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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-27-17 Health and Public Safety $013T11 N • (j d W PEACE 1865 OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK KAREEMAH FOWLER,CITY CLERK HEALTH &PUBLIC SAFETY NOVEMBER 27, 2017 5:14 P.M. Committee Members Present: Jo M. Broden, John Voorde, Oliver Davis Committee Members Absent: Karen White Other Council Present: Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic, Regina Williams-Preston, Randy Kelly, Tim Scott (late) Other Council Absent: None Others Present: Kareemah Fowler, Bianca Tirado, Graham Sparks, Bob Palmer Presenters: Oliver Davis, Bob Palmer Agenda: Homeless Bill of Rights Update—Oliver Davis Committee Chair Jo M. Broden called to order the Health and Public Safety Committee meeting at 5:14 p.m. She introduced members of the Committee and proceeded to give the floor to the presenters. Homeless Bill of Rights Update—Oliver Davis Oliver Davis, 801 Nash Street, stated, At the last Council meeting, we heard from a lot of people during Privilege of the Floor about homelessness. He submitted a copy of the Indianapolis Homelessness Bill of Rights (available in the City Clerk's Office). He continued, This has been sent to all of the Councilmembers. Former Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. sent this to us. We want to use this document and try to tailor it to South Bend. We want to put the Homelessness Working Group findings in our thoughts, and our Attorney has started his process of forming his thoughts with this. I have talked with him and he is going to share his thoughts. Bob Palmer, Common Council Attorney with offices on the 4h floor of the County-City Building, stated, We don't want to have a cookie-cutter Bill of Rights. We want to have something we can tailor specific to South Bend. We know that we are not going to solve the problem but hopefully we can come up with something that advances the ball, somewhat, on the issue. The problem of homelessness is far too big to solve with one (1)piece of legislation. However the hopelessness of solving the issue should not stand in our way in trying to do something to better our City and those that reside in it. I am going through a number of these 455 County-City Building•227 W.Jefferson Boulevard•South Bend,Indiana 46601 Phone 574-235-9221 •Fax 574-235-9173•TDD 574-235-5567•www.SouthBendfN.gov JENNIFER M.COFFMAN BIANCA TIRADO JOSEPH MOLNAR CHIEF DEPUTY/DIRECTOR OF DEPUTY/DIRECTOR OF POLICY ORDINANCE VIOLATION CLERK OPERATIONS type of documents to get a better understanding of what rights are articulated in each of them. I will put that list together and get that list to the sponsoring Councilmembers of this legislation. It is not my position to advocate for one (1) decision or another, for that is up to the Council. My goal is to give the Council all the various alternatives that are out there, and have the Council put together, what they feel is best for South Bend.Naming it the `Homelessness Bill of Rights' is not completely accurate as it is a short-hand name for it. We are thinking more along the lines of responsibilities. It is not an easy task but almost every Councilmember has made this a priority at one (1)point or another. Collectively, I believe this Council can move the ball forward. We are subject to the State statutes but currently there are none that prohibit what this Council is envisioning to do. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic stated, I appreciate these efforts and I continue to encourage the Homelessness Task Force to be engaged in this process. Councilmember Dr. David Varner stated, Every one of us who understands what our rights are also understand that along with those rights come responsibilities. I think it's only fair that we make statements of our shared expectations and responsibilities. I expect the people who are homeless will treat the police with respect. And I suspect, in most cases,they will be treated with respect themselves. I suspect in cases of weather that there will be cooperation. As services are provided, they have a responsibility to partake in those services. We can't solve a problem if you don't have both sides working on it. That very clearly states that we are happy to offer services. It may be a long time since some of these folks have been told they have responsibilities. Committee Chair Broden asked, Are we looking to schedule another Committee Meeting to address this?Possibly December 18ffi, 2017? Committeemember Davis replied, I would like that. We want to put this together so we can look at something and start moving forward. He then requested to put all the documents related to this issue, online. Committee Chair Broden stated, We need to include all people and groups that have been working on this issue over the years. Henry Davis Jr., 5117 Idlewood Drive, stated, I want to thank the Council for taking on this task. I think this is an opportunity to enhance some of the things happening from the Mayor's Office. It's great that the Mayor's Office views this as a priority but there are things on your end that need to happen. These homeless folks are American citizens. We need to help and support them. I don't think this should be a fight because this is something that could be awesome. Please, with an open mind,think and consider what could be so great about this. John Shafer, 2206 Miami Street, stated, I really want to thank South Bend for everything that has gone into the momentum of helping homelessness in this community. It is wonderful. There is no city in all of Michiana that has made any strides compared to South Bend. With this Bill of Rights, this gives South Bend an opportunity to be one of the premier cities across the nation that adopts this Bill of Rights. It will bring focus to South Bend in a greater way. It shows that the homeless here are citizens too. As I've read through the Bill of Rights information, everything 2 that is stated should already be a basic right to human beings whether they're homeless or not. They should already have the right to adequate shelter, to move freely in public spaces, to vote, those are all basic rights. I think the need for a Bill of Rights is wonderful but I think it is already something we should have for every citizen.Not only for those that are housed but for those who are unhoused and unsheltered. They are people and they count. To be able to establish a formal Bill of Rights that protect those rights, I would say, is South Bend's greatest move forward. Charles Smith, 2023 S. Taylor Street, stated, One (1) of the reasons why I brought up this Bill of Rights idea is because it was done in Indianapolis. We already have these rights under the Federal Government. The Bill of Rights actually protects the people on the streets. If you want medical treatment or drug treatment, go to jail because you will get it. It's the taxpayers that pay for that. I've witnessed where officers don't respect these people.Nobody is going to fix homelessness, it's going to be there,but the resources they have are really limited. Dealing with the homeless almost on a daily basis, I've never been assaulted or harmed. I've even gained friends down there. It shouldn't be necessary but I hope you all make the right decision in adopting this Bill of Rights. I've been homeless and it hurts. With no further discussion, Committee Chair Broden adjourned the Health and Public Safety Committee meeting at 5:36 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Jo . Broden, Committee Chair 3 I