01-27-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 27 1975 ;OMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) he hoped the Council and citizens would not have to go through the same problems and objections- experienced with the center being located in the Park Avenue neighborhood. He wondered if a meeting could be set up with the residents in the area to discuss the program. He felt a "monster" had been created. He stated that he also felt every neighborhood should take a share of the public burdens, and he noted that the North Frances Street location already had the Youth Services Bureau and the Aurora House. Council President Parent stated that, as a comparison, a practicing psychologist could have his office in a residential area. He briefly talked about zoning, stating that the program had been put into a residential area. He felt the Council should not have involve itself in the matter. He wondered if a lawsuit should be filed concerning the use of such a center in a residential district. He also wondered what the community wanted. He stated that the Council was not elected to be computers, but was elected to study the issues thoroughly and reach an intelligent decision. He could not see the logic in moving the center from the Park Avenue area to the Frances Street location. He indicated that it was much cheaper to rehabilitate someone than to send him to prison. He stated that there were 500 addicts in the city and that addicts already live in most neighborhoods. He felt that, everyone should be concerned about addicts in the neighborhoods, and at least those in the Delos House were being treated for their addiction. He stated that he would be happy to approve the funds to search for a new location. ouncilman Miller made a motion to amend the ordinance as follows: Amend the word "building" to "real estate" in Section I. Add the following phrase after the amount of $50,000: "and commonly designated 420 North Frances Street; and subject to a purchase price which shall be not greater than the average of not less than two appraisals by two or more members of a national appraisal association; and including remodeling costs necessary to meet minimum state code; and necessary transaction costs." Councilman Taylor seconded the motion. Councilman Kopczynski felt the amendment changed the ordinance drastically and should, therefore, be re- advertised because the location was being made specific. Council President Parent felt Councilman Kopczynski had a good point. He stated that the issue was the appropriation of $50,000 for "a building" and he did not feel the Council could amend the ordinance in this manner. He felt the ordinance should be left open so that another location could be made available. He stated that he had informed certain persons that a definite location was not the issue -- merely the appropriation of funds to seek "a building ". He stated that he would oppose the amendment. Councilman Serge stated that he agreed with Councilman Horvath on his statement regarding the problems and objections received by the Council in the past concerning the location. He stated that he had had enough of the problems created by the project. He felt the center should be located in a commercial district and not a residential district. Chairman Newburn indicated that, when the program became unacceptable in every area considered, the matter should be brought to the Council. He stated that the public was under the impression that the Council was going to approve funding for the location, not choose the location. Because of the objections received in his proposal, Councilman Miller indicated that he would withdraw his motion to amend. He stated that he felt the ordinance was inadequate and the Mayor had not taken a stand and done the necessary work. He felt the whole concept should be re- worked. Recognizing that, he made a motion to strike the ordinance. Councilman Kopczynski and Councilman Szymkowiak jointly seconded the motion. Council President Parent wondered about a time period and the implications of the motion to strike the ordinance. Councilman Kopczynski stated that the implications meant "move ". He again repeated that the project belonged in an institutional district where there was adequate and proper security. Chairman Newburn requested a roll call vote on the motion to strike the ordinance, at which time Mr. Hojnacki indicated that the Council would be "killing the program" if the motion carried. +He stated that the administration had been "ordered" to move the project and, now that the administration had reached a decision to move the program to Frances Street, the Council wanted to strike the ordinance. Chairman Newburn ruled Mr. Hojnacki out of order. He stated emphatically that, by striking the ordinance, the Council was not killing the program. He reminded Mr. Hojnacki that the Council had previously approved the funding of the program for 1975. He stated that the issue was the appropriation of funds for relocation of Delos House and he did not want Mr. Hojnacki to give the impression that the Council was killing the program. He also stated that the Council had been led to believe that a final decision had not yet been made and now Mr. Hojnacki had stated the administration had made a decision to move the treatment center to North Frances Street. Councilman Kopczynski made a motion to recess, seconded by Council President Parent. The motion carried, and the Committee of the Whole recessed at 8:27 p.m. Reconvened at 8:43 p.m. Councilman Miller indicated that he wished to withdraw his motion to strike the ordinance. He then made a motion to amend the ordinance as follows: Amend the word "building" to "real estate" in Section I. Add the following phrase after the amount of $50,000: "and commonly designated 420 North Frances Street; and subject to a purchase price which shall be not greater than the average of not less than two appraisals by two or more members of a national appraisal association; and including remodeling costs necessary to meet minimum state code." Councilman Taylor seconded the motion to amend. Council President Parent again stated that the amendment was a separate issue from the program, and he could see no logic in moving the project from one area to another in substantially the same character. Chairman Newburn indicated that the proposed amendments were drastic, and perhaps the citizens should be given a right to speak on the amendments. He asked if there were any comments or questions from the audience. An unidentified gentleman wondered if there was a conflict of interest involved because the owner of the house was a realtor and advisor to the Southeast Side Advisory Board. Council`President Parent felt there would be no conflict of interest as he understood the matter. He referred to the amendment and indicated that he felt it was a substantive change and the ordinance was being narrowed rather tha expanded. He again repeated that he had talked to people in the neighborhood about the possible location. He had mentioned to the residents that this matter was not on the agenda for the meetin and he felt that, if the program was again placed in a residential area where there was objection, the same type of problems would result. Councilman Nemeth felt there was a great deal of "buck - passing" going on, and the Council was going to have to take a stand. He stated that the ordinanc