August 27, 2018, 7pm, 4th Floor County-City Building
Absent: Sharon McBride

COMMITTEE MEETING: Public Works and Property Vacation
Organizational Meeting (Required by State Law)
Councilwoman Jo Broden would like Quarterly Updates about the Public Works projects by District to keep Council members informed and she would also like reports on where things are with the bonds.
Discussion on Alleys being vacated - If you need your alley graded, please call 311 to schedule it.
Sue Kesim suggested there be a map of where all the sewer work is being done, just like they do for road work. She suggested the 4 neighborhoods most affected by the floods would be the best place to start mapping since Citizens with sewage still coming in their basements would like to be informed about progress being made.
Councilwoman Regina Williams-Preston would like to see the Council getting ROI reports on Abatements before voting on them.

* Special Business - Introduce Council Intern David Boling

CITY GRANTS UPDATE:
* Community WINS - US Conference of Mayors - $50K to the Near North Neighborhood Association for 20 Women/Minority Businesses
* Bloomberg Cities of Service - $25K for the AmeriCorp "Love Your Block"
* AmeriCorp $149,130 grant and SB has to match with $319K for 10 full time AmeriCorp Volunteers for weatherization program
* Drucker's Life Long Learning - $500K from Google & WalMart to help non-traditional learners get certifications
* Smart Growth America - $8K for Safe Streets
* Smart Growth America - no $, technical assistance for "Sew Loved"
* Bloomberg Mayor's Challenge - $100K to give rideshare credits to 500 shift workers at Beacon through Uber
Councilwoman Karen White wants the City to put together a Grant Revenue Summary
Councilman Oliver White wants to know how grants can go to other neighborhoods, not just the Near Northwest Neighborhood

Bill #18-38 Industrial Park Phase II 4 year Real Property TAX ABATEMENT for Rew, LLC, in the amount of $109,965 for promising there will be 25 new jobs paying $17K a year.
Passed Unanimously
NOTE: They are moving from Mishawaka to South Bend. That is still within St. Joseph County. Both cities get funding from COIT (County Option Income Tax) so all this tax abatement did was give away tax income from St. Joseph County. 

Bill #18-40 For a Zoning Exception at 213 and 217 S. Main Street to allow a Drive-Thru restaurant. This will be at the South end of the new office building being built in the middle of SB in the only open space left at the corner of Jefferson and Main.
Passed Unanimously

Bill #38-18 Raising property taxes for Corporation General Fund, Park and Recreation Fund, Cummulative Capital Development Fund and Redevelopment Bond for the College Football Hall of Fame. Second Reading on September 24th.
Note: College Football Hall of Fame bond ended and a new Park one was issued in its place. In the Council Packet the dollar amounts/percentages were left blank. Hopefully this will be fixed before the second reading.

Bill #39-18 Sets up the accounting fund numbers for the coming year, other than the General Fund. Says, "as set forth in the attached budget which is made a part hereof". Second Reading on September 24th. Third Reading on October 8th.

Bill #40-18 Sets up more of the accounting fund numbers for the coming year. Says, "as set forth in the attached budget which is made a part hereof". Second Reading on September 24th. Third Reading on October 8th

NOTE: On October 8th the 3rd Readings and Passing will be done with Council Only.

Bill #41-18 TRANSPO Setting the budget and raising revenues for it. They will vote on a BUDGET and TEX LEVY on September 17th so the public hearing with the SB Common Council can be on September 24th.

NEW BUSINESS:
* Budget hearing on Wednesday will be for the SB Police Department, 5 pm, County-City Building 4th floor​

* "Michiana on the Move" Survey is online at MACOG where you can make comments about transportation in the Michiana Area. Make your opinion known at Move2045.macog.com
The 2045 Transportation Plan, will determine how federal, state, and local funds will be spent on highways, public transit, freight, and transportation infrastructure. The survey ends on Sunday, September 16th.

