08-27-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) increase in the telephone and telegraph account. Mr. Lantz indicated that the city was anticipatij a telephone rate increase which, he felt, would probably be granted by the Public Service Commission. Miss Fanny Grunwald, 227 South Frances Street, indicated that she was of the opinion that the telephone rate increase had not gone through, and Mr. Lantz indicated that the city had not received word on the proposed increase. Mr. Maurice Cohen stated that he wondered why the cit, had not been represented at the public hearing on the increase. Council President Nemeth stated that he was not aware of the decision regarding the proposed increase. Mr. BonDurant suggested that the matter be checked into. SAFETY DEPARTMENT - ADMINISTRATION Council President Nemeth indicated that the Council proposed that certain accounts be cut as follows: Account 110 ................. $7,000 Account 213 ................. 200 Account 230.1 ............... 75 Account 370.1 ............... 120 Account 530 ................. 200 Account 725 ................. 250 Mr. Patrick Gallagher, Safety Director, spoke in defense of the budget. He stated that the Department of Safety has the lowest travel budget and the Council had proposed a reduction in that account. He indicated that the money was requested for one trip to a conference, and the cost would run approximately $400. He stated that the other $200 was requested for per diem and expenses and accommodations on the use of the city car to visit other cities beyond a one day's range from South Bend. He could not understand how that account could be cut any lower. Council President Nemeth stated that the Council had felt that the conference should be attended by the Police Chief, and Mr. Gallagher indicated that there are a number of conferences held each year and he was directly involved with one of the conferences dealing with personnel. He indicated tha- Chief Urban would attend all other conferences which dealt directly with police work. He stated that, under office supplies, he thought he had provided justification to the Council on what was needed. He stated that his department had spent all of the money this year and 100% of the extra $600 in the supplies because of the fact that the department had to help out in other areas. He stated that the department had printed tickets for environmental control. In regard to the elimi- nation of the dog catcher by the Council, he stated that his department would be presenting a pro- posed ordinance to the Council for stricter dog enforcement as far as dog controls. He indicated that the proposed ordinance would permit dogs to be picked up. He briefly explained the proposed ordinance and its provisions. He stated that the money under the Emergency Employment Act might possibly not be available much longer, and he felt there was no sense in proposing a stricter ordinance if the personnel was not available. He indicated that, as of January 1 or June 30, depending on EEA funds, the department would have to eliminate its efforts in this area. Council President Nemeth indicated that the Council was in favor of a better ordinance, and he indicated that those positions were salaried until June 30. He stated that, in the event the positions are not refunded through EEA, perhaps other arrangements could be made at that time to keep the posi- tions. Mr. Gallagher indicated that he wanted some type of assurance regarding that program, and he stated that he would continue his work on the proposed dog ordinance with the hopes that the positions could be maintained. Councilman Miller indicated that, last year, there had been an attempt to consolidate office supplies in the Controller's budget. He stated that there was a large increase in office supplies overall and also increases throughout other budgets. Mr. Lantz indicated that office supplies were budgeted in two other areas where federal grants are involved, they being safety and human resources. He indicated that these grants are obtained along the way and it is impossible to determine how much will be received for a particular program. Councilman Miller indicated that, if Mr. Gallagher would need something, he would be able to get it through the Controller's Office, and Mr. Lantz indicated that that was correct. Chairman Newburn asked about the staff of the Humane Society. Mr. Gallagher indicated that he did not know how many persons were employed but he thought the society had three or four trucks used in picking up stray animals. He indicated that the society has come in and taken care of many of the city's complaint! He stated that the problem is that there are too many dogs roaming wild in the streets, and he stated that the new dog ordinance would allow any dog running loose to be picked up. Miss Guthrie indicated that, in view of the fact that 9 recruits were added to the force this year and 24 policemen were added, consideration should be given to the addition of only 8 recruits next year rather than 10. Mr. Gallagher indicated that all of that had been taken care of and the reason fol the increase was because the City of South Bend was still below the national average for number of policemen. He indicated that 288 men would bring South Bend up to the national average. Miss Guthrie asked how many other cities meet the national average, and Mr. Gallagher answered that half of the cities meet the average in their respective brackets. Miss Guthrie indicated that the city had added a tremendous amount of men this past year, and she suggested that now the process be slowed down. Mr. Gallagher indicated that he did not want to limit the number of men that could be out on the streets. Miss Guthrie indicated that, in the past when there was a problem, every man on the force went out and not just the patrolmen. Mr. Gallagher indicated that, if the probler arose, every man would be out on the streets. Miss Guthrie again indicated that she felt only.8 men should be added in 1974. Councilman Szymkowiak indicated that, if some of the work previously done by the Humane Society would now be done by the city, perhaps the society's budget should be decreased. Mrs. Martha Flannagan, President of the Humane Society, indicated that there had been a misunderstanding that the society only picked up dogs that are confined. She indicated that thi: was not true. She stated that the Council had been furnished copies of the financial report of the society. She also indicated that, if the society would not have donations, if would not be able to keep the program going. She stated that, in one year, 21,517 animals are handled and $120,684 was needed to do that. She stressed the fact that the society was not making money and, for four years, the society had not requested an increase. She stated that the society was understaffed anc the 14 men employed only received $2.25 per hour as wages. She indicated that 8,119 animals were picked up in South Bend and that the society had a very clean and sanitary shelter with veterinary inspection made periodically. She indicated that the trucks are in operation all day, and other cities have visited the shelter in South Bend with the hopes of following a similar program in their own cities. Councilman Szymkowiak asked how many dogs,were returned to the owner, and Mrs. Flannagan indicated that, last year, 3,374 dogs were adopted and 922 lost animals were returned to their owners. Councilman Szymkowiak asked about the number of trucks the society owned, and Mrs. Flannagan indicated that there were three trucks with one being exclusively used for South Bend. Councilman Szymkowiak indicated that the City of South Bend was the largest contributor of the