06-23-75 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING JUNE 23 1975 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Bond Firm, Borge and Pitt, was the attorney working on the bond. He explained that the commission met on May 23, 1975, and reviewed the various documents pertaining to the bond issue of $2,300,000, He stated that the American Fletcher National Bank from Indianapolis would be the purchaser of the bonds. The project was located in the downtown renewal area; and Mr. Fedder introduced Mr. Manny to the Council. Councilman Szymkowiak made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Council President Parent. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $25,000.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMIN- ISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Police Chief John Walsh made the presentation fo the ordinance. He explained that the appropriation of $25,000 would be used for the continuation the overtime foot patrol program which he felt was very helpful and effective. Mrs. Lee Swan, 2022 South Swygart Avenue, wondered how the areas for the program were chosen. Pol: Chief Walsh indicated that the high crime areas were incorporated into the program. Mrs. Swan wondered how many crimes were recorded in areas covered by the foot patrol. Chief Walsh indicated that he could furnish that information although he did not have it readily available. Mrs. Swan indicated that she questioned the effectiveness of the program although she stated that she would not ask Chief Walsh to stop the program. She felt the program could be more effective. She suggested that every attempt be made to make the program more effective. Councilman Serge thanked (Chief Walsh for the fine job his department had done in the Pinhook area. He felt the program was effective in that area and it did help to prevent crime. Councilman Horvath felt the figures furnished to the Council by Chief Walsh were very impressive and the Council could see from those figures that the program was working. He stated that he was aware that the money was limited; however, he wished the program could be incorporated into all areas of the city. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered if the motorcycles which were purchased in the past were being used by the officers. He wondered if this would be feasible and would be an asset to the officers involved in the program. Chief Walsh indicated that the cycles were purchased some time ago and were very small and could not be ridden easily. He indicated that there had been some discussion on getting rid of the cycles. Councilman Szymkowiak indicated that the Council had been told that the cycles were needed and it would help the department. He wondered why something that could not be used had been purchased. Chief Walsh indicated that he could not answer that question because he had not been Police Chief when the cycles were purchased. Council President Parent indicated that he supported the program. He felt the purpose of the program was to deter crime and this was being done. Councilman Kopczynski asked about the amount of time used in which the officers were actual: on foot. Chief Walsh indicated that two - thirds of the total hours spent on the program were spent on foot. Some of the time had been spent in cars, at Jackson High School, the downtown area and al Pinhook. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if anything was being done to assign the officers to this type of work as a part of routine work in the event revenue sharing funds would not be available for the program in the future. Chief Walsh indicated that officers from the beat cars would have to be removed to accomplish the program at the present time. He stated that this was not being (done. Councilman Kopczynski stated that the cycles purchased previously were useless, and he wondered how they would be disposed of. Chief Walsh indicated that the Board of Public Works wouli advertise for bids. Councilman Nemeth wondered if the program could continue through 1975 with the appropriation request of $25,000. Chief Walsh indicated that the amount of $25,000 would take the program through October or November. He stated that, thus far this year, $45,000 had been expender Mr. Michael Carrington, Public Safety Director, indicated that, initially a $90,000 request for the year was made. He stated that the Council had asked that the amount be cut in half. This had beet done and an appropriation of $45,000 had been approved by the Council. He stated that, because of fiscal problems, the administration had requested that only $25,000 be requested at this time. Councilman Miller made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. There being no further business to a motion to rise and report to the (ATTEST: CITY CLERK (REGULAR MEETING - RECONVENED come before the Committee of the Whole, Councilman Taylor made Council, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. The motion carried ATT HAIRMAN Be it remembered that the regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, reconvened in the Council Chambers at 7:40 p.m., Council President Parent presiding and nine membe3 present. IREPORT FROM THE SUB - COMMITTEE ON MINUTES To the Common Council of the City of South Bend: Your sub - committee on the inspection and supervision of the minutes would respectfully report that it has inspected the minutes of the June 9, 1975, regular meeting of the Council and found them correct. The sub- committee, therefore, recommends that the same be approved. s/ Roger 0. Parent Councilman Kopczynski made a motion that the report be accepted as read and placed on file and the minutes be approved, seconded by Councilman Horvath. The motion carried.