04-07-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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6 0 l� REGULAR MEETING APRIL 7 1975 IREGULAR MEETING - RECONVENED (CONTINUED) Chairman Newburn wondered if the Council could work this out with Mr. Hojnacki in caucus. Counci Miller felt the resolution should provide for Council review of the budget before expenditures. He felt that would take care of any problem in the future. The motion carried. (Councilman Miller then made a motion to insert a new Section II in the resolution as follows: For each program activity as established under this resolution, the Mayor shall submit to the Common Council a line item budget in ordinance form prior to expenditures of any grant money received upon approval of this application. Councilman Kopczynski seconded the motion. The motion carried. Councilman Miller also made a motion to include the following as a C -12 objective to the grant application: Develop program for code enforcement - First year goal: Propose a neighborhood standards ordinance and a housing inspection ordinance to provide clear powers and responsibilities for housing inspectors. Councilman Kopczynski seconded the motion. The motion carried. Councilman Miller then stated that he wished to change some of the amounts incorporated in the grant application. He felt all the Substandard Building Department funds should be put under the Community Development program and change $15,000 from the planning and management category. He asked if this could be accomplished. Mr. Hojnacki indicated that the area officials' opinion was that all the substandard building costs and demolition could not be put under the Community Development program. He stated that HUD funds could only be used in those areas designated by the city as those areas needing housing assistance. Councilman Miller asked that something be developed on the Niles Avenue project, and Mr. Hojnacki indicated that the document would be subject to review in six months. Councilman Serge wondered about the request for funds by the Historic Preservation Commission. Mr. Hojnacki indicated that he supported the idea; however, the survey to be conducted must be made on a county -wide basis. He was not sure of the total dimensior of the survey at this time, and he stated that he would like to take a good look at the request as it would be an administrative function. Councilman Newburn made a motion to adopt the resolution, as amended, seconded by Councilman Serge, The resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of eight ayes (Councilmen Serge, Szymkowiak, Miller, Taylor, Kopczynski, Horvath, Newburn and Parent) with Councilman Nemeth absent. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL TO STUDY GUIDELINES NECESSARY TO PREVENT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. A public hearing was held at this time on the resolution. Councilman Miller explained his reasons for sponsoring the resolution. He talked about the improvement of the image and responsibility of the Council. He stated that ethics and city -wide conflicts of interest was a concern. He indicat that a bill was being considered in the legislature on conflicts of interest, and he felt that, as a legislative body, the Council should discuss the issue of checking standards. He felt it was a fitting time to have this sort of an issue discussed openly by the Council. He recommended that the Council act favorably on the resolution in order that good guidelines could be established. Councilman Kopczynski wondered what recent incident had prompted the preparation of the resolution. Councilman Horvath stated that he felt the resolution was political. He stated that the resolution should be taken to the Committee of the Whole. He made such a motion, seconded by Councilman Newburn. He indicated that the Council had the authority to call an investigation, and he felt the resolution was not necessary and also was politically motivated. Councilman Taylor stated that he could not see how anyone could be against the concept of the resolution. He referred to the draft outline of the resolution concerning the employment of a city employee as a vendor. He wondered about the moonlighting of the policemen and firemen. He stated that, in dealing with the ethics legislation, it would be time consuming if done in the right manner. Councilman Kopczynski talked about a particular case of conflicts of interest concerning work not being done for the taxpayers. He stated that an initial investigation showed that the particular employee involved was not spending enough time on his job. He felt the resolution should be wholeheartedly adopted by the Council. Councilman Szymkowiak agreed with Councilman Kopczynski. Council President Parent made a motion to strike the second Whereas clause from the resolution and insert the word "elected" in the first and last Whereas clause where it referred to officials and employees. He further amended the resolution to insert the words "elected officials" after the word "employees" in Section 2. Councilman Miller seconded the motion to amend. The motion carries Councilman Miller felt an issue such as this needed to be brought out in public and debated. He felt there was very valuable input from the citizens when certain matters were brought out in the open. He felt the resolution was needed in case the Council wished to subpoena any individuals in the futurein an investigation. Councilman Newburn indicated that the Council did not operate behind closed doors. He wondered if Councilman Miller was trying to imply that. He stated that the caucuses have been open to the press. Councilman Kopczynski stated that he felt Councilman Newburn had made an incorrect statement. He stated that he had sponsored a resolution to open all caucus meetings to the press because of a recent controversy concerning a closed meeting. He reminded Councilman Newburn that his resolution had been defeated by the Council. Council Presider. Parent indicated that, "99.9 percent of the time, caucuses were open to the public ". There was a call for the question on the original motion to refer the resolution to the Committee of the Whole. Council President Parent requested a roll call vote on the motion. The motion carried by a roll call vote of five ayes (Councilmen Serge, Taylor, Horvath, Newburn and Parent) and three nays (Councilmen Szymkowiak, Miller and Kopczynski) with Councilman Nemeth absent. RESOLUTION NO. 477 -75 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROVING THE AWARDING OF THE FIFTEEN CONTRACTS IN EXCESS OF $5,000 FOR REHABILITATION WORK IN THE SOUTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. WHEREAS, under provisions of Ordinance No. 5689 -74, passed by the South Bend