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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/10/1997Council Work Session November 10, 1997 Page 2 COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 10, 1997 6:40 p.m. Police Library Members present: Mayor Rooff, Krizek, Murphy, Anders, Collier, Mollenhoff. Members absent: Getty, Jordan. Moved by Murphy, seconded by Krizek that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Jordan. Motion carried. Tim Staley of Black Hawk County Community Services and representatives from services organizations throughout the Metro Area addressed the council regarding the Bosnian resettlement in the Cedar Valley. Since February 1997, the Bosnian. Resettlement Program has helped 1,300 Bosnian refugees who have settled in the Waterloo/Cedar Valley area. From the 1,300 Bosnians currently here, 1,700 Affidavit of Relationships have been signed, and those people will probably be coming to the Waterloo area in the next six to eight months. With the Bosnian Resettlement Program, there are many areas that need to be reviewed, discussed, planned and developed to not only accommodate the citizens who live in the Cedar Valley area but also to provide assimilation for the Bosnian Refugees coming to the Cedar Valley area. The agencies involved in the Cedar Valley Bosnian Resettlement Program are requesting that Mayor Rooff and the Council establish a city-wide meeting to discuss, address and find solutions for further Bosnian Resettlement in the Cedar Valley area. The following areas have been impacted and will continue to be critically utilized: housing, schools, jobs, financial and economic decisions, mental health services, police and sheriff, governmental services, court system, Juvenile Court Services, domestic violence, substance abuse services, medical services and the Health Department. The agencies are requesting that the cities of Cedar Falls, Waterloo and the surrounding communities meet to discuss these issues and areas that are being impacted by the Bosnian Resettlement Program. Councilperson Jordan now present at 6:58 p.m. It is hoped that through the discussions we will be able to identify solutions to provide continued resettlement in the next six to eight months in the Cedar Valley area. It is important to look to the future and provide the services necessary for resettlement. Mayor Rooff will schedule a meeting with the council, state and county officials to discuss this issues. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Krizek, seconded by Anders that the meeting be adjourned at 6:59 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Getty. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk