03-23-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 23, 2009 greater vision, a greater sense of community and a greater South Bend, because we can and we will. Council President Dieter thanked all the members of the Council. He thanked Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand for the volumes of work that she does for each of the Council Members. President Dieter thanked City Clerk John Voorde and his staff, Mary Beth Wisniewski, Chief Deputy City Clerk and Janice Talboom, Deputy, for their dedication, hard work, and continued support for all the Council. He stated that this Council is a proactive Council, not just a reactionary Council. He stated that they are not here just to close an alley or approve abatements. He stated that you can see all the hard work that the Councilmember’s have been doing. He stated that the Council Summit’s this year have produced the Council’s with assignments or homework for each Councilmember to finish, find information, work with the City Administration to find the answer’s to the questions that have arisen from the citizens of South Bend. Council President Dieter stated that he and the Council look forward to continuing the Council State of the Council Address in conjunction with next year’s State of the City Address from the Mayor. RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 9:00 p.m. Councilmember Varner made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember LaFountain seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Puzzello, Chairperson, presiding. Councilmember Puzzello explained the procedures to be followed for tonight’s meeting in accordance with Article 1, Section 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Councilmember Puzzello stated that a brochure may be found on the railing in the Council Chambers explaining those procedures. PUBLIC HEARINGS BILL NO. 17-09 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROPRIATING $750,000.00 FROM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND (#212) FOR EQUIPMENT FOR INNOVATION PARK AT NOTRE DAME Councilmember Rouse, Chairperson, Community & Economic Development Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and voted to send it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. th Jennifer Laurent, Division of Economic Development, 12 Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Ms. Laurent advised that this bill would appropriate funds from a $750,000.00 Department of Energy Grant the City was awarded for Innovation Park @ Notre Dame. The funds will be appropriated into the Community Development Fund #212 and used to purchase high-tech equipment for the facility. She noted that these funds cannot be used for general government purposes; only to purchase specific pieces of specialized technical equipment to properly outfit the facilities at the new Innovation Park @ Notre Dame. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There being no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Dieter made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember LaFountain seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 14