07-11-77 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING JULY 11, 1977 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED BILL NO. 85 -77 A BILL APPROPRIATING $45,000.00 FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, FOR NON- PROFIT GROUP REHABILITATION OF SUBSTANDARD HOUSING UNITS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES /DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT /BUREAU OF HOUSING. Thisbein;g the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Jon Hunt, Deputy Director of Community Development, made the presentation for the bill. He said this appropri &ion request would be used for the continuation of the present program thoughout the 1977 program year. He said grants have been made to such diverse groups as Renew, Inc., Montessori School and the Homeowners of the Near Northwest. Council Member Serge asked if these homes were in the target area. Mr. Hunt in- dicated any money spent for housing from Community Development has to be targeted. Council Member Adams made a motion to recommend this bill to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Serge. The motion carried. BILL NO. 86 -77 A BILL APPROPRIATING $25,000.00 FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND, FOR THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES (LEGAL AID), TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES /DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INC. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Carl Ellison, Director of Community Development made the presentation for the bill. He said this appropriation was to provide social services (Legal Aid) for individuals and groups in the target areas. He indicated that Mr. Alan Burke, from the Legal Aid Society was present to answer any questions. Council President Parent indicated that this was more than they requested last year. Mr. Burke indicated that they anticipated represent ing 1,000 individuals next year. He said a vast majority of the money goes to services to in- dividuals, there is very little in the way of overhead expense. Council Member Adams indicated that they were increasing the number of law interns. She made a motion to amend the bill by reducing it by $3,000 or a total of $22,000, seconded by Council Member Dombrowski. The motion failed. Council Member Taylor made a motion to recommend the bill to the.Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Dombrowski. The motion carried. BILL NO. 87 -77 A BILL APPROPRIATING $40,000.00 FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND FOR ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL COSTS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT /BUREAU OF SUB- STANDARD BUILDINGS. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Carl Ellison, Director of Community Development, made the presentation for the bill. He said the Bureau of Substandard Buildings will conduct several project activities during the Program Year, such as the Community Development Demolition Program and the Community Development Code Enforcement Program. He said to effectively and efficiently execute these project activities, additional administration and personnel funds will be required. Council Member Szymkowiak made a motion to recommend this bill to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Adams. The motion carried. BILL NO. 88 -77 A BILL APPROPRIATING $69,000.00 FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING A DEMOLITION PROGRAM FOR UNSAFE AND DILAPIDATED STRUCTURES TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT /BUREAU OF SUBSTANDARD BUILDINGS. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents' were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Carl Ellison, Director of Community Development, made the presentation for the bill. He said this appropriation will be used for non - personnel costs to board and /or demolish.dilapidated and unsafe structures. Council Member Serge made a motion to recommend this bill to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Dombrowski. Council Member Kopczynski indicated that some demolition contractors are causing debris to be thrown on the streets. He said he thought some one in the administration should take steps to correct this situation. He said in many cases trucks were overloaded. Council Member Dombrowski indicat that the trucks should not be overloaded and they should use a tarp. Mr. John DeLee, Building Commissioner, indicated he looked for better control over the demolition contractors since it was now being handled from his office. Council Member Adams asked if they had a written boarding policy. Mr. DeLee Indicated they did not want to board any homes if at all possible. He said in the past, there was insufficient money to board -up homes. Council Member Adams asked if they would develop a written policy. Mr. DeLee indicated they could. Council Member Serge commended Mr. DeLee for the fine job his department was doing. The motion carried. BILL NO. 89 -77 A BILL APPROPRIATING $30,000.00 FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND FOR THE'PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING A REVOLVING FUND FOR A CODE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM UNDER THE STATE'S UNSAFE BUILDING ACT OF 1973, AS AMENDED BY THE ACT OF 1977, TO BE AD- MINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT /BUREAU OF SUB- STANDARD BUILDINGS. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Carl Ellison, Director of Community Development, made the presentation for the bill. He said this appropriation request would be used for non - personne costs to establish a Code Enforcement Revolving Fund. He said the purpose and intent of the fund would be to upgrade substandard structures and, thus, to lessen urban blight. Council President Parent made a mtoion to recommend this bill to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Taylor. The motion carried.