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REGULAR MEETING December 10, 2018
<br /> Some say yes and some say no, I think there is always room for improvement. I do like the fact
<br /> that we are adding Mishawaka and St. Joseph County. I hope that is being pushed with their
<br /> governments as well. I have to say,I think in the County,we are taking the lead. I think this Council
<br /> recognizes that and I know members are very passionate about this. I think we all take it seriously
<br /> and do what we can do. We look for more opportunities down the road and I thank you all for
<br /> taking the lead on this.
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, There are a couple things I would like to highlight. I am
<br /> particularly excited to be putting this in writing for several reasons. One (1) is that we nail a
<br /> collective date for the amnesty program to launch and be put into place by a specific deadline. I
<br /> think that is something this resolution does for this community on behalf of the Council and those
<br /> individuals that we represent. We nail that date and time,ok?That is number one(1). Number two
<br /> (2) is, as many have indicated, and I don't want this to be missed, but two (2) other things are
<br /> nailed here. One (1) is the vision and the need specifically for the Intake or Gateway Center, as
<br /> mentioned. Also, if maybe not in some regard, the additional scattered-site permanent supportive
<br /> housing units. As a community, it's not just us sitting here. It is those other entities that are
<br /> represented in section five(5). It won't happen,the Gateway Center or the scattered-site permanent
<br /> supportive housing, if this isn't on our radar as a community and it's not a shared goal by our
<br /> community.Not only does it need to be a goal,it must be something that we decide on in a meeting,
<br /> achieving and implementing. There was some terminology inserted in here and I don't know if it
<br /> was a concerted effort, but the concept is it will not happen unless there is leadership and unless
<br /> there is collaboration. I have stated previously that I think it does merit and warrant a leadership
<br /> position. If the City of South Bend has to take leadership, so be it. I will be eager to support and I
<br /> have been in the past. I've been vocal about it and if it is going to happen, I think we need to lead
<br /> on it and it needs to be a conversation and collaboration that is ongoing that doesn't bubble up at
<br /> certain times of the year. It is ongoing. The challenges are huge and I think, as the City of South
<br /> Bend and as a community, we are up to it to bring in and convene the other partners mentioned in
<br /> section five(5).
<br /> Councilmember Sharon L. McBride stated, I am honored to be a part of this resolution. I would
<br /> like to thank the Council for working so hard together through all of the kinks and for working
<br /> with Administration to get something in writing and to get something done. A special thank you
<br /> for not giving up. This is a good step in the right direction for helping the community and all the
<br /> constituents we all represent.
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis stated, I always think about the starfish parable. With so many
<br /> different things when we work with homeless situations, it seems impossible. But for every one
<br /> (1) that we save, that is a family. That could be a son, a relative, it could be somebody you know.
<br /> It could be you. You never know because so many people are just a pay check away from having
<br /> a situation similar to what people are going through. I've seen it in my own family and it is
<br /> important for us to really come together. This challenges us. It is not an easy issue. Debate is good
<br /> because each one (1) of us through the discussions, the disagreements and the agreements, we
<br /> come out a brand new team where we can come and help people again and strengthen our City. So
<br /> thank you for this opportunity.
<br /> This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
<br /> opponents were given an opportunity to be heard.
<br /> Jason Banicki-Critchlow, 3822 Ford Street, South Bend, IN, stated, This is an easy one (1) for
<br /> anybody to support. I think one (1) of the key elements is section five (5), as was noted by many.
<br /> While we bear the brunt of it here in South Bend for the homelessness issue because we have most
<br /> of the services for them, they come far and wide to be here. I feel like it's only fair that the others
<br /> should share the expense. I know we talked about it before and I was against it then, but I think
<br /> this would be an excellent time to visit the idea of trying to find additional funding to help with
<br /> this kind of thing in the future. This is something I could get behind, say, a one percent (1%) food
<br /> and beverage tax would be an excellent idea. If one dollar($1) per one hundred dollars ($100) on
<br /> your night out goes to a helpful cause, that would be nice to know.
<br /> John Shafer, 402 Bison Ridge, Nappanee, IN, stated, As Director of Michiana Five (5) for the
<br /> homeless, I want to thank those members of the Council who put this resolution together.We hope
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