The South Bend City Council meeting was quick to dispense with the normal agenda but brought out some very valid points during council comments.
During the initial approval of previous minutes and consent agenda paying out over $64,000 one item stood out as the final $14,000 payment the city had to make in restitution for the fraud of Trisha Belcher in 2013.
"This is it, it is done finally," said Clerk/Treasure Dee Roberts.
The council unanimously approved the minutes and consent agenda.
The only other item during department head reports was again from Clerk Roberts who let the council know that the State Auditors office was once again looking at items, but had only just started. There was nothing more to report.
Mayor Julie Struck made mention of the upcoming Labor Day celebration hoping for good weather, "but if it rains we will take that as well," said Mayor Struck.
She did mention that she is expecting a very exciting Labor Day celebration this year with eth addition of a carnival.
"It's only two weeks away," the Mayor noted.
During council comments member Pat Neve brought to the attention of the council that she had learned of money going to another city specifically for wastewater treatment. Vowing that she would be asking questions to representatives during the upcoming Pacific County Fair, member Neve supported by Mayor Struck both were curious how the city of South Bend may be able to acquire some of that money to put toward the current wastewater treatment facility that they are cleaning up.
The baton of comment was passed down the row to member Robert Hall who had the unfortunate position to advise the council of a bit of dirty city business.
Member Hall, who takes the responsibility to manage the South Bend boat launch comment box, found that the portable restrooms at the dock were in very poor shape. It seems that people utilizing the facilities are stealing the toilet paper and making a very disgusting mess inside the portable toilets. Conditions were so bad that a specific comment card was left to advise the city to clean up their mess.
During discussion about the filthy situation it was suggested that the city request additional cleanups from the contractor supplying the portable facilities, it was determined that the contractor would be only be able to service the facilities once weekly and that it may be more prudent to have an extra sani-can brought to the premises. It was also noted that placing the new portable toilet in the parking area might help some of the "overflow" that the city is experiencing. The city is in a little bit of a quandary about the situation as it would take at least $100,000 to get a more permanent facility at the location and that does not include the plumbing to the area.
The next South Bend City Council meeting is scheduled for September 14, at 5:30 pm at the South Bend City Hall.