HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-14-12 Health & Public Safety CommitteeHEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MAY 14, 2012
5:20 P.M.
Committee Member's Present:
Dr. Ferlic, Henry Davis, Karen White, Tim Scott
Citizen Members:
Kyle Chamberlin, Marcus Ellison
Other Council Member's Present:
Valerie Schey, Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic, Oliver Davis, Derek Dieter
Other's Present:
Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Mark Neal, Kevin Allen, Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, Sherri Miller -
Story, Randy Rompola, Police Chief Chuck Hurley
Agenda: Bill No. 13 -12 — Regulations for Passing Bicycles
Bill No. 16 -12 — Lease with SB Building Corp.
Stop Violence Program — Coach Phelps
Youth Violence — Chief Hurley
Health & Public Safety Chair Dr. Fred Ferlic asked the Council to continue indefinitely
Bill No. 13 -12. This would honor the request of the bills sponsor, Gavin Ferlic, who said
additional "fine- tuning" was necessary. In particular were the practical aspects of fair
and uniform enforceability.
Henry Davis moved for the indefinite continuance. Gavin Ferlic seconded and all
supported.
The next bill for consideration was 16 -12 which was a request to approve the refinancing
of the bonds that originally were let to pay for the construction of the new Central Fire
Station and the renovation of the SBPD Headquarters. Mark Neal and Randy Rompola,
who was hired by the City to put the refinancing together, both, spoke to the savings to be
enjoyed by the City not unlike those from a home mortgage refinancing. Henry Davis
asked how much the process costs. Mark Neal said they would approximate $375,000 a
bargain, compared to the benefits.
With that Karen White moved the bill be forwarded favorably. Tim Scott seconded and
all affirmed.
Dr. Ferlic then asked the council to listen to former ND Basketball coach Digger Phelps
outline his plan for addressing Youth Violence in the community. This was a follow -up
to an earlier presentation which resulted in a presentation by Coach Phelps to the general
public last week at the Kroc Center. At the Kroc Center Coach Phelps spoke to several
hundred concerned residents about the need to stem violence. At the Kroc and at this
presentation Coach Phelps emphasized the need to enlist mentors to work with youth to
encourage education and positive behavior, basically rejecting violence as a response. In
the schools children from K thru grade 4 would be directed to focus their energies on
alternative measures to build self - esteem and respect for others. Middle school grades
would reinforce this alternative prevention focus and finally high schools would devise
programs meant to bring out the best mental and physical development of each
individual. The schools working with and reinforcing volunteer mentors acting as role
models could support and bring the best out of each individual.
The second part of the plan to stop youth violence is a more immediate response using
city resources to include Community Policing and Neighborhood Watch programs.
Interim SBPD Chief Hurley briefly described raising the profile of police presence in
neighborhoods experiencing high crime rates. The proven to be effective Neighborhood
Watch program has recently been enhanced by technology to allow quicker reporting and
response to reported criminal activity. Coach helps reinforced the need to recruit
mentors.
It was at this point things got some what contentious. Oliver Davis felt Coach Phelps
was being disrespectful in his tone and pep talk deliver. Henry Davis felt the crime
problem was the city's to address and should not be directed by Coach Phelps. When
Chief Hurley asked Henry what he did today to fight crime, Henry exited the meeting.
Dr. Ferlic urged everyone to cooperate and "keep their eye on the ball" which was the
youth violence problem. Coach Phelps invited everyone to come to another presentation
at the Kroc Center on June 6m
There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson
Dr. Fred Ferlic adjourned the meeting at 5:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Fred Ferlic, Chairperson
Health & Public Safety Committee