HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-12-08 Health & Public Safety CommitteeHEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY
The May 12, 2008 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee of the South Bend
Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Councilmember Karen White at 4:31
p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room.
Committee Members present: Karen L. White, Chairperson, Ann Puzzello, Vice, Chairperson,
Derek D. Dieter, Member
Council Members Present: Oliver Davis, David Varner, Tim Rouse, Tom LaFountain, AI "Buddy"
Kirsits
Persons in attendance included: Phil St. Clair, John Martinez, Mayor Steve Luecke, Catherine
Fanello, Jamie Loo, Donald Brubaker, Citizen Member, Pam Brunette, Citizen Member, Kathleen
Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney, John Voorde, City Clerk.
UPDATES:
Park Department -Mowing 2008
2. Code Enforcement -Hand-held data devices
Chairperson White began the meeting noting that the Code Enforcement Department had asked
their update be rescheduled. The update from the Park Department on the 2008 mowing
program followed.
Phil St. Clair, Superintendent of the Park Department explained that the department was going to
do all the mowing and cleaning of debris from lots this year. Last year some of this work was
contracted and some was done by Neighborhood Code Enforcement. Consolidated mowing was
now to be managed by John Martinez who manages 7 temporary or seasonal workers who serve
full-time from April 1 to November 1. Detailing the mowing program, Martinez indicated he was
responsible for mowing 348 parcels or 236 from code mostly vacant lots and 112 owned by the
city. Also Neighborhood Code Enforcement had initiated 7,800 work orders from citations. This
consolidated, coordinated effort was to complete their tasks on a 3 week mowing cycle. The
Mayor added that this consolidated program was designed to be both more responsive and more
efficient than the divided responsibilities of the past. Councilmember's Oliver Davis and Derek
Dieter expressed concern about adequately funding the program. The Mayor said it was a
$261,000 program. St. Clair added that amount appeared to be adequate.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member White
adjourned the meeting at 4:48 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen L. White, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee