05-12-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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.V �. • REGULAR MEETING - RECONVENED (CONTINUED) PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Mrs. Irene Mutzl, 320 Parkovash, brought up the subject of the cocktail party which had been held by the Housing Allowance Office a few weeks ago. She indicated that she had brought up this subject at the last Council meeting. She stated that Mr. Charles Lennon, Director of the Housing Allowance Office had reported that the Rand Corporation had purchased the "booze" and the food had been paid for by the HAO. She did not feel this was fitting and she objected to this procedure regardless of the fact that the Rand Corporation paid part of the bill. She stated that some people had kept pursuing the amount of money spent and allowed by the HAO. She had finally been able to learn that over one -half million dollars had been spent and a great deal of this had gone for salaries and wages and other administrative costs. Mrs. Mutzl indicated that only a very smal amount of money (approximately $6,000) had actually gone to the recipients of the program. She asked that the councilmen on the Housing Committee look into the program. She also mentioned that some people have been "harrassed" into participating in the program, and she knew of one incident in particular. She hoped this also could be investigated. Mrs. Mutzl suggested that the Council request an audit from the HAO, and she again urged that some study and investigation be given the whole issue. Councilman Miller indicated that the City Council had no direct or indirect power over the HAO. He stated that Mr. Ben Cope was the chairman of the citizens' advisory committee and he suggested that Mrs. Mutzl contact him and request of him an invitation to attend the next meeting in an effort to get some answers to her questions. He stated that he has asked the same questions and some of this information was available. He felt sure Mrs. Mutzl would get a satis- factory answer from Mr. Cope. He indicated that this was outside the framework of the Council, an( Mr. Lennon or Mr. Cope would have to supply that information. He stated that the Council had approved the initial program but the Council had no control, supervision or review power over the program. Mrs. Mutzl indicated that she wanted the Council to be made aware of the present situati( Council President Parent hoped that, as time went by, the amount of funds being spent for the recipients would increase. He stated that, with the start of any program, there is always admin- istrative costs involved. Councilman Kopczynski stated that he agreed with Mrs. Mutzl, and he indicated that he had been approached regarding some rental property and he felt he, too, had been harrassed about participation in the program. He felt the program was not run very well and he could see where the Housing Allowance program could be detrimental to the community. He felt the Council should have some constraints on the program because of the harm it could to to the community. He talked about the lots of many of these homes eventually becoming vacant and the city having to take over the property. He felt the Council should establish a monitoring committee within the Council to check into the matter. Councilman Horvath indicated that he was shocked to hear of the large investment for the staffing, etc., but he felt now that the program was establis] the largest amount of money would be used for the recipients in the future. He indicated that he would check into the problem of harrassment. Councilman Miller informed Mrs. Mutzl that the next meeting of the citizens' advisory committee would be held on June 27th at 1:30 p.m., at the Housinc Allowance Office. He stated that he did not know if he would be attending. Council President Parent felt Mrs. Mutzl should take her information to the HAO. He asked that Mrs. Gammon also write a letter to Mr. Lennon concerning the matter and ask him to be present at the next Council meeting during the citizens' portion of the meeting to answer these questions. Mrs. Lee Swan, 2022 South Swygart, talked about the possibility of Mr. William Hojnacki and Dr. Rene Wilett being in attendance at the Council meeting this evening. She felt some questions need answering concerning the Delos House operation and the failure of the program to move to the Frances Street location. She indicated that, on April 15th, the home on Frances Street was to be purchased. She stated that the operation was still located on Bartlett Street, and she wondered where the rent money was coming from since the rent should have expired for that property. Counci President Parent indicated that Councilman Kopczynski had directed a letter to Dr. Wilett and requested his appearance at the Council meeting. He stated that Dr. Wilett had responded by stating that the property was purchased and the building on Frances Street was being renovated in order to bring it up to code. Mrs. Swan indicated that Mr. Hojnacki had stated previously that the building was basically sound. She wondered about the delay. Councilman Kopczynski referred to a letter written by Mr. Keith Crighton which contained an inspection report made by Mr. Mark Davis of the property on Frances Street. He mentioned some of the deficiencies which existed: deterioration of roof shingles in spots, signs of patching and gravel spotting. The recommendatio was for a new roof. There was a problem with a lack of electrical plugs in the rooms and only one 60 amp box. The foundation should be tuckpointed and the wood siding scraped and painted and various pieces replaced. Several sections of the eavestroughes and downspouts must be replaced. It was also recommended that a certificate of compliance be obtained from the State Fire Marshall' Office. He indicated that there were many other items on the list. He felt the committee headed by Councilman Serge had been derelict in not advising the Council of the condition of the building and he wondered about the qualification of Mark Davis on the inspection of the building. He also wondered how the rent was being paid for the property on Bartlett Street as the lease should have expired February 16, 1975. He mentioned that the Delos House residents were supposed to take care of the property and this had been referred to as therapy work. He felt it was time that the peopl coming before the Council "stop lying ". He indicated that what was said at the public hearing did not agree with the inspection report he had received. He felt Council President Parent should appoint a committee to "get down to business" and find out why the Council was being told one thins and then something else was done. He felt there was no credibility in many of these programs. Councilman Serge objected to Councilman Kopczynski's statement concerning the condition of the building on Frances Street . He stated that the committee was told that the house did not pass inspection and that some things would have to be corrected. He indicated that June 15th was the deadline at the Bartlett Street location and the home would be vacated by then. He asked Mr. Roll: Farrand where the money was coming from to pay the rent on the Bartlett Street property. Mr. Farr< indicated that he was not involved in that particular aspect of the program; however, he could obtain the information for the Council. Councilman Kopczynski felt this sort of thing was a reflection on the committee that recommended the purchase of the home in its present condition. He felt the defects should have been brought to light before the money was appropriated. He felt this was concealment in government. Councilman Taylor felt that there was not one drug rehabilita- tion program in the country that Councilman Kopczynski would support. He felt Councilman Kopczyns] was not being truthful at all. Council President Parent stated that he was amazed that Mr. Farran< would continue working for the city when his integrity was questioned. He stated that he was amaz( that Mark Davis will be assailed for a job he had to do. He was amazed that these allegations wer( made and these same people continued to do their jobs. He mentioned the harrassment that some of the people have received, and he felt that their work was appreciated''iby most. He felt Councilman Serge's committee had looked for an adequate structure and had tried to do a good job. He felt in. .n i 1 L Ll J