HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-27-10 Health & Public Safety Committee~1-1I~:L'1'I~ai
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HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
APRIL 27, 2010
Chairperson Karen L. White, called the Health and Public Safety Committee meeting to
order at 6:00 p.m. at Kennedy Academy, 609 N. Olive Street, South Bend, Indiana
Committee Members Present: Ann Puzzello, Henry Davis, Timothy Rouse
Other Councilmember's Present: Derek Dieter
Other's Present: Shannon Lanning, Jaime Anderson, Patty Trinca, Tony Trinca, Mary
Ann Grabowski, Gina Oliver, Thom Biller, Paul Smith, Abbie D. Smith, Jeff Gibney,
Steve Luecke, Linda Myers, Devon Smith, Mary Porter, Jerry Niezgodski, Beck Tom,
Debra Law Diana Hess, Anne Newsome, Morns Newsome, Mikki Dobski, Linda Geyer,
Karen Ackoff, Brad Braydon, Laurie Echterling, Mike Danch, Tom Farney, Valerie
Schey, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Catherine Toppel, Gary Libbey, Dan Warner, Karla
Lawson, Ava Moorehead, Laurie Harris, Bill Sykes
Agenda: Presentation and Discussion regarding South Bend Animal Care &
Control Shelter
Having set the stage Chairperson White reminded everyone attending, neighborhood
resident, animal care advocates, Councilmembers, City Officials and other interested
parties that there would be an opportunity to ask questions after the formal presentation.
First speaker, Mike Danch, a surveyor, described the site plan, the necessity for rezoning
and the rezoning process set to culminate with Council action on May 10, 2010. Gary
Libbey, Administrative Services Director, was next. His power point presentation (see
attached power point) covered the recent history of animal control in the City. The most
significant date being in 1996 when the city stopped contracting for services with the St.
Joseph County Humane Society and began services in-house. Today in a woefully
inadequate 100 year old former fire station, the city threats over 4,000 animals yearly
form over 7,000 annual service calls.
Catherine Toppel, Director of Code Enforcement, whose duties include animal control,
continued the power point to talk about the proposed $1.5 million dollar proposal on the
drawing board. Design architect Tom Farney detailed the specifics of the facility.
Finally, Valerie Schey, founder of C.A.R.E. (see attached news letter) described the
desperate need for a new facility designed to be a huge benefit for both animal care and
the city as well.
Chairperson White opened the floor to comment or question.
Council President Derek Dieter was first expressing strong support. He was followed by
Linda Myers, a long time volunteer at the center and Jeff Gibney, Director of Economic
Development, both of whom voiced strong support.
Henry Davis, 2°d District Councilmember, had questions about ongoing operating
funding and response to non-domesticated, nuisance, potentially dangerous wild animals.
Gary Libbey responded saying the Indiana Department of Natural Resources regulates
the treatment of wildlife.
A long history of supporters spoke including Brad Braydon, Dan Warner, Tony Trinca,
Shannon Lanning, and Bill Sykes each voiced strong support for the new facility.
Several including Kayla Lawson, Ava Moorhead, and Laurie Harris asked about pet
treatment and disposition of animals taken in at the new facility. No one spoke in
opposition to the proposed facility.
Chairperson White took final comments, thanked those attending and closed the meeting
at 7:22 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
a en L. White, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee
attachments