10-12-98 Health & Public Safety and Personnel & Finance

Home Browse Search

Joint Meeting of the Health and Public Safety and Personnel and Finance Committees October 12, 1998 Page 2 "police powers". She noted the numerous other states and cities where legislation was reviewed; highlighted the three (3) professional organizations cited in the proposed legislation, namely: the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), the Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT), and the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP). The Council Attorney further noted that all FDA, OSHA, ISDH regulations were reviewed and incorporated. She briefly summarized the two (2)MayoClinic articles which noted that the City of New York has banned tattoos since the mid-1960's in light of a hepatitis B outbreak. She compared the South Bend proposed legislation to Mishawaka's passed in the Spring of 1998, and noted that the South Bend legislation addresses several area's which our Sister City's does not, namely: Pre-Service and After Care Instructions, educational and training requirements,continuing education and training requirements, etc. Section II of the ordinance would call for an interlocal agreement between the City of South Bend and St. Joseph County to share fees in light of the fact that the County Health Department would do all health and safety inspections called for under the ordinance and would review training and educational requirements. She noted that she met last week with Ann-Carol Nash, Cathy Roemer, Asst. Chief Prawat, Michelle Engel, and Kathy Dempsey who expressed their concerns about the health and safety enforcement provisions. In light of those concerns,the proposed amendments involving the St. Joseph County Health Department are being proposed by Dr.Varner. The public was then invited to speak on the proposed bill. Ann-Carol Nash, Assistant City Attorney stated that she did have the opportunity to review the proposed amendments and the Memorandum from the Council Attorney. She stated that she believes regulations should be county-wide. Although she is not against the concepts incorporated into the proposed Bill, she believed that the City should continued the Bill and let the County get a running start by using our research. She further noted that since the meeting last Thursday with the Council Attorney and the various City Officials, that she has had telephone contact with Dr. Plain; David Keckley, attorney to the Health Board; David Ready, attorney to the County Council, and County Councilmember Rafael Morton who expressed interest in this area. She concluded that "all the good work that has gone into this measure" should not be lost but passed on to the County. Dr. Varner stated that if the C ounty Council was willing to go forward now that he would be willing to withdrawn Bill No. 58-98 from further consideration, however he believes that the County Council's plate is full in light of the three(3) water and septic bills currently pending before it as well as other measures. He voiced concern that if the City would take not action that the County may indefinitely sit on the measure and the public health and safety concerns would continue. Dr. Varner stated that he would like to move forward on the Bill this evening with the proposed amendments. He concluded by stating that in light of the fact that Mishawaka has their own version of a bill on the books and that several tattoo and body piercing saloons have opened within the City of South Bend, that he did not want the City of South Bend to become the"location of choice" since we do not have any regulations in effect. The message should be that tattoo and body piercing artist must operate under supervision and under a set of rules so that they are as professional as possible in a safe and sanitary manner. He further stated that if there are flaws that they ca be addressed by further legislation. It is important to get the message out and educate the public and the artists who wish to practice in South Bend.