* Northshore Triangle Neighborhood will be having a "Visioning Session" on Sept. 13th

PRIVILEDGE OF THE FLOOR:

* Richard Collins of the Ardmore Neighborhood Association would like the Grandview Railroad Crossing changed so it is safer for kids crossing it to go to school or visit friends. There are no sidewalks, it is not graded and there is a large pit in front of the crossing. Since there will soon be 70 mph frieght trains running on these tracks, he also wants lights and gates. He also noted there have been 3 suicides at this location.

* Jesse Davis wants to know why the public can't park in front of homes in the Eddy Street Commons area when those homes have both garages and driveways. He understands ND Game Day restrictions, but does not agree with the general parking restrictions. He also detailed two incidents where people had to pay the only authorized SB City towing company $1,400 for a tow and they damaged a Corvette in one of the tows. He thinks the City needs more than one towing company to keep prices competitive or regulate the amount charged.

​ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

South Bend Gang Violence Intervention Report - 
January 1, 2018   to   August 21, 2018

46 Current GVI participant's

17  GVI Participants are Employed

8 Currently in Work Experience at Goodwill

4 In Workshop/Job Readiness Classes at Goodwill

6 Juveniles currently receiving services

15 GVI Participants currently in retention

8 Clients have completed retention (180 days of Employment)

Per Isaac Hunt, SBGVI & Gary for Life Supervisor at Goodwill

HOMELESSNESS ISSUE:
* Marco Mariani, Executive Director of South Bend Heritage Foundation, has been asked for a current report on the Oliver Aparments because of concerns services are not being provided to the residents there.

* Councilman Oliver Davis indicated there would be an update from Councilwoman Sharon McBride on the SOAR meeting when she returns.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CITY BUDGETS:

Mayor's Office Budget:  http://www.michianaobserver.com/mayor-budget.html  

City Clerk's Office Budget:  http://www.michianaobserver.com/clerk-budget.html

Common Council's Budget:  http://www.michianaobserver.com/common-council-budget.html

Learn more about the CIRCUIT BREAKER coming up:  https://www.in.gov/dlgf/9644.htm
NOTE: Look for "South Bend Civil City" and further down, the Circuit Breaker on the Libraries.

Find out the real cost of "Smart Streets": http://www.michianaobserver.com/debt-service-smart-streets.html

Summary for 7 years of Tax Abatements totaling $117M: http://www.michianaobserver.com/abatement-reports.html

Questions in the NOTES Section are from the 6 Citizen Budget Committee Members. If you have additional questions, please let us know. We encourage you to come in person to be part of the process.
As the committee reviews the Budget presentations, more will be put up on the website.

For more articles and meetings on FB: #MichianaObserver #CivicMedia #MySouthBend @MichianaObserver

August 20, 2018 County-City Building Council Chambers 4th floor, 6-8 pm
Present: Jo Broden, Jake Teshka, Oliver Davis, Tim Scott, Karen White, Regina Williams-Preston

Purpose: Hear the results of the Lawson-Fisher Sewer Survey and their recommendations for four neighborhoods - Emerson Avenue area, Riverside S. of Barlett, Northshore Triangle, Keller Park

NOTE: CSO Portion of the Agenda was postponed until later. It was suggested it be scheduled within the next 2 weeks.

St. Joseph River has a drainage area of 4,865 miles and is 206 miles long. It has 12 dams along it. Several are power producing dams under Federal regulation (FERC). Those that are for power have to keep the same water level coming in as going out and only have a rise of 6".

In February of 2018 there was a total snowfall of 29.6", which is 14.6" above normal, all within the first 17 days of February followed by 3 days of rain on the 19th - 21st. This is the 7th snowiest February on record followed by 8" of rain. 5" was the previous high rain in February.

Between the snow and the rain, this resulted in a 25,300 cubic feet per second flow, which is how they consider it a "2,500 year event flood".

