04-16-91 Residential Neighborhoods & Public Works

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@inntmittee Expert JOINT COMMITTE OF THE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE an tip (IInmmnn (IIounril of the Otitg of fnu#t! Went: The April 16, 1991 Joint Committee Meeting of the Public Works Committee and the Residential Neighborhoods Committee was called to order by the respective Chairpersons, Council Member Duda and Council Member Zakrzewski at 4 : 07 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Coleman, Puzzello, Luecke, Duda, Ladewski, and Zakrzewski; Patricia DeClercq, Sandra Boyd, Greg Pal, Sissy Cartwright, Don O'Blenis, Dennis A. Schermerhorn, Dave Pace, Randy Hauglton and Bob Ullery of BFR, Bill Baumer of Baumer Roofing, Dave Adams, Lloyd Keldron, Vicki Black and Don Black of Master Maintenance, Thomas Brumett, Bob Grant, Roy Milliken of Milliken Construction, Don Porter, and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand. Council Member Duda noted that the purpose of the Joint Committee Meeting was to continue the discussion of Bill No. 21-91, which proposes contractors registration requirements. She noted that in light of the many questions raised at the last Joint Committee Meeting with regard to implementation and enforcement, and the track record of other communities having such a law, that Mr. Dennis A. Schermerhorn, the Director of Engineering for the City of LaPorte, was invited to give an update on his program. Mr. Schermerhorn noted that he has been a lifelong resident of the City of South Bend and currently lives in the Second District. He stated that the City of LaPorte's Contractor Registration Ordinance has been in effect since 1988. There are approximately 22, 000 people living in LaPorte, and 295 contractors are currently registered. Concerns that it would put the smaller businesses out of business have not materialized. He noted that this has not happened and that the system works well for the City. He emphasized the need for certificates of insurance. He stated that the registration has not been interpreted as an endorsement of the City of the particular contractor, since it is registration as opposed to licensing. He noted that in a recent edition of the Penny Saver an add appeared for a cement contractor advertising that he has been in business since 1975, but he has never registered with the City of LaPorte. In response to questions raised by Council Member Luecke, Mr. Schermerhorn noted that their fee is $50. 00 per year and requires completion of a two page application and requiring Workmen's Compensation as well as public liability insurance in the amount of $300, 000.00 and $500,000. 00. He further noted that they use a card system since they are not