01-24-77 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

BAN REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 24, 1977 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Mr. McMahon indicated there should be enough money to purchase this property. Council Member Taylor made a motion to recommend this ordinance to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Kopczynski. Council Member Kopczynski asked if this reconstruction was the direct re- sult of redevelopment, and if so the City should be able to get credit for this from redevelop- ment. Mayor Peter Nemeth indicated that redevelopment ended at the LaSalle Hotel. Mr. McMahon indicated that with regard to the signs at LaSalle, they would pursue this with redevelopment. Council Member Horvath asked how they could determine the cost of the project, and if there would be enough money to purchase the needed land, until the engineering was completed. Mr. McMa said the engineering cost was based on previous experience. Mayor Nemeth indicated that one of the reasons they were proceeding with this project was the fact that they had received a petition requesting the two -way system because of business problems in that area. He indicated the City was not going to waste the taxpayers money. Council Member Horvath indicated the City had spent a lot of money on the Marion connector. Council Member Dombrowski indicated he had been receivin complaints from people on South Michigan, and he wanted to know if that was going to be changed to two -way. Mayor Nemeth indicated they were not going to change South Michigan. Council Pres- ident Parent indicated that perhaps they could get the engineering done before they asked for th funds. Mr. McMahon indicated that if they waited until the engineering was completed before they went to the State there would be an extended delay. Council Member Kopczynski indicated that he had mentioned before about having preliminary plan drawings of proposed projects. He wanted to know why the Council could not receive preliminary plan drawings. Mr. McMahon indicated this could be done. The motion carried, with Council Member Horvath opposing. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $15,155.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS HUMAN RESOURCES PROGRAMS, TO BE AD- MINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPART- MENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and op- ponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. William Gilkey, Director of Human - Resources made the presentation for the ordinance. He indicated this appropriation was to cover the expect expenses of the 1977 Ethnic Festival. He indicated this Festival had taken place yearly since the inception of the Plaza. He said in the past this has been one of the most successful events staged. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, asked if records were kept so they would know how much was spent last year, in order to establish this year's figures. Mr. Gilkey indicated that records were kept and they knew to the penny what everything cost last year. Mr. Evans asked what type of equipment they needed to rent. Mr. Gilkey indicate that it was cooking utensils, public address system, etc. Mr. Evans said that in some locations businesses underwrite the cost of the fireworks. Mr. Gilkey said they had not found an under- writer. Mrs. Jane Swan, 2022 Swygart, indicated that for $15,000 the City gets $1,000,000 worth of community spirit. Mrs. Gwen Stiver, 1127 E. Wayne No., indicated she felt this was a good way that our community could show its ethnic talents. Council Member Szymkowiak made a motion to re- commend this ordinance to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Adams. Council President Parent asked if there was revenue to the City from this Festival. Mr. Gilkey indicated there was a $25 charge for booth rental. Mr. Mullen indicated the $25 was received in his office for licenses. Council President Parent asked how much was received last year. Mr. Mullen in- dicated approximately $350. Council President Parent said he would like to see the budget stay where it is, or perhaps go down in the future. Mr. Gilkey said they would continue to research for Federal funds. Council Member Kopczynski asked if this Ethnic. Festival was registered with the State. Mrs. Stiver indicated it was registered. Council Member Taylor said he had attended the Festivals and they were excellent. He said he hoped it continued to grow. He said that per- haps next year they could incorporate some of the activities in the Century Center. Mr. Chester Bentkowski, 25363 Gordon Road, indicated he was involved in the Festival and they were just gettii started. He said they should not attempt to grow too fast. He indicated the proceeds go into a scholarship fund. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $30,000.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING FOR VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROGRAMS TO BE ADMIN- ISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and op- ponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Peter Mullen, City Controller, made the pre- sentation for the ordinance. He indicated this appropriation was to fulfill a contractual agree- ment between the City and the YWCA. He said the YWCA would provide low -cost, supervised and protected residential living for women who were unable to establish their own households. They would provide services to women who find themselves misplaced by divorce, death, or transfers away from their hometown. He said the YWCA would provide counseling and educational services to pregnant adolescents withdrawn from school,as well as provide disadvantaged preschool children with programs in various neighborhood centers. Ms. Jane Cobb, Executive Director, spoke in sup- port of the request. She gave a history of the South Bend YWCA. She indicated the building was in good condition, however, it was necessary to update the wiring to meet code. She said that this allocation of revenue sharing money would make it possible to continue to provide the pro- grams and activities of the "Y" to the community. Dr. Lillian Stanton, 919 Oak Ridge spoke in favor of this ordinance. Ms. Sandra Lozier, Resident Director, discussed the residency available to women, and how the YWCA helped these women through various agencies. Council President Parent indicated he fully supported the request for these funds. He made a motion to recommend this to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Dombrowski. Council Member Adams commended Ms. Cobb for the work being done at the YWCA. She said she would like to explain her negative vote on this matter, as she felt this type of a contract was a circumvention. The motion carried, with Council Member Adams opposing. Chairman Frank Horvath welcomed the Government class from Riley High School.