05-12-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 12 197S 1ICOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) program was good and the Council merely wanted to check into the matter in detail. He wanted assurance that the eight vehicles would be used solely for the project and solely by those persons involved in the project. Mr. Farrand indicated that this was done last year and would be done again this year. Councilman Miller also asked about the supervision of the program. Mr. Farrand indicated that there would be one man 18 years or older in charge of a particular crew. One of the crews would be entirely older people who would be able to use power saws, heavy equipment, etc, Councilman Miller wondered about the trash pickup. Mr. Farrand indicated that bags would be purchased and cleanup would be accomplished in that way. Councilman Miller asked that the southea! neighborhood be cleaned and the program utilized in that area. Mr. Farrand indicated that this ha( been done last year. He indicated that seven push mowers were used in concentrated areas and that the trash must be cleaned up in order that the mowing be accomplished. Councilman Miller talked about the amount of money being spent on gasoline. He asked that this be watched carefully. He wondered if the men punched a timeclock. Mr. Farrand indicated that they did not. He stated that each supervisor fills out the time sheets, and he did not feel there had been a problem with late- ness and absenteeism last year. Council President Parent felt the program was administered very well in 1974, and he approved of the program. He supported the city's continued involvement in the program. Councilman Nemeth wondered who the supervisors were. Mr. Farrand indicated that the supervisors were hired through the Manpower Office and would be in the 18 to 21 age group. Councilman Nemeth wondered who supervised them. Mr. Farrand indicated that there would be two supervisors for the whole program. Councilman Nemeth wondered if the two supervisors were employe( by the city at present. Mr. Farrand indicated that they were not. He stated that they would be hired only for the period of the program. Councilman Taylor hoped that each district would receiv( a fair share of attention as far as cleanup was concerned. He hoped this would be kept in mind. Councilman Kopczynski stated that the amount of gasoline would allow 19,300 miles to be put on eacl vehicle for the 12 -week period. He felt this was impossible. He wondered if any city employees would be in charge of the program and their time utilized for the program. Mr. Farrand stated that there would not be any city employees "directly" involved In the program. Regarding the gasoline amount, it was mentioned that some of the gasoline would be used for utilization of the mowers. Councilman Kopczynski maintained that not that much gasoline would be used for the mowers. He wondered if another large mower could be purchased or was needed. Mr. Farrand indicated that the mower used last year seemed to work out quite well. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that, in one instance, a city's tractor was damaged severely because of negligence. He felt the program should be run like a tight ship. He mentioned the complaints received on the program. He asked Mr. Jeff Rush of the Manpower Office about the total value of the program regarding salaries. He wondered how the program was applied for. Mr. Rush indicated that the Department of Labor runs a small program every year for 10 to 12 weeks. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if this was an administrate` function as far as application for the program, and Mr. Rush indicated that it was. He stated that the Council was not involved in receiving the funding of the program. He indicated that every yeas the amount received was different. Councilman Kopczynski wondered how the program could be set up without the exact amount of funds known. Mr. Rush indicated that the program was being worked on. Mr. Farrand indicated that the city could not guarantee that the program would be funded. He stat( that, if the Council waited until June for approval, it would take six weeks before the program could be started. Councilman Kopczynski wondered who determined the number of persons involved. Mr. Farrand indicated that he and Mr. Rush had determined this. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if the persons were screened as far as eligibility, and Mr. Rush indicated that they were. Councilmai Kopczynski felt the amount of gasoline should be reduced and one vehicle should also be cut. He felt the amount of $1,500 would be adequate for gasoline. Mr. Farrand indicated that the program would be operated under whatever the Council approved. He stated that, if the money was not spent, it would revert back to the trust fund. Councilman Kopczynski wondered what had been spent last year on the program, and Mr. Farrand indicated that $250 had been appropriated for equipment repair and this had reverted back; $11,700 had been appropriated for vehicle leasing, and $8,854 had been used; $3,050 had been appropriated for gasoline, and $2,924 had been spent; the amount appropriated for office supplies had not been spent and had reverted to the fund; $550 had been appropriated for other supplies, and $459 had been spent; and the amount of $1,000 appropriated for other equipment had been spent in its entirety. Councilman Kopczynski felt a great deal of gasoline had been used last year. He wondered if any of the vehicles had been used outside the city. Mr. Farrand indicated that he was not aware of that. Councilman Kopczynski asked if a Volkswagon bus had been used and the engine had burned out in Michigan. Mr. Vance indicated that the particular bus had not belonged to the Department of Public Works. He thought it had belonged to the Youth Services Bureau. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that this was one of the reasons wh: he was so careful and asked so many questions concerning these programs. Councilman Taylor hoped the Council would not reduce any of the amounts. He stated that he did not question Mr. Farrand's integrity regarding the program. He talked about the problem of many citizens who did not have contracts for trash removal and many problems were created. He mentioned the number of violations concerning this particular issue. He felt a tax- supported garbage and trash program should be accomplished "if a council had the guts to do it ". He also felt such a program was a basic and essential city service. Mr. Farrand indicated that one of the weak points of the program was that the city was providing free service regarding trash pickup. It was unfortunate but the problem wa! there and something had to be done about it. He mentioned the difficulty in enforcing the trash pickup laws. Councilman Szymkowiak indicated that he had wanted the trash program put on the tax roll in an effort to take care of the problem. He talked about the lack of enforcement of the city's laws and many problems in his district alone. Chairman Newburn asked that the Council memb( restrict their comments and questions to the appropriation ordinance. Council President Parent made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Horvath. The motion carried. There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, Councilman Taylor made a motion to rise and report to the Council and take a short recess, seconded by Council President Parent. The motion carried, and the Council recessed at 9:30 p.m. ATTEST: CITY CLERK 1IREGULAR MEETING - RECONVENED . Be it remembered that the regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana reconvened in the Council Chambers at 9:50 p.m., Council President Parent presiding and nine membe s present. s 1 1 n