HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-05-11 Health and Public Safety Committee I�
HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY OCTOBER 5.2011 5:00 p.m.
.Health and Public Safety Committee Members Present: Chairperson White; Henry Davis
Committee Member's Absent: Councilmember's Puzzello; Rouse
Other Councilmember's Present: None
Other's Present: Catherine Toppel; Kareemah Fowler; Randy Przybysz, Mayor Luecke, Kathleen
Cekanski-Farrand
Agenda: Continued Discussion on Illegal Dumping
The Health&Safety Committee chaired by Council Member Karen L. White has prioritized
discussion of issues affecting the quality of life in South Bend.
Among these issues and the subject of this meetings review and discussion is the problem of
illegal dumping.
Chairperson White began discussion by describing the illegal dumping problem as pervasive,
long standing, and particularly acute on the Westside. To effectively address the problem Karen
advocated a holistic approach requiring a collaborative approach utilizing input from the city,
county, state, and federal government. Any resultant ordinance would emphasize clarity and
specificity.
Chairperson White then asked Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski-Farrand for input. Kathy
Cekanski-Farrand said the local ordinance addressing illegal dumping was last updated in 1993.
In her opinion the ordinance falls short of specifying responsibility for the enforcement, the fines,
or the process once violations have been determined.
Chairperson White interjected that an effective comprehensive action plan, perhaps modeled
after the"graffiti plan"offered by Park Superintendent Phil St. Clair was needed from the
administration.
Kathy Cekanski-Farrand said she was researching ordinances from other cities to glean"best
practices."
Kareemah Fowler, Ordinance Violation Bureau Clerk, reported that in the last 12 month period
(10/1/10— 10/1/11)30 citations for illegal dumping were issued totaling$14,830 in fines, only
27% of which were collected. For nuisance violations 381 citations were issued totaling$60,625
in fines, of which$9,740 or 16%were collected. She said fines collected go to the general fund
with the exception of money collected from billings for cleanup by Neighborhood Code
Enforcement itself.
Catherine Toppel said the current ordinance is non-specific as to the amount of fines.
Neighborhood Code Enforcement has found fines of$40-$100 are not a deterrent while fines of
$500 have proven effective.
Mayor Luecke confirmed that the city does pursue haulers when evidence suggests they were
responsible for illegal dumping.
Chairperson White reiterated the need for an action plan that would define offenses and fines.
The plan should specify who enforces the ordinance, the follow thru process, and a way to
measure results. She added that she had hoped a plan would have been forth coming from the
administration by now.
The Mayor said he is considering a pilot program to have the solid waste department pick-up
trash in certain areas. He noted that illegal dumping is different from graffiti in that eradication of
one discourages repeat offenders while the other encourages the practice.
Kathy Cekanski-Farrand said an updated ordinance needs to target, repeat offenders.
Randy Przybysz, Director of St. Joseph County Solid Waste District, suggested promoting
existing free drop-off sites for electronics and hazardous materials.
2"d District Councilmember Henry Davis said he was disappointed there was no plan ready to
evaluate. He expressed dissatisfaction with current efforts as he continues to hear complaints
from his constituents. He was looking for answers as he felt clean streets and alleys should be a
top priority. He speculated current ineffective efforts wee the result of the Mayor cutting dollars
dedicated to the control effort a couple of years ago.
Councilmember White urged the benefit of working together with the administration to devise a
plan and see that it is adequately funded.
The Mayor said dollar cuts were necessitated by the�ewer dollars available to run the city, a
byproduct of legislative action in HB 1001.
Henry Davis suggested we should focus on what we can do as opposed to what we cannot. He
said the city needs to do a better job. Clearly money is available if seen by the Mayor as a
priority. Councilmember Henry Davis asked they Mayor to increase the budget for addressing
illegal dumping.
In closing Chairperson White said all stakeholders need to be at the table that includes the Police
Department, Code Enforcement, the Prosecutor and others. She asked Neighborhood Code
Enforcement to provide a list of trouble spots and to form a plan to consider in 30 days. The
Mayor said the City would report by October 26, 2011.
There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson White
adjourned the meeting at 5:58 p.m.
RespectFully Submitted,
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Karen L.White, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee