02-23-15 Joint Meeting Health and Public Safety and Residential Neighborhoods

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** JOINT MEETING ** HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY FEBRUARY 23, 2015 P.M. 3:45 P.M. Committee Members Present: Derek Dieter, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White, Valerie Schey Citizen Members Present: Vacant RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS Committee Members Present: Derek Dieter, Gavin Ferlic, Karen White, Dr. Fred Ferlic Citizen Members Present: Vacant Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis, Dr. David Varner, Oliver Davis Others Present: Randy Wilkerson, NCE, Michael Murray, Katheryn Roos, Jack Smith, Nancy Eide Agenda: Bill 05 -15 Amend Code — Residential Composting Regulations Derek Dieter, Chair of both the Health & Public Safety and Residential Neighborhoods Committees opened this joint committee hearing to consider bill 05 -15 which addresses residential composting regulations. The bill is co- sponsored by Councilmembers Valerie Schey and Oliver Davis. Valerie Schey made the presentation stating that the bill was aimed at the mutual goals of allowing citizens to compost in a manner that does not create a nuisance for the nearby neighbors. She noted the bill was written with the help of the Council Attorney the Department of Code Enforcement and the City's Legal staff. During the Council questions portion of the hearing Derek Dieter had questions about enforcement. Valerie said the NCE would be responsible, adding it would be complaint driven. Tim Scott asked about enforcement as well. Randy Wilkerson, Director of Code Enforcement, said judgment would be a case by case basis. He said most complaints of composting were the odor. Derek wondered if this bill was an example of overregulation. Randy said complaints had been received about improper composting that again, generated odor complaints requiring follow -up. Dr. Fred Ferlic voiced support for the bill. Valerie said there was backyard composting guide from Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) attached to the bill.