02-12-18 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING February 12, 2018 Lindsey London, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, 3516 E. Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend, IN,stated,I practice regularly in St.Joseph County but I grew up and have lived in Elkhart County. However because of IU—South Bend and their Counseling and Human Services Program, I have felt connected to this community. I am continuing to learn of areas of our community that need people who understand the impacts of mental health. Councilmember John Voorde stated, I fully recognize the importance of what you are doing. I don't ever remember seeing a counselor way back then. Those statistics made me a little uncomfortable. I congratulate you for what you are doing and wish you the very best. I hope others recognize the importance and can provide the right resources for you to reach out to more people because it is important. Councilmember Dr. David Varner stated, Thank you for your efforts and congratulations on the recognition. I think this has made a lot of people more aware. Statistics are always interesting to hear and it is sometimes fun to look at them a little bit deeper. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, Thank you for your work because it is critical. I appreciate you coming here tonight to share this additional information. We have to do what we can in our capacity and raise this issue beyond these four(4)walls as we go out into the community as leaders. It really is incumbent of all of us to treat mental health issues just as we treat physical issues. They are on the same par as me and,at every opportunity, I try to communicate that. As best as possible, we do have opportunities to lead if it is just our voice. With these resolutions when we declare weeks to lift up issues, I'd love to make a friendly amendment and make this a month-long issue to hold up your work and its critical need. Thank you so much. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated, I just want to thank you all. So much of what you're talking about really hits home with me as a special educator because my area is students with emotional disabilities. It really hits home. I challenge you to do more and charge us with doing more. Bring us a proposal. Talk to Karen White. She is the Chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee and she is all about Priority-Based Budgeting. Put a proposal together. I think this kind of thing really needs legs and teeth. Whatever we can do, you guys are the experts and you need to give us something to work with. I look forward to working with you on something very tangible that we can do as a Council and community to support our residents. Council President Tim Scott stated, Thank you all. As representatives of the whole counseling world,those statistics go understated.I have a sister-in-law in the Houston Public School Area that actually caters her classes and teaching based on the counselor's recommendations. I remember as a journalist in the 1980s watching state mental health facilities, good and bad, go away. These issues turn into larger issues like criminal issues and that is not good. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of the City of South Bend, IN, stated, I just want to echo, on behalf of the City, the importance of this role. I want to thank the Council in taking the time to acknowledge them. Councilmember John Voorde made a motion to adopt Bill No. 18-06 by acclamation. Councilmember Dr. David Varner seconded this motion which carried unanimously by a voice vote of seven (7) ayes. MAYOR'S ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE COMMON COUNCIL ON FINANCES AND THE GENERAL CONDITION OF THE CITY PURSUANT TO § 2-3.1 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of the City of South Bend with offices on the 141' floor of the County-City Building, South Bend, IN, stated, Good evening. Thank you for having me and I appreciate the opportunity. As you said,this is pursuant to South Bend Municipal Code to be an annual report on the Finances and General Condition of the City. I also view this as an opportunity to frame some 3