08-28-00 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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• rCommttt *oat: t• Wit)) a ttbTtc ttv tontutitftt The August 28, 2000 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Andrew Ujdak at 4:30 pm in the Council Informal Meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski,Pfeifer,King,Ujdak,White, Varner,Coleman,Kelly and Kirsits;Citizen Member Isabelle Gonzalez,Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Jeremey Barckley, John Broden, City Attorney, Police Chief Larry Bennett, Aladean DeRose, Assistant City Attorney, Marco Manani, Jim Frick, Patrick Mangan, Joseph P. Sergio, Sam Walsh, Members of Citizens for Community Values, Dennis Staffelbach, members of the news media, and Terry Bland of the '01ttII Ifikutr tt,U,UU , and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Ujdak noted that the meeting was called to continue review and discussion of Bill No. 28-00 which would amend Chapter 4, Article 4, Section 4-18.5 addressing "Adult Businesses"of the South Bend Municipal Code. Mayor Luecke stated the he is in full support of the substitute version of Bill No. 28-00 (copy attached) which was provided earlier today to the Council. He noted that it includes a 10 p.m. closing time, requires the removal of doors from viewing booths, includes distance requirements between performers and patrons, requires separate tip jars, requires dancing to cease at 10 p.m. and the establishments to close, addresses amendments with regard to adult motels. Mayor Luecke noted that as a community and a city, thousands of dollars have been invested in the city and especially into the South Gateway area. Every tool possible should be used to maintain this investment. He noted that the impact from adult businesses have created a negative secondary impact on the area and that he as Mayor is willing to let the final determination be in the courts. Mayor Luecke stated that he believes that the ordinance creates appropriate steps for enforcement and urged passage of the substitute bill. John Broden, City Attorney, stated that he had received a letter from Bruce A. Taylor, President and Chief Counsel of the National Law Center for Families and Children(copy attached) which offers his legal services to the city on a pro-bono basis. He also noted that both he and Aladean DeRose had the opportunity to attend the oral argument on the Mishawaka lawsuit in Federal District Court where the Mishawaka ordinance was upheld. Police Chief Larry Bennett spoke in favor of the substitute bill. He noted that the South Bend Police Department focuses on community oriented policing which involves a partnership with the community and neighborhoods. He stated that the secondary negative effects caused by adult businesses is a quality of life issue. Chief Bennett stated that it is time for a change. Dr. Varner noted that a one-page handout (copy attached) was provided to the Committee which addressing the licensing of managers and entertainers. Council Member Ujdak noted that he had prepared these proposed amendments based on research done by the Council Attorney earlier this Summer. He noted that some of the definitions were taken from the draft provided to the Committee at its June meeting,and stated that he believes their inclusion would strengthen the bill. Council Member Kelly stated that he would prefer to move forward on just the substitute bill tonight without the licensing provisions for managers and entertainers.