07-14-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JTJT,V 14 1975 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Street. Councilman Horvath wondered about the present zoning of the property, and Mr. Saha states that it was "B" Residential. Council President Parent wondered about the reaction of the resideni in the area to the proposed rezoning. Mr. Ruge indicated that, at the Area Plan Commission hearing, there was no reaction; however, a letter had been submitted by an organization in the area concerning the rezoning. He could not comment on the contents of that letter. Council President Parent wondered how many houses would have to be demolished for construction of the warehouse facility. Mr. Ruge indicated that no houses would be demolished. Councilman Miller wondered how many houses in that area Mr. Ruge owned. Mr. Ruge referred to the overhead projector indicating the properties he owned. Councilman Szymkowiak made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Horvath. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $62,500.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED 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. Mr. Michael Carrington, Public Safety Director, made the presentation for the ordinance. He indicated that he had submitted a considerable amoun of written material to the Council members concerning the appropriation for the continued opera- tion of the police computer system. He stated that he was hopeful the program could be included in the 1976 budget. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, wondered what period of tii would be covered by the appropriation. He asked if the appropriation would be an annual cost. Mr. Carrington stated that it was not an annual cost. He indicated that the system would cost approximately $10,000 per month, and the city's share amounted to approximately $7,000 per month. He indicated that the more police agencies that hook up to the system, the less it would cost eac] participating agency, and he stated that South Bend was the largest participant and user of the system. Mr. Evans wondered about the value of the program to the citizens. Mr. Carrington indicated that the use of computers has been accepted in the business world for some time. He indicated that here, it was a relatively new item. He stated that he could not show a dollar figure of savings which would be realized by the city but he felt the program was invaluable in that police officers' lives have been saved, stolen property has been returned, priorities and patrol areas have been established, etc. He felt the cost to the city for the program was very reasonable. Council President Parent indicated that the city has spent a great deal of money implementing the program. He felt effective use of the program could be realized and the program should be made a part of the regular budget for 1976. Councilman Serge wondered how many working hours would be saved the department by utilizing the program. Mr. Carrington indicated that he did not have an exact figure but that two persons' time would be saved on the typing of reports alone. Councilman Serge made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Council President Parent. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF $205,500 OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAND PARK AND WHITE WATER RAPIDS. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Pat McMahon, Manager of the Bureau of Public Construction, made the presentation for the ordinance. He indicated that the approximate cost of construction for the White Water Way was $290,000, with the city's match being 20% or $58,000, and the Economic Development Administration paying 80% or $232,000. Regarding construc- tion of the Island Park, the EDA would participate 50% or $147,500. Councilman Miller wondered how many jobs would be created for.the construction phase of the projects. Mr. McMahon indicated that he estimated that 20 persons would be employed over the course of the projects. Approximately 70% of the funds would go towards labor. Councilman Miller wondered how much federal money would be coming into the projects, and Mr. McMahon repeated that $232,000 would be brought in on the White Water Way and $147,500 on the Island Park. He stated that the Board of Public Works would be receiving bids on July 21st for the projects and hopefully construction could be started within 30 days. Council President Parent wondered why an attempt had not been made to include the projects in a bond issue. He referred to the recent bond issue which had been defeated concerning renovation of the Potawatomi Zoo. Mr. James Seitz, Director of the Department of Public Parks, indicated that one year must pass after the defeat of a bond issue before the matter could be taken up again. Councilman Horvath wondered if it was legal to use federal funds for the city's share of the projects, and Mr. McMahon indicated that the administration had wondered about this and the federal government had indicated that funds received from it were considered a valid match. Councilman Miller made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council,) seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $255,000.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FUND TO ACCOUNT NO. 260.1, "ARCHITECT AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT FEES AND EXPENSES ", AND THE SUM OF $28,000.00 TO A NEW ACCOUNT NO. 510.0, "INSURANCE ", BOTH (continued)