09-22-08 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 Councilmember Puzzello made a motion to refer this bill to the Zoning and Annexation Committee and set this bill for Public Hearing and Third Reading on October 27, 2008. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. NEW BUSINESS Councilmember Rouse stated that he attended a Code Enforcement Hearing on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, because of some on the issues that he has been receiving calls from some constituents complaining about vacant property and houses. He stated that what he discovered by just sitting in on this meeting was that Code Enforcement has quite a process to go through legally and sometimes the hearing is prolonged because the persons are not responding to the notifications to appear. One of the problems that they have is being able to locate the owners of these vacant homes. He stated that hopefully in the future there will be some ways to resolve that problem. Sometimes it’s a matter of keeping track of these people because they move around quite frequently. Councilmember Rouse stated that there needs to stricter enforcement on those individuals who do not register their home as a vacant property. Councilmember Oliver Davis reminded everyone that he is holding two “The Heart of the Matter District-Wide Meetings.” The first will be held September 25, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the West Side Democratic & Civic Club, 617 S. Warrant St., South Bend, Indiana 46619 and the second will be held on October 16, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Rum Village Nature Center, 2626 S. Gertrude Street, South Bend, Indiana, 46614. He encourage all to attend. Councilmember Oliver Davis acknowledged two of his students from Andrew’s University: Ms. Jennifer Dozier and Ms. Sharon Sarosstimus. He advised that part of their assignments were to attend local government meetings and observe how those bodies of government conduct business. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Ms. Sharon Lula, 55428 Meadowview, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is here to talk about the LaSalle Square Redevelopment Project. She thanked everyone involved in the revitalization plan. She stated that she has lived there most of her life and to look at that area and how run down it has become. This project is welcomed but with one concern and that is with the proposed senior housing project. She stated that she attended the planning committee meetings and it was noted that the senior housing project was not a welcomed idea. She stated that she understands from the City’s prospective it is a taxable project, and understands why those tax dollars need to be generated. From the homeowner’s standpoint, she feels that a senior living area could turn into another high crime area, like the Beacon Heights Apartment Complex. She asked the Council what kinds of guarantees would be in place so that doesn’t happen. Councilmember Rouse assigned this topic to Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr. who is the nd Council representative for the 2 District where the LaSalle Square Redevelopment Project is located. He noted that Councilmember Henry Davis has attended those planning meetings. COMMENTS REGARDING SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS Ms. Sandy Dreibelbeis, 203 E. Eckman, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is the spokesperson for the South Bend School Crossing Guards. She stated that she had a speech written, but some of the questions that were in that speech were answered under the Budget portion of the meeting. She stated that they are in attendance tonight to defend themselves and feel like they have no one to go to, they are not union. She stated that they have asked the Police Department questions, and are told that this topic is not open for discussion, no one will talk to them, no one will answer any of their questions, 33