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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 13, 1975
<br />COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED)
<br />ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $10,200.00 FROM
<br />THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT COMMONLY
<br />REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING,
<br />FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC PARKS PROGRAMS, TO BE
<br />ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND
<br />THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PARKS.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. James Seitz, Director of the Department of
<br />Public Parks, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that the funds being
<br />requested would be used to pay for architect and engineering services for plans and specifications
<br />for the proposed Pier Park. He indicated that the cost of the fees and development cost for the
<br />park had originally been included in the park bond issue that was defeated in November. He stated
<br />that the Park Department had received approval of a $75,000 grant from the Department of Natural
<br />Resources for the Pier Park development and was in the process of trying to obtain funds for the
<br />development so that the city could use the grant. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the
<br />Civic Planning Association, wondered if the amount of $10,200 would be the matching funds for the
<br />grant. Mr. Seitz indicated that the $75,000 was a match for the total construction of the park,
<br />and the grant was approved by the Department of Natural Resources and sent on to the Bureau of
<br />(Outdoor Recreation. Mr. Evans wondered if the services had already been contracted, and Mr. Seitz
<br />indicated that they had been; however, this was one of the requirements in a bond issue, and it wa
<br />very unfortunate that the entire issue had been defeated because of the zoo. Councilman Miller
<br />tasked about the total cost of the project. Mr. Seitz indicated that the total cost was $150,000.
<br />He stated that the plan was the same as the plan included in the river study. Councilman Miller
<br />wondered if the estimate in the river study was $150,000, and Mr. Seitz indicated that he thought
<br />the river study plan might have been even more, and he estimated that figure at $170,000. Council
<br />Miller wondered if approval had been given to the development of the park, and Mr. Seitz indicated
<br />that Councilman Miller had referred to the Bicentennial Park, not the Pier Park.
<br />Councilman Serge made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council,
<br />'seconded by Councilman Szymkowiak. The motion carried.
<br />ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $390,000.00
<br />FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FUND,
<br />COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING
<br />FOR VARIOUS HUMAN RESOURCES PROGRAMS, TO BE
<br />ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND
<br />THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. William Hojnacki, Director of the Department
<br />of Human Resources and Economic Development, made the presentation for the ordinance. He stated
<br />that the ordinance merely re- appropriated funds previously approved by the Council for the
<br />southeast side development program, funds which were not spent prior to the end of 1974. He assure
<br />the Council that the full amount of the money would be expended within the first six months of 197'.
<br />Mr. Ed Drummond, 629 West LaSalle, the Grant Coordinator for the Housing Task Force of the Urban
<br />Coalition of St. Joseph County, read a statement of the organization supporting the efforts for
<br />rehabilitation in the housing area. He indicated that some delays were encountered in the southea!
<br />side program, but he felt these delays were justifiable. He indicated that the Housing Task Force
<br />was impressed with those persons involved in the program and encouraged because of the increased
<br />interest shown by the general contractors. He urged that the Council carry over its commitment of
<br />last year. Mr. Daniel Stoltzfus, 409 East Broadway, indicated that he was personally interested
<br />in the program because he resided in the southeast side, and he hoped the Council would continue
<br />it. Mrs. Hazel Smith, 611 East Wenger Street, indicated that she was enrolled in the t -7 program
<br />in the southeast side and she was awaiting the beginning of the rehabilitation of her home. She
<br />indicated that she intended to remain as a home owner in the area and would keep her home in good
<br />repair after initial rehabilitation.
<br />Councilman Kopczynski wondered how many contracts had been let at the present time. Mr. Keith
<br />Crighton, Director of the Bureau of Housing, indicated that eight contracts have been recommended
<br />for award. The total amount was $41,586 for eight structures. Councilman Kopczynski hoped new
<br />housing could be blended with the older homes. Mr. Crighton indicated that new construction far
<br />exceeded the cost of rehabilitation. Councilman Kopczynski asked that the Council be kept apprise(
<br />of the situation on a monthly basis, if possible, as far as number of persons involved, age of the
<br />occupants, etc. He hoped that the money, in the end, would not be "illy spent ". He talked about
<br />the LaSalle Park project and the problems encountered. Mr. Crighton indicated that, in that pro-
<br />ject, bonding requirements were not necessary; however, in the southeast side program, bonding was
<br />necessary. Councilman Miller wondered if a breakdown of the $390,000 was available. Mr. Crighton
<br />indicated that the budget followed the previous budget approved by the Council. Councilman Miller
<br />wondered how much of the $390,000 would be used for salaries, and Mr. Crighton indicated that none
<br />of that money would be used for salaries. Councilman Miller wondered about the percentage used foi
<br />the emergencies account. Mr. Crighton indicated that $50,000 was allocated for emergencies and nor
<br />profit and could be re- appropriated if not spent. The amount of $4,983 to date had been expended
<br />on emergencies. Councilman Miller indicated that at least $350,000 would be used for actual
<br />rehabilitation of the homes if that was the case, and Mr. Crighton indicated that Councilman Millet
<br />was correct. Councilman Miller wondered if there was any provision in the Redevelopment program
<br />for refunding back any of the funds appropriated. Mr. Hojnacki indicated that he could not answer
<br />that question at this time; however, he felt that could not be accomplished. He felt this would
<br />have to be appropriated for at the time of the advance, and this had not been done. Councilman
<br />Miller requested that the Council be informed as the money is spent and the contracts come up. Mr,
<br />Crighton indicated that the $390,000 would be expended by the June 30th deadline. Councilman Serge
<br />wondered if the Council could request an inspection of the rehabilitated homes after the work was
<br />accomplished. He requested that this be done, and Mr. Crighton indicated that the Bureau of Housii
<br />inspects and the Building Department is contacted for inspection of the electrical and plumbing woi
<br />Councilman Serge asked that a list be forwarded to him showing the inspectors, their recommendation
<br />and the homes inspected. Councilman Szymkowiak felt the inspection should be accomplished while
<br />the homes were being rehabilitated, perhaps on a weekly basis. Councilman Nemeth asked when the
<br />Community Development funds for rehabilitation would become available, and Mr. Hojnacki indicated
<br />that the funds would be available 75 days after the application was submitted which would be on or
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