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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-09-89 Public Safety % Qommtttre Report PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE WV tic Common Consult of tip alttg of*mill Lub The January 9, 1989 meeting. of the Public Safety Committee . was called to order by its Chair Person Council Member William Soderberg at 4: 05 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Luecke, Niezgodski, Soderberg, Puzzello, Slavinskas, Zakrzewski, Coleman, Duda, and Voorde; Mr. T. Brooks Brademas, Mr. Richard Nussbaum, Jenny Pitts Manier, Mr. Michael Barnes, Mrs. Pat DeClercq, Mr. John Leisenring, Mr. Larry Neff, members of the news media, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Soderberg began the meeting by noting that he had received a letter dated January 9, 1989 from Jenny Pitts Manier (copy attached) which indicated that the City Administration ' wishes to have the smoke 'detector ordinance namely Bill $o. 94-88 withdrawn from consideration by the Council . Council Member Soderberg noted further that he had asked the Council Attorney to revise the original version of Bill No. . 94-88 and to also prepare a separate resolution. Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand then reviewed Substitute Bill No. • 94-88 and a proposed form of resolution (copies attached). She noted that the Substitute Bill was drafted as a compromise position in light of the concerns raised with regard to enforcement of the original version of the bill as well as the constitutional and legal issues raised by inspections. She noted that the bill had been drafted so that family dwelling units which are constructed or remodeled after the effective date of the ordinance and which are required to have a permit pursuant to 6-24 of the Municipal Code (electrical permit) would be required to have the necessary smoke detector ordinances. She then reviewed the bill in its entirety highlighting the changes on a per page basis. She also reviewed the draft of the resolution which would officially launch a "Smoke Detector Installation Campaign" . The emphasis of the resolution was on a public education program with the assistance of the Fire Department. Jenny Pitts Manier stated that she had discussed the proposed substitute bill and resolution with Chief Taylor and that both she and Chief Taylor were in support of the documents prepared by the Council Attorney. e Public Safety Committee 1-9-89 Page 2 Council Member Slavinskas questioned whether the draft of the substitute bill would cover all rental units. Both he and Council Member Luecke voiced concern over those dwellings which are single family in nature and are rented. The Council Attorney and the Assistant City Attorney stated that they would prepare the necessary amendments to the substitute bill so that all rental units would be covered by it. Council Member Voorde also voiced support of including all rental units in the substitute bill. Mr. Brademas stated that the new approach by the Council was "exactly right" with regard to a separate resolution addressing an educational campaign and revising the ordinance with regard to family dwellings and new construction and remodeling as well as all rental units. He then also highlighted numerous violations in an apartment complex owned by Mr. Freidline to indicate that smoke detector and public safety ordinances of this type were extremely necessary. Mr. Richard Nussbaum noted that suit had been filed in December of 1987 against Mr. Freidline and that the City Attorney's Office was proceeding ahead on that law suit. After discussion by the committee Council Member Luecke made a motion seconded by Council Member Duda that the resolution be heard officially at the next meeting of the Council namely January 23rd so that there would be ample time for public interest groups to become involved in the educational campaign regarding smoke detector installation. Council Member Slavinskas questioned whether the fine should be reduced to $25. 00 instead of $100. 00, however, after discussion on this topic by the City Attorney, the fine remained at the $100. 00 amount. Council Member Coleman suggested that Council Members contact their State Legislators to lobby them to raise the $25. 00 fine amount which could be collected through an ordinance violation bureau at the local level. Following further discussion Council Member Duda made a motion seconded by Council Member Voorde that Substitute Bill No. 94-88 as to be amended by the Council Attorney and Public Safety Committee 1-9-89 Page 3 Assistant City Attorney regarding rental units be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member William Soderberg, Chair Person Public Safety Committee WS:srk Attachments