03-23-15 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 23, 2015 NEW BUSINESS Councilmember Oliver Davis in our next meeting, can we have our Public Works, Valerie if we can, give an update on our street issues with Curbs and Sidewalks. Can each one submit a report? Councilmember Valerie Schey responded so a committee report from the committee. Councilmember Oliver Davis confirmed, then addressed the letter that I referenced to the Mayor, would that go to Community Relations, (that was confirmed by Councilmember). Great, then I will work with that Committee regarding that. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR th Ron Goodchild – 837 S. Point St., South Bend – I’m in the 4 District with Valerie Schey, I was interviewed by Howard Dukes. In the process of this issue we asked for a common meeting with a reporter. There was no reporter present at the meeting which was promised. There was a misunderstanding on the meeting place and from the church St. Augustine. Ron read a letter from the Director of St. Augustine with some discrepancies on the issue. Samuel Brown – 222 E. Navarre St., South Bend – I don’t think our city is a dying city. I would like to address the issue with city workers doing work on private property. We have to clean up in house before we can celebrate. He pointed out, The Hall of Fame, as I am a sport fanatic, I have never stepped foot on that sidewalk because of what one of our leaders has done. I hope we can resolve this. Sharon Banicki – 3822 Ford St., South Bend – I stand before you as a sadden citizen. As we celebrate 150 years, we have lost a year in our history. I’m upset that the committee meeting th minutes from 2014 have been overlooked. I have a press report from January 9, stating they would be under review and be posted by the end of February. I have a job description from the city clerk, that they are responsible for minutes. I know John, you alone are not to blame. It is sad that citizens took time out of their schedule to voice their concerns but yet there is nothing left to memorialize it. How many times has Samuel Brown, Jesse Davis, and Reverend Sims been here, what were their concerns? Our history should be their first priority. At this point we don’t know for sure if everything was legally followed, as we have no minutes. The staff has already been paid by the City of South Bend but yet we didn’t receive them. Noreen Deane-Moran – 716 W. Colfax, South Bend – This is not an issue with the ash trees, I know Valerie Schey had a great idea of the city taking care of the tree lawn last fall, which was set for another time and another year due to lack of funds. However, that is not our request, we want a one-time help for our situation. We reforested our neighborhoods 35 years ago, with the help of the city. If no one gives us any help our street will be treeless. I’m confused as to what got voted down as there was never any meetings, I’m curious to know what the issues were. I’ve gotten threatening letters which makes me disgusted. Can we please have a discussion about these trees and the issue with the lack of support? (Councilmembers requested that she provide the clerk with the letter so they can address that concern) th Kareemah Fowler – 430 S. 35 Street, South Bend – I am here to address the minute’s situation. There were some issues last year in 2014 with recording equipment, which is why the press release went out. I do understand the issue of concerned citizens, but when you are a concerned citizen that is when you go in to the office and request the meeting minutes. There are minutes for 2014 that have been approved by the Council. The minutes being online are a courtesy that we provide to the citizens. Not once has anyone come to the Clerk’s Office to request the meeting minutes for 2014. If you would like to come in to the office to see the minutes you are more than welcome to. Just wanted to clarify that there are in fact minutes for 2014. Thank you. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, President Tim Scott adjourned the meeting at 9:01 p.m. ATTEST: ATTEST: 22