10-24-16 Health and Public Safety

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Councilmember Scott added that some of the communities around us are just trying to flat out out -pay everyone but when you look at the various incentives and now removing the lowest class, this gets us up to the top with the communities near us. Councilmember Williams- Preston asked if someone was to retire from the South Bend Police Department, can they then go to Elkhart. Chief Ruszkowski responded that if they retire they cannot then go to another force but if they resign then they could move to Elkhart or another force. It has to do with the state pension program. No one from the public spoke either in favor of or in opposition to the bill. Committeemember Oliver Davis made a motion to send Substitute Bill 59 -16 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Committeemember Karen White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of four (4) ayes. Discussion on City response to the homeless population Committeemember Oliver Davis stated he would like to discuss for a few minutes what our City's response to the homeless population is, especially regarding those who have set up tents under the bridge near Downtown. He asked the Administration to speak to this issue. Pam Meyer, Director of Neighborhood Engagement within the Community Investment Department with offices on the 14th Floor of the County -City Building, stated she will speak to this issue because she serves on Continual Care which is a consortium of agencies related to the homeless issue. We have been having conversations regarding the homeless situation under the bridge and weather amnesty. The City is in a position to provide funds to Hope Rescue, they are negotiating the purchase of a building which will be for weather amnesty purposes beginning December 1St. Weather Amnesty is generally between from November 1St to April 1St. Tomorrow at the Department of Public Works there will be resolution to delegate funds for that purpose. The building is in good condition and will provide space for people involved in the encampment and others. It is for single male individuals. Life Treatment Center has been a place that has provided beds to men and women. Committeemember Oliver Davis asked what the dollar amount is for this project. Ms. Meyer responded it is not to exceed $125,000. There are some requirements then within the monetary commitment. Hope Ministries is also committing money to rehab the building as well. They have many volunteers who are getting the building in order. Committeemember Davis asked that since we potentially have a lot of people moving December 1St, there is a likelihood that those living in tents will move out from under the bridge. He asked, out of concern for public health and safety, if the City could place some temporary Porta- Potties there until the December 1St deadline. The way people are living out there is very poor. The businesses around that area will not allow them to use their restrooms and there are no areas M