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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-08-04 Health & Public Safety Health and Public Safety Committee The March 8,2004 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Puzzello at 3:15 pm in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter,Pfeifer,Kelly,Puzzello, Varner,Kuspa, Coleman,Kirsits and White; Citizen Member Catherine Ruszkowski,Mayor Stephen Luecke,Personnel Director Janice Hall, City Controller Rick 011ett, City Clerk John Voorde, City Attorney Charles Leone,Keegan Rauen,Lt. Keith Schweitzer,FOP# 36 President Scott A. Ruszkowski,Greg Downs, Chief Deputy Clerk Mary Beth Wisniewski,Jim Hammer, Terry Bland of the,S'outJ Eva Jz fu s, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Puzzello welcomed everyone to the meeting and welcomed citizen member Catherine Ruszkowski. She noted that the Committee members included Council Members Dieter,Puzzello,Kirsits and Kelly. Council Member Puzzello noted that the first item on the agenda was to have a safety and workers compensation update. City Controller Rick 011ett noted that for the past five(5)years p p tY there has been an effort on safety which has resulted in fewer claims and less time off. Greg Downs,President of Gibson Insurance Group noted that his company has been providing services to the city for the past fifteen(15)years. He and Keegan Rauen,Manager of Safety and Risk Management then made a power point presentation to the Committee. They noted that since 1992 the City of South Bend has been self insured for workers compensation. This covers claims and medical and indemnity with the police and fire departments not being covered under the second category. Excess insurance covers$250,000 per accident and an aggregate amount of$1,275,000.00. Claims management fees address third party administration (TPA), as well as consulting fees. It was noted that there are two(2)primary reasons for self-insurance namely for the reduction and stabilization of long-term costs as well as having more control over claims. A series of information was then reviewed(copies attached). The 2004 projected cost is $697,873; with$456,000 being the 10-year average cost. The 5-year average loss prevention fees is$37,700,with it being suggested that the cost to have a fully insured premium being$1.3 million. Mr. Downs then reviewed a"benchmark report"which is the comparison of the City of South Bend to other cities. The number of claims for South Bend is higher, with the figures being: 320= 10 year average 289=5 year average 272=3 year average $456,000= 10 yr. average $517,000=5 yr average $614,000 =3 yr average Programs such as safety& loss prevention, equipment upgrades such as the Police Department using tasers, and the implementation of safety committees were then highlighted. Council Member Puzzello thanked the Administration for their presentation. rilimimmmi r ,calth and Public Safety Committee Report March 8,2004 - Page 2 The Committee then witnessed a live Taser energy weapon demonstration using a TASER X26Personal Defense System on City Clerk John Voorde. Mr. Voorde had a person on each side of him when he became incapacitated when the TASER X26 was shot at him. He received a 3-second energy h w thelvolta immobilized ent through Mr. Voordeas body causing him to foil-covered panel showed g become incapacitated. The Committee then focused their attention on Substitute Bill No. 12-04 which would amend Chapter 14 of the South Bend Municipal Code by the inclusion of new Article 5 entitled "Stun Gun Regulations". Lt. Keith Schweitzer of the South Bend Police Department and FOP#36 President Scott A. Ruszkowski noted that there is no way of fighting through being shot by a TASER which could result in an police officer"witnessing his own death"because the shooter could take the police officers service revolver while he/she is incapacitated. The civilian versions of the TASER will shoot at a distance of 15' and the police officer version at 21'. They noted that each police officer receives at least four(4)hours of training on the use of a TASER. In response to a question from Council Member Kelly,they noted that the physical effects typically are stiffness and sore muscles. A video of various police departments using tasers was then shown to the Committee. Mayor Luecke expressed appreciation to the Council for taking action in this area. He noted that he has talked with state legislators hoping that a state-wide ban could be passed this year,however it was too late in the legislative session. The Association of Cities and Towns and other Mayors are interested in having other communities pass similar legislation. Mayor Luecke stated that the Administration is in support of Substitute Bill No. 12-04. The City Attorney and Council Attorney noted that they believe that the proposed ordinance has been strenghened by the inclusion in the definition section of the reference to the definition of the 1985 state law addressing stun guns. The substitute bill also includes increased fines of$250.00, $500.00, and$1,000.00. They noted that they believe that the ordinance is constitutional sound and enforceable. Council Member Pfeifer inquired whether stun guns for civilians were being sold currently in South Bend. The Council Attorney stated that they are unaware of any sales currently however such stun guns are available over the intemet. It was suggested that the Office of the City Clerk send a copy of the ordinance to all gun dealers doing business in the city. Following discussion,Council Member Kelly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Dieter that Substitute Bill No. 12-04 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. 4th and Public Safety Committee Report March 8,2004 - Page 3 There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Puzzello adjourned the meeting at 4:22 pm Respectfully submitted, Council Member Ann Puzzello, Chairperson Health and Public Safety Committee KCF:kmf Attachments