Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-90 Public Safety OiDtttmtttrr &part PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Uhl the Qiptu iwn Council of tip Canhj of*tut* Eau): The March 26, 1990, meeting of the Public Safety Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member William Soderberg at 4:15 PM in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Luecke, Niezgodski, Soderberg, Puzzello, Slavinskas, Zakrzewski, Coleman, Duda, and Voorde; Jenny Pitts Manier, Patricia DeClercq, Richard Miller, John Leisenring, Katie Humphreys, Don Porter, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Soderberg called upon Council Member Luecke 1 to review Bill No. 18-90 which would amend the City Code by the inclusion of new Section 13-57.1 of Article 4, Chapter 13, which would be entitled "Use of Police Officers at Large Parties or Gatherings Requiring a Second Response. " Council Member Luecke noted that he has had several discussions with residents whb have voiced sincere concern about loud music; ""'disturbing of the peace, and related problems. He noted that he has worked closely with the City's legal department as well as the police department during the drafting of this bill. He specifically noted that his work work with Captain Tom Fautz who was instrumental in providing information on a similar program from Fullerton, California. Council Member Luecke then briefly reviewed the bill by explaining each of its subsections. He noted that after a "first response notice" was given and if that same location required a police unit to be sent for a second response, that the officer could issue a citation requiring the "responsible party" to pay a fifty dollar fine. He noted that this would be on a major disturbance. He also noted that the bill was aimed at the chronic violators. He further stated that a fifty dollar fine could be paid through the Ordinance Violation Bureau and the City preserves its rights to take other appropriate action under other state laws or other local ordinances in addition to the fifty dollar citation. Upon several questions being raised by various Council Members, Jenny Pitts Manier of the City legal department noted that the City has received cooperation with the University of Notre Dame through their Office of Student Affairs. Public Safety Committee 3-26-90 Page 2 Council Member Niezgodski noted that the bill addresses far more than residential disturbances. He noted that he believes that it is a good tool and believes that it should be used especially on subsequent calls. Council Member Coleman noted that there were safeguqrds built within the ordinance and that in light of concern being raised with regard to the definition of "responsible party" that security deposits of tenants could be used in that the landlord most likely would be the party of "last resort. " Council Member Slavinskas voiced concern with regard to instances which he would label as "nuisances. " He further voiced concern with regard to the definintion of "responsible party" and impromtu type gathering where parents may be away for a short period of time. Council Member Duda spoke in favor of the bill, although noted that there may be instances which the City would have to weigh on a case by case basis in minor problem areas. Council Member Soderberg noted that the police officer has discretion and that he believed that the bill would be proper since its primary aim was at "habitual offenders. " Mr. Richard Miller noted that he is speaking in behalf of several neighbors in his area. He stated that there are five rental properties which have chronic problems of noise, under-age drinking, and related problems. He stated that their biggest concern is with regard to the safety of the residents and the safety of those participating in such noise or under-age drinking activities. Following further discussion, Council Member Puzzello made a motion seconded by Council Member Duda that Bill No. 18-90 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member Niezgodski then called upon Council Member Luecke to review Bill No. 19-90 which would amend Chapter 2, Article 19, Section 2-13, commonly known as "Schedule of Ordinance and Code Violations. " Council Member Luecke noted that this is a companion bill to Bill No. 18-90 which would allow the fine of fifty dollars for fines violations of the large parties or gatherings requiring a second response to be paid directly through the Ordinance Violation Bureau. Public Safety Committee 3-26-90 Page 3 Council Member Voorde noted that in discussions through the FOP negotiating process, that Officer Szuba, has stated on many occasions when officers respond to such calls, that they primarily act as a mediator, but when no cooperation is received, that they take appropriate action. Following further discussion, Council Member Niezgodski made a motion seconded by Council Member Slavinskas that Bill No. 19-90 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council President Zakrzewski then recommended that the Committee hear Resolution 90-14 which would approve the issuance of scrap metal/junk dealers/transfer stations licenses for calendar year 1990. Council Member Soderberg then called upon Patricia DeClercq to review the bill as a miscellaneous matter. Mrs. DeClercq noted that this is a yearly occurrence where the City inspects all of the businesses falling under this category of licensing. The Board of Public Works has acted upon favorably the twelve businesses listed within the resolution. She noted that each of the twelve businesses have complied with code enforcement and fire department regulations. She also indicated that currently the city is working with three of the companies who have been licensed in the past but have not met the requirements primarily in the area of fencing. Council Member Niezgodski questioned whether the Nichols business on College Avenue was in compliance. Mrs. DeClercq noted that it currently is not, however, they are working with the business owner and that a re-hearing may be necessary. Council Member Niezgodski requested that he be advised of the new date of the hearing. Coucil Member Zakrzewski asked for an update with regard to the business on Calvert and Franklin Street. Mrs. DeClercq noted that a Cease and Desist order was issued by the City last summer and that the business has not been in operation since then. The property is currently securely padlocked. Following further discussion, Council Member Zakrzewski made a motion, seconded by Council Member Duda that Resolution No. 90-14 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Public Safety Committee 3-26-90 Page 4 There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4:55 PM. Respectfully submitted, Council Member William Soderberg Chairperson, Public Safety Committee