08-24-15 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 24,2015 Andrew Ujdak— 121 S. Chapin St., South Bend—I would like to request possibly an extra 2-3 minutes if I should need them. So moved by Councilmember Oliver Davis. Councilmember Derek Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8)ayes. I am here to address the alleged demise of the sale and restoration of the residence of 803 W. Washington Street also known as the Kizer mansion as reported in our media over the last few days. As a neighbor and resident and taxpayer of South Bend, I am compelled to turn to this body to formally request that the common council and or various committees request documents related to the recent sale of the home to Trent and Leah Runyon in the events noted above. As stewards of taxpayer dollars I cannot think of a better start for my request given the fact that $441,000 of city tax dollars via the Redevelopment Commission purchased the property in 2011 and subsequently transferred to Historical Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. They were pledged to secure this property and position the old mansion for reuse and restoration. Of that purchase price paid to John Freeline $30,000 was immediately deducted from the sales proceeds given to Landmarks for stabilization,insurance,and other related cost. I'm not sure how that was spent, but when Trent and Leah Runyon closed on the property with intent to rezone for a single- family property making this their home; the prospect of individual(s)arriving in our community and investing hundreds and thousands of dollars without request from city financial assistance is an occurrence that should be enjoyed by everyone in this room. After all it was the taxpayers' dollars through the Redevelopment Committee that positioned the old mansion from this type of event. Unfortunately all work has stopped with much speculation as to why. Representatives of Landmarks stated on the record that the Runyons' suggested that the nonprofit purchase the mansion back. On Thursday, August 20th the South Bend Tribune posted a story online about the property itself which was later removed,the problems with the property today is the questions about the title, which is the documents that I bring to you today. This was edited out due to Landmarks rejection on that issue with the denial of any issues with clear title. I do here by request upon the submittal of these documents and memo attached that the Common Council call before itself representatives of the parties of this transaction to separate fact from fiction so the restoration can continue and the parties responsible are held responsible, so that the investment of$441.000 is not placed in jeopardy due to carelessness. It would be a shame if nearly after four years,the investment of tax dollars for this mansion would return to its old state, be a target for vandals, and continue to deteriorate. The Runyons have posted on their Facebook in response to the raised issues where they sing the city praises and that they are a joy to work. The documents I include are the deed of the estate that state the parcel is a portion of the property by 70 and 150 ft. The property itself is 70 by 198 ft., it is clear that it didn't not include the Kizer house. He also described several other documents included with the deed that make it clear that the Kizer mansion is not included as the parcel on their deed and that is clearly made separate. Henry Davis, Sr. —215 N. Sheridan, South Bend—Just briefly with all the things going on in South Bend Chase Tower, and the street initiatives; we are not getting what we want. One side of town is being widen and another part is being restricted; we can deal with that. But what we can't deal with is how we cut one another. The bible says the first one of you that is without sin throw the stone, we have thrown enough stones. I watched how my son had stones thrown at him and people went by what the media put out there, half truths. You better start investigating these things before putting out a judgement and when you make a judgement make sure it is a righteous judgement. William Johnson—5203 Floral Place, South Bend—I find it a privilege to stand before this council; you are an intricate part of the development of this city. This city means a lot to residents on each side of town, so we want to make this city the best that we can make it. I know that you all do your best. There are a lot of things that come before you that you solve, there are a lot of things that come before you that you haven't solved,but you're putting forth the effort. The thing about Western Ave when you keep two groups of people a part it doesn't help anything if we can't sit together with our Hispanic brothers and sisters to solve it. I don't know why we are kept a part and would hate to say it's a racial issue. I don't want to say that but it seems like it is. On Western Ave when you come past the baseball stadium when there is a game,you can't get through. I've seen the one(1) lane turn into two (2) lanes when there is no game,but it's really a parking lane and a traveling lane. To solve the problem of not being two (2) lanes they put cones in that lane, then people go down that lane when they get to the cones the cars pile up. I have worked for this city for 31 years, I've seen the city go from a nice city to 11