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Home My WebLink About03-05-41 Council Special Meeting MinutesBe it remembered that the members of the Common Council met in special session, Wednesday, March 50 1941, at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, with all members present. President Richardson presided. SPECIAL CALL South Bend, Indiana March 3, 1941 We, the undersigned members of the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, hereby call a special meeting of the Council to convene on the 5th day of March, 1941, at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of considering the "RESOLUTIO ON A HOUSING AUTHORITY." William F. Pulaski Melton 0. Brannan George H. Heideman Clem Niezgodski Wm. J. Richardson Dated this 3rd.day of March, 1941. I, Marie Nelson, Clerk of the City of South Bend, Indiana, do hereby certify that copy of the above notice was serv- ed upon the President and each member of the Common Council of said City prior to the date set for the meeting. MARIE H. NELSON City Clerk The within call came to hand this 3 day of March, A.D., 1941, which I served by reading the same to each councilman,) upon the date designated, as follows: CLEM NIEZGODSKI On March 1941 RM. J. RICHARDSON 'i of 3rd 't MELTON O. Bi2ANNAN et tt to It &E0 M. JORDAN tt to tt +t and by leaving.a certified copy thereof at the last and usual place. of residence of such members as I was unable to find as follows: GEORGE H. HEIDEMAN On March 3rd 1941 W. F. PULASKI to to » to JOHN MC CATHY It to it to WALTER A. BISHOP t' to to tt GEORGE HULL BRYAN J. ROE #22 MEMBER OF THE SOUTH BEND POLICE DEPT. 'Upon direction of President Richardson, the Clerk read the minutes of a meeting held Monday even ng,October 7, 1940, in the office of the Mayor, City Hall, for the purpose of securing information relative to a Housing Authority. In addition to the members of the Council, Earl VonStarch, Project Adviser of the United States Housing Authority, and City Attorney George Beamer were present. Z!c /a�Z�- COMMUNICATION RESOLUTION Adopted by the members of the Sixth Region of the South Bend Civic Planning Assn. Inc. assembled in regular meeting at St. Adalbert's Hall, Thursday, February 13, 1941. WREREAS the question of a local'housing authority is again before the city of South Bend; and WHEREAS such a local housing board is not necessary for housing of defense workers, which can be done directly by the Federal Government; and WHEREAS the present.:state housing law does not distinguish between housing for those on relief and those with in- comes, and allows very broad powers to the housing authorities, once created:- NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the members of the Sixth Region of the South Bend Civic Planning Assn. Inc. do hereby oppose the passage by the South Bend City Council of a resolution creating such a housing authority; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we favor state legislation limiting the powers of the housing authority, to give greater control over it by the City Council and the people and to restrict housing other than defense housing to those on relief and otherwise publicly assisted; and I BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be submitted to the meeting of the Board of Directors of the South Bend Civic Planning Assn. Inc. Monday, February 17, 1941 and that they be urged to take steps to carry out these plans. Sixth Region South Bend Civic Planning Assn. Inc. J. Woloszyn, President The above resolution was read at the Board of Directors meeting held Monday, February 17, 1941 and ep proved by some unanimously. (COMMUNICATION Honorable Common Council City Hall South Bend, Indiana (Gentlemen: SOUTH BEND CIVIC PLANNING ASSN. Inc. Ozmun A. Laven, President March 5, 1941 The Home Builders of South Bend submit this letter showing some facts that should be considered before voting upon a housing authority for South Bend. We feel that if our city goes into the home building business, it will do the builders of this community great harm. If part of the homes are nearly tax free and the other homes regzired to bear all of the.expenses of government, it will cause dissatisfaction. 'Me believe there would be less houses built by private builders if a housing authority is appointed. In making a survey through our organization, we are finding additional builders and owners of lots who are contempla - ing building; and we believe there can now be about 2000 homes built within a year through private building if there are no homes built at public expense. Your cooperation is sought to oppose the establishing of the housing authority, especially until such time as it is shown that it is needed. 