04-27-15 Health and Public Safety

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HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY APRIL 27, 2015 4:00 P.M. Committee Members Present: Derek Dieter, Dr. Fred Ferlic (4:07), Karen White, Valerie Schey Citizen Member Present: Bob Emery Other Council Present: Tim Scott (XAB), Henry Davis, Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic, Oliver Davis (XAB) Others Present: Cristal Brisco, Brian Palowski, David Kempel, Kathy Cekanski - Farrand Agenda: Bill No. 18 -15 Banning use of hand -held electronic devices while driving Derek Dieter, Chair of the Health & Public Safety Committee called the meeting to order noting just one bill, #18 -15, was scheduled for consideration. The bill was sponsored by Henry Davis who proceeded to make the presentation. Henry described the bill as a natural outgrowth of the student driven initiative to stop texting while driving. As well, this measure to ban all hand held devices while driving is a natural extension of the Council's previous ban of hand held devices in school zones. The same high school students who sponsored the texting bill made a brief supportive statement emphasizing the costs in terms of both lives and economic loss suffered due to distracted driving. Driving their presentation the students said they had a difficult time getting crash statistics from the South Bend Police Department. Derek Dieter interjected that these statistics were available and he would help get them from the Police Department. Derek had several relevant questions. He wondered who will enforce the bill, who will educate both police officers and the public about the ban? Henry Davis thought city officials should have been at the hearing. Karen White felt there needed to be more discussion about implementation of a ban and a "rollout" strategy. Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski- Farrand felt passage was premature. More info was needed as well as more consideration of exemptions. i.e. ham radio operators. Gavin Ferlic said the ban was good public policy; but assurances of no conflict with state law was necessary.