HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-22-10 Health & Public Safety.~ ~.
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HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY
The March 22, 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 4:45
p.m. in the Informal Meeting Room, 4th Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South
Bend, Indiana
Persons in attendance included:
Committee Members: Ann Puzzello, Vice-Chairperson; Tim Rouse, Henry Davis
Other Council Members Present: Derek Dieter, Tom LaFountain, David Varner, AI "Buddy"
Kirsits, Oliver Davis
Others Present: Catherine Toppel, Gary Gilot, Mayor Stephen Luecke, Gary Gilot, Rita
Kopala, Valerie Schey
Agenda: Bill No. 04-10 -Nuisance Fires
Update -Graffiti
BILL NO. 04-10 -NUISANCE FIRES
This bill would amend the Code -Chapter 9 Article 4 adding Section 21 providing for
extinguishing nuisance fires on the order of the Fire Chief.
Chair of the committee, Karen White noted the City Administration had formally requested the
hearing on this bill be continued until April 26, 2010. Tim Rouse so motioned. Ann Puzzello
followed and all complied.
GRAFFITI UPDATE - OLIVER DAVIS
With warmer weather and more daylight hours soon coming, the chronic problem of graffiti moves
again to the front burner.
Oliver Davis, who has taken point for the Council on this quality of life issue, reported on his work
addressing the problem, particularly in the 6th District. He cited a volunteer program that has
proved an effective abatement approach in West La Fayette. Karen White suggested than any
real solution would include a total spectrum approach involving the who, how, where, when, and
why of graffiti. It is a complex problem with no single simple solution. Focusing on enforcement
of prohibitions, Henry Davis asked what consequences violators risked. What are the penalties?
Catherine Toppel, Director of Code enforcement, briefly described the reporting and remediation
process followed once graffiti was found. Letters sent by Code Enforcement have been redrawn
to recognize the fact that property owners who receive these letters are victims not violators.
Valerie Schey agreed the new draft of the compliance letter was more sensitive than last year's.
Oliver Davis announced a neighborhood meeting to discuss graffiti was to be held on April 9, from
9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at the Rum Village Nature Center.
There being no further business to come before the Committee at this time, Chairperson White
adjourned the meeting at 4:18 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Karen L. White, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee