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PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
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The April 8, 1991 Meeting of the Public Safety Committee was
called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member William
Soderberg at 4:15 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Zakrzewski,
Ladewski, Duda, Luecke, Coleman, Duda, Slavinskas, Puzzello,
and Niezgodski; Tony Sergio, Terry Coleman, Jenny Pitts-
Manier, Michael Seitz, Cleo Hickey, Katie Humphreys, John
Liesenring, Carter Wolfe, members of the news media, and
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Council Member Duda then reviewed Bill No. 22-91 regarding
public safety requirements for residential swimming pools.
She noted that the Bill is being introduced to amend Chapter
14 addressing various public safety regulations in the City.
She noted that it would also amend Chapter 2 by adding the
violations of this Section to the Schedule of Ordinance and
Code Violations, so that they could be collected through the
Ordinance Violation Bureau.
Council Member Puzzello then reviewed what residential
swimming pools would be addressed, and reviewed the safety
requirements proposed. Much discussion and questioning then
took place.
Council Member Puzzello noted that the overall intent is to
address safety and that "wading pools" should be addressed
in another separate Bill, in light of the concern raised by
the Council Members and Council Member Slavinskas in
particular.
1 Following further discussion, Council Member Niezgodski made
a motion seconded by Council Member Duda, that Bill No. 22-
I 91 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 23-91 which would amend
Chapter 20 entitled "Vehicles and Traffic" . Mr. Terry
Coleman of the Personnel and Finance Committee then gave the
presentation. Cleo Hickey of the Redevelopment Department
spoke in favor and Carter Wolfe also spoke in favor on
behalf of Center City Associates. Mr. Michael Seitz, of the
Chamber of Commerce, also gave favorable recommendations.
Council Member Puzzello stated that she was supportive of
the Bill, however she was concerned with regard to
information provided to the Council over the rates which
would be paid to the parking enfprcement personnel. She
stated that the City has taken a position that city
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Public Safety Committee
April 8, 1991
Page 2
employees or agents of the City should not work for less
than $5.00 per hour.
Council Member Niezgodski also voiced concern in light of
the fact that the proposed management agreement calls for
payment by the City to Parking Properties, Inc, . of $7.50
"per man hour". He noted that out of that sum would be other
Costs incurred by the contractor. He did note however, that
fringes are to paid by the employer. He stressed that he
hopes that this was "not a low ball contract", and that
Parking Properties, Inc. should not expect to come back to
the City next year with a price which substantially
increases the costs of their services. He stated that there
is definitely a need for better enforcement. He noted that
he had discussions with Mr. Bodnar and the City Attorney's
Office with regard to the possibility of possibly
designating the Civil Defense Officers as additional Parking
Enforcement Officers in the City.
Following further discussion, Council Member Niezgodski made
a motion seconded by Council Member Slavinskas, that Bill
No. 22-91 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion
passed with Council Member Puzzello abstaining.
Council Member Slavinskas noted that he agrees with the
overall concern with regard to the hourly rate to be paid to
the employees, however the overall contract is a step in the
right direction. Council Member Ladewski noted that he also
had concerns with regard to benefits and hourly rates, but
again agreed with the overall concept. He stressed that jobs
should not be taken from the community, and that the
contractors should not look to doubling their rate next
year.
Council Member Luecke noted that although the Ordinance
would formally allow the Board of Public Works to contract
in this area, the Common Council would still be involved
through the appropriation process.
There being no further business to come before the
Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member William Soderberg, Chairperson
Public Safety Committee