01-27-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 27, 1975 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) approve only a down payment at this time. She wondered why Delos House could not be phased out since it has received such opposition. She asked if there was any other way to take care of the problem. Dr. Wilett felt there was no other appropriate treatment than a residential treatment center and this was essential. He explained that Delos House has four phases, and at present there were 5 persons in Phase IV on an outpatient basis. There were 11 or 12 persons involved in the first three phases. He explained that the estimate of 25 persons was based upon what NIDAS thought was the need for the community. Mrs. Lee Swan, 2022 South Swygart, wondered why the city was so eager to purchase a building for something which had been referred to as an "experimental rogram ". Mr. Hojnacki referred to the Metropolitan Drug Abuse Council, and he stated that he elt the program developed was the most effective program which could be developed with the amount of money used to operate it. Mrs. Swan wondered if a public hearing would be held in the area where the site was proposed to be purchased, and Mr. Hojnacki indicated that this would not be done. He added that there had been considerable publicity on the possible locations for the center. Mrs. Swan indicated that she remembered reading that a public hearing would be held. She wondered if the $50,000 would be the total price of the building. Mr. Hojnacki stated that, if the Council approved the ordinance, the amount of $50,000 could not be exceeded. He was hopeful that a building could be purchased for much less than that. Mrs. Swan felt the same thing was happening in the Frances Street location as what happened in the Park Avenue location where the treatment center was now located. She indicated that the enrollment usually varied from 6 to 10 persons and yet the program was funded for 25 persons. She could not understand this. Mr. Hojnac} indicated that he had not meant to appear disrespectful to Mrs. Swan's question about public involvement. He talked about the establishment of the site relocation committee and the survey of real estate listings which was conducted. Stringent criteria was established for the need, at which time, 3 to 5 buildings were found suitable. From those 5 buildings, it became apparent that the Frances Street location was the nearest to the criteria and price range established. He state that care was taken in the selection process and ample publicity had been given to the issue. He stated that he would not object to submitting a resolution to the Council on the site relocation when it was determined. Mrs. Annabelle Brehmer, 609 North Lafayette Boulevard, wondered about the salaries for the directors in the program. Dr. Wilett stated that the $50,000 appropriation for the Human Resources Department was being discussed and not the issue of salaries. Chairman Newbur asked that Dr. Wilett answer the question. Dr. Wilett indicated that the director's salary ranged from $12,500 to $15,000, the assistant director received $8,500 and the coordinators' salaries ranged from $6,400 to $7,500. Mrs. Brehmer wondered how many persons were drawing salaries. Dr. Wilett stated that there were 4 full -time staff members for the 18 persons in the program. Mrs. Brehmer wondered if this included Dr. Wilett's salary, and Dr. Wilett indicated that it did not. He stated that presently 111 people were in treatment at the Lighthouse, Aurora House and Delos House. Mrs. Brehmer asked about Dr. Wilett's salary, and he stated that he received $24,000 a year in salary. He indicated that he was a clinical psychologist with a Ph.D. and could be earnin a great deal more money if he was in private practice. Mr. Fred Crimmins, 813 East Miner Street, talked about the lack of police security in the northeast area and yet the area was being dis- cussed as a new location for a drug treatment center. He stated that the area also was a "medical hub" in the city, and he questioned the relocation of the center in that area. Councilman Taylor talked about a murder in one of the local psychiatric hospitals which had occurred a few months ago. He felt the public had accepted rehabilitation for mental health probl( but had a hatred for the drug problem which was part of mental health. He talked about security it the psychiatric wards, stating that he did not feel there was tight security, and the drug users at Delos House should not be subjected to tight security or confined. He felt the drug problem wa; severe and many people were not even aware of its involvement in society. He wondered how the citizens could accept someone who was psychotic yet not accept the drug users. He wished the citizens could stop "blasting" the drug program because he felt it was as good or better than any other program offered elsewhere. Councilman Kopczynski felt the ordinance was not specific enough and that the ordinance was asking that $50,000 be spent for "a building He felt the Council should make amendments to the ordinance if it was the wish of the Council to pass it. He stated that he felt the drug program was a necessity in the community; however, the people were concerned about the administration of the program and the location of the treatment center. He felt the matter should perhaps be tabled until the problems could be resolved. He asked which district councilman had received any requests from citizens in his district to have the program located there. There was no response. He felt that the feeling was that the program should be located in some area where it was zoned institutional and there was good security. He, too, referred to the Lighthouse murder, and the record of persons escaping from Delos House. Councilman Serge asked about the National Drug Abuse Center in Kentucky and that particular type of program. Dr. Wilett explained that, between 1939 and 1963, there were two locations in the country in which over 63,000 addicts were sent. He stated that these were institutions, and it proved to be a failure. In 1963, it was found that there was response in community -based programs, and he indicated that the recommendations made were also made on the national level. He stressed the importance of a residential treatment center for rehabilitation. Councilman Serge indicated that he had received a request from someone on the possible use of another location for the treatment center, and he stated that he would discuss this with Mr. Hojnacki and Dr. Wilett. Councilman Szymkowiak wonderer why this was not taken care of on the state level if the program was so worthwhile. He stated that it was not known how much money would be needed to rehabilitate the proposed building for the center. He stated that he felt the drug users should be accommodated in the state institutions. Councilman Miller wondered if the ordinance should be amended to read "real estate" rather than "building" in Section I. Mr. Walter Lantz, Chief Deputy Controller, indicated that he could see no problem with the wording of the ordinance because land and buildings could be purchased; however he did not see any problems in amending the ordinance to read "real estate" either. Councilman Miller wondered if a legal description was available for the 420 North Frances Street property. Mr. Hojnacki indicated that he did not have the legal description at the present time. Councilman Miller wondered if the necessary remodeling could be accomplished before the building was purchase Mr. Hojnacki stated that some remodeling would have to be done before purchase of the building in order to be in compliance with the regulations of the State Fire Marshall. He stated that this could be done within the line item. Councilman Miller wondered if there was an appraisal made on the property. Mr. Hojnacki indicated that one appraisal had been completed at $42,.000. He stated that a second appraisal would be ready on Tuesday. Councilman Nemeth asked when the decision woul be reached on the relocation. Mr. Hojnacki indicated that, hopefully a final decision would be made by the end of the week. Councilman Nemeth asked about the proposed location, and Mr. Hojnacki again stated that the final decision had not yet been made. Councilman Nemeth wondered who would hold the title on the property, and Mr. Hojnacki indicated that the city would. Councilman Nemeth felt it was difficult to appropriate the funds and,not know where the money was going. He felt th ordinance was very vague. Councilman Horvath stated that he was in favor of the program; however, i