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REGULAR MEETING October 10. 2016 Councilmember Karen White made a motion to send Bill 66 -16 to the Utilities Committee and set public hearing for November 28th, 2016. Councilmember Dr. David Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Councilmember Broden stated regarding the homelessness issue it seems advisable to assign the issue to a certain committee in terms of input and make sure we are abreast of information. She suggested either the Health and Public Safety Committee or the Community Relations Committee. She stated it seems the Mayor invited us to be a part of the process. Council President Scott stated he sees it falling under the Health and Public Safety Committee so he will defer to Committee Chair John Voorde to organize. Councilmember Voorde responded that is fine with him and he will move forward. PRIVILEDGE OF THE FLOOR Jesse Davis, P.O. Box 10205 South Bend Indiana, stated he hopes the City can find at least a temporary solution to the homelessness problem under the bridge for at least the winter months. The amnesty program is supposedly going to open up a month early but that will only take care of thirty (3 0) some people and that would just cover those living under the bridge. We have provided approximately fifty (50) people with tents and they are not all under the bridge. Several people are working on long -term solutions and hopefully the Administration and Council will work with any of the groups to make sure things are done to get solutions. These people, for lack of a better terminology, are round pegs trying to be shoved through a square hole when it comes to some of the non - profits and other programs. Many of them can't qualify because of possibly a past criminal history haunts them or addiction problems. Most of us go and have a drink occasionally, some of these people will drink until the day they die. We can't force them to stop drinking. The drugs are a little different story, if it's an illegal substance we can take care of those matters. These are people who do not fit into the current criteria. Most of the people under that bridge are aged fifty -five (55) and older and many are veterans. He stated he was appalled by the article in the newspaper that stated we are beautifying in front of the veterans place on Michigan Street when we have veterans sleeping under a bridge. We bring refugees here when we can't house and take care of our own citizens here. He stated he really hopes the Council takes this issue to heart, Councilmember Williams- Preston is still the only Councilmember he has seen down there under the bridge. He recommended the Council takes a walking tour under the bridge and talk to some of those people. They are not all drug addicts and people who don't want to work. Thomas Bush, 1770 Perri Avenue South Bend, stated last week the City paved two (2) blocks on the north section of Swygert Street. One (1) of those blocks by the railroad track has one (1) house on it and a junk yard. The north side of Swygert, which he lives on the corner on, hasn't been repaved in ten (10) years. They come out every year and fill pot holes but they don't pave the entire road. He asked why the City didn't pave the entire street. Councilmember Davis asked Mr. Bush to talk to Mr. Mueller about the paving schedule and why the street wasn't paved. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, President Tim Scott adjourned the meeting at 9:01 p.m. 20