04-25-13 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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Health & Public Safety April 25, 2013 530 p.m. Committee Members Present: Karen White, Tim Scott Other Council Present: Valerie Schey, Oliver Davis Others Present: Shubada Kambli, Director, Code Enforcement, Linda Candler, Mariah Covey, Kelly Pickell, Tonty Trinca, Patty Trinca, William Sykes, Pam Wesolowski, Aaron Blight, Becky Kaiser, Ann Rudasics, Pat Herod, Ernest Gales, Jan Caudell, Brad Braydon, Karen Haun, Jennifer Gobel, Pam Comer, A. Gabrielle Thompson, Ellen Braydon Agenda: Updating Code/ Animal Control Background —On April 81h, Councilmember Valerie Schey issued a press release announcing the creation of a special committee to be called the South Bend Animal Care & Control Committee. (Attachment is on file in the Office of the City Clerk) Because the required vote to authorize the special committee could not be placed on the Council agenda until May 13th. Karen White agreed to a meeting of her Health & Public Safety Committee. The purpose was to begin review of South Bend Code Chapter 5 pertaining to South Bend's Animal Care & Control Ordinance. Prior to the beginning of the meeting Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski - Farrand provided a brief history of South Bend's Animal & Fowl Regulations (a copy is on file in the Office of the City Clerk) Karen opened the meeting stating its purpose was to begin the review of animal regulations while adding the meeting would be limited to one hour. Karen turned the meeting over to fellow Councilmember Valerie Schey who began an over -head presentation briefly outlining the purpose of the special committee. Valerie then asked proposed committee members to introduce themselves. Council Attorney Cekanski - Farrand then briefly reviewed the historical background she had provided. She suggested the group should focus on what can be done to enhance responsible pet ownership. Valerie then continued her presentation. Valerie said the guiding principle of the groups work was to lower the euthanasia rate. She said the City should strive to apply ethical standards while being responsive to the needs of its citizens. A good ordinance Valerie stated, should strike a balance of public safety and the humane treatment of animals. Valerie cited several other cities in Indiana for drafting animal control ordinances she believed to be more effective than South Bend's. In particular she noted Fort Wayne's for having clear language, definitions and fee schedule. She provided the animal control ordinances from Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Bloomington, and South Bend. (A copy is on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Fort Wayne's ordinance would be used as a model for what the committee was to work toward.