Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23-18 Health and Public Safety UTH z x x 1865 OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK KAREEmm FOWLER, CITY CLERK HEALTH &PUBLIC SAFETY JULY 23, 2018 4:05 P.M. Committee Members Present: Jo M. Broden, John Voorde, Karen White, Genevieve Miller (citizen member) Committee Members Absent: Oliver Davis Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Jake Teshka, Gavin Ferlic, Regina Williams- Preston Other Council Absent: Sharon L. McBride Others Present: Kareemah Fowler, Bianca Tirado, Graham Sparks, Aladean DeRose, Casey Colvin, Gabriel Murei, David Boling, Elivet Navarro Presenters: Tim Scott Agenda: Bill No. 31-18-Amendment to South Bend Synthetic Drug Ordinance, §13-75.5(o)(6) Committee Chair Jo M. Broden called to order the Health and Public Safety Committee meeting at 4:05 p.m. She introduced members of the Committee and proceeded to give the floor to the presenters. Bill No. 18-17-Amendment to South Bend Synthetic Drug Ordinance, 413-75.5(o)(6) Councilmember Tim Scott, 711 Forest Avenue, stated, The co-sponsor is Councilmember Karen White. This is our ongoing dedication to staying up to speed with all the illegal activity around synthetic drugs. This is an Ordinance update and we were here last ye adding this. This is a text change to coincide with the Indiana State Code. These folks continue trying to find loopholes in the Code and continue creating look-alike substances with different compounds. Indiana is trying to keep up to speed with that and we are too. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated, I'm thankful for your leadership on this. This is something that has been really needed in our Community. The meeting with the faith leaders was a great start and it has gained a lot of momentum. Committeemember Karen White stated, Will Smith from that working Committee will be present torsi t to help with the presentation. INTEGRITY1 SERVICES ACCESSIBILITY JENNIFER M.COFFMAN BLANCA L.TmADO JOSEPH R MOINAR CHIEF DEPUTY/DIREGTOR OF OPERATIONS DE=/DIREOroR OF Poucy ORDINANCE VIOLATION CLERK EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson Blvd.I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.92211 f 574.235.9173 1 www.southbendin.gov ®CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK Councilmember Scott stated, Beacon received over 1,200 people who overdosed on synthetic marijuana. In the past few meetings, we've come to find out that an individual can become mentally incapacitated the first (1St) time using this drug. Whatever we can do to stop it, we are dedicated to doing it. Committee Chair Broden asked,Is there a way to put language in that automatically updates as the State makes changes? Councilmember Scott replied, That is kind of what we are doing. We are watching what is going on down-State. If we see anything beyond what the State does, we are looking at that as well. Attorney Aladean DeRose stated, You can incorporate language to attempt to do that but the concern would be that they would do something that would change the meaning of this. We have to deal in specifics. Committee Chair Broden interjected, So it's better to be reactive than proactive? Ms. DeRose replied, I think the language you have is definitional. So you've incorporated the definition and that is amended from time to time. The other items, such as the violations, could be totally different and that may not be in the same scope. I'm not sure you can do a cover-all. Councilmember Scott stated, It actually took us a while to get the legislation to Council because we were going back and forth over that, looking at best practices and trying to mirror what is already going on. We wanted specifics because it will be enforced here. Committee Chair Broden then asked,Are there other Indiana cities that are going this route or that has something on their books? City Clerk Kareemah Fowler, City Clerk with offices on the 4th floor of the County-City Building, replied, Greenwood, Indiana does. Ours is not exactly like theirs but is very similar. We had something a little tougher but then there was some new legislation that went in place down-State that kind of banded us from doing what we originally wanted to do. So we went the civil-penalties route and there is already stuff under the Disorderly House Ordinance. At most of the town hall meetings, a lot of people said they wanted to go after the distributors and not the individuals. Committee Chair Broden asked, And this includes businesses? Councilmember Scott replied, Yes. This includes businesses, houses and anything in between. Committee Chair Broden followed up, Aside from this, looking down the line, could we get more clarity on the Disorderly House Ordinance? Because I know in the body of that Ordinance, we pick up our action relative to businesses the police are going back to repeatedly, correct? Or not? Councilmember Scott replied, This is Disorderly House. Chronic Nuisance is totally different. City Clerk Fowler stated,This was the best place to put it because Code Enforcement already goes out to businesses to fine them for different but similar things. EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvld ISouth Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.9173 1 TTD 574.235.5567 1 www.southbendin.gov 2 ®CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK Committee Chair Broden then turned the floor to members of the public wishing to speak in favor of or in opposition to the legislation. There were none. She then turned the floor back to the Committee for further comment or main motion. Committeemember John Voorde made a motion to send Bill No. 31-18 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Committeemember White seconded this motion which carried by a voice vote of four(4) ayes. With no further business, Committee Chair Broden adjourned the Health and Public Safety Committee meeting at 4:13 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, ("\ A Jo M.eroden, Committee Chair EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1227W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.9173 1 TTD 574.235.5567 l www.southbendin.gov 3