August 15th and 16th of 2016 there was 8.5" of rain that fell in 19 hours which resulted in a 9,000 cubic feet per second flow, which is how they decided this was a "1,000 year flood event." 

They sent out a Questionnaire and got these responses:
Emerson - 5, Riverside - 10, Triangle - 105, Keller Park - 32, Other 48
They think this is an excellent response level and sampling.

Emerson Avenue Area - It has a 36" CSO. At the time of the flood, CSO #33 and CSO #35 were under 10' of water over them making it impossible for them to empty and they had backflow. This area has high ground water.

Riverside Area - CSO #10 is a relief point and it was under water. This has a 12" Throttle Pipe. This area has high ground water.

Triangle Area - There is an 84" combine pipe and has CSO #5 and CSO #25.  The trunk sewer was under water. Triangle area has County, City and ND. They did "ground truthing" for the 10" and 18" pipes around Angela Blvd. Marquette to Angela is where the pipe goes from 18" down to 10".
They did a video survey to see if the pipes were clear. EmNet sewer monitoring reprorted CSO #4 did not go back down until *May 5th*.  Some pipes were obstructed. This area has high ground water.

Keller Park Area - CSO #2 was under water and this area has high groundwater.

RECOMMENDATIONS MADE:
- Evaluate current design
- Offer basement valve program (which they do, but residents report a 40% failure rate on these)
- Homeowners need to take responsibility and seal the cracks in their basement walls and floors
- City needs to educate residents on options and ways to prevent problems
- Disconnect downspouts to reduce flow into sewers 
- Have lateral lines inspected between home and sewer since many are over 100 years old
- Research having a flood / sewer notification system to this area
- Routine video, cleaning and assessment of lines
- FEMA assistance grants to buy homes from flood victims in the 100 year flood plane area
- 10" pipe along Angela may not be enough since it has an 18" pipe flowing into it
- Have the City install stormwater backflows
- Evaluate the 12" Throttle pipe on Riverside
- Work with ND / Holy Cross to control the large amount of runoff towards Angela Blvd.

PUBLIC INPUT:
Public was given only 3 minutes to express their concerns about their homes and damage.
NOTE:  These are only SUMMARIZED. For exact quotes, please refer to the video of the meeting.

* Jeff Jacob, an attorney from Zionsville is representing neighbors in the Northshore Triangle area on the backflow issues. 
- He saw no significant upgrade recommendations
- Sewer budget is underfunded
- Wants to hear from EmNet to find out if the "Smart Sewers" worked as they were supposed to

* Bruce Harris on W. Angela
- Commented the campus drains all come together and he thinks all their water runoff is raising the ground water tables
- Wants to know if these drains were ever properly permitted

* Barbara Sutton, President of the Northshore Triangle Association has lived there since 1985.
- Believes in Climate Change since there have been 2 events - 2016 and 2018 and thinks it will happen again in the next 10 years
- Workshop needs to be held on how residents can seal the cracks in both the walls and floors
- Neighborhood is still not back to normal
- Citizens still need support

* Mary Wood has lived in her house 27 years
- Why isn't the City maintaining sewer lines well?
- 3' of water in her basement and she lost her furnace, washer, dryer and everything else

* Larry Miller - Worked in sewer department for over 7 years
- SB Sewers are in really bad shape
- Work that was paid to get done didn't get done
- Roosevelt sewer in Keller Park is flat on top and needs to be replaced so it doesn't cave in
- Sherman sewer caved in 3 times
- Concrete is deteriorating and streets will continue to cave in

* Tim Scott, Council President, lives in the Triangle
- There continues to be sewage backup in Keller Park
- Portage to Oakwood has black sewage backing up and it is on high ground
- Wants video of sewer lines in this area

* Dawn Hopkins
- Has a backflow valve and it has failed. She continues to have the same issues.
- In 2016 she had a 3' geyser coming out of her toilet
- In 2018 still had 18" in her basement
- These problems are a threat to public health

* Laura Klepper (sp?) is a scientist
- Her basement had 20x higher eColi level than allowed by law
- Thinks this will continue to happen in the next 10-20 years
- Says World Health Organization says to go away from CSO's
- Wants to see computer modeling on 10" / 18" pipe issue
- Wants to know if ALL the Northshore lines have been examined
- Why aren't there routine inspections and maintenance of all sewers?

