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PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
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The October 28, 1991 meeting of the Public Safety Committee
was called to order by its chairperson, Councilmember
William Soderberg, at 5: 00 p.m. in the Council informal
meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Donald
Niezgodski, Ann Puzzello, Loretta Duda, Stephen Luecke,
William Soderberg, Linas Slavinskas, Thomas Zakrzewski, Sean
Coleman, Eugene Ladewski; Richard Nussbaum, John
Leszczynski, Jeff Rinard, Don Porter, members of the news
media, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Council Member Soderberg noted that the purpose of the
meeting was to discuss Bill No. 46-89, which addresses
"Defacement or Damage To Property."
Council Member Slavinskas, the sponsor of the Bill, noted
that this is the second step to the two-phase program
addressing graffiti in our City. The first step was the
resolution educating the public as to current state laws in
this area. Bill 46-89 would make a civil penalty for those
individuals who would mark, damage, deface, or otherwise
impair the appearance of property which results specifically
in a pecuniary loss.
He noted that since the Substitute Bill was filed, that he
has had discussions with the City Attorney and the Council
Attorney with regard to duplication of state law. More
particularly, there was a concern that by the inclusion of
current Section 13-92 that all such action addressed in that
Section would be required to be mandatory and referred to
the Prosecutor's office. It was suggested that this should
be a discretionary right of the City Attorney's office.
Accordingly, it was recommended that the Substitute Bill be
amended by the deletion of Section 13-92 ; that Section 13-
93 be renumbered 13-92 ; that Section 13-94 be renumbered to
13-93 ; that in Section 13-91 paragraph (a) that pecumiary
be spelled "pecuniary", and that in Subparagraph (b) of the
same Section the reference be made to Section 13-92 .
Both the Council Attorney and the City Attorney noted that
the Bill was enforceable and that initial violations would
be paid through the Ordinance Violation Bureau. Council
Member Slavinskas stated that he believes that this was a
continuing process of implementing local home rule by
providing civil sanctions for such activity.
Public Safety Committee
October 28, 1991 meeting
Page 2
Council Member Duda noted that at a recent meeting of the
Center City Associates that concern was raised with regard
to persons who post signs on public utility poles, etc. and
that they cause damage when they are removed. It was noted
that in a prior Bill passed by the Council which was also
sponsored by Council Member Slavinskas that such activity
would be subject to a fifty dollar ($50. 00) ordinance
violation fine.
Following further discussion, Council Member Duda made a
motion, seconded by Council Member Puzzello that Substitute
Bill No. 46-89 as amended be recommended favorably to
Council. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the
committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5: 10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted.
Council Member Linas "Lee" Slavinskas
Chairperson