HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-22-04 Health & Public Safety Health and Public Safety Committee
The November 22, 2004 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee was called
to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Puzzello at 3:52 pm in the Council's Informal
Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Kelly, Puzzello,
Varner,Kuspa, Coleman,Kirsits and White; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, City Clerk John Voorde,
City Attorney Charles Leone, Maurice Hoban, Jack Dillon, Isabel Gonzalez, Andy Laurent,
Sharon Kendall, Todd Skwarcan, Michael Daminano and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council
Attorney.
Council Member Puzzello welcomed citizen member Isabel Gonzalez and noted that the
other Committee members included Council Members Dieter,Kirsits,Kelly and herself.
Council Member Puzzello noted that the first item on the agenda was to review
Substitute Bill No. 70-04 which would amend Chapter 2 of the South Bend Municipal Code by
revising Section 2-50 entitled Board of Public Safety and adding new section 2-50A entitled
Board of Public Works.
Council Member Puzzello stated that since the last Committee meeting she had
developed a substitute version of the bill. All five (5) members of the Board of Safety would be
appointed by the Mayor and the new Board would be in effect on January 1, 2005. The
substitute bill calls for one (1)member to have prior public safety experience which she believes
is important to know about the subject matters and working conditions. The substitute bill
addresses a quorum which would be three (3) members; and eliminates the term provisions
previously included. All members would serve at the will of the Mayor. She noted that she
plans to read portions of the letter from Ken Marks of Local# 362 at tonight's public hearing.
Todd Skwarcan a Steward of SB Firefighters Local # 362 spoke in favor of the Bill,
noting that he had not seen the substitute version. He noted that the fire department works under
the Board of Public Safety and has a great impact on firefighters. He supports having a person
with public safety experience on the Board. He noted that a letter from the Union's President
should have been received by the entire Council which sets forth the Union's overall support
(copy attached).
Mayor Luecke then spoke against the proposed substitute bill, noting that he appreciates
its overall intentions. He stated that he does not believe that conditions should be mandated.
The Chiefs of both the police and fire departments work closely with the Board of Public Safety,
and the Board would have the ability to hire additional assistance outside the board as a resource
person. The Mayor stated that he plans to have additional training for the Board next year.
Dr. Varner inquired of the Mayor whether his opposition to the substitute bill is legal or
philosophical. The Mayor stated it was philosophical.
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Council Member Dieter inquired about having a non-voting member on the Board who
had public safety experience. The Mayor stated that he was uncertain of that suggestion and that
the Board was governed by state law.
Citizen Member Isabel Gonzalez then made a motion, seconded by Council Member
Dieter that substitute Bill No. 70-04 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed
4-1 with Council Member Kelly in the minority.
Council Member Kelly stated that he opposes the requirement of a public safety person
on the board and believes that it abrogates the power of the Mayor. He also noted that he
believes it would send the wrong message in light of citizen groups reviewing disciplinary
matters.
Council Member Kuspa noted that he would have favor language such as "preferred or
first choice" instead of mandating a retire police officer or firefighter, noting that based on
discussions he has had that retired officers would be"twice as hard" on their own.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member
Puzzello adjourned the meeting at 4:08 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Ann Pu77ello, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee
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Attachments
November 2004 Health and Public Salty Committe@ Page 2