02-14-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 14, 2011 changes to the current taxicab regulations, along with setting forth reasons for each proposal. The City Administration will be asked to update the Health and Public Safety Committee on this topic at a 30 minute meeting to be called for Monday, February 28, 2011. There would not be open discussion on the proposal, with this session focusing on hearing the purposes and reasons for each of the proposed changes. Councilmember White stated that the Quality of Life Ordinances Progress and that a chart had been prepared by the Council Attorney in the past which summarized data on several quality of life ordinances. Following discussion, the following recommendation was made that the Council Attorney would be asked to update the chart on the quality of life ordinances. Upon review of the same by the Committee, the Committee would make recommendations for ordinances which should be repealed or amended. Councilmember White stated that the next topic Graffiti has been an issue that Councilmember Oliver Davis has been working on. She stated that initiatives like this should be made known to the Chairperson of the Committee before being implemented. Based on comments from Councilmember Henry Davis, Councilmember White, Rouse and Dieter it was apparent that much more comprehensive approach to addressing graffiti is needed. It was noted that the police department no longer has a gang unit, and that much of the graffiti appears to be gang related. Jeff Young has voluntarily removed graffiti at his own expense. It was suggested that the City Administration be invited to a Committee meeting to outline how the city cleans-up graffiti (which must be done on a timely basis); and also summarize how the City enforces graffiti regulations, including the judicial process they are utilizing. Councilmember White stated that the next topic was illegal dumping. She stated that illegal dumping is a city-wide issue. Councilmember Henry Davis suggested that"hot problem areas" should be addressed. Council President Dieter stated that a plan to address illegal dumping should be presented by the Administration to the committee. It was suggested that the Department of Code Enforcement would be invited to a meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee to hear their vision, plan, and accountability of enforcement addressing illegal dumping. Data from 2010 year on this topic should be summarized by Code which addresses among other things manpower, costs to the city, and costs paid by violators. Councilmember White noted that the first report from the Legal Department was received last week which summarized Code violation fines paid in their department. The reporting is a result of the recent ordinance passed by the Common Council requiring monthly reports. Once more reports are filed, the committee will formally review the data. Councilmember White noted that too often information which is requested from the City Administration is ignored or not timely filed with the requesting Council Member or Committee. She stated that several Councilmember's voiced concern about the need to improve communication among themselves and also with the City Administration. It was suggested that the City Clerk would be asked to develop a tracking mechanism on all information requests made by the Council and/or individual Councilmember by date of request and summary of request. Responses from the City Administration would then be given at the next Common Council meeting. Councilmember White noted that additional topics for the Committee to consider are cost recovery fee ordinance for the South Bend Fire Department. Updating the local massage parlor licensing regulations in light of state law. Drafting licensing regulations for mini- marts at the request of Council Member Henry Davis, Jr. who noted that he had had discussions with the City Administration on this topic last year. Councilmember White stated that it will be a busy year for the Health and Public Safety Committee. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR There was no one present wishing to address the Council at this time. 15