* Helen has lived in Inglewood for 50 years
- Wants to know why there is always 2" of water in the basements of all those on her street corner and not in other parts

* Tricia has lived on Academy Place for 23 years next to a storm drain
- Her basement floods every year so she has stopped using it

* (Didn't catch name) 
- Thinks Waste Water Treatment Plant is at risk
- Problems are not new
- Backflow Preventers are not warranted for sewage

* Christian Carlson on Riverside Hill
- 2001 to 2016 has had 3 floods of water and sewage
- 2017 no water
- 2018 black water sewage in the basement and can no longer use it
- Several weeks ago again had black water sewage
- Can't find the man hole covers in the alley since City has graded over them
- Wife has Asthma and can't live in the home when this happens
- Blackflows have 40% failure rate
- Wants to know if "Double Valves" are better

* Brian Profit on Marquette Avenue
- Wants a notification system in place

* Al Kirsits on Marquette Avenue was formerly Council-At-Large on the City Council
- Passed an $88M bond while he was on Council to fix issues and wants to know why issues haven't been fixed
- 51" CSO pipe at Leeper Park is of concern
- It's not a separated system if sewage is getting into people's homes
- Concerned about the 10" pipe to accomodate the ND / Holy Cross flow
- Property values have dropped because of this
- Problems with both his home and his mother's

CITY RESPONSE:
- They want to increase tolerance levels from 6 hours to 24 hours
- They have done video on 30K feet of sewer
- They are looking into notification

MORE BACKGROUND:
Michiana Observer's previous article on the Flood and Sewers: http://www.michianaobserver.com/blog/meeting-notes-for-the-flood-update-utility-committee-meeting 

Michiana Observer's Original Coverage of the 2018 Flood with extensive detail:  www.michianaobserver.com/blog/northshore-triangle-flood-update-meeting

For more Articles and Meetings find us on Facebook and our Blog: #MichianaObserver #CivicMedia @MichianaObserver

All Council members present
TRAIN WHISTLE UPDATE: Tara Weigand, Project Engineer - They are working on making the whole City a 24 hour Quiet Zone. This will involve working with 3 different railroads with various requirements.
There are 3 Zones:
1. Norfolk Southern - Amtrak Station, Meade, Olive and Grandview Avenue will cost $120K to make quiet
2. Canadian Northern/GTW Corridor - Ford and Walnut Streets will cost $300K to make quiet
3. NICTD also uses the Grandview crossing will cost $50K to make quiet

HOMELESSNESS UPDATE: James Mueller, Community Development - 2 Core areas were identified by the Working Group, which are scattered permanent housing throughout the City and an Intake Center. They expect the Intake Center to have 30 Units and cost $1.4M with an annual operating budget of $260K. Need is estimated at 50 Units at a cost of $650K a year. (See Slide for amounts.)
He noted placement needs to be close to homeless services and away from schools. They are looking at moving the Ivy Tech trailers from their current location and have Hope Ministries run the program for the trailer homes. 
They have not determined where Winter Amnesty will be located at this time. Councilman Davis requested this presentation be made available on the website.

