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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 23, 1973
<br />IIREGULAR MEETING - RECONVENED (CONTINUED)
<br />this was the case in many matters and that when federal funds are available, approval always had
<br />to be given "yesterday ". She expressed her feeling that the Council not pass the resolution at
<br />the meeting. She felt the money for the Southeast area was very important and she recommended
<br />that the Council seriously consider approving that; however, since a contract had not even been
<br />signed for the Fire Department survey, that portion should be given further consideration. She
<br />mentioned that there already were three recreation centers in that area. She indicated that she
<br />knew this matter was important, but she also felt it was insulting to the Council to be handed
<br />something and made a decision at such a short notice. Mr. Lennon indicated that this was not the
<br />first time the matter had been presented to the Council for consideration. He indicated that, on
<br />September 25, 1972, a public hearing had been held. He did not feel it was fair for individuals t
<br />stand before the Council and criticize a matter when they were not aware of the project or the pla
<br />involved. He felt it was unfair to say that the Council had just received the information. Mrs.
<br />Janet Allen, 125 West Marion Street, indicated that both areas had been discussed for many years.
<br />,She mentioned that possibly the Redevelopment Department had just been given approval to proceed
<br />with the plan. She indicated that the project was nothing new,- but she did agree that the Council
<br />is given many things at the last minute and expected to make a decision.
<br />Mr. Paul Bognar, 805 West Washington Avenue, asked if the Model Cities portion would be approved by
<br />passage of the resolution. He asked if a fire station, municipal facilities building and playgroun
<br />would be built there, and Mr. Lennon indicated they would not be. He mentioned that there were too
<br />many variables not in at this time. Mr. Bognar asked if, by passage of the resolution, Mr. Lennon
<br />would be just given the authority to proceed with the project. Mr. Lennon indicated that this was
<br />the case. Mr. Bognar asked if Mr. Lennon would have to go back to the Council for final approval.
<br />Mr. Lennon indicated that he could only make recommendations which the Council must approve. Mr.
<br />Bognar did not feel that the operation in the Model Cities neighborhood should be approved at this
<br />time. Councilman Miller quoted the second numbered paragraph on page 3 of the resolution regarding
<br />the Urban Renewal Plan for the project and asked if this section should not be deleted from the
<br />resolution. Mr. Lennon indicated that the Council did not have the narrative but they did have
<br />the land -use plan. Councilman Miller asked about the number of pages of the Plan and indicated
<br />that, in the third complete paragraph on page 2, there was a blank line. Mr. Lennon indicated that
<br />at this time, he did not know how many pages the plan would be and for that reason a blank line
<br />was used. Councilman Miller indicated that Mr. Lennon was asking the Council to approve something
<br />they did not have a copy of or even seen to consider. Mr. Lennon indicated that this was the case;
<br />however, the Council did have the maps available which illustrated the project. He indicated that
<br />HUD had been notified of the problems the Redevelopment Department had encountered on the May 1
<br />deadline; however, HUD had not rescinded the date. He indicated that he had to have something to
<br />take to HUD and changes could be made at a later date. Councilman Miller questioned the legality
<br />of the procedure, and Mr. Lennon indicated that the Council has done this in the past. Councilman
<br />Kopczynski felt Mr. Lennon had not kept the Council well informed on the project. Mr. Lennon
<br />indicated that the maps had just been prepared this morning but were in preparation for three
<br />years. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that he was in favor of the Southeast area grant but he
<br />felt Mr. Lennon was very vague in the plans presented to the Council, and he again indicated that
<br />the Council has not been kept informed in the matter. Mr. Lennon objected to that statement, to
<br />which Councilman Kopczynski answered that he felt.'-it was very unfair to ask the Council to vote on
<br />the plan. He felt the Council should have been informed through the proper channels. Mr. Conrad
<br />Damian, 718 East Broadway, felt the Council was overlooking the citizens in the two project areas.
<br />He explained that on the Southeast side, the Department of Redevelopment had been working since
<br />the end of February to develop a program for the neighborhood. He indicated that, in the past,
<br />the Council has spoken of improvement in the neighborhood. He indicated that he was not present at
<br />the meeting to argue with the Councilmen as to whether or not they have been kept informed. He
<br />mentioned that the department has been working very diligently on the plans and has been very
<br />involved. Also, all 37 families involved were in favor of the plan. He indicated that they have
<br />been waiting for three years and he was sorry that they were here before the Council at the last
<br />minute. He stressed the fact that.HUD would not consider the plans if they were not submitted by
<br />May 1, and he indicated that no funding would be available if there was no action taken on the
<br />resolution. He appreciated the Council's concern; however, he indicated that the program would be
<br />ended if there was no action on the resolution.
<br />Councilman Newburn indicated
<br />Council's real intention was
<br />the federal government sets
<br />mentioned that many people w
<br />take advantage of these peop
<br />indicated that, because of t
<br />mean the Council would or wo
<br />cerned about specific detail
<br />controversial; however, on t
<br />land use. Mr. Lennon indica
<br />point in time when Mr. Lenno
<br />be reauired to do this. Mr.
<br />that, realizing the problems and difficulties in both areas, the
<br />not wanting to do anything but continue the matter. He indicated that
<br />i guideline which must be followed if funds are to be received. He
<br />)uld be affected by this plan. He felt it was unfair to South Bend to
<br />Le when they were being forced under the mandate. Councilman Parent
<br />ie previous discussion of the Council on the resolution, it did not
<br />zld not pass the resolution. He indicated that the Council is con-
<br />3. He assumed that the Southeast portion of the resolution was not
<br />le Model Cities portion, the only approval to be given would be for the
<br />:ed that this was correct. Councilman Parent asked if there was any
<br />i would be coming back to the Council on -the resolution and if he would
<br />Lennon indicated that he would have to comeback to the Council for
<br />approval of the final plans. He indicated that the plans presented to the Council at this time
<br />were only proposed. Councilman Parent asked how many of the 37 building dwellings mentioned pre-
<br />viously were substandard, and Mr. Lennon indicated that about 23% of the neighborhood program was
<br />developed from the code enforcement. He mentioned that this program takes into accounting a long -
<br />range type of projection and would be the first part of the 1969 land -use transportation plan.
<br />Mr. Edward Dunn, representing the Southeast area, indicated that 23% are substandard but, including
<br />major deficiencies, that figure would go up to 83 %. He also mentioned that it is in an area where
<br />there may be small pockets where only 45% of the structures are substandard. He mentioned that
<br />there are other areas that are eligible for clearance. Mrs. Louvenia Cain, 1207 West Washington
<br />Avenue, indicated that there are only about five homes that could be used but that would involve an
<br />extensive amount of money for repair. She indicated that she would like to have the Council make
<br />a tour of the neighborhood. She mentioned that, on Olive Street to Linden, the houses were in very
<br />bad condition. She felt the Council would also find the same thing on Orange Street and Sadie
<br />Street. She expressed hope that finally the plans could be made for improvement of the area.
<br />Councilman Miller felt the matter before the Council was very serious. He agreed with Councilman
<br />Parent. He expressed concern on the number of houses being torn down in the city. He felt the
<br />Council was constantly being asked to tear down buildings and not that many new buildings were
<br />being constructed. He wondered about the land -use plan for the area and the amount of money needed
<br />to bring 30 homes up to standard. He felt there were possible other solutions as a plan for use in
<br />the Model Cities. He suggested that the project might be funded totally provided there was a
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