01-13-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 13, 1975 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $26,986.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Cappy Gagnon, Executive Director of the Yout Services Bureau, residing at 2901 Miami Street, made the presentation for the ordinance. 'He explained that he was requesting funds for the continuation of the outreach program at the Youth Services Bureau. He indicated that this would involve the continuation of the salaries of five members of the staff. He stated that the program had been expanded in scope last year, and a few recommendations made by the Council had been accomplished. He was hopeful that the County Council would have a proposal for the bureau within the next few months. He stated that a request would b made to the County Council to pay the salary of a sixth outreach worker. The program had also bee expanded into the schools, and the van purchased last year was definitely needed and was utilized very frequently. Approximately 9,000 miles have been put on the van since its purchase, and Mr. Gagnon was sure that well over 1,000 persons had utilized it. He indicated that nothing new for 1975 was being proposed in the way of new programs. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, indicated that he had heard enthusiastic words of praise for the program, and he encouraged the Council to act favorably on the appropriation ordinance. Councilman Kopczynski asked about the number of persons on the staff, and Mr. Gagnon indicated that there was the outreach staff and then three members of the staff who run the employment program, whose salaries were paid by the Department of Labor. He indicated that his salary and one other staff person were covered by the last year of the law enforcement grant. He stated that there were also nine student interns; however, they were not paid. Councilman Kopczynski wondered about supervision of the group. Mr. Gagnon stated that the bureau had dealt with at least 3,000 youths. He stated that there was an employment program of 250 people, work was being done in 10 different schools, several recreation projects were undertaken during the summer, and regular cases were referred to the bureau by the Police Department and the schools. He stated that each of his full -time staff members had a current case load from 30 to 50 persons. He indicated that there was no problem with supervision. Councilman Taylor wondered about the outlook for funding from the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. Mr. Gagnon stated that the act was passed in late November and full funding was not given at that time. He stated that, in the spring, a larger amount of funding was anticipated to be requested. He indicated that the request before the Council -was the smallest conceivable request he felt could be made and still maintain an effective program. He explained that an evaluation was made on the bureau, and he had been told the evaluation was very favorable. He felt the chances of receiving funds through the act were very good. He stated that he did not anticipate coming back to the Council for further funding. Councilman Serge wondered about the total amount of children involved in the program. M Gagnon indicated that presently the bureau served 3,000 persons. During the summer, this amount increased considerably. Councilman Serge wondered about minority groups using the program, and Mr. Gagnon indicated that about 40% of the cases were minorities; however, he indicated that this was not of great concern to the bureau. Councilman Serge briefly talked about the Portage Avenue Youth Group. Councilman Kopczynski made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $10,000.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. John Walsh, Police Chief; made the presen- tation for the ordinance. He explained that the request for funds would allow for the continuance of the overtime foot patrol program for the next six weeks. He stated that the program has been employed in high crime areas within the city for the past 18 months and there was a definite evidei that the program was effective in many ways. There were no comments or questions. Councilman Kopczynski made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Szymkowiak. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $106,803.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FUND, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS HUMAN RESOURCES PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES. Phis being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and Dpponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Chairman Newburn indicated that the ordinance would appropriate funds for operation of the drug abuse center commonly known as Delos House, and he asked that comments be made concerning that issue. Mr. William Hojnacki, Director of the Department of Human Resources and Economic Development, stated that the funds being requested woul( allow for one year's funding of the residential treatment center and that the ordinance would only allow for the operational budget and three months at the current location. Mr. Joseph Stephens, ?administrator of the Mental Health Center, residing at 3417 Oakcrest Drive, indicated that the budget had been carefully reviewed and represented a 10% decrease from the original 12 -month budges which was proposed. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, wonder( about the monitoring of expenses within the budget. He expressed concern about this. Mr. Hojnack: indicated that the money is allocated to the Mental Health Center on a contractual basis. Mr. Evans wondered if Mr. Hojnacki was satisfied with the appropriation request, and Mr. Hojnacki stat( e