07-23-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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(REGULAR MEETING (CONTINUED) Councilman Horvath made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Councilman Miller. The motion carried. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend met in the Committee of the Whole on Monday, July 23, 1973, at 7:08 p.m., with nine members present. Chairman Odell Newburn presided. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TRANSFERRING THE SUM OF $72,711.00 FROM VARIOUS ACCOUNTS IN THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FA -2, "DRUG ABUSE PROGRAM ", TO ACCOUNT 266, "OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES ", ALL ACCOUNTS BEING WITHIN THE DRUG ABUSE PROGRAM, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Walter Lantz, Chief Deputy Controller, made the presentation for the ordinance. He briefly explained that, on April 23, the Council passed an ordinance appropriating $110,801 for the Drug Abuse Program, and that the proposed ordinance before the Council at this time was merely a transfer of funds within the accounts. He explained that it had been originally intended that the Mental Health Center administer the program; however, it had been determined it would not be workable to put the employees of the Center on the city's payroll and purchase the necessary medical supplies. He indicated that the program would be operated under a contract with the Mental Health Center. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, questioned the trans- fer of funds within the accounts. She asked if the city would still retain control over the funds. Mr. Lantz indicated that the contract would specify a particular amount of money in the various accounts and the contract would be entered into for the total amount of the ordinance ($110,801). Miss Guthrie indicated that the difference between the original ordinance and the transfer would be around $38,000. Mr. Lantz indicated that this was the amount set up in the "Services Contractual" account. Miss Guthrie asked if the Mental Health Center would bill the city, and Mr. Lantz indicat that it would. He stressed the fact that the total amount of the ordinance was not being changed. Miss Guthrie asked about equipment, and Mr. Lantz indicated that the purchase would involve one motor vehicle and some office equipment which would be the property of the city. Mr. James Wensits, Reporter for the South Bend Tribune, asked how much money would be used for the methadon, and Mr. Lantz indicated that $15,885 was appropriated for medical supplies. He introduced Mr. Dale King, Administrator for the Northern Indiana Drug Abuse Services, and Mr. King indicated that $20,000 would be needed to operate the clinic and this amount would be matched with federal funds and could goon for three to four years. He indicated that the rest of the money would be used to establish a residential treatment center. Mrs. Lee Swan, 2022 Swygart, indicated that the use of methadon ha bad results and disadvantages. She felt the Council would be subsidizing an addicted narcotic. Sh indicated that methadon and heroin were similar drugs and the only difference was that heroin was illegal and methadon was not. The dangers and side affects of the drugs are the same. She indicat that the success rate of the methadon program is based upon the number of retentions within the pro gram. She also stated that there are methadon addicts who have never touched heroin. She cited cases of parents being on methadon and having the drug in their homes and their children taking the drug and the results were death, and other instances of pregnant mothers on the drug and their children being addicted when born. Councilman Parent indicated that the issue before the Council was merely whether or not the transfer of the funds should be made. He indicated that the funds for the program had already been appropriated. Councilman Taylor indicated that he agreed with Councilman Parent, and he further indicated that, from his viewpoint, at least the methadon clinic would take the addict off the streets and put him into a program that might possibly cure him. Chairman Newburn indicated that the Council was out of order. He indicated that the Council was conducting a hearing on the transfer of funds and not the disadvantages of methadon. He asked that comments pertain to the proposed ordinance. Mrs. Swan asked that the councilmen read the informa- tion she had presented to them regarding methadon. Councilman Taylor asked if counseling and psychiatry was also included in the program, and Mr. King indicated that it was. Councilman Serge made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Parent. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE FOR AN ADDITIONAL APPRO- PRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $400.00 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO ACCOUNT L -34, "FILM AND BLUEPRINTING ", IN THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT BUDGET, SAID ACCOUNT BEING WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND. 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 explained that the Engineering Departmen has been printing plans and maps within the department for sale to the public. He indicated that the account was depleted and it was necessary that funds be put back into the account. He indicate that the money coming in from the sale of the plans and maps does not go back into the L -34 account Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, commended the Engineering Department. Councilman Kopczynski made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $10,000.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FUND, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC WORKS PRO- GRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. . Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, requested that the ordinance be thdrawn. Councilman Miller made a motion that the ordinance be withdrawn, seconded by Councilman pczynski. The motion carried.