HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-07-88 Residential Neighborhoods tinmmt#trr J{rport
= RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE
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The June 7, 1988 meeting of the Residential Neighborhoods
Committee was called to order by its Chairman Councilmen:
Zakrzewski, Niezgodski, Slavinskas, Puzzello, Duda,
Luecke, Coleman, and Voorde; Doctor George Plain, James
Caldwell, Norman Primus, Attorney Robert Parker, Max
Moore, members of the News Media, members of the
public, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Councilman Duda noted that the purpose of the meeting was to
discuss the recommendations on leaf burning. She made
available to all persons present a copy of the Task Force's
recommendations, a form of application for leaf burning
permits, a written recommendation with regard to ordinance
language and written rational supporting the ordinance.
Councilman Duda stated that this was a difficult task and
over the past several weeks considerable debate took place.
The ultimate goal was to reach "reasonable and enforceable
regulations which gave flexibility to both the
administration and to the citizens. " She noted that time
for budgeting of both personnel and equipment was necessary.
She also noted that time is needed for members of the
community. As a result, the program recommended is a phased
program. It is the Task Force Majority Recommendation
recommended that by 1991 there would be a "no burn"
situation.
She noted that the permit procedure was being recommended
and that applications for such a permit could be procured
from any fire station. The process included the assistance
of the fire department as well as the health department.
One of two conditions must be met for a permit to be issued,
namely that there be a health reason or that the property in
question would have a minimum of 150 bags of leaves.
Councilman Duda also noted that the Fire Department, Police
Department, and Neighborhood Code Enforcement could issue
citations.
Councilman Puzzello stated that she is opposed to the permit
procedure. She highlighted three basic reasons namely:
1. That neighborhoods with many trees would burn as
usual giving no relief to lung sufferers.
2. Many people who have trouble bagging leaves would
have problems getting official information from their doctor
to allow them to secure a permit.
3. Many people would feel they are being cheated in
not being allowed to burn when others can.
Councilman Puzzello noted that she did agree with banning
leaf burning in the Spring but not in the Fall. Councilman
Puzzello then noted that she would be filing a minority
report (copy attached) dated May 25, 1988 which incorporated
the three reasons for opposing the burning ban and
incorporated the concept of allowing burning only on
alternate calendar days.
Councilman Duda noted that the majority of the task force
members prefer the permit procedure as opposed to an
alterate burning day procedure. It was also noted that
permits must be posted in a conspicuous place; that one
permit could be issued per season per location, and that the
task force wanted to avoid temperature inversions. Several
questions were raised with regard to enforcement and how the
Fire Department could determine whether a property would
have the requisite number of bags of leaves. Questions were
also raised with regard to containers and whether they
should be allowed or required when burning as well as
questions with regard to fines and charges.
Councilman Duda noted that an educational process with the
assistance of the news media must take place. She
recommended that an ordinance incorporating the
recommendations of the task force be prepared and filed for
first reading for the next council meeting.
Councilman Zakrzewski had questions with regard to
enforcement and the procedure that would be used when fire
trucks would be sent out to put out an illegal fire. He
questioned who would enforce this ordinance after 5: 00 p.m.
Councilman Duda suggested that perhaps flex-time for the
Department of Code Enforcement was a possibility. James
Caldwell noted that during the business week day hours the
Department of Code Enforcement could verify violations and
that the Fire Department could go out and issue warnings
after regular business hours. Councilman Duda hoped that
fire trucks would only be sent when a fire was "out of
control". She also noted that she had a type of degradable
bag which had an estimated cost of $.20 each. One of the
citizens noted that there is an experimental program through
the Indiana Corn Growers Association which may be able to
assist the City. The bags are six percent corn starch with
the rest being plastic.
It was noted by Councilman Duda that the task force would be
reconvened in January of 1989 to study the results of the
1988 Fall burning. Max Moore stated that enforcement should
be with the Code Enforcement Department and not with the
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Police Department since the Police Department is already
understaffed and overburdened with enforcement.
Councilman Niezgodski noted, however, that the Department of
Code Enfocement has been cut back in personnel and did not
have radio communication in all instances.
Following further discussion, Councilman Luecke made a
motion seconded by Councilman Voorde that the
recommendations of the task force on leave burning (copy
attached) as well as a copy of the minority report submitted
by Councilman Puzzello (copy attached) be accepted by the
Committee and that they be forwarded to the Council Attorney
for the drafting of an ordinance for Council review and
recommendation. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the
Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Councilman Loretta Duda, Chairman
Residential Neighborhoods Committee
LD:srk
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