10-20-75 Council Meetin Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 20 197 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, wondered about the estimate of the annual cost of providing meals. Chief Walsh indicated that it would cost approximately $650 per month. Mr. Evans wondered if the sheriff was asking for retroactive payment, and Chief Walsh indicated that he apparently was not. Mr. Evans wondered how long the meals had been pro- vided by the county. Chief Walsh indicated that, as long as he could remember, this practice had taken place. Mr. Evans wondered if it would be possible to house the prisoners in the county jail rather than the city jail, thus having the meals paid for by the county. Chief Walsh indicated that there were problems with housing some of the city prisoners in the county jail concerning the questioning of the prisoners. He stated that it was an inconvenience. Councilman Miller wondered how long a prisoner was normally held in the city jail, and Chief Walsh indicated that a normal stay was a day or two and that the prisoners in the city jail were those arrested by the city police. He stated that the prisoners are never held longer than a few days. Councilman Miller indicated that the sheriff received a meal allowance per day to feed the prisoners. He wondered about this. Chief Walsh indicated that 80� per meal would be charged by the county for any meals served city prisoners. Councilman Miller wondered if the same legal requirements would apply in this instance and if the county would have to provide the meals. He wondered if a state law governed meals for prisoners. He wondered if such a law would apply in the city's case. He asked that the Legal Department check into the matter to determine if the cit] could receive an allowance. Mr. Michael Carrington, Director of the Department of Public Safety, indicated that, if the city housed its own prisoners, it would have to feed them. Councilman Nemeth wondered when the city had started providing its own meals, and Chief Walsh indicated that it had started on October lst. Councilman Nemeth wondered if the county would be reducing its budget accordingly for feeding the prisoners. Chief Walsh indicated that he did not know. Councilman Nemeth asked Mr. Evans of the Civic Planning Association if he would check on that matte and Mr. Evans indicated that he would certainly do so. Councilman Kopczynski wondered about the problems encountered in keeping prisoners in the county jail. Mr. Carrington talked about the inconvenience of having to question prisoners while being held in the county jail. Chief Walsh indicated that, also, much needed information was lost by keeping the prisoners in the county jail, Councilman Kopczynski wondered if this reflected inefficiency on the part of the sheriff in maintaining the county jail. He wondered about the upsurge in the crime rate and the fact that the crime rate was continuing to increase. He wondered if all the methods talked about were helping to decrease crime. Chief Walsh felt the city was much better off with its own facilities, at which time, Councilman Taylor asked for a point of order. Chairman Newburn indicated that Councilman Kopczynski was getting off the subject while Councilman Kopczynski maintained that his questions were relevant to the issue. Council President Parent felt the city should request a grant for feeding the prisoners as an efficiency measure. He asked the Clerk's Office to remind him to draft a letter to the County Council President and County Commissioners to that effect. Councilman Nemeth made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried, with Councilman Kopczynski opposing. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $7,000.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PARK DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PARKS. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Robert Niezgodski, Assistant Superintendent of Business for the Park Department, made the presentation for the ordinance. He indicated that the request for fencing of the softball diamond and tennis courts came at the request of the LaSal: Neighborhood Association. Council President Parent wondered if the appropriation was absolutely necessary at this time in view of the fact that fencing could be done in the spring. Councilman Nemeth wondered why there was a need for a fence around the softball field. Mr. Niezgodski indicated that there were many complaints received because of balls going out of the play area. Mr. Buddy Bonds, Supervisor of Recreation Centers, indicated that the park was used by the neighborhood children and the teams in the summer softball leagues. Councilman Nemeth wondered how many softball diamonds in the city did not have fences around them. He wondered about the need for the fences. Mr. Niezgodski indicated that he was not sure of the exact number but he could provide that information at a later date. Councilman Serge wondered if the work would be done by the Park Department. Mr. Niezgodski indicated that the fencing project would be advertised for bids. All other work was done in- house. Councilman Miller wondered if there were plans to light the diamond, and Mr. Bonds indicated that that was a possibility in the future. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered if the Park Department could construct the fence rather than advertising for bids. He felt this would be leas expensive. Mr. Niezgodski felt the Park Department personnel could do just as good work as any contractor. He indicated that this would be done if it was determined to be feasible. Councilman Horvath made a motion to reduce the appropriation to $5,000 to eliminate the fencing for the softball diamond, seconded by Councilman Nemeth. The motion carried. Councilman Miller then made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably, as amended, to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $44,000.00 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 indicated that the appropriation was needed to purchase gasoline for the remainder of the year. He indicated that another ordinance would be coming up to appropriate another $6,000 for the Bureau of Solid Waste. He stated that th budget for 1975 was reduced in this particular category and prices were estimated at that time. Gasoline had far exceeded any increase that was anticipated at that time. He concluded by stating that gasoline usage has been at a steady rate and changes were made in the procedures to help reduce the usage.