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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-07-88 Residential Neighborhoods alnntntiit,re &part • • Co tip Monwwu &Iomttil at tip (Ng of Doug enb Residential Neighborhoods Committee • The March 7, 1988 meeting of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee was called to order by its Chairman, Councilman Loretta Duda at 4:10 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Persons in attendance included Councilmen Luecke, Niezgodski, Soderberg, Puzzello, Slavinskas, Zakrzewski, Coleman, Duda, and Voorde; Max Moore, Citizen Member, Dick Maginot, James Wensits, John E. Leszczynski, Paul Trost of the St. Joseph County Health Department, Dr. George Plain, St. Joseph County Health Officer, James Caldwell, Mayor's Administrative Assistant, Patricia DeClercq, Mr. Robert Parker, Lisa Gammon, Kevin Burke, Charles Primus, Dr. Romana Primus, Dr. Edward A. Gergesha, Dr. Gary Fromm, Mr. Chris Stager, Mr. Richard Miller, several members of the public, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilman Duda began the meeting by welcoming everyone to the Residential Neighborhood Committee. She noted that the purpose of the meeting was to continue the discussion of the ordinance addressing leaf burning which is pending before the Common Council. She noted that the Committee was interested in hearing new information for its review and consideration. Mr. John Lesczynski, Director of the Department of Public Works, then presented a handout to the Council entitled "City of South Bend Leaf Pick-Up Program Phase I Report" . He noted that from his prospective that there is no one program which he would consider best for the Community. He stressed that South Bend must develop its own program which best meets the needs of our Citizens. He recommended that Phase II of the study be one which would establish a "task force" which would have a comprehensive report due by June 1, 1988 with implementation to be in effect by September 1, 1988. He further recommended that his staff would provide assistance to the task force. A video tape was then shown to the Council which highlighted the leaf pick-up in the City of Livonia, Michigan which is a suburb of Detroit. It was noted that the leaf pick-up program utilizes three basic types of machinery namely mechanical claws, vacuums, and sweepers. It was further noted that labor costs have increased by approximately 17% and that the program utilizes the posting of signs indicating when the pick-up program will take place on individual streets. Mr. Leszczynski further noted that the City Administration was willing to move ahead on the project and would assume that there would be a banning of leaf burning as the overall premise. •w.. .w..a CO Mr. Richard Miller of 226 E. Navarre noted that he is one of several residence who suffers from Emphysema. He showed a device called a "breath-meter" and that a person like Councilman Voorde would be rated at approximately 650 on the meter, whereas, Mr. Miller would have a meter rating of 170. He stressed that the Council cannot let money override the health issues at stake. He further noted that in one year, his hospital bills were over $200,000.00. He stressed that he,as well as, all of the other residents of the South Bend are entitled to breath clean air. Dr. Edward Gergesha,with offices at 720 Cedar, who is a Doctor of Pediatrics, stated that at his home he bags approximately 60 bags per year from his Norway Maples. He noted that approximately 10% of our community has individuals who suffer from asthma or chronic lung diseases. He further noted that for medication alone for a child with asthma would cost approximately $100.00 per month; additionally there would be visits to the emergency room costing anywhere from $50.00 to $200.00 per visit, visits to allergists costing between $25. 00 to $50. 00 each visit during each leaf burning season. He also noted that many residents end up staying in intensive care units for up to 90 days which would cost approximately $100, 000. 00. He concluded by stating that if any individual can rake and burn leaves they are capable of bagging those same leaves. Dr. Romana Primus, an Allergist, with offices at 125 N. St. Peter, stated that at her home they bag approximately 88 bags each season. She noted that during leaf burning seasons she has to change her schedule due to the many people who suffer during that period of time. She noted that it results in additional transportation problems for the individuals since they cannot walk in the open air, that there is a tremendous additional cost due to the changes in life style, that there is a loss of time from employment and that many individuals suffer from a loss of self image. She stressed that bagging would be a "drop in the bucket" compared to the costs of health care during the same period of time. Dr. Primus further noted that she had contacted Mary Welding of the St. Joseph Hospital Emergency Room and studied the emergency visits from October 16, 1987 through November 7, 1987. For that period of time there are 85 individuals who sought emergency assistance related to problems associated with leaf burning. She concluded by stating that Communities have spent many tax dollars positively in assisting those individuals who are handicapped and in wheel chairs with regard to curb cuts, etc. However, the number of individuals who suffer from breathing difficulties is a much larger percentage which should warrant a priority in this Community. 