01-22-79 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 22, 1979 REGULAR MEETING RECONVENED (CONTINUED) 1. That at least one area be established for residential purposes. 2. That the relocation of residential properties to the designated residential area be accepted as a tool to preserve structurally sound homes. 3. That mixed residential - commercial districts and mixed commercial light industrial districts be accepted where possible. SECTION V. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor: /s /Roger 0. Parent Member of the Common Council A public hearing was held on this resolution at this time. Mr. Carl Ellison, Director of Community Development, indicated that this.resolution would authorize the Mayor to submit the City's 1979 Community Development Block Grant application.to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He gave a summary of the proposed 1979 -1981 CD Program. Mayor Peter J. Nemeth, indicated that this plan included a request for Section 108 Loan Program funds. He said they were requesting three million dollars, which would be repaid at a rate of $500,000 per year. He indicated that the purpose of requesting the money was to allow the City to proceed with the East Bank and Monroe /Sample projects. Council President Parent indicated he would like an amendment made before the public hearing on this resolution. He asked that the Council entertain a motion to amend the resolution to change Section IV to become Section V, and amend Section IV, to read: That the Community Development Block Grant Application to be development and submitted to HUD upon_ approval of this resolution include the following concepts for the Monroe- Sample area: 1. That at least one area be established for residential propertie 2. That the relocation of residential properties to the designated residential area be accepted as a tool to preserve structurally sound homes. 3. That mixed residential- commercial districts and mixed commercial =livht industrial districts be accepted where possible. Council Member Tayl made a motion to accept these amendments, seconded by Council Member Miller. Ms. Holly Brown, 215 E. Bronson, spoke against the acquisition of property in the Monroe /Sample area. She in- dicated that citizen imput has not been sufficient. Mr. Rey Hernandez, 702 E. South, indicated their main objection is that Section 108 is not a rehabilitation type of proposal. He said this was acquisition, demolition and relocation. He urged the Council to come up with some type of alternative. Goerge Procter- Smith, 1702 Hildreth, indicated there was not sufficient citizen input into the resolution. Mrs. Jane Swan, 2022 Swygart, spoke regarding neighborhoods. Mr. Dennis Morgan, 711 W. Colfax, indicated there was not enough input by the citizens in any Com- munity Development Program. He indicated that the Council should mandate restrictions on how much the citizens should be involved. Mr. Carl Ellison indicated that South Bend's citizen participation is one of the best in the country. Mr. Rozell Murray, 604 S. Carrol,'spoke against the renewal program in the Monroe /Sample Area. Mr. Larry Delaruelle, 553 Edgewater, president of the Edgewater Place Neighborhood Association, indicated that the Monroe /Sample area has seen some revitalization as a residential area. Mr. Watsey Gauldin, 702 S. Rush, indicated it was sad to think of working your lifetime and getting your home in shape and then have to move away. John Smith, pastor of Broadway. Christian Parish, indicated that the people in this area are fighting for their homes. He indicated he did not feel there was enough citize participation and that the entire plan was very vague. Mr. Carl Sinclair, 522 S. St. Joseph, a local realtor, spoke for the retainment of the residential area in the Monroe /Sample area. He indicated that many of the people in this area cannot afford to relocate. Mr. Ed Mitchell, 526 S. St. Joseph, indicated he supported Mr. Sinclair's statements. Mr. Ned Parker, Chairman of the Citizen's Advisory Council on Community Development, indicated they accepted the Com- munity Development application, but had reservations regarding the Section 108 in the Monroe/ Sample area. He said it was vague and lacked specifications. He also indicated that there cowl not be citizen participation in every decision. Ms. Esther Waldron, 7272 Fellows, indicated that the elderly people in the neighborhood could not afford to relocate. Mayor Nemeth indicate that sixty -two percent of the people in the Monroe /Sample area have left the neighborbhood. He indicated that plans would come later, after the approval from HUD is received. Council Member Taylor indicated that the Council had been listening to the citizens. He indicated that the Council was not interested in any massive demolition program and they wanted some of the houses preserved. Council Member Adams made a motion to continue public hearing on this resolution for two weeks, so that further study could be made, seconded by Council Member Kopczynski. Council President Parent explained his proposed amendment in detail. Ms. Glenda Herndez, said they were not against redevelopment in this area, but they were gainst the means. She indicated that Section 108 means acquisition, demolition and relocation. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to amend this resolution. The motion passed by a vote of nine ayes. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to continue public hearing was taken. The motion failed on a vote of four ayes and five nays (Council Members Serge, Szymkowiak, Miller, Taylor and Parent.) Council Member Taylor made a motion to adopt this resolution, as amended, seconded by Council Member Miller. Council Member Adams made a motion to allow one additional person to speak, seconded by Council Member Kopczynski. The motion carried. Mr. Paul W. Eley, a property owner in the Monroe /Sample area, indicated he wanted to sell his land in this area. Council Member Adams made a motion to decrease the Section 108 funding from $500,000 to zero, and increase Special Public Works, on page 57, $500,000 in the 1979 budget, seconded by Council Member Kopczynski. Council Member Miller indicated that the East Bank area was also tied into this proposal and there would be additional housing in the downtown area.The motion to decrease the Section 108 funding failed on a vote of four ayes and five nays (Council Member Serge, Szymkowiak, Miller, Taylor and Parent.) The motion to adopt the resolution passed on a vote of six ayes and three nays (Council Members Kopczynski, Dombrowski and Horvath.) Council Member Dombrowski made a motion to recess, seconded by Council Member Horvath. The motion carried and the meeting was recessed at 9:15 p.m., and reconvened at 9:45 p.m.