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REQUEST: <br />HOME FOR <br />HOMELESS <br />ALCOHOLICS <br /> <br /> Gene Krumnacher, Chairman of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory <br /> <br />Council, addressed Council stating concerns of the cost of renovation <br /> <br />to the existing shelter on Pantops Mountain. <br /> <br /> Linda Baltimore of 2003 Lewis Mountain Road and Director of DCI, <br />expressed concerns about problems of the public inebriate on the Downtown <br />Mall. She stated that locating the shelter on Pantops would be a deterent <br />for loitering on the mall. She also stated that the location of the shelter <br />is crucial to the economic development of the downtown area. <br /> <br /> Darden Towe of 607 Druid Avenue and President of DCI, presented a <br /> <br />list of forty-three retail businesses that are opposed to locating the <br />shelter in the vicinity of the mall. <br /> <br /> Rich Gregory of Mulberry Avenue and a volunteer at the §helter on <br />Pantops, addressed Council, stating the value of such a program and <br />relating some of his experiences at the shelter. <br /> <br /> Frances Walton, member of the North Downtown Residents Association, <br /> <br /> spoke objecting to locating the site near downtown. <br /> <br /> Kerry Jackson of Keswick stated that she supports the concept of a <br /> shelter, but does not want the location at the old jailer's house. <br /> <br /> Skip Mullaney of 1101 Locust Avenue and National Directo~ of OAR, <br /> commented on the old jail, asking Council to reserve use of that site <br /> for OAR. He also stated that he supports the creation of a shelter. <br /> <br /> Mike Costanza of Fontaine Avenue and ~irector of the temporary shelter, <br /> spoke in support of the old jailer's house. <br /> <br /> Sidney Smith, a resident living in the immediate area of the jailer's <br /> house, spoke in support of that site. <br /> <br /> Dr. Gunter asked if DCI had any other plans other than the proposed <br /> sites. Linda Baltimore stated that DCI did not have any alternative sites <br /> to offer. <br /> <br /> Steve Rosenfeld, an attorney, spoke in favor of the old jailer's <br /> <br /> site. He also stated that the temporary shelter would fold as of August 31st. <br /> <br /> Fred Pugsley, a resident living close to the old jailer's house, <br /> <br /> stated that he is in favor of that site and does not feel threatened by <br /> <br /> its presence as a shelter for homeless alcoholics. <br /> <br /> Mike McMahan, administrator at the Joint Security Complex, expressed <br /> concerns of safety at the temporary site on Pantops. <br /> <br /> Margaret Sims of 3rd Street, N.E., stated that she has been a resident <br /> of that area for fifty-two years and is opposed to living near this type <br /> of establishment (shelter). <br /> <br /> There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Buck closed <br /> <br /> the public hearing. <br /> <br /> Council discussed their views on the proposed shelter for homeless <br /> alcoholics. <br /> <br /> Mr. Conover requested a staff report evaluating the impact of the <br /> shelter in the downtown area. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that neither proposed location is a good one. He <br /> stated that he does not think that anyone can tell without actually putting <br /> the program into effect at one of the locations. He stated that regardless <br /> of the location, it will not deal with all public inebriates. He stated <br /> that the City staff will work for the next two weeks, but he could guarantee <br /> <br /> <br />