02-11-74 Council Meeting Minutes

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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) ORDINANCE (CONTINUED) EXTENT IT MUNICIPAL SECTIONS AMENDED, EFFECTIVE IS STILL EFFECTIVE, AND THE CODE OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, 40 -1 TO SECTIONS 40 -43, AS TO THE EXTENT IT IS STILL . ( 2 5 3 0 KENWOOD) . 33 This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There was no one present to make the presentatio and no questions were asked or comments made. Councilman Kopczynski made a motion that the ordina go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Parent. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING CHAPTER 21 OF THE CITY CODE OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, 1971, ALSO KNOWN AS ORDINANCE NO. .4990 -68, AS AMENDED, AND GENERALLY KNOWN .AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AS AMENDED, BY ADDING PROVISIONS RELATIVE TO SIGNS AND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING. Council President Nemeth made a motion that the ordinance be referred to the Council Committee on Ordinances for further study, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. Councilman Taylor made a motion to recess, seconded by Councilman Parent. The motion carried, and the Committee of the Whole recessed at 8:23 p.m. Reconvened at 8:35 p.m. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $497,000.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR THE CIVIC CENTER AUTHORITY PROJECT, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND 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. Charles Lennon, Contract Administrator for the Civic Center Authority, made the presentation for the ordinance. He outlined the breakdown of the appropriation ordinance as it appeared in Section 1. He indicated that the Design Development Phase for $186,000 would take the city up to June 30, 1974, and the amount of $60,000 for the Specialty Area Consultants would take the city up to November, 1974. He indicated that the appropriation was established as a priority in the community forum meetings held over one-year ago on the revenue sharing funds. He introduced Mr. Richard Rosenthal, Chairman of the Civic Center Authority, who made a few comments regarding the Civic Center. Mr. Rosenthal thanked the Council for the opportunity to speak. He stated that the definition of the complex was very impor tant because no other community has such a need for a multi - purpose building for activities within the entire community. He indicated that there would be classrooms, studios, galleries, a conferen and convention center, an area for recreation and education, a display area and the central court. He felt it was the city's obligation to pay an estimated $11 million share of the cost of the Downtown Renewal Project. He indicated that, to date, the city has earned approximately $4.5 million in credits toward its share, and additional credits could be earned through construction of the Civic Center. He thanked the Council and the Mayor and the many individuals and organiza- tions that helped on the project. Total expenditures for 1973 totalled $272,587.26 and $79,288.45 of the amount budgeted for 1973 was encumbered, for a total amount expended or encumbered of $351,875.71. The budget request for 1974 was $561,079 which included $64,079 from the 1973 budget. Mr. Rosenthal stated that the groundbreaking has been set for July 4th with completion of the complex to be celebrated in 1976. He extended a special invitation to the Council members for both events. Mr. Ed Soltez, 402 Altgeld, wondered how much money had been raised for the Civic Center project at the present time. Mr. Rosenthal indicated that the fund drive was scheduled to start in May. He stated that much of the money contributed to date has been contribued without solicitation. He thought that pledges had been received in the amount of $320,000. The pledges were given strictly for construction costs. Mr. Soltez wondered why a director was needed at the present time for $20,000 when construction of the complex had not yet begun. Mr. Rosenthal stated that, in last year's budget, money had been allocated for this. He indicated that a facility such as the Civic Center requires a man to be on board to make sure the facility is being built in accordance with the desires of the community and the specifications. The director would also assist and help in the development of bookings and programs to be put into the facility in order that an adequate schedule of events will be obtained. Also, this person could be very valuable as far as administra tive assistance in the fund drive. Mr. Soltez thanked Mr. Rosenthal for his explanation. He mentioned that the Civic Center in Indianapolis had created many problems. He hoped the Civic Cent for South Bend and the community would have no problems such as those experienced in Indianapolis. Mr. Gene Evans, Assistant Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, wondered if office equipment would be available from the Redevelopment Office so that additional equipment would not have to be purchased. Mr. Lennon indicated that, after December 31, 1974, he would lend whatever equipment he could; however, $2,000 was needed at present to purchase the initial normal office equipment. Mr. Evans felt there was a great deal of excitement generated from the Civic Center. He also felt there was a fair amount of "head shaking" because of the large amount of money being expended for the project. He stated that the future is very uncertain at the present time, and he. wondered if the city could "make a go of this in a recession ". Mr. Lennon felt that the amount of money the project would generate was very important and must be considered. He stated that a great deal of revenue would be coming into the city because of use of the center for convention purposes, etc. Mrs. Shirley Siekmann of the Michiana Arts and Sciences Council has long supported such a project. Mr. Richard Russell, Executive Committee of the South Bend - Mishawaka Chamber of Commerce Convention Bureau, also spoke in support of the appropriation. He stated that the convention area within the Civic Center complex would bring additional revenue into the community, and this was a very important consideration. Mr. Conrad Damian, 718 East Broadway, wondered how so much money