03-24-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 24 1975 REGULAR MEETING - RECONVENED (CONTINUED) Council should be very stringent on the operation of these programs. He stated that the Council President, in his opinion, should appoint a committee to monitor the Housing Allowance Program. He again stated that forms should be used to record the information collected. He felt the Counc was not performing its work fully because of the federal programs. Councilman Miller indicated that Congress was trying to initiate a program of transfer payments which the block grants were really all about. He stated that the city was at the point when it was time "to pay the piper ". Councilman Newburn indicated that money was being received from the federal government for progra that the city could not accomplish. He felt the needs of the city could not be taken care of without these federal funds. Mr. James Russell, Voice of the Peace Newsletter, talked about the incident of a young black man being shot during a robbery at the Silver Tower which had occurred recently. He stated that many black people and low- income people felt the policemen on the west side of town had a habit of "pointing their guns ". He talked about discrimination and mis -use of people as it related to law enforcement. Councilman Newburn indicated that the Council was doing its job, and he felt the Police Department was getting results. He talked about the responsibility of the citizens to their police department. He felt that a small group of persons felt they could do what they wanted to and totally disregard the law. He stated that the police officers should carry out their responsibility and "meet fire with fire ". Mrs. Lee Swan, 2022 S. Swygart, referred to the statement made by Mr. Michael Carrington, Public Safety Director, which had appeared in a recent edition of the South Bend Tribune, wherein Mr. Carrington had indicated that he did not know the full responsibility of his job. She felt the administration and Council should relay to Mr. Carrington his responsibilities. Mr. Horace Strycker, 1746 Marine Street, stated that he felt the problem of police enforcement and administration did not rest with the Council. He indicated that he had filed an application with the Police Department a year ago. He was told that he had failed the test and he had found out he rated 9th on the test. He indicated that he was very familiar with guns and ammunition, and he felt this was within the workings of the department and perhaps the office of the Public Safety Director. He talked about the pressures put on the Police Department, and the hiring of the minorities. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if Mr. Strycker's case had been taken to the Huma Rights Commission, and Mr. Strycker indicated that he had wished to persue the matter in another way. He felt that, if the department did not feel he was qualified, he did not want the job. He wanted to get in on his own merits. He stated that he had come to the conclusion that his applic tion would not go any further until there was a change in the system. He felt people were not given equal consideration. Councilman Nemeth talked about a claim of Professor John Roos of the University of Notre Dame in the amount of either $500 or $1,000. He stated that the claims committee had questioned the claim and had not received an answer. Mr. Walter Lantz, Chief Deputy Controller, indicated that he would check into the matter. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that, as he remembered, it was a fee for consultations, and the report had been received by the Council. Mr. Arthur Quigley, 1019 North Francis Street, talked about the Housing Allowance Office open meeting to be held on March 26th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Spiro Library. He urged everyone to attend. Mr. James Russell, Voice of the Peace Newsletter, stated that he wished to comment briefly on Councilman Newburn's comments to his recent statements. He felt Councilman Newburn had mis- understood his position. He stated that he was not trying to blame the Police Department. He felt the department was being victimized by the economic conditions of the country and politics. He only hoped for a better relationship and understanding with the people and police officers. He felt the Police Department had to improve its image. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Council President Parent announced that Mrs. Dorothy Sheer had recently resigned from the Fair Campaign Practices Commission because she had decided to run for public office. He stated that the Mayor had submitted a letter to the Council, wherein he stated that he wished to appoint Mrs. Barbara Powers, 2802 York Road, to replace Mrs. Sheer. He read a brief biography of Mrs. Powers. Councilman Newburn made a motion to approve the Mayor's appointment, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. The motion carried unanimously. Council President Parent asked the City Clerk to inform the Mayor's Office of the Council's action. Councilman Kopczynski brought up the subject of the vendors' list which had been filed in the Cit Clerk's Office this afternoon. He asked that a copy be given to him. Mrs. Gammon, City Clerk, submitted the copy to Councilman Kopczynski. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that he felt each councilman should study the vendors' list. Councilman Newburn stated that he had been under the impression that the list was to be kept on file in the Clerk's Office. Councilman Kopczynski stated that he would be using the public document to review the budget as he had originally requested the list for this purpose. He indicated that a motion had been made by Council Preside Parent at the previous meeting, which motion was passed by the Council, that the document be file with the City Clerk. By doing this, the document was subject to public inspection and review. Councilman Newburn repeated that he felt the intent of the motion was to retain the list in the Clerk's Office. Councilman Kopczynski again stated that he had requested this document in an effort to reconcile the budget, and he would do so. Council President Parent indicated that the Council's appointment, Mr. John Kasprzak, had recently - submitted his letter of resignation as a member of the South Bend Public Transportation Corporation. He filed the letter with the City Clerk. There being no further business to come before the Council, unfinished or new, Councilman Nemeth made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried, and the Council adjourned at 12:35 ATTEST: APPROVED- Y CLERK PRE E +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ +++ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++