07-16-08 Health and Public Safety

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HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY JULY 16, 2008 Committee Members Present: Councilmember Karen White, Chairperson, Councilmember Henry Davis, Councilmember Ann Puzzello, Councilmember Derek D. Dieter, Donald Brubaker, Citizen Member Other Councilmember Present: Councilmember's David Varner and AI "Buddy" Kirsits Others Present: Mark Dollinger, Ann-Carol Nash, Catherine Toppel, Lynn Coleman, Sandy Senour, Kathy Cekanski-Farrand, Jamie Loo, John Voorde Purpose: This meeting of the Health & Public Safety Committee is one in series of discussions intended to focus on quality of life issues. Initiated by Chairperson Karen L. White, the particular focus of this meeting is Graffiti. Karen began the meeting by recounting the reasons for its call. As reflected in the handout dated 6-18-08 (attached} the H& PS Committee agreed to develop a "plan of action to review quality of life ordinances." Karen went on to explain the approach was to focus on implementation of regulations, enforcement of regulations, and identification of measurable outcomes. Karen then asked Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski-Farrand to explain the legal basis for graffiti regulations. Kathy with a handout (attached) referred to Indiana statues in Title 35 which define graffiti and describe it penalties. In addition Title 31 describes potential penalties for delinquents found guilty of using graffiti. There are no references to graffiti in local ordinances. Councilmember White then asked Mark Dollinger, who runs the city's Weed 8~ Seed program in the 2"d and 6th Councilmanic Districts to outline graffiti abatement efforts currently underway. Mark explained the Weed & Seed program was funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. The program now in its third and final year has among other things funded the graffiti abatement efforts. Last year over $20,000 was spent to paint-over 290 sites. This year 282 graffiti sites have already been remedied just in the 2"d & 6th Districts. Derek Dieter conservatively estimated over 200 additional instances of graffiti outside the 2"d & 6th Districts. Mark Dollinger estimated a need for $70 - $90 thousand dollars to continue the graffiti abatement in '09. Kathy Cekanski- Farrand noted Dollinger's program was cited for its effectiveness in a national publication. Henry Davis, 2"d District, recounted a LaSalle Park meeting yesterday where a more comprehensive approach to graffiti prevention was suggested. This approach would provide kids with options to vandalism. Cooperative alliances with the school corporation, the city, neighborhoods, and churches could focus on youth education. This type of comprehensive approach could be more effective in the long run. Dollinger agreed. Chairperson Karen White then turned to administration representatives to describe current city efforts. Cathy Toppe( said while there was no city crew actually painting over graffiti. Her department actively pursues property owners for clean-up. She admitted this was by legal requirement, a long cumbersome process. Councilmember Henry Davis suggested educating kids in the schools at a young age to the costs of graffiti both personal and societal. Derek Dieter said more money was needed for police OT as well as early intervention. Henry Davis pointed out that the graffiti problem was a moral issue more than a money issue. Councilmember Kirsits wondered how much of the graffiti problem could be attributed to gangs. Dollinger said most west-side graffiti is gang related. Catherine Toppel asked that the extensive graffiti in vacant homes be remembered. Karen White said people live in fear feeling disconnected from what goes on in the neighborhood. She said a safe secure citizenry was essential for a strong community. Karen then asked Councilmember Dieter to explain problems facing the police department in trying to address crime across the board.