Not having the sewer line replaced will be more costly to South Bend citizens than completing the project, the Council voiced. The line is extremely old, heavily patched, and leaking.
The replacement was originally an add-on to the wastewater treatment plant project for Raymond and South Bend, but it was cut when that project ran into cost overruns.
The cost for the project will be roughly $800,000 – $900,000, Mayor Struck explained. “It definitely needs to be done, so we’re hoping we can get the monies from this grant and get that project done in the next year or so,” she said.
A controversy regarding fees at the Sunday Market on the Docks was discussed at length between market manager John Edwards, some concerned vendors, and the Council. Vendors voiced discontent regarding a $10 or 10% of sales advertising fee they had been paying to Edwards. Edwards explained he purchases flyers, a radio ad, coffee and occasional donuts for vendors with the fees he collects.
The Council instructed Edwards to inform vendors that the $10 or 10% of sales fee is voluntary. They also suggested that he take advantage of free advertising on local radio stations as a non-profit organization.
In his department report, Police Chief Dave Eastham explained that they had a new police clerk. In addition, to replace officer Garrett Spencer who has resigned from the force, the department hired Lucas Stigall.
Police did not experience any issues on graduation night. “The night was very quiet, and it seems like it really went off without a hitch,” Eastham said.
New City Supervisor Dennis Houk gave his first report to the council, stating that the Cedar Street project is on schedule and on budget.
Mayor Julie Struck thanked Trish Bisbee for tearing down the old gas station in South Bend.
She also discussed the current mosquito situation: “We have a grass ordinance that your grass should not be more than eight inches tall. Chief Eastham has been contacting a number of people that have grass knee-high to get it mowed – that is mosquito habitat galore.”
The city also has a new five foot long mower coming that will take care of city grasses. “You’ll see our crew out there knocking grass down like crazy trying to eliminate mosquito habitat. We are very pleased with the mosquito situation so far – they’ve had to do little to no adulticide, it’s all been larvaciding so far,” Struck said.
The next South Bend City Council meeting will be June 23 at 6 pm.