06-12-17 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Cristal Brisco, Corporation Council with offices on the 12th floor of the County-City Building, stated, Building on panhandling and homelessness, it seems what is being discussed here is poverty as a whole. That is a broad enough word that addresses both issues. If someone is panhandling but has a home, I would think they are on the corner because they are chronically impoverished. Councilmember Davis stated, A lot of that is going to cover a lot of these issues. The Administration will have their discussion, whether it is the poverty piece or the panhandling and homelessness piece. Committee Chair White opened the floor to members of the public wishing to speak in favor of or in opposition to the legislation. Sue Kesim, 4022 Kennedy Dr., stated, I had a little discussion with Councilmember Davis and I have just a few ideas. There is a special projects person at WorkOne, Judy Spigle, she has a team. Al Harriston deals with people that have been convicted. They also have a veteran's specialist. So I was thinking if you're going to partner, move these people into more permanent employment by working with this team that is already in South Bend. And the State may have WorkOne dollars that you can tap by making this a special project with WorkOne. So to move beyond the temporary solution, it would be nice to open this up to teens that don't fit in to regular employment. It would also be a good way to divert their recruitment into gangs. Perhaps we should extend this opportunity to younger people. There is also funding available through the Notre Dame Community Project so that is also a possible partnership. I think this is a problem that needs to be addressed but it is obviously not just panhandlers. It is poverty. With no other members of the public wishing to speak in favor, Committee Chair White opened the floor to members of the public wishing to speak in opposition of the legislation. There were none. She then turned the floor back to the Committee for further discussion or main motion. Committeemember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to send Substitute Bill No. 17-26 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Committeemember Williams-Preston seconded the motion which carried unanimously with a voice vote of three (3) ayes. With no other business, Committee Chair White adjourned the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting at 5:34 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, ricer a,46 Karen White, Committee Chair 6