HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-13-04 Public Works & Property Vacation Committee Report
Public Works and Property Vacation Committee
The September 13,2004 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee
was called to order by its Chairperson, Dr. David Varner at 3:36 p.m. in the Council Informal
Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Deiter,Kelly,Kuspa,Varner,Pnzzello,
Coleman, Pfeifer and White; City Clerk John Voorde, Community and Economic Development
Executive Director Sharon Kendall, Building Commissioner Don Fozo, Robert Henry, Angela
Smith,Rita Kopola,Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney.
Dr. Varner noted that the Committee consists of Council Members Kirsits, Pfeifer,
Coleman and himself
Dr. Varner called for a presentation on Bill No. 49-04 which would amend various
articles of Chapter 6 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing building codes and permit
fees.
Building Commissioner Don Fozo made the presentation. He noted that the ordinance
would update the building codes and related fees. Because the State of Indiana has updated their
building codes, a portion of our local ordinances which reference those codes must be updated.
They have been monitoring their fees in light of the fact that they are an enterprise operation,
and therefore are asking for fees to be increased so that they will be self-supporting.
Mr. Fozo presented a one-page document entitled "Building Department Statement of
Revenues&Expenditures for the Years 1992 thru 2003"(copy attached). He noted that in 2000,
he asked for the first increase in fees since the merger of the department with the county in 1992.
Residential construction in the county is down, 68 homes less than last year. The proposed
ordinance would raise from $15.00 to $20.00 the minimum charge fee for inspecting water
heaters and furnaces. The annual registration and licensing fee would be raised from $75.00 to
$100.00.
Council Member Puzzello inquired why the demolition line item was so small. Mr. Fozo
stated he asked the same question. They are bringing everyone in line.
Council Member Pfeifer inquired whether the $20 fee is large enough to cover their
services. Mr. Fozo said that when they group inspections it is sufficient, since there is a fine line
between having too high a fee and then home owners do not seek inspections. They do not want
to discourage inspections.
Council Member Pfeifer suggested that the department should do more to tell people
about the dangers of water heaters and furnaces and why inspections are so important. She also
suggested that this type of information be displayed on the city's website.
Mr. Fozo noted that they are now doing inspections in Walkerton and are doing that..
Public Works and Properly Vacation Committee Meeting of September 13,2004 Page 1
Committee Report
Public Works and Property Vacation Committee
In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Mr. Fozo noted that gas heaters blow up
houses and electric heaters cause a slow burn.
Following discussion, Council Member Coleman made a motion, seconded by Council
Member Pfeifer that Bill No. 49-04 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Dr. Varner noted that the petitioner for Bill No. 50-04 which is a vacation request for the
first alley north of Jefferson Boulevard between 36th Street and Marshall Avenue be continued
to September 27, 2004. Council Member Coleman made a motion, seconded by Council
Member Pfeifer that Bill No. 50-04 be continued until September 27, 2004. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the Committee,Dr. Varner adjourned the
Committee meeting at 3:47 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. David Varner,Chairperson
Public Works and Property Vacation Committee
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Attachments
Public Works and Property Vacation Committee Meeting of September 13.2004 Page 2