02-08-16 Health and Public Safety

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HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY FEBRUARY 8, 2016 4:50 P.M. Committee Members Present: John Voorde, Karen White, Oliver Davis, Jo Broden Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Dr. Varner, Gavin Ferlic, Regina Williams- Preston Others Present: Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand, Adriana Rodriguez, Jennifer Coffinan, Joe Molnar Agenda: Sue Kesim, AARP Representative, Presentation Bill No. 05 -16 — Approving fees for nuisance abatement Bill No. 06 -16 — Approving fees for securing and Demolishing structures John Voorde, Chair of the Health & Public Safety Committee, called the meeting to order with two bills for consideration. Due to a request from Randy Wilkerson, Director of Code Enforcement, Chairperson John Voorde entertained a motion to continue Bills 05 -16 and 06 -16 until February 22nd 2016. So moved by Councilmember Karen White and seconded by Councilmember Regina Williams - Preston which carried by a voice vote of four ayes. Sue Kesim, an AARP Representative, gave a presentation on the status of seniors in South Bend. She highlighted the reluctance of seniors to leave their homes because of fear relating to the high violence in the area. She also stated many seniors are unhappy with the city spending millions of dollars on the Smart Streets projects and think that money should have been spent hiring more police officers. She quoted studies that show South Bend is short seventeen police officers relating to the crime in the city. She also claimed South Bend is in the bottom three percent nationwide in crime per capita. Hope Sibley Vollmer, representing the new Miami Village Neighborhood Association, spoke to the Committee regarding the excess speed of cars through her neighborhood and throughout the city. She claimed the cars use her neighborhood as a racing circuit and also cited other roads such as Ironwood where people blatantly do not follow the speed limit. She asked the Committee to look into establishing a Traffic Division to better monitor traffic in South Bend. Chairperson John Voorde gave the remaining time of the Committee to Councilmember Dr. Varner, Chairperson of the Utilities Committee. Councilmember Dr. Varner reported that the Utilities Committee will be looking into water rates. Coming up will also be a meeting regarding the federally mandated Public Works Project that will cost approximately six - hundred million dollars when it is finished. Councilmember Dr.