2 Dr. George Plain, the Chief County Health Officer for St. Joseph County, voiced a strong plea to have a "well-thought- out" ordinance in effect. He noted that he composts his leaves and stressed that there must be a ban on burning. He stated that the "horrendous wheezing of children with breathing disorders would bring the reality of the problem out to the Community. Dr. Gary Fromm, a Pulmonary Physician, also spoke very strongly in favor of a leaf burning ban. Mr. Chris Stager noted that he was present during the December meeting where the Council had a public hearing on the pending Ordinance. He noted that at that time there were several questions raised with regard to whether a new land fill would be required and the alternative costs to the community for disposing of leaves. Mr. Leszczynski noted that they would not have to expand the landfill. Mr. Stager further noted that Lavonia, Michigan is approximately 36 square miles and has approximately 120,000 people. Lisa Gammon noted that both she and her mother, the City Clerk, live in a heavily wooded area. She noted that many of the residents in that area do compost their leaves but also rely on burning especially during the fall season. She stated that she believed that residents should not be forced to sell their homes because they cannot deal with the leaf disposal problem. Councilman Duda noted that she had received a letter and statement from Irene Gammon who was unable to attend the meeting (copy attached) . Councilman Duda further noted that the City was charged with looking into protecting the "health, safety, and welfare" of the Community when reviewing this issue. Councilman Voorde stated that he believed that the Council should go on record with regard to the approach they would be taking in addressing this problem. He stated that he believed the Council should proceed ahead with the premise that leaf burning would be banned and that a task force be established to consider alternatives to leaf disposal. Councilman Puzzello stated that she felt she was not qualified to give a response at this time even though Councilman Voorde saw leaf burning as a health risk which presented a clear and present danger" to the Community. Councilman Luecke stated that he sees the health issue as the overriding issue. Councilman Coleman noted that during his campaign he signed the American Lung Association's petition to ban burning and was willing to proceed ahead on that position and address the problem of leaf disposal. Councilman Zakrzewski stated that he believed that the Council needs to look at the health problems as well as the 3 cost factors since many individuals are unable to physically bag leaves. He stressed that we must as a City look at all options. Councilman Duda noted that she had received a petition signed by approximately 60 individuals requesting that leaf burning be banned. Councilman Slavinskas stated that the Council must assess how high a priority leaf disposal was to the Community. He noted that when costs are assessed that the City would have to determine perhaps what other City services would be cut. Personally he believes that this should have a very high priority among services of the City. Councilman Voorde again reiterated that he believed the Council should accept that an ultimate ban on the burning of leaves should take place and that a task force under the Chairmanship of Councilman Duda be established with members of the medical community, Common Council, City Administration, and the public be on the Committee to investigate and report to the Council with reports due June 1, 1988 and implementation as of September 1, 1988. The Council Attorney then noted that the Committee could make recommendations this evening with regard to the establishment of a task force as well as the establishment of the premise on which the task force would proceed ahead the objective in mind would be that burning would be banned and that they would be charged with looking at alternative leaf disposal options. Councilman Soderberg noted that although that was a route of possible action that it would still require the passage of a City Ordinance by the entire Council. The Council Attorney noted that Councilman Soderberg's position was correct. Councilman Puzzello noted that she could not support a ban at this time but would be in favor of a task force. Councilman Zakrzewski also noted that he was in favor of a task force but he could not rule out burning as an option at the current time. The Council Attorney then clarified the motion pending for the Committee, it was that the Committee recommended that a task force be established which would investigate all possible leaf disposal options with the basic premise being that leaf burning would be banned as of September 1, 1988 and that a program of leaf disposal would be implemented by that date with a report being submitted by the task force to the Common Council by June 1, 1988. The motion was seconded by Councilman Soderberg. Following further discussion Councilman Duda called the role of the Councilman making up the Residential Neighborhoods Committee. The motion passed by a four to one majority with Councilmen Soderberg, Luecke, Duda, and Voorde in the majority and Councilman Zakrzewski in the minority. It was noted that Councilman Voorde was an 4 ex-officio member of the Committee and that Max Moore was the citizen member but did not have voting privileges. Councilman Duda thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and voiced a continuing committment to clean air. She then requested any individuals who were interested in serving on the task force to see her after the Committee meeting. Following further discussion the meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Councilman Loretta Duda, Chairman Residential Neighborhoods Committee LD:srk 5