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REGULAR MEETING June 24, 2019
<br /> Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis stated, I think with the issue of the homeless situation, many of
<br /> them have in the weather, especially in the cold weather, utilized the library. Now they will have
<br /> to be spread out throughout the City for those kinds of things,but they will be on bus routes. Those
<br /> of us at TRANSPO will have to continue working on that. I will work back to say that given our
<br /> financial status at TRANSPO, we probably need to consider what the library, it was not a part of
<br /> the financial negotiations we all talked about, but to make a route change like that, each change
<br /> costs money and there is delay in services for one(1)part,but that is the way our bus system is set
<br /> up. So, therefore, it may be where we are going to have to have that conversation when it comes
<br /> down to financial dollars with the public library and those in the county to help offset the changes
<br /> from that standpoint to make sure that everything functions correctly, because that is a different
<br /> change for that period of time.
<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 /> Conrad Damion, 718 East Broadway Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I commend the Council for
<br /> this resolution. I think there are some important things to be considered and continued for the
<br /> homeless community in our City. One(1) is the cost of bus passes. It is three(3) dollars a day for
<br /> a bus pass and that is a difficulty for people who have limited or no income, who could walk to
<br /> the downtown library. Even though we've made it convenient, putting it on a bus route, we have
<br /> to realize that is still a difficulty for some of our people. Additionally, we need to make sure that
<br /> there are resources for computer use, because many of the homeless use the computers in the
<br /> library for job applications, checking on their various social security needs, and so on. So, I hope
<br /> that all of the considerations will be looked at in the work that you're doing to make sure that this
<br /> population is served by our community, as they have been served by having the library downtown.
<br /> John Shafer, 402 Bison Ridge, Nappanee, IN, stated, I'm an advocate for the homeless and am a
<br /> co-founder of Michiana Five(5) for the Homeless. The closing of the library, I don't think anyone
<br /> really understands yet the impact it will have on the homeless community.These people are already
<br /> very much at risk living outdoors in all temperatures. But,in the summer and the two(2)years that
<br /> this is going to be closed, that is a place where they go to retreat and stay warm and to use the
<br /> bathroom. In the winter, when it is freezing out, we know from the polar vortex we had,how cold
<br /> things can get. It's cold throughout every day of the winter for many of these homeless. They rely
<br /> on the refuge the library offers. We need to find another place where the homeless can seek that
<br /> refuge. We need to make sure they are safe and that there are bathroom facilities and that there is
<br /> a place to rest their feet. They are outside walking around so much, going from soup kitchen to
<br /> soup kitchen. We need to do something. We need to find a place. I encourage every stone to be
<br /> unturned and everything to be considered, including weighing the costs. The alternative is people
<br /> are going to freeze. The alternative if we don't do something, health is going to be affected more
<br /> and we are going to pay for it as a City, more in the long-run, because of these two (2) years the
<br /> library is closed. Thank you.
<br /> Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 19-47 by acclamation.
<br /> Councilmember Karen White seconded this motion which carried unanimously by a voice vote of
<br /> nine (9) ayes.
<br /> REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES
<br /> Representing the City Administration: Laura O'Sullivan, Chief of Staff
<br /> RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
<br /> At 7:46 p.m. Councilmember Jake Teshka made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the
<br /> Whole. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston seconded the motion which carried by a voice
<br /> vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember John Voorde, Chairperson,presiding.
<br /> Councilmember John Voorde explained the procedures to be followed for tonight's meeting in
<br /> accordance with Article 1, Section 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code.
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