03-09-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 9, 2009 the count of shelter and unsheltered homeless individuals on the street, and for this year, have counted and interviewed 116 people on January 28, 2009, that were unsheltered in the community. In addition, on that same day, they interviewed 81 folks who reported that they were staying somewhere precariously sheltered, staying at a friends house or perhaps a fictional friends house as they did not want to admit to being unsheltered. As a part of that count they counted eleven 11 spaces of bedding under two bridges in the community. So the need is there on very cold nights to shelter individuals. Ms. Marlene Nowak, 1709 E. Wayne Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is here tonight as a concerned citizen and a volunteer at Our Lady of the Road since it’s inception and also at the Catholic Worker House. She stated that she sees the need first hand of the people who come and drop in during the day time. There is a great need in our community for people to have a safe place to sleep at night. No matter what religion anyone practices we need to support and provide this kind of care on the very cold nights during the winter months. She stated that this past year has been an exceptionally bitter cold winter and she urged the Council to support this bill. Mr. Brian Kennedy, 515 S. St. Joseph Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that at one point in his life he used the Weather Amnesty Program. He believes that it is imperative that the ten (10) extra beds that could be provided by Our Lady of the Road would greatly help those in need on those very cold winter nights. He stated that there is an obvious need in the community and urged the Council to vote favorably. Ms. Sheila McCarthey, 518 S. St. Joseph Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that every weekend she washes clothes at Our Lady of the Road and people have been telling her as she hands out towels for them to take showers as she takes their laundry and washes it, gives out razors for people who want to get cleaned up, that Our Lady of the Road is such a great place. She stated that they are so appreciative of the service that is provided to them. She stated that it has been a terribly cold winter, unlike anything anyone can remember for quite some time and being able to provide ten (10) individuals to stay overnight and out of the extremely cold climate would be a great help. She encourages the Council to vote in favor of this bill. Ms. Ann Voll, owner, Sibley Machine & Foundry, 206 E. Tutt Street, South Bend, Indiana. Ms. Voll stated that she does not live in the City; however she and her husband own Sibley Machine & Foundry which is located one block east of Our Lady of the Road. She stated that there is a positive relationship between them and the Catholic Worker Community. It began a little over two (2) years ago, when she volunteered at Our Lady of the Road, but it is an ongoing relationship that has had opportunities to employ a number of folks that on a regular basis visit at the Catholic Worker Community. She stated that the experience has been with an organization that is exceptionally well run and agrees that the residents would be in safe situation. She stated that she has followed the renovation of the building and they are certainly done in a first class way. She reiterated what Mr. Rink from Rink Riverside Printing stated that as businesses in the community anything that they can do to further the efforts of the Catholic Workers and the homeless community they certainly endorse. She stated that over the past two (2) years that they have successfully employed and still have in their employment three (3) individuals that have passed through the Catholic Worker Community, two of which are currently pursuing educations at Ivy Tech. In addition to simply the housing situation, there really is a very positive effort that is occurring in that four or five block area and it is important for the Council to be aware of. She urged the Council’s favorable consideration of this bill. There was no one present wishing to speak in opposition to this bill. Councilmember Dieter made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill as substituted. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 4