilman Miller indicated that, several weeks ago, he had made
<br />a proposal to the Board of Public Works regarding parking, and his plan had been implemented. He
<br />felt this was the proper way to handle the situation. He felt there were many other things that
<br />the city could do to help the parking situation. He approved wholeheartedly the proposal of the
<br />Mayor to provide free parking on Michigan Street. He indicated that he was totally against the
<br />resolution because he did not feel it was the proper way to proceed. Council President Parent
<br />indicated that he had spent considerable time studying the issues. He wondered if the proposals
<br />would be affordable, and the only way to determine that would be to implement the program on a
<br />trial basis. He felt the resolution would not affect the legality of the bonds if the payments
<br />were made at the proper time. He indicated that a little less than $3,000 would be lost in
<br />implementing the proposals. He felt the questions were answered, everything was legal and the
<br />money was available. He urged that the motion to continue the resolution be rescinded and the
<br />resolution adopted. There was a call for the question. Councilman Taylor requested a roll call
<br />vote on the motion to continue the resolution to the November 10th meeting. The motion carried b
<br />a roll call vote of six ayes (Councilmen Szymkowiak, Miller, Taylor, Kopczynski, Horvath and
<br />Nemeth), two nays (Councilmen Serge and Parent) and one abstention (Councilman Newburn).
<br />Councilman Kopczynski made a motion to recess, seconded by Councilman Horvath. The motion
<br />carried, and the Council recessed at 9:55 p.m. Reconvened at 10:07 p.m.
<br />RESOLUTION NO. 496 -75 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE
<br />CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROVING
<br />THE AWARDING OF FOUR CONTRACTS IN EXCESS
<br />OF $5,000 FOR REHABILITATION WORK IN THE
<br />COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
<br />WHEREAS, under the provisions of Ordinance No. 5872 -75, passed by the South
<br />Bend Common Council on August 11, 1975, all contracts in the Community Development
<br />Housing Program in excess of $5,000 must be approved by the Common Council; and
<br />WHEREAS, low bids for four properties to be rehabilitated under the Community
<br />Development Housing Program have exceeded $5,000.
<br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend,
<br />Indiana:
<br />1. That approval be granted to the Redevelopment Commission of the City of
<br />South Bend, Indiana, to enter into a contract with Bailey Electric Company for the
<br />rehabilitation of the following properties:
<br />208 Wenger Krieghbaum
<br />Wenger's 6th Addn.
<br />Lot 17 H. Studebaker's
<br />1st Addn.
<br />Lot 53 H. Studebaker's
<br />1st Addn.
<br />526 E. Broadway St. $7,789.00
<br />630 E. Indiana Ave. $5,718.00
<br />503 E. Dubail St. $5,584.00
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