11-22-04 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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Health and Public Safety Committee The November 22, 2004 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Puzzello at 3:52 pm in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Kelly, Puzzello, Varner,Kuspa, Coleman,Kirsits and White; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, City Clerk John Voorde, City Attorney Charles Leone, Maurice Hoban, Jack Dillon, Isabel Gonzalez, Andy Laurent, Sharon Kendall, Todd Skwarcan, Michael Daminano and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Puzzello welcomed citizen member Isabel Gonzalez and noted that the other Committee members included Council Members Dieter,Kirsits,Kelly and herself. Council Member Puzzello noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Substitute Bill No. 70-04 which would amend Chapter 2 of the South Bend Municipal Code by revising Section 2-50 entitled Board of Public Safety and adding new section 2-50A entitled Board of Public Works. Council Member Puzzello stated that since the last Committee meeting she had developed a substitute version of the bill. All five (5) members of the Board of Safety would be appointed by the Mayor and the new Board would be in effect on January 1, 2005. The substitute bill calls for one (1)member to have prior public safety experience which she believes is important to know about the subject matters and working conditions. The substitute bill addresses a quorum which would be three (3) members; and eliminates the term provisions previously included. All members would serve at the will of the Mayor. She noted that she plans to read portions of the letter from Ken Marks of Local# 362 at tonight's public hearing. Todd Skwarcan a Steward of SB Firefighters Local # 362 spoke in favor of the Bill, noting that he had not seen the substitute version. He noted that the fire department works under the Board of Public Safety and has a great impact on firefighters. He supports having a person with public safety experience on the Board. He noted that a letter from the Union's President should have been received by the entire Council which sets forth the Union's overall support (copy attached). Mayor Luecke then spoke against the proposed substitute bill, noting that he appreciates its overall intentions. He stated that he does not believe that conditions should be mandated. The Chiefs of both the police and fire departments work closely with the Board of Public Safety, and the Board would have the ability to hire additional assistance outside the board as a resource person. The Mayor stated that he plans to have additional training for the Board next year. Dr. Varner inquired of the Mayor whether his opposition to the substitute bill is legal or philosophical. The Mayor stated it was philosophical. November 22,2004 Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1