03-23-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 23, 2009 th 4 District and the residents are still worried as to what will happen with the property. She stated that the questions raised are whether or not housing will be built or will St. Joseph High School move in. The University of Notre Dame Faculty are building new homes just south of the campus. She noted lots all over the neighborhood are selling for condos or large homes. The Eddy Street Commons development is being constructed at a very fast pace as well as the Innovation Park at Notre Dame. The triangle, and widening and restructuring of S.R. 23 have not yet begun. The South Bend Clinic is in the midst of another huge project that has been cleverly planned to fit on their present site. At the same time the State of Indiana Department of Transportation has begun installation of lights at LaSalle Street, Colfax Avenue and Eddy Street, so things are in quite a mess right now. There are big plans by the city and several partners for development and improvement for the East Bank, Howard Park and east to Eddy Street neighborhoods. The master plan has been developed for the area. She noted that she will report next year on the implementation of the plan. She stated that her district is mostly residential with neighborhoods who are concerned with chuck holes after this goofy winter, finishing the IDOT project at McKinley & Ironwood and keeping the neighborhoods single family, th clean & safe and keeping their lovely parks. She stated that the residents of the 4 District are concerned with the growing number of weekend rentals springing up in the neighborhood around Notre Dame. These houses are empty all week and invitation to crime and used on weekends to visitors to the University of Notre Dame. These are not good additions to the neighborhoods. Councilmember Puzzello stated that she is Chairperson of the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment Committee (PARC) and stated that she is so proud of how the park administrators lead by Superintendent Phil St. Clair and the Park Board have managed to make improvements while still cutting the budget and tightening their programs through innovative thinking and hard work. Some believe that closing parks is the easiest way to save money. She stated that working as a teacher; she can compare that to cutting out Art & Music, when the school budget is hurting. She stated that thanks to a Kellogg Foundation grant, Potawatomi Park was made much more accessible by the addition of an exercise path, playground, and picnic tables & chairs all ADA accessible. The zoo has made many improvements in anticipation of the AZA Accreditation this spring. They have added a butterfly exhibit and a giant ant eater, who is an amazing animal and worth a trip to the zoo. She stated that the Zoo said good-bye to Sammy and Jody, the chimps; they are now at the Grand Rapids Zoo, and being very well cared for. She stated that the zoo plans on improving the Chip area over the next several years and be ready to get five chimps, the recommended number for their social well being. She stated that they are still struggling at the Conservatories to repair, get new exhibits, and get people in to see them. She noted that with thanks to the Botanical Society, partnering with Terry DeRosa, Director, Potowatomi Zoo, things are slowly coming together. She thanked Dr. Paul Brenner, University of Notre Dame; heat generating servers from computers are working to heat part of the conservatory. The Leeper Park Tennis Complex was renovated this past year. Five new splash pads locations were developed for children to enjoy and a new irrigation system was installed at Elbel Golf Course. These are just of the few improvements that keep the parks in good condition and a joy to the citizens of South Bend. She stated that she is Vice-Chairperson of the Health and Public Safety Committee. She advised that the public safety departments are the Council’s #1 priorities during these hard economic times. She stated that everyone wants to feel safe and know that someone is available to answer the call in time of need. Councilmember Puzzello stated that we should be proud of the men and women who risk their lives to protect ours. Sworn officers should not be cut in the police of fire departments. Using available funds such as stimulus money, increase fees and careful use of available funds this can be achieved. She stated that she loves living and working in South Bend and also loves being a representative on the City st Council, where she can be part of the process of working toward a 21 Century City of which we can all be proud. 6