02-10-14 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 10, 2014 transitional time, we think the society has done a great job moving forward. So we just ask the city council ask to support this bill. George President of Zoological Society: We would like to thank you for your consideration that you have given last fall, we are now in our second month, I won't go over everything that we talked about in our committee meeting but I think the first two months so far have been very successful we have accomplished a lot transitioning setting up benefit plans, we have a construction project going forward, we are working on putting together a master plan with the ark people, it will go out at the end of this month, we are looking to have a masters plan in place by the end of the year, we are working on our accreditation program through AZA and should have a lot of business coming in to complete those projects around the zoo a lot of which be helped by some of the funds that you are being asked to approve tonight in conjunction with the Mayor's office has asked and what Phil St. Clair has asked we would like your approval of this funds transfers today. Again we appreciate your support. There were none looking to speak in opposition. Councilmember Henry Davis made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council for bill 01 -14. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. Councilmember Henry Davis made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council for bill 02 -14. Councilmember Scott seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. BILL NO. 64 -13 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 17, ARTICLE 2, OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADJUST SEWER RATES AND CHARGES INCREMENTALLY THROUGH 2017 Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to accept substitute bill 64 -13. Councilmember Karen White seconded the motion, which carried forward by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. Council Attorney requested the motioned for the title to be amended on substitute bill 64 -13 tc strike the word 2017 at the end of the title to replace with 2016. So moved by Councilmember Dr. Varner. Councilmember Oliver seconded the motion, which carried forward with a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. Councilmember Varner states, committee report for the Utilities Committee on Substitute Amended bill 64 -13. Public hearing on the substitute version of the bill which shortens the time period from 4 years to 3 but changes the proposed rate increase over that three year period from 9% a year to 5% a year. The date was amended because the proposed was a 3 year as opposed to a 4 year, so at this point in changed to a favorable recommendation. Eric Horvath, Public Works Director, offices on the 13' Fl.- I appreciated all participation by council members and hearing what we find to be a very serious issue and finding a way that we can still provide for residents a rate that is competitive and is good for business? I appreciate the participation I look forward to working with the council and citizens on moving the long -term control plan forward. We are going to be re- looking at a number of different areas that we think that we can find some significant savings on the program that will affect long -term rates and look forward to this. I don't have anything forward if you have any questions, I would be more than happy to answer them. Councilmember Scott, states I appreciate your openness to work on this. Councilmember Oliver Davis: Can you mention the work with Green Solutions and what you are looking to hope to find in that area? Petitioner responded there are a number of different alternatives that we can look at, as we look at what the right way to treat the water is. What we are going to look at are some gray and green solutions and really find the most cost effective solution that provides as much enrolled benefits as we can. Some of those solutions that are becoming really good options for cities that they are fmding double green benefit, saving dollars and having a green city, things like rain gardens and finding ways to take care of the water 6