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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 8, 1974
<br />IICOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED)
<br />II ORDINANCE
<br />AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $46,126.00
<br />FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
<br />COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE
<br />SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY PRO-
<br />GRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY
<br />OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT
<br />OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the -above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Cappy Gagnon, 2901 Miami Street, Director of
<br />the Youth Services Bureau, made the presentation for the ordinance. He stated that approximately
<br />2h years ago, the group had gotten together and determined that there was a rising juvenile crime
<br />problem in the community and a problem in coordinating resources to deal with the problem. The
<br />Youth Services Bureau was established and there was a system developed of outreach and referral.
<br />The Youth Services Bureau has been successful during the past two years, in Mr. Gagnon's opinion.
<br />Mr. Gagnon stated that, when the program was started, a large federal grant was received and
<br />administered fairly. Because of the grant, a comprehensive system of staffing was allowed, and
<br />the grant was received by the City of South Bend through the Mayor. He explained that the funds
<br />were not to be permanent and would be reduced in time. Consequently, in the second year, the funds
<br />were decreased. He stated that revenue sharing funds for the bureau had been received and he was
<br />now again requesting revenue sharing funds for the remainder of the year. He was hopeful that
<br />funding could be obtained through the city in the coming years and not revenue sharing. He stated
<br />that the staff was very professional and very dedicated in trying to work with the juveniles in
<br />the city. He stated that a contract had been received through the Department of Labor to establish
<br />a work program for school drop -outs. He felt the youth problem had a great deal to do with the
<br />crime picture. He stated that one -third of the referrals come from the Police Department; another
<br />one -third of the referrals come from the St. Joseph County Probation. Department and the remaining
<br />one -third come from the community including parents, ministers, etc. He indicated that one of the
<br />special projects that would be implemented would be a program called the School Service Coordinator
<br />He requested the Council to appropriate the funds.
<br />Mrs. Ann Wlodarski,,1869 Riverside Drive, stated that she was tired of the federal grants. She fel
<br />the revenue sharing funds should be used to improve situations within the city. She talked about
<br />the sewage problem and improvement in her area. She felt certain programs were duplications of
<br />services, and the elderly should be considered in some of these grants. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive
<br />Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, asked about the budget in 1973, and Mr. Gagnon indicat
<br />that $53,000 had been received from the Law Enforcement Assistance Program and $20,000 had been
<br />received from revenue sharing. He stated that the Criminal Justice money was on a May fiscal year
<br />and the revenue sharing funds were given on a calendar year. He stated that the money requested
<br />would carry the department through 1974. Mr. Evans asked how many people were employed, and Mr.
<br />Gagnon explained that there were six employees. Mr. Evans wondered about the money requested for
<br />motor equipment, and Mr. Gagnon indicated that a small passenger van was requested because of the
<br />many programs the Youth Services Bureau is involved in, such as field trips, etc. He referred to
<br />Mrs. Wlodarski's statement and indicated that he shared her concern. He stated that the dollars
<br />used for the Youth Services Bureau were the taxpayers' dollars, and he was one of those taxpayers.
<br />He indicated that the taxpayers' money had gone to Washington and was now being given back to the
<br />community in various programs. Mrs. Frederick Mutzl, Board of Directors of the St. Joseph County
<br />Fair Tax Association, stated that revenue sharing was to be originally used for reducing the proper
<br />taxes. Chairman Newburn indicated that the funds were being used for general improvement. Mrs.
<br />Mutzl wondered about referrals to various agencies of the juveniles. She mentioned that there alre
<br />were Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, etc. She felt this was a duplication of services of the many
<br />services that are already available to and for the youth. Mrs. Wlodarski did not feel the elderly
<br />were looking for programs of this type. They were only looking for relief for themselves. Council
<br />Serge referred to the statement made by Mrs. Wlodarski. He stated that a meeting had been held
<br />regarding the sewage system on Riverside Drive, and the residents had chosen not to have the servic
<br />made available even though the city would be willing to pay half the assessment. Mrs. Wlodarski
<br />again mentioned the elderly, at which time Chairman Newburn ruled for order. He asked that those
<br />speaking limit their remarks to the ordinance being considered. Councilman Serge stated that he
<br />was pleased with the STEP Program as well as the Youth.Services Bureau. He mentioned that the STEP
<br />Program was self - supporting. Councilman Kopczynski stated that the total annual budget was $73,000
<br />and Mr. Gagnon indicated that that was for a 12 -month period. Councilman Kopczynski wondered what
<br />percentage of the youth was from the City of South Bend. Mr. Gagnon indicated that approximately
<br />950 of the youth were from the city. He stated that, after discussing this matter in caucus with
<br />the Council, he had checked into the matter, and the youth served that do not live in the city are
<br />only 50. Of that 50, the majority reside in St. Joseph County. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if
<br />any other governmental units had been approached for funding of the program other than the City of
<br />South Bend. Mr. Gagnon indicated that he had contacted the City of Mishawaka and St. Joseph County
<br />He stated that Mishawaka has established a steering committee for a similar program. A board
<br />meeting was held in the fall, and it was proposed that the Youth Services Bureau be more of a count
<br />program than a city program. He had asked for a meeting with the County Commissioners and had not
<br />received a response. Councilman Kopczynski asked how many cities utilized this type of program,
<br />and Mr. Gagnon answered that there were about 15 cities in Indiana. Councilman Kopczynski asked Mr
<br />Gagnon if he knew how long the city would be receiving revenue sharing funds. He wondered if the
<br />program was going to be put on the property tax rolls. Mr. Gagnon hoped it could be accomplished
<br />because he was aware that revenue sharing would be discontinued in the future. Councilman Kopczyns
<br />wondered how many programs within the city were started on federal grants and then revenue sharing
<br />funds were used. He wondered how many would end up on the tax rolls. Mr. William Hojnacki,
<br />Director of the Department of Human Resources and Economic Development, stated that the Drug Treatm
<br />Center Program hopefully would be taken over by a federal grant of the Mental Health Center.
<br />Councilman Kopczynski wondered what these programs would cost in the future to the city. Mr. Hojna
<br />stated that it was the administration's judgment that the Youth Services Bureau provides a necessar
<br />and important function. It was anticipated that, for 1975, the program could be continued in some
<br />way. He stated that the program probably should be funded on a larger geographical basis than just
<br />the City of South Bend. He indicated that it might be possible the Youth Services Bureau would
<br />have to come back to the Council for funding if funding was not available from another source.
<br />Councilman Kopczynski wondered about the prime reason for the juvenile delinquency within the city.
<br />Mr. Gagnon felt that, if the parents did their jobs, there would be no need for the bureau. He
<br />stated that the bureau was stepping in where other agencies and persons have failed. Councilman
<br />Kopczynski asked about what was being done about the cause of the problem, and Mr. Gagnon stated
<br />that the bureau was working with the parents and was able to get closer to parents because of the
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