06-26-84 Informal Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Q nmmtt1rr r nri Olo Iljr atom i Olounril atilt OltIg of fnlillj lurid: INFORMAL MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL The South Bend Common Council held an informal meeting on June 26 , 1984 which was called to order by its ' President , Councilman Beverlie Beck at 3 ; 00 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Councilman Puzzello , Braboy, Zakrzewski , and Beck, Kathy Barnard, Carolyn Pfotenhauer, Esther Krogel, Dortha VanLinda Carol VanLinda, James Varga, Joyce McFadden , Teresa Corey Sukup , Anne Bailey , Lane Gyer , Pat Bilello , Angela Russo , and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council President Beck noted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss possible revisions to the animal control ordinances. She noted that last year the City experienced a problem with wolves and this year there were several serious Bite;- cas°es Kathy Barnard then outlined the major areas of concern. These included vicious dogs and the ability to deal with them through a specific procedure. The second area concerned wild animals and would need input as to which ones should be allowed and which ones should be prohibited. The third area concerned the number of animals allowed within a household. The fourth . area concerned problems of animals running at large and becoming a public nuisance. The fifth area was the possibility of having inspectors deputized so that they would be allowed to issue tickets. Considerations of the Humane Society should also be considered , and President Beck noted that specific licensing provisions like the one in Benton Harbor should be carefully reviewed. Teresa Sukup of the Humane Society then passed out several pictures showing how animals have been shot , poisoned, and how they have become victims of their owners irresponsibility. She noted that her office has over 10 ,000 complaint files but stressed that the real problems are the people who own the animals. She stated that Ft. Wayne has a model ordinance which addresses unprovoked attacks and several other important aspects of animal control. Mr. Varga, a former animal control officer, voiced .concer.n. about enforcement procedures and noted that several items like the ones discussed today were addressed in 1976 when the ordinance was outdated. Mrs . Barnard talked about the Code Enforcement hearing process and how it helped to resolve neighborhood problems and proved to be fairly successful Councilman Zakrzewski and several citizens in the audience voiced concern about animal complaints that were not factually true. The Council Attorney noted that in 1976 there was a .joint committee made up of St . Joseph County officials, Mishawaka and South Bend officials and Humane Society representatives to study the -entire area of animal control. The South Bend ordinance thereafter reflected many of the changes recommended by the Committee. She also noted that Mishawaka passed a licensing ordinance which addressed both dogs and cats whereas South Bend only licensed dogs. She also showed a copy of ads taken out in the South Bend Tribune for five (5) days each January advertising that licenses could be procured at various malls and supermarkets throughout the community. She also stressed the need for cooperation between the various governmental entities. ••a •aaaa wois...w a co.