06-12-17 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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budget process, we've been very clear with our top priorities and this will be part of the discussion during the budget process. Councilmember Davis accepted this as a friendly amendment and therefore the amendment did not require a vote. Councilmember Davis stated, Each program has started with a different dollar amount. Two (2) videos were played to the Committee and Council. These videos are archived in the City Clerk's Office and are available to the public. Councilmember Davis stated, These videos give the background of the program. There are a tremendous amount of programs and there are other Councils right now looking at implementing these programs. I've talked to people in Fort Wayne this morning on the radio and they are looking at what we are doing. Every city can adapt it to their needs. I came to this City twenty- five (25) years ago to work at Madison Center. When that closed, Oaklawn had taken over the out-patient and Memorial took over the in-patient part. The sustaining care that Madison Center used to provide the community is now the biggest gap in the community. We have many different services but compared to what Madison Center used to do, it is nothing. I didn't even have an issue regarding the dollar figure because a lot of this should be a county-wide issue anyway. The City of South Bend takes care of the homeless of all of St. Joseph County, the City of Mishawaka, Osceola,New Carlisle and the whole area,just like the school system. This is a start to the conversation. DTSB has some initiatives and Suzanna Fritzberg from the Mayor's Office also has some comments, but there are enough people at the table to make sure a dollar figure is present come the budget time. We could also get private dollars. Councilmember Williams-Preston stated, I think it is a great idea. It is progressive and makes sense. Committee Chair White stated, The resolution is non-binding so it is saying we want to have a conversation regarding issues of importance. We recognize there is a lot of great work that needs to be done in terms of addressing the homelessness that we have. This project is very innovative and new. Looking at the video, it is key to surrounding all the different services. It has to take more than just the City, it is going to take everyone coming together. Committee Chair White then opened the floor to questions and comments from the Committee and Council. Councilmember Dr. David Varner stated, In the State of Indiana, welfare is delegated to the County such as the County Health Department. I think if the City is going to get involved with something like this, it is incredibly important that it isn't seen as the City trying to launch a new project and funding something by itself. There is no funding mechanism from the State Legislature for cities to fund welfare or things such as this. We need to find partnerships for this program. 4