04-16-03 Informal Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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email Zeport Informal Ataing of nit gout. 5:IMO b (Common Q ouuui1 The April 16, 2003 monthly Informal Meeting of the South Bend Common Council with City Department Heads was called to order by Council President Karen L. White at 4:03 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Kelly, White, Varner, and Kirsits; Mayor Stephen Luecke, Police Chief Thomas Fautz, Uniform Division Chief Jim Hassig, Community Relations Division Chief Gary Horvath, Services Division Chief Richard R. Kilgore,Captain Phil Trent, SWAT Police Officer Keith Sweitzer, Director of the Division of Community Development Pam Meyer, and Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council President White welcomed everyone to the monthly Informal meeting with Department Heads and urged everyone to attend the 2nd lecture scheduled for this evening at 7 p.m. at the Century Center. She noted that the first lecture presented by William Hudnut, former Indianapolis Mayor was excellent, and was very well attended. Council President White then called upon the Director of the Division of Community Development Pam Meyer to provide an update on the Weed and Seed Program. Pam Meyer provided a spiral-bound book entitled "Weed & Seed 2001 South Bend, Indiana Application for Official Recognition (copy attached). She then reviewed a 3-page handout (copy attached) which summarized: What is Weed&Seed? Weed&Seed Process and Components Timeline South Bend Weed&Seed Alliance, Inc. Financial Resources Management Neighborhood Planning Process Ms. Meyer noted that the City has not heard officially whether they are a Weed & Seed (W & 5) which has a two-pronged approach, namely: "1) law enforcement/criminal justice cooperate to"weed out" criminals in designated areas; 2) social services & community/economic revitalization are brought in to "seed" the area to promote long term change and better quality of life for residents". She noted that there are(4) committees in place which would be aimed at providing"safe haven"in multiple sites within geographic areas. They are currently working on budget revisions and have been informally advised that will be a W & S. The City was to hear last September on the designation and they have been told that they have moved to the "award stage". $225,000 is the maximum amount which can be awarded. The City is not concerned that we are behind since the City is doing many of the items addressed as a W&S. In response to a question from Council President White, Chief Fautz stated that the "Volunteers in Policing"would not be a part of W&S, but rather would be focusing on much smaller geographic areas. Last month representatives from the City went to Indianapolis, and the Chief noted that he is not concerned that they are behind since they are doing many of the W&S activities.