10/08/07 Community and Economic Development Committee Minutes

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Community and Economic Development Committee 2007 South Send Common Council The October 8, 2007 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Derek Dieter at 3:15 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Varner, White, Kirsits, Kelly, Pfeifer, Rouse and Puzzello; Citizen Member Phil Panzica, City Attorney Charles Leone, Jeff Gibney, John Murphy, Pam Meyer, Bob Mathia, Council Intern Antoinette Redding, Martha Lewis, Jamie Loo of the Saufh Bend Tribune and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Dieter noted that the Committee members include Council Members Kelly, Puzzello, White, and herself; and Phil Panzica Marty Wolfson serve as citizen members. Substitute Bill No. 63-07: Pro osed A ro riation of 200 000 for Weed & Seed: Council Member Dieter called for a presentation on Substitute Bill No. 63-07 which would appropriate $200,000 received from the US Department of Justice for the Weed & Seed Program. Pamela C. Meyer, Community Development Director made the formal presentation. She noted that this will be the 5~h and final year for site # 1 for the period of September 1, 1007 through August 31, 2008. The funds will be used for law enforcement, community policing and prevention, intervention and treatment activities. Activities such as graffiti paint-overs, GED training, after school programs and additional police patrols will be funded. She added that there was a press conference at LaSalle a couple of weeks ago about this funding. Council Member Pfeifer noted that the neighbors are very pleased with the program and that it has made many positive differences. Better relationships have been built between the police and the neighbors. Council Member Kelly made motion, seconded by Council Member Puzzello that Substitute Bill No. 63-07 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Ms. Meyer provided a 1-page handout to the committee highlighting activities of the Weed & Seed Program serving LaSalle Park, Westside & Oliver Gateway {copy attached).