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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-20-88 Residential Neighborhoods atinninittrg Smart RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE �!u Ile Qtnuuuau Cowan of tip CV of Ii)nutti ru The July 20, 1988 meeting of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee was called to order by its Chairman Councilman Loretta Duda at 5:00 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Councilmen: Duda, Soderberg, Zakrzewski, Puzzello, Slavinskas, Niezgodski, Voorde, and Coleman; Max Moore, citizen member, Attorney Robert Parker, Doctor George Plain, Norman Primus, Dick Moon, Irene Gammon, James Caldwell, Jim Puzzello, Pam Burnett, Rebecca Shriver, various members of the news media, and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand. The meeting began with the introduction of persons present. Doctor Plain noted that he hired Rebecca Shriver, a member of the Leaf Task Force, in light of her ability shown on the task force and she is now a member of the St. Joseph County Health Department. Councilman Duda then asked the Council Attorney to review the Ordinance. Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand then reviewed Bill No. 47-88. She prefaced her comments with the fact that she had attempted to incorporate all of the recommendations made in the majority report to the City. She noted that from a procedural aspect, Bill No. 67-87 presented by former President Beck was still pending in the committee, that a motion to strike that Bill would be appropriate if the committee and Council would act on a new Ordinance. Bill No. 47-88 proposes to incorporate all of the leaf burning and air pollution control regulations into one article within chapter 9 which is currently entitled "Fire Prevention. " As a consequence the numerous sections of the City Code addressing these topics such as Section 9-7 and 13-76 would be repealed. The Ordinance proposes the following new sections: Section 9-19 Intent and Purposes of Article Section 9-20 Burning Prohibited Section 9-21 Burning Permit Section 9-22 Refusal to Issue: Suspension or Revocation of Permit Section 9-23 Rules and Regulations Governing Leaf Burning Permits Section 9-24 Leaf Burning Task Force Section 9-25 Warning Notices and Citations She then reviewed each of the sections in detail. Considerable discussion took place with regard to the actual dates when burning would be permitted, as well as the role of the St. Joseph County Health Department and the Fire Department with regard to the issuance of a burning permit. The Committee heard various comments from members of the Task Force Committee including Doctor George Plain, Attorney Robert Parker and Mr. Norman Primus. The Committee was urged to incorporate the following amendments into the Bill namely that in Section 9-21 (a) to incorporate tenants and their ability to burn; to incorporate into Section 9-21 (h) the dates of October 22 through November 30; to modify the language in Section 9-23 (a) in order to delete the term "medical impossibility" ; to amend Section 9-23 (c) the age of 18 to the age of 16; to amend Section 9-23 (d) so that leaf burning may be started between 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. and all fires being extinguished by 6: 00 p.m. It was also recommended that in Section 9-23 (f) that the word "shall" be deleted and that the word "may" be inserted instead. Councilman Ann Puzzello, a member of the task force committee, then read a position statement (copy attached) to the committee. She then made available copies of Substitute Bill No. 47-88. Basically the substitute version would permit burning on alternate days throughout the City. She maintained many of the rules and regulations governing leaf burning as originally proposed, the provision with regard to the leaf burning task force, and the warning notices and citations procedure. It was noted that the fine was amended to $25. 00 instead of $100.00. Councilman Duda appreciated Councilman Puzzello comments and asked the committee members to study both Bills. She noted that the goal was to restrict burning without being a burden to the community. She asked that the mojority report of the task force and their version of the Ordinance be given the opportunity to be tried. It was noted that Mishawaka has operated under a permit system with approximately 50 permits being issued. Doctor Plain noted that the concentrates resulting from leaf burning would provide worse air samplings and may result in detrimental designations and possible non-compliance. The County has experienced two violations with regard to particulate matter being in the area. Councilman Duda again asked the committee members to study both Bills and to accept the challenge of having a no-burn environment by 1991. She then presented "certificates for special recognition" to the leaf burning task force members. 2 Councilman Soderberg then made a motion seconded by Councilman Duda that the meeting be continued until Monday, July 25, 1988 at 3 :45 p.m. The motion passed. The meeting was recessed at 6:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Councilman Loretta Duda, Chairman Residential Neighborhoods Committee LD:srk Attachments 3