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r r TTTT t 1 f F i . +'F"F.'I"'F'F"F'I'i"'i"'I"F. F I"F'."I"Fi"'E' +'E"F'F'F"F'� "}+'I?. I"I"F F" F' I' ." Fi'..."F'i"F'F'."F"F'I'"F. F} F F"F'..i"'}'i"F' +."F'... <br />REGULAR MEETING MARCH 11, 197 <br />Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend met in the Council Chambers of <br />the County -City Building on Monday, March 11, 1974, at 7:08 p.m., Council President Peter J. Nemeth <br />presiding. The meeting was called to order and the Pledge to the Flag was given. <br />ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmen Serge, Miller, Parent, <br />Taylor, Kopczynski, Horvath, <br />Newburn and Nemeth. <br />ABSENT: Councilman Szymkowiak. <br />Council President Nemeth congratulated Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic <br />Planning Association, who was retiring effective March 15th. <br />Councilman Horvath made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Councilman <br />Taylor. The motion carried. <br />COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING <br />Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend met in the Committee of the <br />Whole on Monday, March 11, 1974, at 7:09 p.m., with eight members present and one member absent. <br />Chairman Odell Newburn presided. <br />ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE SOUTH BEND <br />CRIME COMMISSION. <br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and <br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Council President Nemeth made the presentation <br />for the ordinance. He indicated that the ordinance called for the establishment of the South Bend <br />Crime Commission, and the purpose of the commission would be to investigate and make recommendation <br />for the improvement and more efficient operation of the agencies within the criminal justice system <br />He stated that this was not an attempt of government to get involved in policing. He was hopeful <br />that this would be completely independent from governmental influence. He briefly talked about <br />membership of the commission, indicating that there would be nine members; four being appointed by <br />the Mayor, four being appointed by the Council, and the ninth member to be appointed jointly by the <br />Mayor and President of the Council. Council President Nemeth concluded by stating that the propose <br />ordinance would "get the commission started" and hopefully, in the near future, it would be funded <br />from other sources and would be a not - for - profit organization. <br />Mrs. Frederick Mutzl of the St. Joseph County Fair Tax Association was concerned about the meetings <br />to be held by the commission. She asked if these meetings would be open to the public. Council <br />President Nemeth indicated that they would be. Mrs. Mutzl then wondered if it should be stated in <br />the ordinance that the meetings would be open to the public. Council President Nemeth could see no <br />problem in inserting words such as "not less than one public meeting a month Mrs. Mutzl then <br />stated that she was also concerned about the employment of an executive director and secretary. Sh <br />wondered how this would be financed. Council President Nemeth stated that the commission would hav <br />to "get off the ground ". He was hopeful that it would be for no more than one year, at which time <br />the commission could then be on its own. Mrs. Mutzl suggested that the ordinance state "for a one - <br />year period of time ". She wondered about approval of the budget by the Council. Council President <br />Nemeth stated that, if any funds were given to the organization, it would have to be approved by <br />the Council. Mrs. Mutzl wondered about subpoena powers and if the judges could be subpoenaed. <br />Council President Nemeth answered by stating that the subpoena powers of the commission would be <br />limited to the City of South Bend. Mrs. Mutzl expressed support of the ordinance and a reduction <br />in crime; however, she felt the ordinance was very broad. Mr. James Russell, 1517 Fremont, wondere <br />about crime and the minority groups. He asked about the power of the commission to investigate <br />kickbacks and political corruption. Council President Nemeth felt that matter was handled through <br />the prosecuting attorney's office, but the commission could also do it. Mr. Russell wondered if a <br />person of 21 years of age could be appointed to the commission, and Council President Nemeth stated <br />that, since the voting age was 18, he thought a person of 21 could be appointed. Mr. Russell then <br />asked about the public meetings. He stated that he did not feel the commission should be establish <br />immediately preceding an election. Council President Nemeth stated that the city election took <br />place in 1975 and not in 1974. Regarding public involvement, he stated that the commission would <br />be composed of nine members and hopefully would be expanded. Mr. Russell wondered if the commissio <br />would be concerned about Mishawaka. Council President Nemeth stated that the commission would have <br />no control over Mishawaka but it was hoped that, in the future, it would be expanded and would be <br />able to function in South Bend and surrounding areas. Mr. Russell then stated that the sheriff had <br />disapproved the commission. He wondered about this, and Council President Nemeth indicated that th <br />sheriff had been referring to the Coordinating Council and not the proposed crime commission. Mr. <br />Russell felt that the minority groups did not get action or help from the city officials and police <br />when requested. Mrs. Arlene Quigley, 1019 North Frances Street, Chairman of the-Crime Committee of <br />