05-12-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 12, 19 1 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING TO AND BRINGING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, CERTAIN LANDS, GENERALLY KNOWN AS THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF IRELAND ROAD AND IRONWOOD DRIVE IN ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Charles Sweeney, 1221 St. Joseph Bank Buildi the attorney representing the petitioner, I.P.M., made the presentation for the ordinance. He stated that he had previously requested that the hearing for the rezoning of the land be held at the same time the annexation was considered. He stated that the annexation was contingent upon the rezoning. He indicated that the rezoning of the property had been referred to the Area Plan Commission and he had hoped the recommendation of that commission would be considered prior to annexation of the property. It was indicated that the Area Plan Commission had not yet held a public hearing on the rezoning. He again stated that, if the rezoning was not approved, the annex tion petition probably would be withdrawn. He felt that this had been the Council's procedure in the past. Councilman Nemeth wondered if this really had been the Council's procedure. He dis- agreed with Mr. Sweeney, stated that, if the area was not legally within the city limits, the rezoning request would have to be forwarded to the County Commissioners. He indicated that the City Council had no jurisdiction to rezone property not located within the city. Mr. Sweeney again stated that he hoped the public hearings could be held.at the same time. Councilman Nemeth stated that he understood Mr. Sweeney's problem but he felt the Council did not have jurisdiction if the area was not annexed. Mr. Sweeney indicated that the character of the land was such that it had no residential value. He suggested that the Area Plan Commission make a recommendation to the City Council or County Council after which time a hearing could be held on the annexation. He felt both hearings could be held at the same time. He suggested that he withdraw the petition for annexation until after the rezoning was resolved with the Area Plan Commission. He wondered if this would be satisfactory. Councilman Nemeth made a motion to refer the ordinance to the Council' Law and Ordinances Committee, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. Council President Parent felt the public hearings should be set at the same time; however, the Council should act first on the annex tion of the property. He wondered if there would be any problems with that procedure in that the annexation would not become effective immediately and the Council would still be acting on a rezoning of property in the county. Councilman Miller felt that, if the Council desired to refer the ordinance to committee, it should atleast allow anyone in the audience to speak on the matter. There were no comments or questions from the audience. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $15,675.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, made the presentation for the ordinance. He briefly explained that the ordinance would provide funds for the continuation of the summer weed and trash control program. He stated that the amount appropriated was down approximately $1,100 since last summer. Mrs. Lee Swan, 2022 South Swygart Avenue, indicated that the program had received bad publicity ov the last two years. She wondered if deserving youngsters would be given jobs. She mentioned the problem of transporting stolen bikes in the vans last year. Mr. Farrand felt the program received good publicity last year despite the first year and the problems encountered. He indicated that the specific case Mrs. Swan had referred to had been taken care of in favor of the young man. Mrs. Swan wondered if any screening was accomplished on the youngsters regarding juvenile offenses. Mr. Farrand stated that the project was directed toward the under - privileged school children and drop- outs. The program would put those people in a work situation. Mrs. Swan urged that, if approved, the program be watched closely because the youth would be going into the neighborhoods. Councilman Kopczynski asked about the total amount of federal money being received for the program. Mr. Farrand stated that the wages would be paid through CETA funds. Councilman Kopczynski felt it was important to know the total value of the program. He stated that $15;000 would be needed for the "hardware ". He wondered about the wages being paid. Mr. Farrand indicated that 50 persons would be employed at approximately $2.00 an hour for 25 hours per week for 12 weeks. Councilman Kopczynski wondered about the other contractuals account of $11,050. Mr. Farrand indicated that this would provide for the leasing of eight vehicles. Councilman Kopczynski asked if the Street Department had recently purchased a two -door Vega. Mr. Farrand indicated that he was not familiar with the situation. Councilman Kopczynski asked if anyone knew about the incident he was referring to, and Mr. Michael Vance, Fiscal Officer, indicated that he would check into the matter if he could be given a purchase order number. Councilman Kopczynski asked the City Clerk to check the purchase order. He indicated that he understood the vehicle had been purchased. Mr. Farrand indicated that he was purchasing specific utility vehicles. Councilman Kopczynski felt better use of the vehicles should be afforded. He wondered about the possibility of using pick -up trucks. Mr. Farrand felt this was not a good idea. He mentioned that the equipment was stored in the vans overnight because the vans could be locked. Councilman Kopczynski asked about the vehicles to be used. He wondered if the vehicles would include six vans and two pick -up trucks, and Mr. Farrand indicated that he was correct. He stated that the trucks would be used by the supervisors. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if the Youth Services Bureau van could be utilized for the program. Mr. Farrand stated that he was sure the van would be used a great deal during the summer months for outings for the bureau. Councilman Kopczynski asked if there were any vehicles already in the city's hands that could be used for the program, and Mr. Farrand indicated that he was not aware of any. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if there were any surplus vehicles that could be traded in, and Mr. Farrand stated that he did not know of any. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered about the age group involved. Mr. Farrand indicated that the top age was around 21 and youth were hired as low as 14 years of age. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered if the amount of the salaries should be reduced for the younger boys in an effort to allow more jobs. He felt $2.25 an hour was quite a bit for a youngster of 14 years of age. Mr. Farrand indicated that he had no control over the federal minimum wage rate. Councilman Szymkowiak questioned Mr. Farrand's time being spent on the program supervising it. He felt someone below Mr. Farrand should be in charge of the program so that he could concentrate on the major problems of the city. Councilman Miller felt the concept of the