03-24-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 24, 1975 OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) would be an excellent addition to the programs of REAL Services. He indicated that the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company had tentatively agreed to sell the property for the price listed i the ordinance, subject to Council approval. He introduced Mr. Lester Fox, Executive Director of REAL Services. Mr. Fox, residing at 443 South Illinois, urged adoption of the ordinance. He felt that, with an adequate facility, better utilization of the limited resources available could be made. He wanted the maximum use of the available funds to be met. He felt there was a need to eliminate the directing of older adults from one facility to another within the community in an effort to utilize the facilities. He stated that the older adult community was substantial, and the program would reflect the community's commitment. Mr. Ray Braden, Director of Building Management for the Odd Fellows Building, residing at 1205 Foster Street, submitted a letter to the City Clerk concerning the desire of the Odd Fellows Building to house the central facility for the older adults. He read the letter into the record, as follows: City Council City of South Bend County -City Building South Bend, Indiana 46601 Re: R.E.A.L. Services Central Service Facility Gentlemen: March 24, 1975 On several occasions I have attempted to learn the requirements of R.E.A.L. Services in locating their Central Facility. The Odd Fellows Building is very centrally located, and we believe that we can be very competitive in terms of supplying space requirements for R.E.A.L. Services. To date we have been denied the opportunity to bid. The purpose of this letter is to request that the Council continue this matter until such time as we have an opportunity to determine the exact requirements of R.E.A.L. Services and submit a bid for housing the R.E.A.L. Services Central Center. Yours very truly, s/ Richard D. Doyle Mrs. Lee Swan, 2022 S. Swygart, expressed concern about the congested location of the proposed facility. She wondered if there were any off - street parking facilities available. Mr. Fox indicated that immediately back of the facility there were 18 available parking spaces. He felt there would be ample parking for the staff and older adults utilizing the facility. Mr. Jesse Dickinson, 227 Rue Bossuet, felt the need for the facility had been established. He stated that the senior citizens would greatly benefit from the program. He felt there would be no valid objection to the program. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, expressed concern with the on -going commitment that the city would be getting into. He wondered about the long -term commitment of the city regarding future funding, etc. Mr. Hojnacki stated that the city did not anticipate any financial commitment on its part in terms of the property. REAL Services would be liable for the property. In the future, if the program ceased to exist, th building would be sold and the city could recoupe its investment or the building would be utilized for other types of programs. Mrs. Mary Coleman, 4406 Western Avenue, Apartment A2, felt the Odd Fellows Building was more.centrally located than the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company. She wondered who REAL Services was really representing. Mr. Fox indicated that REAL Services was representing the needs of the older adults in the community. Regarding the Odd Fellows Building, he indicated that the committee had selected the proposed facility on Michigan Street. He stated that the Odd Fellows organization was interested in only leasing the property and not selling it. He stated that his staff did not work in- house, and parking would have to be made available and this was adequately provided for at the proposed location. Mrs. Irene Mutzl, a member of the Fair Tax Association, residing at 320 Parkovash, wondered how large a staff and what agencies would be housed in the facility. Mr. Fox indicated that REAL Services was one agency. Information and counseling, the foster grandparent program, the nutrition program, the retired volunteer program, the CETA program for adults, specific employment services, transportation system and area agency administration would be housed. There were 97 staff people working on a part -time basis, of which 55 persons work at the Northern Indiana Children's Hospital and the Essex Nursing Home. Between 35 and 40 persons would be housed and were paid staff members. He stated that some of the adults were considered volunteers and were paid a stipend for their services. Councilman Nemeth wondered if the activities for the senior citizens would be included on the firs floor. Mr. Fox indicated that they would be, and the second floor would be used for the administr tion of the program. Councilman Nemeth wondered about parking slots being available from the Housing Allowance Office. Mr. Fox estimated that the Housing Allowance Office had parking for a total of 60 vehicles. He indicated that some of these spaces would be available and would accommodate their needs. Councilman Serge indicated that all the sites were recommended highly by the committee and much time had gone into the selection of the proposed facility. He stated that the proposed facility met with the approval of everyone on the committee. He indicated that had arranged to have the Building Department inspect the building, and he urged that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Council. Council President Parent indicated that he had been working on the program for almost a year. He stated that`the government was putting out a certain amount of money for the program, but REAL Services had been and would continue to generate much money into the community and more time could be spent on increasing the productivity for the older adults. He thanked Mr. Fox for bringing the need to the attention of the Council and he, too, urged adoption of the ordinance. Councilman Szymkowiak felt the operating expense for the propose facility would be less than in the other buildings and this had been one of the deciding factors i his mind. He hoped the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company would consider reducing the purcha price in an effort to help the senior citizens in the community. Councilman Taylor made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried.