03-28-2022 Common Council Meeting Minutes (Signed)

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REGULAR MEETING March 28.2022 Councilmember Canneth Lee stated that Substitute Bill No. 13-22 comes forth with a favorable recommendation. Vice President Sheila Niezgodski made a motion to call for passage of Bill No. 13-22. Councilmember Canneth Lee seconded the motion, which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. Council President, Sharon McBride stated that Bill No. 13-22 has passed. RESOLUTIONS BILL NO. 22-16 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA'S OPT BACK INTO THE STATE OF INDIANA'S STRUCTURED SETTLEMENT OF OPIOID LITIGATION UNDER IND. CODE 4-16-15. The committee report for Bill 22-16 was heard in front of the Health and Public Safety Committee earlier today and it was sent to the full council with a favorable recommendation. Aladean De Rose, City Attorney presenter, offices on the 12th floor of the County City Building. Thanked members of the Council for allowing her to introduce Bill 22-16 and requested authorization and approval to opt back into the state structured settlement for the opioid litigation. President McBride opens the floor to questions for Bill 22-16. Councilmember Lori Hamman, asked for the number of those who were impacted. Aladean De Rose, City Attorney, stated the data has been collected nationally but not organized completely and indicated the data at this time is raw data. Councilmember Troy Warner, asked if the state was 15%. Aladean De Rose, City Attorney, stated the percentage went from 15% to 50%, which is significant growth. Ms. De Rose indicated there are two settlements; one that is larger than the other; McKesson and Johnson & Johnson. De Rose indicated the smaller distribution, Johnson and Johnson is distributed over I I -years. Councilmember Canneth Lee, asked if South Bend stands to receive $2.6 million and $655 thousand dollars. Ms. De Rose responded that it is closer to $2.6 depending on distributors McKesson and Johnson & Johnson liability fund. Councilmember Lee stated that 30% of the funds are unrestricted and 70% of the funds are going towards programs, under the 18- year distribution paying towards the bulk fund. Structuring will be determined in the future. The $655 thousand is from Johnson and Johnson; however, the payout after attorney fees is somewhat less; $598 thousand for Johnson and Johnson and $2.5 million for McKesson. Councilmember Henry Davis, stated that money is going towards outside organizations that do programming that assist people that have been impacted by the opioid crisis and education for kids. Councilman Davis asked Aladean De Rose if any of the other dollars will go to city organizations. Ms. De Rose, City Attorney, is willing to look at options to contribute to city programs during budget time. With no further input from citizen members on Bill No. 22-16, the public forum for this Resolution is closed.