Resolution #2015-03 was brought out and approved by the city council with little discussion. At its introduction, Clerk/Treasure Dee Roberts explained to the council that the resolution was needed for an Interfund transfer-loan from the "drug fund" of the South Bend Police Department to go back into the Police Department capitol outlay portion of the police budget.
"Three years ago, we took money from the "drug fund" for the purchase of a vehicle for the police department...that fund is now depleted," said Treasure Roberts.
She further explained that the vehicle is paid off and there would be no actual payments on-going.
The resolution was approved by the council.
There was one additional item at the top of the meeting that brought some attention as Treasure Roberts also had to bring to the attention of the city council that earlier one of the cities Visa cards had been compromised and some charges made. During the restitution of that card, the city received a credit of $85.20, but Roberts cautioned that it is expected that an item for that exact amount will most likely surface in the next few weeks as she works with the financial institution and city documents in balancing the previous "mess". Treasurer Roberts also advised that the card was no longer active.
The only item from the public can in the form of a letter that Mayor Julie Struck read aloud for the record, coming from South Bend resident Ron Craig.
The crux of the letter was to praise the mayor in her efforts in and around the latest heavy rains.
Craig also offered a recommendation as one possible solution to aid in the future event of heavy rain and also stated that his services could be made available if the city required, to assist with seeking any available funding to help with damages for the city.
The mayor thanked the author of the letter but added that the damage experienced in the city did not meet the required threshold to get any outside funding for repairs.
"I have heard we needed to meet a $9.5 million mark and also heard it was $15 million. Either way, we did not meet that threshold for any FEMA funds," said the mayor.
In a previous meeting, the city council took action to collect damage data to add to the collective damage reports from other cities and counties, but everyone came up a little short of the required lower limit.
With estimations that the damage in South Bend reached between $1.5-2 million dollars, it may be a while before we see any new potholes filled, as the city has to prioritize repairs due to the storm.
City Supervisor Dennis Houk did state that some repairs are already scheduled and underway during his Department Head Report.
City Council Member Robert Hall was voted in by the council to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the 2015 year.
The next South Bend City Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 9 at 5:30 pm.