11/26/07 Joint Committee - Health and Public Safety and Pesonnel and Finance Committee

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Joint Committee Meeting of Health and Public Safety and Personnel and Finance Committee 2007 South Bend Common Council The joint committee meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee and the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by their respective Chairpersons, Council Member White and Council Member Pfeifer at 3:11 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Pfeifer, Kelly, Puzzello, Varner, Rouse, Kirsits and White; Police Chief Thomas Fautz, Division Chief Boykins, City Attorney Charles Leone, Assistant City Attorney Ann-Carol Nash, Don Inks, James Masters, Mrs. Kopola, Jerry Niezgodski, Martha Lewis, City Clerk John Voorde, Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Bill No. 71-07 Proposed Hotel and Motel Licensing Regulations: Council Member White noted that the news print media incorrectly noted that the South Bend Common Council would be taking action on the proposed hotelmotel ordinance. She noted that discussions have been ongoing with the City Administration and that a joint committee meeting on this Bill has already been set for Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. She apologized for any one who came today in light of the incorrect media information. City Attorney Charles Leone noted that the proposed ordinance is the result of events which happened at the Wooden Indian in April 2007. He further noted that the draft follows the Department of Justice publication entitled "Disorder at Budget Motels" which sets up a three-tier system: Tier I: No changes; Tier II: Some changes; Tier III: Most of the burdens such as security and public safety based on calls for service of police. He stated that the City Administration would be flexible, noting that such businesses should not be penalized for medical calls for service of their patrons. He stated that both Chief Fautz and Division Chief Boykins are present to address questions. He further stated that he is willing to sit down and talk about further amendments. Council Member White suggested that Mr. Leone provided copies of the Department of Justice publication through the City Attorney's office. Dr. Varner requested that Mr. Leone send a written version of the DOJ publication to the Office of the City Clerk as soon as possible. Mr. James Masters, a local attorney then provided aone-page handout (copy attached) of proposed amendatory language to Bill No. 71-07. He stated that it appears that "a few bad apples are spoiling the entire barrel" and contended that operations like the Wooden Indian are boarding houses and not a hoteUmotel. Council Member White urged Mr. Masters to sit down with Mr. Leone to discuss his proposal.