02-25-74 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 1974 MEETING - RECONVENED (CONTINUED) PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Mr. Maurice Cohen, 725 East Eckman Street, again brought up the matter of the city -owned vehicles and the marking of the automobiles. He wondered if the committee had met and if anything further had developed in the matter. He indicated that he had been very surprised to learn that a depart- ment head had stated it would cost $12,000 to mark the cars. He stated that decals could be made starting at 47 cents up to one dollar. He felt the administration was trying to "sluff off" the marking of the cars. He wanted to see action taken on the Council's ordinance. He referred to certain officials as "freeloaders" and felt that they did not need to have city cars furnished them. Councilman Kopczynski stated that he had contacted Mr. Barcome on the matter and a report was to be forthcoming to the committee. Councilman Parent stated that Mr. Cohen had indicated tha there were certain officials who were not doing their jobs. He asked that Mr. Cohen refrain from making statements of that nature without substantial documentation. Mr. Cohen stated that he was not talking about the officials not doing their jobs. He stated that he was talking about the officials using the city -owned cars for private use. Councilman Parent stated that he did not agree with Mr. Cohen's judgment of these people. Councilman Serge wondered if these same condi- tions had existed when Mr. Cohen had been employed by the city. He felt they had, and Mr. Cohen stated that they had not existed at that time and the city -owned cars had not been a problem. Councilman Serge stated that this condition was present at the time the Council took office in 197 Mr. Cohen again protested the fact that the officials used the cars for private use. Council President Nemeth ruled for order. The discussion terminated. Miss Fanny Grunwald, 227 South Frances Street, expressed surprise in learning about the grant from the federal government for a manpower program. She stated that it was apparent that no one else knew about the program either. She felt the federal government was putting too many planners into the area. She felt there was a duplication of services. She then talked about the train whistlin of the Grand Trunk Railroad, indicating that it was very disturbing to the neighborhood during the (night. She indicated that she had talked to Councilman Parent about the matter and hoped somethin could be done. She also stated that the microphones were apparently not working correctly because she felt it was extremely difficult for the audience to hear the responses and remarks made by the councilmen. She stated that it was also difficult to hear the City Clerk. She also stated that she felt the citizens who attend the Council meetings should be given some information about the items on the agenda. She stated that it was difficult to follow what was going on. Council President Nemeth spoke in regards to Miss Grunwald's remark about the manpower program. He stated that this had only been a report from the Director of the Department of Human Resources and Econom Development. He indicated that nothing had been requested from the Council as yet regarding the program. He stated that what had been presented was merely background information for what would be coming to the Council in the future. Councilman Parent indicated that the Mayor had hired Mr. Kelzenberg, the director of the program. Miss Grunwald asked who had requested the grant, and Councilman Parent stated that this had been requested six or seven years ago under Mayor Allen. He indicated that not too many people have been interested in the program in the past. Mr. Garrett Mullins, President of the Southeast Side Neighborhood P.A.C., Inc., residing at 312 Ea Pennsylvania, referred to a letter that had been sent to the Council regarding the proposed housin program for the southeast side. He stated that the proposal for the use of $313,000 in revenue sharing money had been supported by the Redevelopment Department, the Mayor and various organiza- tions within the city. He stated that a few of the councilmen had also supported the project. He indicated that his group had requested that some action be taken on the matter by the end of February and nothing had been done yet. He understood that the delay had been caused because it was decided a comprehensive housing plan for the city should be compiled and approved. On behalf of the southeast side, he stated that he did not feel the comprehensive plan was contingent upon such a program. He requested that there be no further delay on the housing program. Councilman Miller stated that the Housing Committee had researched and worked on the matter with the Southeas Side Neighborhood P.A.C. Committee. He stated that the proposal of P.A.C. generally was made with favorable response from the Council, the Housing Committee and the administration. He indicated that the different levels of government must be differentiated. He stated that, through the beginning of last year the federal government had control of the housing situation, and in November, the new proposals were brought forth that the local governments should have a federal program based upon housing allowances. He felt the federal government had delayed for a long period of time as far as the southeast side was concerned. Since January 25, the administration and Council has been working to develop a program and use city funds in the southeast side. He was hopeful that the program could be developed by March 15th. He felt this was not a major delay and he complimented the administration for its work on the project. He questioned the motives of some of the elected officials in the county that were questioning the allowance program. He felt it was obvious that a program that would bring 40 to 60 million dollars into the community would have much value to the community. Councilman Taylor felt the Council was dealing with a transitio program for the area. He stated that the Council was working on the matter and was not stalling. Mr. Mullins indicated that he appreciated the comments from the Council members. He stated that the people were impatient because they had been waiting for such a long time. He indicated that the southeast residents did not want to appear ungrateful; however, they were anxious for action. He asked that the residents of the southeast side stand and be acknowledged. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, indicated that at thi last Council meeting, Mr. Evans had questioned the establishment of a Bureau of Housing by the Mayor. She wondered about this. Council President Nemeth indicated that it had been requested thi City Attorney make a report concerning that subject. Mr. William Hojnacki, Director of the Department of Human Resources and Economic Development, stated that the executive order creating the Bureau of Housing had not been issued yet. He stated that, when the order is issued, it would be under the auspices of the ordinance which allows for the creation of such bureaus. He stated that, if additional help or assistance was needed, Common Council approval would be required. He stated that the Mayor was looking toward the future and between now and July of 1975, legislation would be passed that would replace the current grants in housing, open space, etc. He stated that then "block grants" would be used for administering the program. He stated that the proposed Bureau of Housing would use borrowed staff from the Housing Authority and Redevelopment Department and its only function would be to develop programs, such as the program being developed for the southeast side, for the entire city. He stated that the bureau would be a planning body and eventually the single agency for the planning of housing programs for the city. Miss Guthrie wondered when the Mayor had established the Department of Community Development. Council Presiden- Nemeth requested that the City Attorney furnish a written opinion on the matter. He asked that Mr Robert Parker, Deputy Attorney, remind Mr. Roemer of the matter.