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HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY <br />The April 14, 2008 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee of the South Bend <br />Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Councilmember Karen White at 4:40 <br />p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. <br />Persons in attendance included: Council Members Oliver Davis, David Varner, Donald Brubaker, <br />Citizen Member, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney, Charles Leone, City Attorney, <br />John Voorde, City Clerk. <br />Committee Members present: Karen L. White, Chairperson, Ann Puzzello, Vice, Chairperson, <br />Derek D. Dieter, Member <br />UPDATE HOTEL MOTEL LICENSING BILL -CHARLES LEONE, CITY ATTORNEY <br />City Attorney Chuck Leone updated Council Members regarding the administrations efforts to <br />revise the proposed hotel-motel licensing bill. He emphasized that throughout their approach that <br />assurance of pubic safety was paramount. Current efforts have focused on what other cities are <br />doing in this regard, specifically Chula Vista, CA. These efforts are an acknowledgement that the <br />originally proposed tier method of ranking was unworkable. For that matter, an unintended <br />consequence of the tier ranking was the creation of a disincentive for Hotel-Motel operators to <br />cooperate with the public safety sector for fear of downgrading their rating. <br />What was seen as necessary was providing 15t responders (police, fire, ambo) as much <br />information as possible to help them protect the safety of others and themselves. This info might <br />include: floor plans, possible hazardous materials, response history and the like. This info would <br />not subsequently be used for a ranking scheme. The ability of the city to require provision of this <br />data would stem from state law which allows this for risk planning purposes. Oliver Davis <br />stressed the importance of hotel-motels being held accountable for persistent problem properties. <br />Leone alluded to but did not identify other tools the city has in its arsenal to address problem <br />businesses. Oliver Davis and Karen White questioned whether these tools were being used. <br />What remediation efforts are used? Does the city follow-up? Council Member Derek Dieter <br />maintained that tools were there; but an overall strategy was absent. Council Member David <br />Varner suggested owners of trouble properties should be identified, pursued and prosecuted. <br />Council Member Tim Rouse called for an assessment of the city's efforts to date, allowing there <br />was no reason to pass a "feel good" bill and leave it at that. Council Member Tim Rouse also <br />noted the receipt of a letter from the firefighters union asking to open the contract negotiation <br />process. He recommended Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand be the lead person to work with both the <br />city and the union. Council Member Rouse made the motion, seconded by Council Member <br />Derek Dieter followed by unanimous assent. <br />There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member White <br />adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m. <br />Respectfully Submitted, <br />Q1L`^~ ~ <br />Karen L. White, Chairperson <br />Health and Public Safety Committee <br />