256 Conditions are so favorable for us due to the fine cooperation of our financial institutions and the Federal Housin Administration. Every newhome privately built makes a rental possible. Thanking you graciously for your time, we remain, Yours truly, HOME BUILDERS OF SOUTH BEND By Irwin L. Finch Chairman of Committee C011MUNICATION March 5, 1941 To the Honorable Common Council: Statistics from your City Building Department show that when the city is increasing in population and there is a demand for more homes, they have always been supplied. In the decade from the beginning of 1920 to the beginning of 1930, when the United States census statistics show that our city increased in-population over 33,000, there we 10,000 homes built. During the past decade, there was no increase in population and there were comparatively few houses built. Now that there is more activity in our midst and there seems to be a demand for more houses, your Building Depart- ment statistics show that there had been 6 -1/2 times as many permits issued during the first two months of this year compared to the first two months of last year. This increase of building inside the city limits also is true outside the city limits in the territory surrounding the city. We also observe that the number of relief and W.P.-A. families is decreasing rapidly. As new homes are built, many of these will be occupied by families now renting, which will make more houses available for renting. We believe that having part of our houses built with public funds and substantially tax free will cause discontent among property.'owners; who have strived to pay for their homes; and that this discontent will discourage free enter- prise;_ and that under such a plan there will be less houses built over a period of years. We believe that the appointment of a housing authority should be deferred until there is a survey made to show the actual need'of an authority. We believe that the taxpayers are generally opposed to a housing authority. Very truly yours, SOUTH BEND - MISHAWAKA REAL ESTATE BOARD T. J. Lerner, Secretary COMMUNICATION March 5, 1941 To the Honorable. Common Council: The Savings and Loan Associations of South Bend and vicinity are intensely interested in the welfare of our city and locality and recognize our communityts responsibility toward the financing of homes. We are willing and anxioui to do everything possible to meet the housing emergency. The builders, building mechanics, and material men have suffered immensely in the last twelve years because of lack of employment, and are not only willing but anxious to build the houses needed for the present emergency. At the present timer, the Savings and Loan Associations have at their disposal two and one -half million ($2,500,000.00} dollars available for the construction of new homes and can secure more, if necessary, to meet the demands. IIII There are many homes, small and large, that need reconditioning; many large homes will be divided into apartments. Many sections of the older part of our city in good locations have deteriorated and we propose to use our influence and assistance in revamping such buildings and localities. Some shacks and buildings should be demolished. We are further advised that the several banks and other financial insitutions and many individual,; are of one accorc in this desire and are most anxious to cooperate in the building and maintenance of our community. LOCAL LEAGUE OF SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS. No objections being voiced, the communications were placed on file. After considerable discussion, Councilman-Brannan made a motion that the Resolution be presented to the Council for consideration. Councilman Niezgodski seconded the motion. (Resolution read by Clerk. See below) Councilman Niezgodski made a motion that the Resolution be adopted. Councilman Brannan seconded the motion. Motioi carried by a vote of 6 ayes (Richardson, Brannan, Jordan, Niezgodski, McCarthy and Pulaski) - 3 nays (Hull, Bishop and Heideman). RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE NEED FOR A HOUSING AUTHORITY IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. Be it resolved by the Common Council of the city of South Bend, Indiana, that the said Common Council of said City hereby determines, finds and declares, in pursuance of the "Housing Authorities Act' of the state of Indiana, thats 1. Insanitary and unsafe inhabited dwelling accommodations exist in the city of South Bend, Indiana. 29 There is a shortage of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations in the city of South Bend, Indiana, available to families of low income at rentals they can afford; and, 3. There is need for a Housing Authority in the city of South Bend, Indiana, Be it further resolved that this resolution shall be effective immediately from and after its passage by the Common Council of the city of South Bend and its approval by the Mayor. There being no further business, Council adjourned at 9:32 P.M. ATTEST CLERK