03-19-10 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ . HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY The March 19, 2010 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Karen L. White at 7:30 a.m. at Allie's Cafe 2323 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, Indiana Persons in attendance included: Committee Members: Ann Puzzello, Vice-Chairperson; Henry Davis (arrived at 8:05 a.m.) Other Council Members Present: Derek Dieter, AI "Buddy" Kirsits Others Present: Valerie Schey, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Charles Leone, Mayor Stephen Luecke Agenda: Review of Committee's Focus/Goals Chairperson White expressed the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress the Committee has made over the past three years addressing quality of life issues. Additionally, a prioritization of issues for 2010 was to be discussed. Councilmember White always mindful of the critical importance of implementation and enforcement of quality of life bills, began by referencing a 2006 summary of enforcement supplied by Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand (see attachment) Councilmember White stated a current measure of success was needed. City Attorney Charles Leone cautioned that the dollars collected through fines was not necessarily a good measure. In other words could lower fine collection totals indicate more compliance? The Mayor agreed pointing out the quality of life bill was just a tool. Nonetheless, Councilmember White and Dieter felt some measures of effectiveness were needed and suggested quarterly reports to Council. Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand and Citizen Member Valerie Schey agreed that education & implementation were vital to effective compliance. Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand said training of Code and Police Officers was essential. She also suggested the availability of software that would track enforcement and compliance. Chairperson White sticking to the agenda for the meeting (attachment) proposed a review of bills affecting snow removal, taxis and massage parlors. The discussion that followed focused mainly on whether license fees and penalties could be higher in that ours are lower than most others. Other issues touched upon were open burning bills and cell phone use while driving. Derek Dieter proposed the City tow its own violators for both more effective compliance and as a revenue source. Chairperson White said the proposed funding source, the rezoning required and the neighborhood impact of the proposed animal shelter need more discussion incorporating opinions of the neighbors. Valerie Schey brought up the issue of child obesity. She said Notre Dame was doing work in this area. She would get more information before the next meeting. Councilmember Henry Davis said Memorial Hospital has an obesity program the City could possibly complement. The Mayor said the South Bend Park Department has worked on that issue as well.