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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
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The January 13, 1992 meeting of the Committee of the Whole was called to order by
Council Member Ann Puzzello at 4:30 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members: Zakrzewski, Duda, Luecke, Coleman,
Washington, Kelly, Puzzello, Slavinskas, and Ladewski; Don Fozo, Patricia DeClercq,
Mary Hall Mueller,Don Porter,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
The first item of the agenda was to review Bill No. 81-91 which would amend Chapter 1,
Section 2-10, addressing standing committees in the Common Council.
Council member Slavinskas, the sponsor of the Bill, made the presentation. He noted that
in his four years on the Council that there has been sporadic attendance at best with regard
• to the citizen members who sit on the various standing committees. He noted that currently
they have no right to vote and do not receive any of the information coming before the
committees. His proposed Bill is an attempt to broaden the base on recommendations to
the full Council. He noted that the Committee recommendations are advisory in nature. He
is requesting that there be two citizen members on each committee except the Council Rules
Committee, that they be entitled to vote, and that they receive copies of the bills and
resolutions prior to the Committee meetings.
Council President Luecke shared his concern with regard to receiving Substitute Bills at the
last minute, and recommended that the policy and practice of the Council continue that such
Bills be continued if there was not sufficient time for proper review. Council Member
Coleman voiced concern with regard to quorum and voting procedures; and Council
Member Ladewski suggested that all citizen members be at least 18 years of age and be
registered voters.
Council Member Washington recommended that the Bill be continued since he had not
received a copy of the Bill and he wished to study it in greater detail. Council Member
Slavinskas stated that he encouraged dialogue between the Council on all proposed
amendments. It was recommended that the Council Attorney prepare a letter addressing the
proposed amendments discussed, and that it be included in the next packet of information
for the next regular Council Meeting.
Following further discussion, Council Member Coleman made a motion, seconded by
Council Member Zakrzewski, that Bill No. 81-90 be continued to the January 27, 1992
meeting of the Common Council, that the Bill be sent to the Council Rules Committee for
further review, and that a new cover letter addressing proposed amendments be included in
the next Council Packet. The motion passed.
The next item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 83-91 which would amend various
Sections of Chapter 6 of the Municipal Code entitled "Buildings". Don Fozo, the Building
Commissioner then reviewed the proposed Bill. He noted that it was a necessary step in
light of the merger of the County and City Building Departments. He noted that the County
would be acting on similar legislation in February.
The Council Attorney noted that currently the building department has not been formally
established through ordinance. Therefore an amendment to Section 2-13 of the South Bend
Municipal Code would be necessary. Council Members Puzzello, Slavinskas, and
Coleman voiced concern with regard to proposed language on page five of the Bill
addressing permit fee amount for construction under$500.00 and the use of the term "pool
installation." Council Member Ladewski suggested that perhaps the permit fees should be
in relationship to the Consumer Price Index. Mary Hall Mueller of the City Attorney's
Office spoke against utilizing the Consumer Price Index in light of the fact that the County
Ordinance will be including fees substantially higher than those currently in effect for the
County, The Council Attorney suggested that in light of the fact that the County will not be
acting on their deal addressing this topic until February that a Substitute Bill be prepared
addressing the various areas of concern. Mr. Fozo noted that the Bill will become effective
on March 1st and that periodic reviews, perhaps on a three year basis, of the permit fees
could be included.
Following further discussion, Council Member Slavinskas made a motion, seconded by
Council Member Duda, that Bill No.83-91 be continued to the February 10, 1992 meeting
of the Common Council, and that it be sent to the Public Works Committee for further
review and discussion. The motion passed.
There being no further business for the Committee the meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Puzzello, Chairperson
Committee of the Whole