03-23-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 23, 2009 first year on the Council and quite honestly was presented with quite a few budgetary problems. This year the heat has been turned up, next year the heat goes even higher. He stated that as Chairperson of the Personnel & Finance Committee he sees that essentially there needs to be two (2) things done. First, HB 1001 which has reduced the tax base, which in turn reduces the amount of money that the City has to spend to provide vital services. In addition, the economy, because when people aren’t making money and not working, they don’t have the money to pay their property taxes and when taxes are not paid the City has to worry about what services can continue to be provided. This leaves the City with the responsibility to prioritize. He stated that over the past two (2) months and the continuing months he stated that his committee has been holding meetings with the public and the City Administration to start forming a cooperative opinion on what the City needs. Councilmember LaFountain stated that the City as whole is going to have to pull together, because in the end it is the citizens that are going to bear the blunt of this. He stated that the Councilmember’s have been educating themselves as to the budgetary process, getting information in cooperation with the City Controller, Catherine Fanello, so the Council can be informed on the ins and outs of the City finances so they can better examine the things that are being done in various city department budgets and can see better of how that money is being spent. He stated that the Council is looking at new ways to generate revenue. He stated that they are looking at increasing fines, having people pay for some services, so that the City can overcome part of this budget crisis. He noted that these kinds of measure will not take the budget over the top; other things will have to be done. He stated that he was part of the Police and Fire Wage Negotiation Team last year. He stated that at that time it was agreed that they would go back to the table to once again negotiate with the police and fire departments for wages and benefits this summer. He stated that is a brief overview of the challenges facing the Personnel & Finance Committee. Councilmember LaFountain stated that he doesn’t want it to sound like everything is doom and gloom, because it isn’t. He stated that now he will talk about his district. He stated that over the past year he has noticed a resurgence of neighborhoods. He noted that just about every area of his district has either started a neighborhood association or has rejuvenated an old neighborhood association. It is a wonder example of how people are taking back their neighborhoods in order to make their city a better place. Councilmember LaFountain stated that Sue Solmos, from the Department of Redevelopment is working in the River Park Neighborhood trying to ensure that their neighborhood continues to be a viable source of housing. She is also ensuring that the neighborhood remains a stable one and remains a good neighborhood. The people in the River Park Neighborhood have also taken it upon themselves to take the bull by the horns to ensure that their neighborhood is thriving. In Bercliff Estates, the neighborhood organization revitalized themselves. He stated that there was a certain rezoning issue that was taking place near the neighborhood that they were unhappy with. But that issue brought them together to make the neighborhood association viable again. rdrd He stated that the 3 District is the cultural center of South Bend. He noted that in the 3 District is home to IUSB, Ivy Tech, Adams High School, Riley High School and numerous elementary schools. He stated that they are lucky enough to have two public rd libraries, the River Park Branch and the Tutt Library. He stated that in the 3 District they are ecstatic to have the Potawatomi Zoo, Conservatories & Greenhouses. He stated that the Zoo, Conservatories & Greenhouses are all valuable assets to the district; however, they have all been discussed during the budget meetings to be cut. Councilmember LaFountain stated that the City of South Bend has many challenges facing them in the upcoming months, but he believes that the City has the right people in place to make these tough decisions that will take South Bend through this budgetary crisis. COUNCILMEMBER ANN PUZZELLO – CHAIRPERSON, COMMITTEE OF THE TH WHOLE, 4 DISTRICT th Councilmember Puzzello stated that the 4 District is the northeast part of the City, Notre Dame to the north, Mishawaka to the east, the river to the west; and mostly Jefferson Blvd to the south. She stated that there has been a lot of activity near the Notre Dame Campus, the Northeast Neighborhood, Harter Heights and the East Bank. She stated that those areas are quickly reaping financial reward from visitors, faculty, staff and students from the University of Notre Dame. St. Joseph Regional Medical Center is leaving the 5