07-13-15 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 13, 2015 Samuel Brown, 222 E. Navarre St., South Bend— I represent Citizens United for a Better Government. I like the program, but I think we need to go back to look it over to make sure that what we are trying to do, is what we're doing which is serving the youth. I've seen it with the houses, we started with the small contractors; then the big contractors came in and took out the small contractors. Let's bring some components in to make sure we are accomplishing is what we are trying to do. Jesse Davis, P.O. Box 10205, South Bend — I think the idea and the concept is great. I have a bit of a problem with who we're going to put this in the hands of with the direction of the board of Public Works or Parks Department who are failing to do their job right now. Half of the departments are under investigation, at this point. Is there anything written at this point that it will be youth, that the youth will be from South Bend, and who is going to govern the program to make sure the dollars are being spent properly. Right now we have $30,000 being paid out to mow the city cemetery; that is being handled by the Parks Departments son's mowing company. I don't like the idea that the governing person will be the board or Department of Public Works. I think if the council brings it forward, then you need to be able to oversee it. Daniel Mullas, 632 S. 28" St., South Bend— I think this sounds like an amazing program. You are bringing something to the kids during the summer. You are teaching them responsibility, and commitment to show up to work. They are going to be learning something that they can take with them in life. I see a lot of my union brothers and sisters that don't feel like coming in and just use their PA days, only if they had a program like this. This is what the city needs. Think about when you were a kid, knocking on the neighbors doors. This gives them something to do. Thank you council. Those wishing to speak in opposition to: Christian Sassano, 126 Napoleon St., South Bend— I struggle in coming up here on opposition to this, as I agree with what everyone said. We obviously have lawns that need to be cut. This does seem like a wonderful opportunity to employ our youth, however we are just hoping that happens. I hate to say it that the Holiday Corp is the one that has building the property for the 200,000 sq. ft. property. There will be conflict when it comes to the companies involved.. I will echo what they said, we need council's guidelines. Mr. Davis I understand your concern with $10/hr. but it is something designed for youth. Let's make sure this goes to youth. This seems like a great way to do it but let's just make sure that it goes to our youth. Thank you. Gina Fleming, 114 E. Tasher St., South Bend — I'm not going to say that I'm totally against it. think it is a wonderful program but as they all have said they need to tweak it. When I grew up they had a youth service bureau and South Bend has one, so they can go through that organization for them to employ. Rebuttal: President Scott this is a resolution not an ordinance and is not written in stone. The idea is to start the conversation and start the guidelines. I remember the simple mentor you had to get up at 6am in the morning, to go to work but now you have to get up and go to work every day. I think that's crucial and I think that's crucial right now. It is a double win you take care of an issue plus start the conversation with the youth. Yes, the RQ needs to be written, here is an opportunity for us to give guidelines to that. I have others that are willing to commit to the RQ with specific guidelines. We have to remember Parks does a great job, I think this is a capacity issue. This allows for us to add capacity. Randy has a budget and his job is to make sure that the grass under code violations are being taken care of. Parks Department are the ones that are cutting grass. Someone asked about RFP this would be the responsibility of Randy and he would oversee it to make sure it is done correctly. The other thing with Holiday Corp does have a program for just youth to give them jobs within the guidelines. The work with regards to the different corporations would be on a rotating basis if qualified for the bid, so fair for everybody. Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to overrule the five (5) minute time limit for comments made by Council. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr. seconded the motion which was defeated by a roll call vote of two (2) ayes by Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr. and Councilmember Oliver Davis and seven (7) nays. 31