03-11-02 Utilities Committee and Health & Public Safety

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Committrtt lort: .f otnt Outing of tie ttzities Committee Emb 3tazh anti *Mir Ott Committee The March 11, 2002 joint meeting of the Utilities Committee and the Health and Public Safety Committee was called to order by Utilities Committee Chairperson Council Member Al "Buddy" Kirsits at 4:20 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Pfeifer, Varner, Coleman, White, Kirsits and Kelly; Dr. Janice Carson, St. Joseph County Health Officer; Gary Gilot, Carl Littrell, Jon Hunt, Citizen Member Isabele Gonzalez, Beth Leonard, Tony Vacuso, Dave Turngate, Terry Bland of the nth ISiz1 it 'Eribuuz and Kathy Cekanski Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Kirsits noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Substitute Bill No. 1402 which would adopt the St. Joseph County Health Department Wellhead Protection Ordinance,as amended. Dr. Janice Carson, St. Joseph County Health Officer, made the presentation along with members of her staff and the City's Water Works Department . Dr. Carson sated that in 1998 the county passed the ground water ordinance; and later passed regulations addressing water sources, wellhead protection, well drilling and supplies. Dr. Carson noted that the Water Resources Advisory Board approved the Wellhead Protection Ordinance, and that it is her goal to have all governmental entities to approve such regulations which are based on protecting the health and safety of the residents and their water supplies. As a part of Dr. Carson's presentation a three-page handout entitled"St. Joseph County Wellhead Protection Program" (copy attached). Dr. Varner noted that there is some confusion among the public since many members of the public believe that the proposed ordinance is a result of 9/11. Dr. Carson noted that the ordinance does not deal with security concerns but rather focuses on protection from contaminants. Mr. Gary Gilot, Director of Public Works, noted that the City needs to be proactive with regard to its well fields which service the forty(40) square miles in South Bend. In light of the concerns of secondary contaminants, such regulations are needed. He noted that such contaminants have a five year time of travel,and that education and awareness are needed. A member of the St. Joseph County Health Department noted that the county would go out and meet informally with businesses and assist them in completing applications. This would take place in the next four(4) months and there is a two-year compliance period involved. Dr. Varner requested additional public hearings on the proposal, noting that he does not disagree with the objectives being addressed in the ordinance. Mr. Dave Turngate of the South Bend Water Works Department stated that every business was sent s survey in 2000 and that 500 businesses were contacting by interns. Council Member Kirsits questioned the attendance at such public meetings. Council Member Pfeifer thanked Dr. Carson for the information she has provided, but voiced concern that there may be additional questions before such an ordinance could be implemented in the city limits. She suggested that perhaps the Bill should be continued to allow this to happen.