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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-07-89 Human Resources & Economic Development a inntintttnn arprnft HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Q!o tie &mmun Council of tae M IR of*mill Send: The June 7, 1989 meeting of the Human Resources and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chair Person Council Member Steve Luecke at 5:35 p.m. in the Board of Public Works Meeting Room, 13th Floor County City Building. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Coleman, Zakrzewski, Luecke, and Voorde; Elizabeth Leonard, Betsy Harriman, Eugenia Brayboy, James Kronk, Felix Owsley, Gladys Muhammad, Howard Dukes, Kathy Baumgartner, David Norris, Bobbie Newbill, Neil Gilbert, member of the public who signed a sign in sheet, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Luecke then introduced himself and noted that Council Member Slavinskas and Council President Ann Puzzello would be unable to attend, and that he had not heard from Council Member Zakrzewski. Council Member Luecke further noted that this committee meeting was being held in conjunction with •a previously scheduled public hearing by the Department of Economic Development. He then noted that the overall purpose of the meeting was to review Bill Nos. 39-89 and 40-89. He then explained the committee procedure. He also noted that he is an employee of South Bend Heritage, however, none of the money being discussed this evening is directed to that agency and, therefore, there is not a conflict of interest. Elizabeth Leonard then reviewed Bill No. 40-89 which proposes to transfer $76, 300. 00 among various accounts within the Department of Economic Development. She noted that the funds in the amount of $25, 000. 00 would be used to fund a position for a housing planner, and that $51,300. 00 would be designated for neighborhood clean-up crews. The neighborhood clean-up crews would be for summer clean-up on a City-wide basis in targeted areas. Kathy Baumgartner then explained that the City has applied for a grant from the Eli Lilly Foundation to help supplement the cost of a housing planner and related costs. She noted that in addition to personnel costs and fringe benefits that publications would be needed for this position. The goal is to address what type of needs must be met for low and moderate housing. An application has been filed and an announcement from the Lilly Foundation is expected in September of 1989. Additionally this position will be proposed in the budget as a specific line item. She noted that the salary would be between $22, 000 to $23 , 000. A Human Resources and Economic Development Committee June 7, 89 Page 2 Mr. Owsley spoke against the Bill. Council Member Voorde stated that he believes that the position has merit. He also noted that typically at the end of the year funds have been transferred which were unused for rehabilitation and that perhaps by having a person identify a better utilization of such dollars that the needs will be better addressed. Council Member Zakrzewski then joined the meeting during the discussion of Bill No. 40-89. The committee then turned their attention to Bill No. 39-89 which would appropriate $600, 000. 00 of Section 108 loans funds plus earned interest for use in the West Washington/Chapin Revitilization Area. Elizabeth Leonard then reviewed this Bill. She noted that $600, 000 would be borrowed against future funds for the specific purpose of acquisition, relocation, clearance, and loan repayment. Mr. David Norris noted that the amount of money being requested is for the first phase of an anticipated two-year project. Monies are anticipated to be received by June 30th. Council Member Luecke then explained the procedure with regard to how the committee system of the Common Council and then the specific procedures utilized by the Common Council works, (that being first, second and third readings, and public hearing) . He noted that at the last Common Council meeting that first reading was given to both this Bill and the previous Bill and that they were both sent to the Human Resources and Economic Development Committee for review and recommendation. The formal public hearing will take place at the regular Common Council meeting next Monday, June 12, 1989 at 7:00 p.m. All members of the public will have the right to speak either in opposition or in favor of the proposed Bills during the public hearing section. Following that, the Council then would take formal action. Upon questions being raised, Council Member Luecke noted that if a majority of the Council does not have sufficient information in response to their questions that it would be possible that formal and final action might not be taken. However, unless their is such a request for a continuance, it is anticipated that the Bills will be acted upon at next Monday's meeting. Council Member Luecke also noted that public notice was properly given first by the Department of Economic Development which published in the South Bend Tribune 10 days prior to today's meeting, a notice of the public hearing, which is required by Federal law. It was also noted that pursuant to Indiana State law commonly known as the "Sunshine Law", that proper 48-hour notice was properly posted. Human Resources and Economic Development Committee June 7, 89 Page 3 Neil Gilbert, a resident and employee of South Bend Heritage Foundation then spoke in favor of the Bill. He noted that the overall plan is based on a comprehensive plan of over 18 months of study and input which has widespread participation. He noted that the general membership had monthly meetings where they reviewed the plan in light of the needs of the neighborhood. The plan suggests reducing the size of the commercial area and expanding the housing area. He noted that there are severaly deteriorated conditions with high vacancy rates, limited demand for commercial space and that the cost of rehabilitation in many instances would be cost prohibited. Eugenia Brayboy noted that she has been a resident of the area for over 26 years and supports the proposed plan. She noted that many years ago the area was safer and that over the years she has watched it deteriorate unnecessarily. She wants to stay in the area because of her age and limited financial resources. She noted that she had attempted to start such a program three years ago, however, that group then merged with the WWCRP. Mrs. Brayboy stated that she believes that the area must be revitalized and that the plan is affordable and very comprehensive. She urged the Council to bring about a dream so that she could live in the area in comfort. Gladys Muhammad stated that she is a resident of the area and an employee of South Bend Heritage. She spoke in favor of the plan and Bill. She noted that in 1986 four persons were killed, in 1987 one was killed, and in 1988 one was killed, all in the 1200 block of West Washington. She stated that this alone underlines the need for help in the area. Mr. Bobbie Newbill spoke in opposition to the Bill. He noted that he was a contractor and that the area in questions should be rehabilitated as oppossed to being demolished. He stated that the recommendations of the WWCRP and the Redevelopment Commission should not be accepted. Mr. Felix Owsley also spoke in opposition to the Bill. He noted that according to his figures the repayment would fall short over a 20 year period by $51, 140. 00. He also noted that the medium income in the area was $11, 000. 00 with the blacks only making 67% of that medium income. He stated that this is a social problem. Mr. David Norris upon questioning noted that each building will be studied with regard to its potential use and decision of its future status. He noted that he had sent a letter to Mr. Owsley addressing acquisition of property and possibly reuse and possible rehab of individual buildings. Human Resources and Economic Development Committee June 7, 89 Page 4 Mr. Owsley noted that he had not received this letter and Mr. Norris would make it available to him again. Council Members Zakrzewski and Luecke then asked several questions about the proposed Bill. In response to one of the questions it was noted that condemnation procedures may be an alternative if individuals would not be willing to sell their properties, and that State and Federal laws would be properly followed. Council Member Zakrzewski and Council Member Coleman both noted that the recommendation by the Committee would not be binding on the full Council and that each Council Member would have the right to cast his or her vote based on the merits of the Bill being presented. Council Member Coleman reiterated that there are "no rubber stamps" and that he had attended many of the WWCRP meetings as well as the public hearing of the Redevelopment Commission. He would be basing his decision on the information he has heard as well as the information provided to him by the various public agencies as well as the concerned citizens. Following further discussion Council Member Zakrzewski made a motion seconded by Council Member Voorde that Bill no. 39- 89 and Bill No. 40-89 be recommended without formal recommendation by the Committee. The motion passed. There being no further business to come before the committee the meeting was adjourned at 7: 00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Steve Luecke, Chair Person Human Resources and Economic Development Committee SL:srk