02-25-74 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR FEBRUARY 2 1974 I COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) !Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, stated that the total 'amount in the Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund was $165,000. She stated that this leaves only $40,000. She wondered what the plans for spending the money had been originally. Mr. Walter Lantz Deputy Controller, stated that $165,000 for materials had been set up for use by the Street 'Department in paving streets. He indicated that $62,500 would be received from the Federal Government for the fund and the remaining $62,500 would be appropriated effectively. He stated that it might be possible that revenue sharing funds would be requested. Mrs. Frederick Mutzl of the St. Joseph County Fair Tax Association wondered if the addition of the park property would redu e the crime. She also asked if the property could be acquired, maintained and developed without raising the tax rate. Mr. Seitz indicated that hopefully, with the addition of park land, the crimp rate could be reduced. He also stated that, if the city was going to maintain and develop the property purchased, it would have to be taken care of on the tax rate. Mrs. Mutzl felt that the city must stand by its priorities. She felt that, if the parks were so important, then some other project would have to be deleted. She stated that the Fair Tax Association favors purchase of land for open space and parks; however, does not favor anything that will raise the tax rate. Mrs. Priest, leader of the Girl Scout troop present at the meeting, stated that there was no park north of Edison Road and that it was dangerous for the children to cross the street to go to the parks. She was in favor of the open space for parks and hoped the Council would approve the request. She briefly talked about the construction of the apartment complexes in the area. Two of the Girl Scouts, Lou Ann Kenna and Gretchen Priest, also stated that they were in favor of the parks because the yards in their neighborhood were too small to play in. Councilman Kopczynski asked if the Park Department was interested in obtaining the property at the present time, and Mr. Seitz indicated that it was. Councilman Kopczynski wondered about the tax valuation in Edison Park. Mr. Seitz stated that, because the property was owned by the School Corporation, it was tax exempt. Councilman Kopczynski stated that a great deal of money was being spent for the park on Edison Road He wondered if the people in the city were being treated equally as far as park land was concerned. Chairman Newburn ruled for order and indicated that the matter before the Council was appropriation of funds for purchase of two sites for park open space. Councilman Kopczynski felt his question wa pertinent to the request for funds. He asked if there would be any money left after spending the $125,000, and Mr. Seitz indicated that there would not be. Councilman Taylor felt the ordinance was an example of good city planning and that park open space should carry an extremely high priority. He expressed support of purchasing the land. Councilman Parent also indicated that he felt it was important for the city to acquire land for open space. (Councilman Szymkowiak made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Parent. The motion carried. There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, Councilman Taylor made a motion to rise and report to the Council, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. The motion carried. ATTEST: ATTE CITY CLERK CHAI MWN ]REGULAR MEETING - RECONVENED Be it remembered that the regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, reconvened in the Council Chambers at 7:46 p.m., Council President Nemeth presiding and nine member present. (REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MINUTES To the Common Council of the City of South Bend: Your committee on the inspection and supervision of the minutes, would respect- fully report that they have-inspected the minutes of the February 11, 1974, regular meeting of the Council and found them correct. They, therefore, recommend that the same be approved. s/ Peter J. Nemeth Councilman Newburn made a motion that the report be accepted as read and placed on file and the minutes be approved, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Councilman Taylor made a motion to waive the reading of the report of the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Councilman Parent. The motion carried by a roll call vote of nine ayes (Councilmen Serge, Szymkowiak, Miller, Parent, Taylor, Kopczynski, Horvath, Newburn and Nemeth). REPORTS FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES To the Common Council of the City of South Bend: Your Committee on Ordinances to whom was referred 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, respectfully report that they have examined the matter and that in their opinion the ordinance should be passed after it is amended as follows: Page 7 - Add a new paragraph (j) immediately following paragraph (i) in Section 2 (1) as follows: "j. Identification signs have special exceptions as approved by the South Bend Board of Zoning Appeals." Page 10 - Paragraph 7 "HP" Historic Preservation District in Section 2 shall read as follows: