05-24-76 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 24, 1976 REGULAR MEETING RECONVENED Council Member Adams asked why Urban Innovation Associations of San Francisco was to take part in this project. Mr. Seitz indicated they were highly qualified. Council Member Adams asked if he could justify the cost of the project; such as, the project manager's pay of $45,000 for 30 weeks work, $175 a week living expenses, $100 a week for car rental, $5,000 for air travel and $2,500 for telephone expense. Mr. Seitz indicated that Mr. Hollander, the project manager, was highly qualified and if South Bend does not accept this grant then some other city will. He said he did not know how successful this study would be. Council Member Adams said of all the department in the City, the Park Department is the only one she had no complaints with, and she thought they were doing a tremendous job. She said she thought the Council had a responsibility to spend fed- eral dollars wisely. Council Member Adams made a motion to delay consideration of this resolutio until the Council could have a meeting with Mr. Seitz and the Mayor, seconded by Council Member Horvath. Council Member Szymkowiak indicated he was very surprised that the park department was supporting this type of program. He said if the Government has $125,000 to spend foolishly, then they should send a check to theCouncil and they would see that it is spent correctly. He said this was an insult. Council President Parent indicated he was against delaying this resolution, and he was for defea ing it. He thanked Council Member Adams for digging this out. Council Member Adams was asked to withdraw her motion, and she indicated she did not want to withdraw the motion since she woul like to talk with the Administration to see why this was even submitted. She indicated she had signed this resolution because she thought this was a viable way to help our community. A roll call vote was taken on Council Member Adams' motion to delay. The motion was defeated with a vote of six nays (Council Members Serge, Szymkowiak, Miller, Taylor, Horvath and Parent) and three ayes (Council Members Kopczynski, Adams, and Dombrowski). Council Member Taylor made a motion to defeat the resolution, seconded by Council Member Adams. the resolution was defeated by a unanimous roll call of nine ayes (Council Members Serge, Szym- kowiak, Miller, Taylor, Kopczynski, Adams, Dombrowski, Horvath and Parent). RESOLUTION NO. 520 -76 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AN APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS UNDER TITLE I OF THE HO, USING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974. WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of South Bend is the Chief Executive Officer of the City, and is the Applicant for an Innovative Grant in the area of Housing and Neighborhood Preserva- tion called "Project Rebate" under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA: SECTION I. Hereby establish the authority of the Mayor the City of South Bend to submit an zpplication for Innovative project monies in the amount of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00) to the United States Government, Department of Housing and Urban Development under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. SECTION II. The Bureau of Housing will be designated Administrative Agent for the program. For every category established under this Resolution, the Mayor shall submit to the Common Counc a line item budget in ordinance form prior to any expenditures of any grant money received upon approval of this application. SECTION III. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. /s/ Mary Christine Adams Member of the Common Council A public hearing was held at this time on this resolution. Mr. Keith Crighton, Director of the Bureau of Housing, explained that this application was for a $400,000 grant for housing repair funds, called "Project Rebate ". He indicated that this was to help arrest deterioration in the neighborhoods. He said it specifies a 15 to 40% rebate will be made for home improvements to homwowners and some qualified absentee landlords. He indicated that the northwest and south- east neighborhoods have been selected to receive this grant, if the City should receive it. He indicated that many cities were attempting to get this grant and we might not receive it. Louvenia Cain, 1207 W. Washington, indicated that they had mentioned absentee landlords would receive a rebate, and she wanted to know why they were going to help them. Mr. Ed Drummond, of the Bureau of Planning, explained that it was the small absentee landlord, that owns up to four units, that would receive a rebate. Council Member Kopczynski asked if they had a concise report on this Act of 74 he could have. Mr. Drummond indicated they would give him a report. Council Member Horvath asked how much of the $400,000 would be administrative cost. Mr. Drummond indicated 21.5.would be administrative. Council Member Horvath asked if there would be more staffing to handle this program. Mr. Drummon indicated there will be $60,680 in salaries for the 18 month project. Council Member Adams asked why the Council is not informed when the City is thinking about sub- mitting an application for this type of project. Mr. Drummond indicated it was his understand- ing that the Council was approached regarding this but he did not know the outcome since he had been on vacation. Council Member Adams said it was her understanding that the Council does not have to approve the submittal of these grants. Mr. Carl Ellison, Assistant Director of Human Resources, indicated that under this particular grant a Council resolution was required. Counci: Member Adams indicated that the budget showed $78,970 for administration and $321,000 for con- tractual services making a total of $400,000. Mr. Keith Crighton indicated that was a 12 month budget and this would be for 18 months. Council Member Adams indicated that if this was an 18 month budget this would change to $120,000 for administration and $280,000 for contractual ser- vices and your budget will be changed to reflect,this. Mr. Crighton indicated it would.