11-13-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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_REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 13, 1973 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) indicated that there was none. Councilman Miller wondered if this possibly might be one of the reasons why there were so many burn -outs in the city. He thought that perhaps some of the people might be behind in their payments and if the house was burned and considered to be substandard, the resident would be eligible for relocation. Mr. Wartha stated that the resident is not eligible for relocation if he is delinquent in his payments. He stated that he had files on all the relo- cation moves and would be willing to discuss individual cases with the councilmen. Mr. James Roemer, City Attorney, stated that, if what Councilman Miller had thought might be true, the person involved would come out on the "short end of the step ". He stated that the $2,500 does not moti- vate people to damage their homes in order to be relocated. Councilman Miller wondered about those persons making only minimum payments. Mr. Roemer stated that certain qualifications must be met for these subsidies. Councilman Miller stated that the relocation might possibly be creating some of the problems with burn -out and substandard homes. Mr. Roemer stated that, in the Board of Public Safety, that does not appear to be the case. Councilman Miller stated that, in 1971, the relocation payments were $26,000. In 1972, the budget was $60,000. For 1973, with the approval of the requested $30,000, the budget would be $90,000.. This does not include funds from Model Cities and Redevelopment for individual programs. Councilman Parent felt it was not very appropriate to presume that people would willfully damage or not take care of their homes in order to be relocated, He stated that, if those suspicions were there, perhaps they should be studied. Councilman Parent stated that he wondered if $15,000 would take care of the matter rather than the requested $30,000. He stated that a great deal of money was being spent in relocation because of the pressure placed on the Substandard Department. Mr. Wartha stated that whatever the Council approved, the Departmerl would be very happy to receive; however, it was determined that the $30,000 would be needed to carry the department through based on the previous few months. Mr. Roemer pointed out that, if th Council approved the $15,000 amount, there would not only be the affect of saving $15,000, but there would be a cutback on the demolition of the houses, also. Council President Nemeth stated that the Council appropriated additional funds in August for the relocation program. He asked about the schedule followed on the demolition of the substandard homes. He asked where the reason for the demolition was. He was of the opinion that people should be encouraged to keep up their homes. He felt that $90,000 in one year was incredible. He asked how much of the amount budgeted had gone for the Olive Street demolition, and Mr. Wartha stated that the Olive Street case was a different project which was subsidized federally 100 %. Council President Nemeth asked how much money had been received by the federal government for the relocation program. Mr. Wartha stated that all the relocation grants were in the amounts of $50,000 or $100,000. He did not have the exact figure available. He stated that the relocation payments are being reduced each month. He indicated that the request for $30,000 was necessary because of the step -up in the substandard homes. Council President Nemeth commented on the substandard homes and how they become substandar Councilman Kopczynski wondered if a record was kept on each individual relocated to determine how long they remain in one place. Mr. Wartha stated that files are kept on all persons. Councilman Kopczynski asked where the majority of the people were being relocated to, and Mr. Wartha indicate that there were scattered areas throughout the city with some being concentrated on the west side. Councilman Kopczynski asked if Mr. Wartha felt this was a good rehabilitation program and if it helped to cure the conditions. Mr. Wartha stated that, just for the simple fact that the people were relocated into standard homes, it was a good program. Councilman Kopczynski asked for how long the homes are kept standard after a person is moved in. Mr. Wartha again referred to his files, stating that he had that information available on each case. Councilman Kopczynski asked if the amount for relocation would decline or increase in the future. Mr. Wartha stated that, if the last couple months were used as an example, it appeared the amount would increase. Council President Nemeth suggested that the Council direct the matter to the Department of Public Safety. Councilman Serge asked who was in charge of determining a home substandard. Mr. Wartha indicated that Mr. Steed had that authority; however, Mr. Roemer pointed out that the Board of Public Safety takes final action on the recommendation of Mr. Steed. He stated that public hearings are held on all cases and the person is notified and instructed on how to bring the home up to standard. He stated that all this takes a period of time and the homes are not demolished unless they cannot be brought up to standard. He concluded that there was the legal due process matter to consider. Councilman.Szymkowiak asked about the people who keep moving and make the homes substandard. Mr. Wartha stated that he was not aware of more than two or three cases out of 300 where the same person was relocated twice. Councilman Miller stated that, in 1972, out of $50,000, only $7,000 was spent with 32 families being moved. This year, 43 families have been moved and it has cost seven times the amount previously spent. Mr. Wartha stated that there may have been more home renters in one year than in the other. He also indicated that many people move themselves. Councilman Miller stated that the city is also paying practically the maximum in all cases in the relocation housing payments. Mr. Wartha indicated that this was correct. Councilman Miller expressed about putting the city in a "trap ". He stated that the city has not been responsible fo housing in the past, and it was getting to be quite a large operation. He indicated that, on the property tax rate, the city was taking on a major obligation for housing. He asked if the federal revenue sharing funds provide for housing monies. Dr. John Kromkowski, Director of the Department of Human Resources and Economic Development, stated that general revenue sharing does allow expen- ditures for housing. Councilman Parent indicated that it would appear the Council could either table the matter, send it to committee for further study or amend the ordinance reducing the appropriation. Councilman Parent made a motion to amend the ordinance by changing the amount, wherever mentioned, to $10,000 and itemizing the amount of $1,500 in Account No. 261 and the amount of $8,500 in Account No. 262, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. Councilman Newburn felt it was unfair to say that the people purposely make their homes substandard in order to move into a better home. He indicated that there were problems in the relocation program and that a few people make it hard on all those involved. Mr. Kent Wilcox, Deputy Director of the Community Development Program, stated that an appropriation of $10,000 would only move three families. He stated that $30,000 would take care of 10 families. He indicated that the reduced appropriation would hinder the whole city pro- gram in the area of housing. He stated that cities must take up the slag that the federal govern- ment is leaving. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that he represented around 15,000 people being registered voters and he stated that these people are not aware of the housing program and what the city is involved in. He felt the citizens should be well informed in the line of housing so that the Council could act on these matters according to the wishes of the people. He stated that the money, after all, belonged to the taxpayers. Mr. Wilcox indicated that he agreed with Councilman Kopczynski. Councilman Kopczynski felt that the program should first be submitted and then the funds allotted and approved by the Council. Councilman Miller felt that, if the homes were substandard, it might be better to put $3,000 into each home and bring it up to a standard level that most of the people now live in. He stated that, if the people knew they had to live there, perhaps the problem would be solved. Mr. Wilcox stated that he agreed; however, the need