08-20-08 Health and Public Safety Committee

Home Browse Search

HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY AUGUST 20, 2008 Committee Members Present: Councilmember Ann Puzzello, Vice-President, Donald Brubaker, Citizen Member Other Councilmember Present: Councilmember David Varner Others Present: Catherine Toppel, Chuck Clark, Winona Hays, Paul Duda, Mrs. Davis, Jamie Loo, Marcie Kobriger, Kathy Cekanski-Farrand, Jamie Loo, John Voorde QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES -FOCUS ON YARD PARKING Councilmember Ann Puzzello opened the meeting indicating this was the 5th in a scheduled six (6) meetings of the Health and Public Safety Committee to discuss the adequacy and effectiveness of the city's quality of life ordinances. This meeting would focus on yard parking, its implementation, enforcement, and measuring results. Specifically, residential lawn parking ordinances and temporary lawn parking permits were to be evaluated. Councilmember Puzzello then asked if there was anyone who wanted to speak on the yard parking problem. Paul Duda of 2123 S. Taylor said lawn parking problems in Rum Village were recurrent. Though Jim Wood of NCE was responsive to the problem, Duda, suggested higher fines be meted that out to offenders rather than simply a warning. Catherine Toppel noted that state law prescribed process needs to be followed. Mrs. Davis said this was a problem in River Park as well, especially on 26th and 21St Streets. Councilmember Puzzello asked who enforces lawn parking Police or NCE? Catherine Toppel, in response, said the SBPD could issue a citation immediately while code enforcement, usually following zoning ordinances must start by issuing a warning. She went on to say her department had already issued 203 warning letters in 2008. While voluntary compliance was desired, NCE did issue follow-up tickets when warnings went unheeded. Assistance Police Jeff Walters said the initial intent and confusion regarding enforcement have been resolved and cooperation between the SBPD and the NCE had greatly improved. Ann Puzzello asked which department should be called when a parking problem arises. Catherine Toppel felt it is best to suggest calling NCE first. David Varner noted parking problems on Miami were vastly improved. He wondered if progress was city wide. Catherine Toppel said yes. Chuck Clark reported the Northeast Side football parkers seem to be accepting of the permit process. Councilmember Ann Puzzello noted the next quality of life issue focus would be animal control with a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2008.