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Committee Report <br /> Public Works and Property Vacation Committee <br /> The September 13,2004 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee <br /> was called to order by its Chairperson, Dr. David Varner at 3:36 p.m. in the Council Informal <br /> Meeting Room. <br /> Persons in attendance included Council Members Deiter,Kelly,Kuspa,Varner,Pnzzello, <br /> Coleman, Pfeifer and White; City Clerk John Voorde, Community and Economic Development <br /> Executive Director Sharon Kendall, Building Commissioner Don Fozo, Robert Henry, Angela <br /> Smith,Rita Kopola,Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. <br /> Dr. Varner noted that the Committee consists of Council Members Kirsits, Pfeifer, <br /> Coleman and himself <br /> Dr. Varner called for a presentation on Bill No. 49-04 which would amend various <br /> articles of Chapter 6 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing building codes and permit <br /> fees. <br /> Building Commissioner Don Fozo made the presentation. He noted that the ordinance <br /> would update the building codes and related fees. Because the State of Indiana has updated their <br /> building codes, a portion of our local ordinances which reference those codes must be updated. <br /> They have been monitoring their fees in light of the fact that they are an enterprise operation, <br /> and therefore are asking for fees to be increased so that they will be self-supporting. <br /> Mr. Fozo presented a one-page document entitled "Building Department Statement of <br /> Revenues&Expenditures for the Years 1992 thru 2003"(copy attached). He noted that in 2000, <br /> he asked for the first increase in fees since the merger of the department with the county in 1992. <br /> Residential construction in the county is down, 68 homes less than last year. The proposed <br /> ordinance would raise from $15.00 to $20.00 the minimum charge fee for inspecting water <br /> heaters and furnaces. The annual registration and licensing fee would be raised from $75.00 to <br /> $100.00. <br /> Council Member Puzzello inquired why the demolition line item was so small. Mr. Fozo <br /> stated he asked the same question. They are bringing everyone in line. <br /> Council Member Pfeifer inquired whether the $20 fee is large enough to cover their <br /> services. Mr. Fozo said that when they group inspections it is sufficient, since there is a fine line <br /> between having too high a fee and then home owners do not seek inspections. They do not want <br /> to discourage inspections. <br /> Council Member Pfeifer suggested that the department should do more to tell people <br /> about the dangers of water heaters and furnaces and why inspections are so important. She also <br /> suggested that this type of information be displayed on the city's website. <br /> Mr. Fozo noted that they are now doing inspections in Walkerton and are doing that.. <br /> Public Works and Properly Vacation Committee Meeting of September 13,2004 Page 1 <br />