HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14-08 Joint Committe Meeting - Health and Public Safety Committee & Personnel and Finance CommitteeJoint Committee Meeting of the
Health and Public Safety Committee &
the Personnel and Finance Committee ~ ' ,
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The January 14, 2008 joint committee meeting of the Health and Public Safety
Committee and the Personnel and Finance Committee of the South Bend
Common Council was called to order by Chairperson, Council Member Karen L.
White and Chairperson Thomas LaFountain at 4:34 p.m. in the Council Informal
Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Rouse, Davis, Varner, White,
Puzzello, Davis, Dieter, and LaFountain, Acting Mayor Charles Leone, Chief
Assistant City Attorney Aladean DeRose, Interim City Controller John Murphy,
Martha Lewis, Mrs. Kopola, Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune and Kathleen
Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Health and Public Safety Committee Chairperson White noted that her committee
members include Council Members Puzzello, Dieter, Henry Davis and herself.
Personne{ and Finance Committee Chairperson LaFountain noted that his
committee members include Council Members Varner, Oliver Davis, Kirsits and
himself.
Council Member White noted that the joint committee meeting was called to
review Bill No. 71-07 which is a bill proposed by the City Administration to amend
Chapter 4, Article IV, section 4-30 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing
Hotels and Motels.
Bill No. 71-07: Regulations of Hotels and Motels:
City attorney Charles S. Leone made the formal presentation. He stated that he
filed a letter with the Office of the City Clerk on January 10th requesting that this
Bill be continued until the meeting of January 28th. Since that filing he has had
further discussions, and is now requesting that the Bill be continued indefinitely.
Mr. Leone noted that he would like to have adequate time to meet with the
Council Members as well as members from the hotel/motel industry. Their
overall goal by the proposed ordinance is to have a safe environment.
Council Member White noted that proper enforcement tools are necessary,
noting that in August of 2008 IU South Bend will have 400 students living on
campus. One (1) establishment is a major public safety concern to this new
January 14, 2008 Joint Meeting of the Health and Public Safety and the Personnel and Finance Committees
Page 2
student housing. She hopes that they can work collectively together to find a
solution.
Dr. Varner noted that at the last joint committee meeting held in December, the
Manager of the downtown Holiday Inn noted that the regulations as proposed
would have a negative impact on the growth of the downtown. Rules and
regulations which are unduly burdensome to hotel operations with a good track
record will impede the growth of the downtown. He noted that she saw the
regulations as proposed as counter-productive.
Mr. Leone noted that a proper balance is being sought and that he is open to
suggestions.
Council President Rouse noted that James Masters comments at the last joint
committee meeting highlighted that perhaps the focus of the proposed
regulations was wrong. The focus should not be on the hotel/motel operators but
rather on the improper behavior.
Council Member Oliver Davis inquired whether other cities have passed similar
legislation.
Mr. Leone noted that he has been using the Department of Justice (DOJ)
publication entitled "Disorderly Conduct at Budget Motels". That publication
focuses on a city in California. He is unaware of any cities in Indiana which have
such regulations.
Council Member Dieter noted that with the new South Bend Police Administration
there is "vigorous enforcement" of laws currently on the books. He cited past
examples of closing down the Bullseye, and perhaps this is a better route to
pursue problem budget motel operations.
The Council Attorney noted that copies of the (DOJ) publication are on file in the
Office of the City Clerk for any new Council Member who wishes to review them.
In response to questions from Council Member LaFountain, Mr. Leone stated
that he is unaware of any court cases which have reviewed similar regulations.
There was no one from the public to speak in favor or in opposition to the Bill.
Council Member Dieter made a motion, seconded by Council Member Puzzello,
that Bill No. 71-07 be recommended to be continued indefinitely at the request of
the petitioner. The motion passed.
January 14, 2008 Joint Meeting of the Health and Public Safety and the Personnel and Finance Committees
Page 3
Miscellaneous Business:
Council Member White noted that she and Health and Public Safety Committee
Vice-Chairperson Ann Puzzello send a letter to Chief Boykins and the South
Bend Police Department commending them for their efforts in reducing crime,
with copies of that letter being provided to the Mayor, the Board of Public Safety
and the Common Council. She appreciates the dedication of Chief Boykins to
have beat officers more visible in the neighborhoods, and that a better sense of
security has resulted.
Council Member Puzzello noted that there has been improvement in the Harter
Heights Neighborhood, and that the bad weather, lack of home games, and the
efforts of the police department may all have contributed to this.
Council Member Dieter added that better list serves, the development of a City
Crime Website, and the new Police Administration will all contribute to positive
results in this area.
Dr. Varner noted that crime statistics are public record, and getting this
information out will prove productive. He stated that he will add this to the
agenda for the Information and Technology Committee for January 28tH
Council Member White noted that the Health and Public Safety Committee will
play an educational and informational roles, in addition to its other duties this
year.
There being no further business to come before the joint committee meeting,
Council Members White and LaFountain adjourned the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
Respec ully submittedJ~~
C ncil ber Karen L.
Healt~ P S fe o ittee Chairperson
C t~c~ m e~ h mas LaFountam
Personnel and Finance Committee Chairperson
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