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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-16-81 Human Resources & Economic Development v Olnmtutttur &por on tilt &mu= Mourn/ atilt Mil of japimill nal: HUMAN RESOUCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE • The November 16, 1981 meeting of the Human Resources and Economic Development Committee was called to order at 4 : 30 p.m. in the council meeting room.by its chairman,- Councilman John Voorde. Persons in attendance included: Councilmen: Taylor, Crone, McGann, . and Voorde; Citizen Member Marc Brammer, Dave Wells, Jessie Dickenson, Sandy Schalmaniak, Patrick McMahon,Colleen Rosenfeld, Dick Pfeil and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilman Voorde announced that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the financial needs of Special Transportation System ' (STS) for 1982 which were brought to the attention of the Common Council at the November 9, 1981 council meeting. He further noted that discussions would include the 1982 Community Development funds which STS is seeking. Following an introduction of all persons present, Mr. Pfeil reviewed the handout attached to these minutes. He stressed that STS is only in the transportation business; provides 15, 000 one-way trips annually; presently has 3 vans in service; charges 50 cents each way within the City and $3. 75 each way for persons outside of the City; and that within six weeks Section 8 monies, C:D, monies and CETA monies will cease resulting in a deficit of $56;.000 for the next calendar year. Sandy Schalmaniak •noted that STS began in May of 1979. With the transporta tion, services provided by STS3they see that they are getting otherwise handicapped people off of relief and into the employment circles and consequently these individuals are then able to put their earnings back into circulation. Presently they are turning down an additional 33% of the requests made for one way transportation. Dave Wells representing Transpo stated that Transpo did not wish to get into the business which STS is presently into due to the fact that costs would triple due to union wages and other consideration. He sees such a service as a needed public activity. Pat McMahon stated that he did not wish to subsidize STS with funds that would be used for operational expenses because they may not be there in the future. He stated that the Mayor was willing to submit a bill providing $10, 000 for 1981 and $5, 000 for 1982 if it would be matched by:the County. Councilman Crone requested the funding sources since 1979. She was told that in 1979 and 1980 Transpo was the sole funder with $84, 000 being given in 1979 and $80, 000 in 1980. In 1981 Transpo gave $70, 000 and Community Development funds were given for the first time in the amount of $15, 000 . Councilman Crone opposed the Mayor's offer. She stated that we spent more money planting trees in the parkway. She sees the STS situation_.as unique. She noted that several other organizations were funded much more than $15, 000 by Community Development and for more than one time. She questioned the $200, 000 that will not be needed from Community Development for the Odd Fellows Building. She further questioned how much Community Development could spend on public service activities and was told that up to 10% PB[[ ►B[SS . a PUBLISHING CO. f ' Page 2. annually could be appropriated. She suggested that if $50, 000 would be appropriated, the City would still be far below the maximum limit. She sees a unique group of people within the City who deserve such a service. She regre=tted that the City and County failed to put pressure on Real Services when the fund_ request was before that body. Councilman Taylor believed that it was a matter of setting priorities. Of the 3.4 million dollars of Community Development funds for 1982, he believed that the request of STS should be among the activities. He suggested that the Council take a hard look at all other projects and that he was willing to change priorities. He noted that the members of the Common Council were deeply touched by the presentation made at last Monday's council meeting and that they were deserving of funds. He stated that he was willing to asked the Mayor for an appropriation for one year. He stressed that there needs to be public light placed on such worthwhile activities as STS. Councilman Taylor further noted that the City presently funds daycare centers with C.D. monies which are for operational purposes thus refuting Mr. McMahon' s statement. Council McGann echoed many of the same concerns expressed by the other Committee members. He noted that several problems have been pointed out to him regarding the projects which Real Services funds, and acknowledge that many other counties have a separate Council on Aging. Councilman Voorde also 1elieved that the request of STS was a valid concern and should be addressed by the City. Jessie Dickenson stated that he is sensitive to the needs of individuals, and that these people just want the opportunity to have a ordinary living. He stated that it was up to persons in places of responsibility to eliminate such handicaps. He stressed that the City should respond to such an urgent need becuase STS was just trying to survive. Following a brief recess and further discussions Councilman Taylor made a motion seconded by Councilman McGann that the Committee recommend that a resolution be drafted requesting that the City Administration appropriate up to $56, 000 for a one time item for STS. The resolution would further suggest that' the City was willing to assist STS in whatever forum necessary to seek a long term solution to their funding problems. The motion passed 4-0. Councilman Voorde summed up the Committee' s feeling that they believe that STS is at a survival position without any other place to turn. Dave Wells stated that he would try to get an additional $7, 250 . 00 from Transpo for the next calendar year. There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 6: 10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, John Voorde, Chairman 11/16/81 SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM (STS) I . Mission STS is a non-profit, paratransit system providing service to DISABLED persons unable to ride or use conventional public transportation in St. Joseph County. STS screens applicants in an effort to make sure riders are transportationally dis- abled. STS transportation is available for work, education, health care, shopping and social-recreational opportunities Monday thru Friday 7 : 00 A.M. to 6 : 00 P.M. Since funding outside of South Bend-Mishawaka has been severely limited, less than 5% of the riders are from the county rural areas. Since paratransit is the only function of STS, the service offers an excellent opportunity to centralize this function for better service and efficiency, allowing other agencies to concentrate on their unique and specialized non- transportation services to the disabled. II Need A 1977 UMTA study' indicates 7. 4 million transportation relevant disabilities in the USA. A 1917 needs assessment by the City of Chicago administration puts the figure at 10. 1 million or 5% of the 1970 census. To be on the conservative side, we used a figure of 3% of population; indicating the following disabled population- vs service rendered by STS at its present operating level . Disabled at STS clients % of 3% of 1980 1981 Total Census South Bend 3, 291 563 Mishawaka 1 , 215 144 Rural 2, 743 15 St. Joseph County Total 7, 249 722 10% Thus, due to lack of funding, STS is presently able to serve only a fraction of the needs in South Bend and Mishawaka. Lack of rural funding prevents STS from providing any significant rural service. III. Problem The disabled need specialized transportation to have a chance to lead a decent life. STS needs to be expanded to fill this most worthwhile human need through the use of a cost efficient Specialized Transportation System. (1981 cost per one way trip is just under $9 . 00--costs are less per trip with an expanded service, ) ■ Section 8 8 ___ Comm. Dev.CETA Short 56 Fares, Donations 14 Interest Fares, donations 14 and interest [-- t i Transpo 70 3 I 70 # Transpo I --__ _ _. __,J , ....... [(11)] In -lation 1981 1982 . $129 $140 STS needs $56 , 000 in 1982 funding to survive. This figure de- rives from: inflation valued at $11,000, loss of CETA at $22 , 000, loss of Community Development at $15, 000 and loss of Section 8 at $8, 000 . IV. Solution It is within the power of the city officials of South Bend to set a priority that will provide the $56 , 000 in funds needed to bring about the survival of STS. These funds are most urgently and respectfully requested. Once 1982 survival is assured, STS will be able to continue its appeal to a wide range of funding sources to 1) expand to fill a better fraction of the needs of the dis- abled and 2) provide for survival in 1983 .