07-27-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 27, 2009 everyday. He stated that is contradicting to him. He stated that if the Council has concern about the community as much as they pay attention to the school system then they should pay attention to the addiction side of this thing. He stated no disrespect but with all due respect, it’s a thing that is happening everyday. Mr. Carruthers advised that there are people here tonight that are going to speak in opposition to this, because they say that they don’t want it in their back yards, next door, here, or there. He stated that it is already there, you can sit in your living room and look out the window and find it. He stated that the same people are the same people that were in treatment seven or eight years ago. Council President Dieter advised Mr. Carruthers to stay on topic and what is relevant to the special exception. Mr. Carruthers stated that it is all relevant. He stated that his point is that he tried to speak at the committee meeting as was stopped and now he is being stopped. He stated that all he is trying to do is open up a half-way house and how the community is losing the fight on drugs and alcohol. He stated that it is about rehabilitating homeless people, people with alcoholism and drug addiction. Councilmember Henry Davis asked Mr. Carruthers that if he were to enter his half-way house what would he have to do. Mr. Carruthers stated that the first thing a person must do to enter his half-way house is meet criteria. That means that you have to sit down someone that is certified in that area, do an assessment, a series of questions, what was used, how it was used, how long it was used, short term goals, objectives. He stated that there is a screening process that takes place before you enter his doors. He stated that the assessment takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half. He stated that the client would then after passing the screening and assessment process sign a lease; his leases are from six months to one year, two years at the longest. He stated that the client would then receive a key, a room, bed linens and a handbook on the rules and guidelines of the organization and at that point the client is expected to follow those guidelines upon signing the lease. He stated that the clients must have a job based on the fact that is part of the criteria to enter the program. Mr. Carruthers stated that he currently does not have anything set up with employment agencies, but most of his clients would come from a referral source like Life Treatment Center; Hope Rescue Mission, and Salvation Army. He stated that most of his clients would be coming out of treatment or actively in treatment. So they would already by actively employed to pay their own rent. Councilmember Davis asked who is funding this. Mr. Carruthers stated that their clients would pay weekly. He stated that he also receives grants and donations also. Councilmember Davis stated that he wanted to make sure that Mr. Carruthers had the chance to explain his reasoning for the special exception. He stated that this is a problem not only in the City of South Bend, but in several zip code areas 46619; 46628 and 46613. He stated that in 2006 and 2007 there were 556 inmates released back in to those zip codes here in the City of South Bend. He stated that each year those numbers are increasing and would like for those individuals to be able to come back into society with some type of sustainability and quality of life. In the end they want them to become law abiding, tax paying citizens. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that he was the Councilmember that was concerned that Mr. Carruthers did not take the opportunity to talk to the neighbors. He stated that he th is the 6 District Council Representative and in his District last year a petitioner wanted to put in a cell tower in a neighborhood. He stated that it was something that he did not have a problem with as long as the petitioner took the time to talk to the neighbors and explain exactly what the project was. He stated that his decision was based solely on the fact of taking the time to explain to the residents of that neighborhood, because they have to live there. He stated that he has worked with other treatment programs in the past and 13