08-08-77 Council Meeting Minutes

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1-15 REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 8, 1977 Council Vice President Dombrowski welcomed Councilman Horvath, who has returned after an illness SPECIAL BUSINESS Mr. Richard Albright, President of the Police Merit Board gave the following report: "Several months ago the Merit Board determined that it would be unfeasible to implement the merit plan in its entirety, as- outlined in Ordinance No. 5964 -76. However, segments of that plan can be in- corporated into an improved system. The Merit Board has contacted other Indiana cities that have introduced a merit plan for their police departments. This department is presently under court order to revise its promotional process in an attempt to make it more job related. As a result of this order, promotions on the Indianapolis Department have been frozen for two years. Our Merit Board and Police Department advisors are now in agreement that in order to obviate possible court delays, a professional consultant firm should be hired to work in conjunction with us in developing a promotional system that will comply with Federal, State and local legal requirements The Merit Board has been addressed by one consultant firm and is taking steps to receive a pro- posal from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The Merit Board continues in its attempt to develop a Promotion System that will amend our Merit Ordinance in such a manner as to enable implementation without disruption. We ask for the continued support of the members of this Common Council in what we now know will be a more time - consuming and more costly implementa- tion of a revised Police Merit System. As soon as cost estimates are available from the con- sulting firms, we will present a request for Federal Revenue Sharing Funds." Council Member Sergi asked if Revenue Sharing money could be used for this purpose, or could Federal Justice money be used. Mayor Nemeth indicated he hoped they could use Criminal Justice money for this purpose. Serge indicated he would like to have it come out of Criminal Justice money. The Mayor indicated they would look into this matter. Council Member Adams made a motion to reappoint Mr. Bernard White to the TRANSPO Board of Directo: seconded by Council Member Serge. The motion carried. Council Vice President Dombrowski asked the Clerk's office to notify Mr. Lobdell. Council Member Adams made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Counci: Member Serge. The motion carried. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend met in the Committee of the Whole on Monday, August 8, 1977, at 7:08 p.m., with six members present. Chairman Frank Horvath presiding. Chairman Horvath indicated he was glad to be back working with the Council after his recent ill- ness. BILL NO. 100 -77 A BILL APPROPRIATING $30,000.00 FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND, FOR A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RELOCATION PROGRAM, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT /DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND BUILD- ING DEPARTMENT /BUREAU OF HOUSING. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Carl Ellison, Director of Community Development, made the presentation for the bill. He said the City may find it necessary, while conducting the various housing assistance activities, to relocate persons or households from housing units which are uninhabitable. He said funds will be utilized on an as- needed basis. He said the Bureau of Housing will be able to relocate six families with this appropriation, using State relocation guidelines. Council Member Miller indicated that he opposed this type of relocation assistance. He said a relocation policy tends to encourage people to make a house unfit for habilitation so they can be relocated. Council Member Adams indicated that the Administration has asked to have the money available. She said at the most, they are only talking about six families. She said she would like to see them given a chance to use this. Council Member Dombrowski asked_.if they had any intention of relocating six families at this time. Mr. Ellison indicated this ap- propriation would allow them to meet the statutory requirements, and was designed to protect the City's interests. Council Member Serge made a motion to recommend this bill to the Council favor able, seconded by Council Member Adams. The motion carried, with Council Member Miller opposing. BILL NO. 101 -77 A BILL APPROPRIATING $15,000.00 FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC PARK PROJECTS TO BE AD- MINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT /DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PARKS. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. James Seitz, Superintendent of Public Parks, made the presentation for the bill. He said Walker Field tennis courts were resurfaced this year and have become very popular. He said lights will provide additional hours for persons wishing to play tennis at Walker Field. He said additional lighted tennis courts are needed in the City. Council Member Szymkowiak made a motion to recommend this-to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Adams. Council Member Horvath complimented the Park Department for the nice job they did resurfacing the courts at Walker Field. The motion carried. BILL NO. 102 -77 A BILL APPROPRIATING $20,000.00 FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND, FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT /BUREAU OF HOUSING.