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2011 Health and Public Safety Committee Annual Report
December 2, 2011
Page 2
• Discussion of the Committee's priorities — at our February 11, 2011 Committee meeting, we
agreed that action on the following topics should be top priorities: improving the taxicab
regulations; develop a tracking mechanism which would be regularly and systematically
implemented by the Office of the City Clerk; draft a cost recovery fee ordinance for the
South Bend Fire Department; and reviewing the massage parlor licensing ordinance and
potential regulations addressing mini -marts
• Following a multitude of discussion of the City Administration's recommendations and
many Committee meetings the Committee recommended to amend the City's current taxicab
regulations, which were then approved by the South bend Common Council
• Multiple meetings and discussion of the City Administration's recommendations to address
a graffiti removal and awareness program
• Meetings to discuss neighborhood quality of life issues
• Meeting to discuss illegal dumping issues and requesting the City Administration to come
up with a sustainable plan to address
• Receiving a presentation on the proposed South Bend Animal Care and Control Shelter
which was held at Kennedy Academy which is located at 609 North Olive Street
Challenges for Calendar Year 2012
If I remain the Chairperson of the Council's Health and Public Safety Committee, I would plan to
meet early in the year with the Committee to proposed committee goals and objectives which
should be priorities in 2012.
As Chairperson of the Health and Public Safety Committee, I have had the opportunity to serve on
the City's Advisory Negotiating Team. 2012 will be a negotiating year with union representatives
for the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge # 36, who represent the sworn members of the South Bend
Police Department. It will also be a negotiating year with union representatives for the South Bend
Firefighter's Association Local No. 362 of the International Association of Firefighters AFL -CIO,
who represent the sworn members of the South Bend Fire Department.
In light of a new Mayor and potentially new department heads taking office on January 1, 2012, I
believe it is important to have persons who have proven experience to be part of the City's
Negotiating Teams. Positive negotiations addressing the many details involved with public safety
sector wages and monetary fringe benefits will be critical to working to reach a tentative agreement
and a total package which is fair and affordable to the city taxpayers. These labor negotiations
should also generate goodwill by providing a unique opportunity to educate both sides of the table
and the individuals which both teams represent.
2011 Health and Public Safety Committee Annual Report
December 2, 2011
Page 3
South Bend City residents have always viewed health and public safety issues as top priorities. If
asked to continue to serve as Chairperson of the Health and Public Safety Committee, I pledge to
continue to make health and public safety top topic priorities in 2012.
I look forward to collectively working together with the new City Administration and all of the
members of the Common Council, so that we can pursue and achieve positive results, which are in
the best interests of our residents and the City of South Bend. Thank you.
(-Respectfully submitted, ,
Council Member Karen L. White, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee
cc: Mayor Stephen Luecke