07-28-08 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 28, 2008 Councilmember Varner made a motion to refer this bill to the Zoning & Annexation Committee and set it for Public Hearing and Third Reading on August 11, 2008. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. NEW BUSINESS Councilmember Puzzello advised that she along with Councilmember’s Tom LaFountain and Henry Davis attended the opening of the Potawatomi Park new handicap accessible playground. She stated that the playground follows a universal design which means children of all abilities can enjoy it. Councilmember LaFountain commended the Parks Department for working with outside entities, and advised that this is something that is going to be needed in the future. Hopefully this kind of cooperation can continue in the future. Potawatomi is located in his District and it is the park that he has used since his kids were small and now that they are teenager, they don’t get over there quite as often, but it is nice to see a facility like that and that it allows children of all abilities to use it. Councilmember Varner advised that he is the Council Representative to the Redevelopment Commission. He stated that he files copies of the Agenda and Packet with the Office of the City Clerk and will continue to advise the Council on matters that come before the Redevelopment Commission. He stated that the Redevelopment Commission’s Agenda is posted on the city’s website and can log on www.southbendin.gov Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that he is the Council’s appointment to the TRANSPO Board of Directors. He thanked Indiana University at South Bend and Councilmember White for their hospitality for hosting “The South Bend Public Transportation Corporation Transit Summit.” Councilmember Oliver Davis urged everyone to attend the Summit on Thursday, July 31, 2008 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., at Indiana University South Bend, Room 225 Student Activity Center. Councilmember Henry Davis advised that he is serving on the LaSalle Square Shopping Center Steering Committee. He noted that the committee continued discussion on the development for the LaSalle Square Center. He stated that they have a comprehensive study outlining what is needed for the area and the needs of the residents in that area. It appears that the committee has a lot of work before them with LaSalle Square. It tends to look like they are competing against the northwest side and other close areas to get the services that the residents that live in that initial area actually need. He stated that they are probably going back to square one again in a sense. He stated that he is very disappointed because of what he is looking at, decreasing numbers of population, all the way through 2012. Homeowner occupancy rate is going down, so all these things are scary based upon the fact of what a city is supposed to be and the longevity of a city. He stated that this information is coming from the consultants that have been hired to do the study. It appears in order to make the LaSalle Square an actual reality again, there is going to have to be more money put into making sure that it develops properly. He stated that they cannot continue to think that 1, 2 or even 3 million is going to get it. He stated that they need actual dollars to make sure LaSalle Square actually happens or just say that they don’t want the services in that area and more forward with the northwest side, either or, because right now it is against the ball and it is looking like they are not going to get what is needed based upon the study and based upon the money. He gave Gary Gilot and the Public Works Department, Administration, and the Street Department a big thank you for getting ready to take care of Western Avenue and it appears that the repairs are going th to get done that are much needed and wrap up about the week of August 4. He stated that he drove down Western Avenue today and saw the cones out on the side of the street. 28