12-11-08 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2008 SECTION II. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. s/Timothy A. Rouse Member of the Common Council Councilmember Kirsits disclosed that he is a Member of the South Bend Fire Department and has a Uniform Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form #236 on file in the Office of the City Clerk. He advised that after discussion with legal counsel that no conflict exists regarding these bills. Councilmember Dieter disclosed that he is a Member of the South Bend Police Department and has a Uniform Conflict of Interest Form #236 on file in the Office of the City Clerk. He advised that after discussion with legal counsel that no conflict exists regarding these bills. Chief Assistant City Attorney Aladean DeRose advised that the City Clerk will read the titles of the bills into the record. A formal presentation will be given. She noted that the formal presentation is not subject to a time limit. She noted that members of the public may speak for a maximum of 5 minutes in favor or in opposition to the bill, those in favor speaking first. Ms. DeRose advised that a person’s name & address must be given for the record. The public portion in opposition is limited to the time spent in favor of the Bill or 30 minutes, whichever is greater. A 5 minute rebuttal period follows the remonstrance. The public hearing is then closed & the Council debates the Bill. Councilmember Varner made a motion to suspend the rules on the 30 minute limitation to allow more time for the public to speak. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. th Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, 14 Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for these bills. Mayor Luecke advised that the Bill No. 08-107 is a substitute bill which proposes the property tax replacement LOIT at 0.5%, rather than the full 1% in the original bill. He stated that he is doing this for several reasons. First, in recognition of the dire economic conditions and the stress that many families are under, I believe that we need to levy the least tax that we can until the economy improves. He stated that he believes that the 0.5% PTRC and the 0.25% Public Safety LOIT’s will allow us to sustain the most critical services and bridge until we can generate additional revenue. Secondly, he stated that he put forth the 1% to show the public what the true cost of the tax caps is and what is needed to replace those revenues. He stated that he needed to respond to public expectation to do more to streamline government. Mayor Luecke reiterated that having a shortfall still facing the City will make those decisions more urgent and provide an impetus for serious discussion with the Council and the public about what services should be provided by local government. And, finally fears that if the full amount is enacted, the Legislature will be off the hook and feel that it doesn’t need to provide any other tools since we will have “solved” the problem. He stated that they need to continue efforts to have more tools available to provide sustainable revenue for local government. st Gary Malone, H J Umbaugh & Associates, 20 E 91 St., Ste 100, Indianapolis, Indiana, presentation a power point presentation on South Bend, Indiana, HEA 1001 Analysis which was prepared by Umbaugh on December 11, 2008. A copy is on file with the Office of the City Clerk. Ken Marks, President, Local #362 Fire Fighters Union, 402 Lincoln Way West, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he is not speaking on wholly selfish reasons, because he stated that he is speaking on behalf of the folks that are on the chopping block in 5