11-26-01 Health & Public Safety and residential Neighborhoods

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Joint Meeting of the Health &Public Safety Committee and the Residential Neighborhoods Committee November 26, 2001 Page 3 Brian Hedman, Executive Director of the Century Center, stated that there would be a great economic impact if the Council would fail to pass the ordinance. He noted that there are approximately 400 employees at the Century Center and that they also need to feel and be in a safe environment. Panhandling and solicitation are not acceptable in the convention business. Chip Lewis noted that he is a member of the Jones Obenchain law firm which is located in downtown South Bend since 1906 and also a member of the South Bend Downtown Partnership which promotes downtown. He stressed that people must have confidence that they will not be subject to aggressive panhandling activities, otherwise they will not return to the downtown area. Mr. Lewis concluded that as a business owner and private citizen of the City that he believes that the ordinance is very appropriate and needed. Dennis Andres, the Executive Director of the Morris Performing Arts Center, stated that the revitalization of the Morris and related properties is between$ 18 to $ 22 million dollars, resulting from a private and public partnership. People must feel comfortable and if a patron is accosted they will not return. He then provided a 5-page handout highlighting the events at the Morris and the revenue generated by such activities(copy attached). Greg Ayres of the South Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau noted that there are five hundred (500) hotel rooms located in the downtown, as well as bed and breakfast establishments and thirty restaurants. These are the destinations of the residents and visitors of the city during special events who must be protected. John Baxter, Executive Director of Center City Associates, noted that there are two (2) primary things which people do not like about the downtown--parking and panhandling. He noted that even though he is a large man that he feels uncomfortable when approached. Bob Hunt, a member of the Redevelopment Commission and former business owner noted that he has been working for over 25 years for development of the city. He noted that currently downtown merchants do not have tremendous protections currently. He noted that it is time to change reality and perceptions by passing the proposed ordinance. Ken Wise, the Property Manager for the downtown Robertson's Apartments noted that the building is designed for senior citizens, many of whom are afraid to go out because of their fear of being approached. Eunice Miller, a resident of Robertson's Apartments, noted that someone is always approaching her every day for money and when she refusing they follow her and yell "do you hear me?" She feels very uncomfortable and at risk. Charlotte Huddleston, a resident of Robertson's Apartments, shared a story of a recent visitor who came to see her. The lady had a child in a wheel chair and while she was getting the wheel chair out of her vehicle she was approached for money. She tried to act quickly since she felt uncomfortable and while doing so locked her purse and keys in the vehicle. She had to pay $45.00 to a locksmith in light of this incident, and if it had not been for the intruder, it would not have happened. The public portion was closed by Council Member Ujdak and the Council portion was opened.