CITIZEN INPUT ON HOMELESSNESS: Council President Tim Scott did not want to hear from the Citizens and Vice President Councilman Davis insisted they be heard.
NOTE: All of these comments are SUMMARIES, not actual quotes. (For actual quotes, ask for the transcripts.)
* Pastor Shelton of the Rum Village Neighborhood Association on Scott Street, says they have a lot of rentals. He is concerned that Oliver Apartments has brought in drug dealers and prostitutes and people who will "Work for Food" on Indiana Avenue.
* John Shafer of 5 for the Homeless is concerned about bringing back Winter Amnesty. He says he is seeing a lot of families with children and the Homeless Center downtown is full. He said they lost 50 beds through Life Treatment Center closing. He noted homeless women are at the greatest risk.
* Patti, the Rum Village Treasurer, is concerned about the 1500 block near Ignition Park. She asked that each neighborhood association be represented at a meeting on the trailer placement.
* Harry Marsh, a lifelong resident on Carroll Street wants to see Homeless placement spreadout. His neighborhood has a lot of the Homeless Services and he doesn't want to see even more problems on the Southeast side.
* Isaac Hunt - Spent a weekend offering jobs with Goodwill, bus transfer passes and addiction treatment. He had 2 people take him up on the offer. He is concerned about sitting on his front porch and seeing drug deals, people throwing bottles and loitering. He noted at the liquor store there are drug sales and prostitutes under the age of 17. He says there are enough Homeless around the Life Treatment Center and Plasma Center. He suggested they put the trailers up by Notre Dame where they can be cared for.
* Henry Miller on Broadway, is appauled at putting people who aren't productive with those who are productive. He says Services are not effective and not working together to solve the problems. There is a cost to inconvenience others.
* Traci Miller on Broadway says they need to go back to the drawing board for a decision since the Homeless don't want to be accountable for their actions. The Opiate Crisis needs to be addressed since people can't even move out of her way since the are high and drooling. She wants Oaklawn to evaluate them. She noted there is too much panhandling and is not interested in people getting fed for 3 years since that "disables" them.
* Reverend with the Gateway Association - Wants the City to take the time to do it right and not "slap it together". He says the problem with the Oliver Apartments is there are no wraparound services and no security. Drug dealers are selling to residents.
* Charlotte Pfieffer of 466 Works on the near Southeast side, says her organization is building 2 new homes to improve the area on Indiana & St. Joseph streets. She thinks LaPorte and Elkhart are sending their Homeless to South Bend. She explained she is a former parole officer. She says the $1.5M is a poor use of resources for something temporary. She suggested they have just one place for 3 meals a day. She is tired of people who are eating at the Broadway Christian Parish dropping trash in people's yards as they leave.

IT UPDATE: The new website has a 20 second faster access time and is getting 2K more page visits per week. (Did not say if these were "unique visits".) There were 1,800 views for the Home Improvement Program, 311 Portal has how to pay the Water/Trash bills

PSAP (9-1-1) UPDATE: Dan O'Connor said GIS errors are continuing to be an issue. August 2nd the County decided there should be a 3 party analysis that will take 6 months. Mishawaka does not want to participate in it. County wants to take the lead on the project and is looking at a new $3M CAD system. They have issued a RFP (Request For Proposal to start bidding). 
The Fire Department is being trained on down times, but training the Police Department will involve OT and cause more budget issues.
Councilman Davis asked to see the Interlocal Agreement that shows who is responsible for each aspect of the PSAP. (PSAP is the 911 call center that is jointly use by St. Joseph County, South Bend and Mishawaka.)

CITY SATISFACTION SURVEY: The ECT Survey was conducted in April and May covering 700 randomized households. People could answer the questions by phone, online or by mail. There were over 100 people surveyed in each of the Council Districts. Maps show the opinions. Green - people felt safest, Yellow - medium safety level, Red - people feel unsafe. There was a dissatisfaction with Code Enforcement and roads.

