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REGULAR MEETING August 28, 2017
<br /> September 11, 2017. Councilmember Karen White seconded the motion which carried by a voice
<br /> vote of nine (9) ayes.
<br /> NEW BUSINESS
<br /> Councilmember Karen White invited the public to attend the fourth Budget Hearing to be held
<br /> on August 30th, 2017 at 5 p.m., where representatives of TRANSPO and the South Bend Police
<br /> Department will be present.
<br /> Councilmember Dr. David Varner stated that the effort to curb panhandling should be a citywide
<br /> effort. Councilmember Oliver Davis agreed, suggesting that consideration be made during the
<br /> budget hearings to divert funds toward the effort.
<br /> Councilmember John Voorde congratulated Councilmember Gavin Ferlic on his wedding.
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis confirmed that Mayor's Night Out will be taking place on Au ugst
<br /> 30th, 2017 at Adams High School.
<br /> PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
<br /> Samuel Brown, 222 East Navarre Street, South Bend, IN, stated that he was honored to have
<br /> served attended the Human and Civil Rights Meeting in Indianapolis. Additionally, Mr. Brown
<br /> stated that he found the panhandling problem difficult to solve. He stated that, having grown up
<br /> on welfare, he could not refuse a homeless person money if he had it on hand. He urged the
<br /> Council to get the policies on panhandling right, because the homeless need help.
<br /> Jesse Davis, P.O. Box 10205, South Bend, IN, asked the Council to keep the public informed on
<br /> what is going on with the "Police tape issue,"now that it has returned to the local court system.
<br /> Speaking on the homelessness issue, Mr. Davis stated that it is technically legal for a homeless
<br /> person to hold up a sign asking for money or food, and that the City is discriminating against
<br /> them by putting up signs instructing citizens not to give. He stated that the mental health of the
<br /> homeless needs to be addressed, and that it so far has not been on the agenda.
<br /> Rod Goodchild, 837 South 24th Street, South Bend, IN, announced that there are now sixteen
<br /> (16) spirit animal carvings in Potowatomi Park.
<br /> Linda
<br /> Carter, 1606 West Sample Street South Bend IN stated that she found the South Bend
<br /> Working Group's report on chronic homelessness to be excellent. Ms. Carter suggested that
<br /> vacant homes in South Bend be used to house those who are chronically homeless. She explained
<br /> that she represents a program that offers education in home maintenance, as well as the
<br /> maintenance of a community garden. She stated that the program also offers bikes for those who
<br /> cannot legally drive, and puts on an open house and graduation ceremony that applauds their
<br /> efforts in the community.
<br /> Donald Sales, Canadian National Railway, with offices in Homewood, IL, stated that he was
<br /> present on behalf of Ms. Carter's initiative to help with the homelessness issue in South Bend.
<br /> Mr. Sales stated that CNR has helped to fund Ms. Carter's initiative. He stated, Whatever
<br /> program she has put together, me, myself, along with other railroaders will help to rehab homes,
<br /> clean homes, whatever is necessary to get done. He revealed that he had once been homeless,
<br /> stating that many amongst the homeless have many talents that need help to be brought out.
<br /> Mary Mason, 1836 Peachtree Lane, South Bend, IN, laid out a timeline of the evolution of the
<br /> Echoes development project, wherein Ms. Mason put forth that the developer is not taking the
<br /> views of the neighborhood residents seriously enough; that compromise has not come about.
<br /> Benjamin Redman, 1334 King Street, South Bend, IN, stated Ms. Carter had reached out to him
<br /> to train homeless people who were approved for her program. He had nothing but adulation for
<br /> Ms. Carter and the program, stating that he was happy to help. Mr. Redman added that, being
<br /> from Seattle, he considered panhandling effectively impossible to completely eliminate. He
<br /> stated, Addressing the homeless in other ways than just telling them not to beg is really how you
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