HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-19-10 Health & Public Safety~ .
HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY
The March 19, 2010 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee of the South Bend
Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Karen L. White at 7:30
a.m. at Allie's Cafe 2323 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, Indiana
Persons in attendance included:
Committee Members: Ann Puzzello, Vice-Chairperson; Henry Davis (arrived at 8:05 a.m.)
Other Council Members Present: Derek Dieter, AI "Buddy" Kirsits
Others Present: Valerie Schey, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Charles Leone, Mayor
Stephen Luecke
Agenda: Review of Committee's Focus/Goals
Chairperson White expressed the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress the
Committee has made over the past three years addressing quality of life issues. Additionally, a
prioritization of issues for 2010 was to be discussed. Councilmember White always mindful of the
critical importance of implementation and enforcement of quality of life bills, began by referencing
a 2006 summary of enforcement supplied by Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand (see
attachment) Councilmember White stated a current measure of success was needed. City
Attorney Charles Leone cautioned that the dollars collected through fines was not necessarily a
good measure. In other words could lower fine collection totals indicate more compliance? The
Mayor agreed pointing out the quality of life bill was just a tool. Nonetheless, Councilmember
White and Dieter felt some measures of effectiveness were needed and suggested quarterly
reports to Council. Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand and Citizen Member Valerie Schey agreed that
education & implementation were vital to effective compliance. Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand said
training of Code and Police Officers was essential. She also suggested the availability of
software that would track enforcement and compliance.
Chairperson White sticking to the agenda for the meeting (attachment) proposed a review of bills
affecting snow removal, taxis and massage parlors. The discussion that followed focused mainly
on whether license fees and penalties could be higher in that ours are lower than most others.
Other issues touched upon were open burning bills and cell phone use while driving. Derek
Dieter proposed the City tow its own violators for both more effective compliance and as a
revenue source.
Chairperson White said the proposed funding source, the rezoning required and the
neighborhood impact of the proposed animal shelter need more discussion incorporating opinions
of the neighbors. Valerie Schey brought up the issue of child obesity. She said Notre Dame was
doing work in this area. She would get more information before the next meeting.
Councilmember Henry Davis said Memorial Hospital has an obesity program the City could
possibly complement. The Mayor said the South Bend Park Department has worked on that
issue as well.
Chairperson White reminded everyone that in addition to these new issues there would soon be
the recurrent issues of graffiti and grass cutting that also will impact neighborhoods again this
summer. She also noted that the summer would require time spent negotiating contracts for
police officers, firefighters and teamsters. Keeping focus she said was going to challenge the
Council this year. The list of issues to address is not a short one.
There being no further business to come before the Committee at this time, Chairperson White
adjourned the meeting at 8:38 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Karen L. White, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee