06-09-03 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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Cout-Matt import btaZtb arat Nubia ibaf ty Commttteu The June 9, 2003, meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee was called to order by its Chairperson,Council Member Ervin Kuspa at 4:33 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Coleman, Kelly, Kuspa, Varner, Kirsits, Pfeifer, White and King; Code Enforcement Director Catherine Brucker, Assistant Police Chief Hassig, Building Commissioner Don Fozo, Assistant City Attorney Ann-Carol Nash, Citizen Member Isabel Gonzalez, Park Superintendent Phil St. Clair, Terry Bland of the i01tt) `; tC CrtbU1U and Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Kelly noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Substitute Bill No. 41- 03 which would amend Chapter 5 of the South Bend Municipal Code by the inclusion of new Article 3.1 entitled "Animals Prohibited to be Brought to Large Events Held on Public Property". Assistant Police Chief Hassig thanked Council President White for filing the Bill. He noted that there are many potential dangers to the public by the presence of animals at large events. These concerns have been discussed with regard to the upcoming Summer in the City which will begin this Friday. Many have voiced concern over the pit bulls which were present last year. With hot weather, animals become agitated and aggressive and such situations become detrimental to the animals. The proposed regulations would assist in making Summer in the City safe for all persons and also for all animals by having the animals excluded. Catherine Brucker, Director of the Department of Code Enforcement spoke in favor of the proposed Bill. She noted that when animals are taken into a new surrounding they often do not know how to act. Summer in the City is expected to have 100,000 in attendance. There are concerns with regard to animals who want to run, traffic concerns, etc., and everyone wants the event to be safe for every one and also to protect the animals safety. Council Member Kelly noted that he is a dog owner and that he would never bring his dog to such an event because his pet is too frisky and that it would be too frightening. Mr. Phil St. Clair, Park Superintendent, noted that the Bill was drafted so that there would be a safe environment for all. He noted that it only takes one incident. He stated that the Bill as originally filed is patterned after regulations in effect for the Blueberry Festival in Plymouth, Indiana, and the Venetian Festival in St. Joseph, Michigan. The cover letter points out that both events have excluded animals for many years. He also noted that he is a former dog trainer and knows the temperament of dogs, and that festivals like Summer in the City are not a good place for them. �kk Council Member Kuspa noted that he attended the Cinco de Mayor Celebration held in Howard Park. When he put his hand out to pet a small dog, it nipped at him, even though the owner said it was safe to do. Dr. Varner noted that many people come from out of town to the Summer in the City festival, and suggested that in the future that notice be given in the promotional materials that no animals are allowed. The Council Attorney noted that she was initially contacted by Captain Wanda Shock of the South Bend Police Department as to the need for this ordinance. Captain Shock is in Washington, D.C.