SOUTH SHORE UPDATE: The Mayor wants the most expensive option - the Downtown location, but offered no viable details on how it would be funded. He suggested the Council approve over $100M. The Council wants to explore less expensive options that may have a higher ROI. Here are Michiana Observer's notes on the South Shore Options:  http://www.michianaobserver.com/…/southshore-train-study-up…

Bill #18-37 Rew, LLC on $144K of taxes, $110K were Abated on Lot 2, US 31 Industrial Park Phase II. Abatement is for 4 years.
Passed Favorably Unanimously

Bill #18-37 Resolution - Council expressed its objection to Honeywell not honoring paying health care benefits affecting 4,700 Retirees.
There was a 10 month lockout and now Honeywell is moving the jobs to Turkey. They currently have $7B in offshore cash and used their $3.4B from the Trump Administration to buy back $951M in stocks.
Marti Wolfson noted they got a retroactive 10 year tax abatement in 2001.

Bill # 33-18 - Historic Landmark status was established for the Civil Rights Heritage Center at 1040 W. Washington Street. It was previously the Engman Nataorium.
Passed Favorably Unanimously

Bill #26-18 New South Bend Chocolate Factory Old World Village Location - German Township, District #4, for lots 24632, 24650, 24700, 24762, 24810, 24820 on US Highway 20 and 54270 Pine Road. APC #2871-18 This annexation has 4 parts and is 13.2 acres.
South Bend Chocolate Development Corporation, Abonmarche Consulting and Ancon Construction
It is in the flight path area of the airport so building height will be restricted by the FAA. They are looking at doing a variance for roof sinage which currently is not allowed.
SB will need to annex the area into the City. It has water and will need sewer run to it. A traffic study will need to be done on Pine Road. Roads for this development will be privatel maintained, but the City will take over a portion of US 20 for this Annex.
The PUD has 5 Ordinance amendments to it. Because it is so far out they are discussing having to build another fire station to accomodate it and Portage Prairie. There was also discussion about how SBPD would cover this area. Councilwoman Jo Broden asked about the number of job opportunities.
They expect to receive some Regional Cities Funding.
NOTE: Local environmentalists are concerned about permanent damage to marsh areas that have native plants and animals.
Passed Favorably Unanimously

Bill #18-34 Portage Avenue Area - 719 and 721 W. Rex Street by the Near Northwest Neighborhood to develop low income housing on it. This is the 6th time they have applied.
The property is owned by Richard and Linda Ford who now owe $250K in back taxes on it. The development is applying for Tax Credit.
The plan is for 2 and 3 story buildings that will house 76 units. There will be 90 parking spaces available - 60 on site and 30 on the surrounding street.
Councilman Tim Scott noted his wife was the one who made the first submission on this property. 
Passed Favorably Unanimously

Bill #34-18 First Reading - Annexing in Portage Township, District 6 for 31.75 Acre Tract on West side of New Energy Drive, 350' north of State Road 23.

Bill #35-18 First Reading - Annexing in Portage Township, District 6 for 229 acre Tract north St. Joseph Valley Parkway right-of-way, 1150 feet from the intersection of 23 and the St. Joseph Valley Parkway.

Bill #36-18 First Reading - Amending Zoning for 1939 and 1947 Charles Street in District 1

Bill #37-18 First Reading - Amending Chapter 21, Article 14 - Subdivisions to delete certain lot design standards in the zoning ordinance and delete floodplain definitions that have been updated.

Bill #18-40 Resolution approving a petition of the area board of zoning appeals for the property located at 213 and 217 South Main Street.
New Business: Budget Hearing on Wednesday at 5 pm on the 4th Floor in the Informal Council Chambers

BUDGET UPDATE:
Total Budget in 2017 was $441,274,160 with a DEFICIT of $62,590,868
Total Budget in 2018 is $387,210,843 with a DEFICIT of $63,028,220
Cash Reserves in 2015 were $239,432,535 and are now down to $152,189,544 for an $87M DROP
Interest paid on debt in 2018 $12,650,388 and $30,360,110 on Principal which means $43,010,498 is tied up in debt payments this year already.
Information Source: City of South Bend 2018 Adopted Budget on page 51