03-10-97 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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4.. Comm ttttt *sport: Health and Public Safety Committee IG0 tbt tOmmOtt COtttttfl Of the tttg of 0outb /stub: The March 10, 1997 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Charlotte Pfeifer at 3:35 P.M. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Pfeifer, Kelly, Broden, Varner, Ujdak, Coleman, Hosinski, Sniadecki, Chief Luther Taylor, Joyce Boaler, Don Porter,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Pfeifer noted that the purpose of the meeting was to review Bill No. 15- 97 which would appropriate $15,000.00 from the Indiana River Rescue Fund for the purchase of certain fire equipment. Chief Taylor made the presentation. The Chief noted that the appropriation would purchase one River Rescue Boat and would upgrade other equipment related with the Indiana River Rescue operation. He noted that the entire operation is now under complete control of the Fire Department with those duties formerly provided by the Police Department being now provided by the Fire Department. Chief Taylor noted that the River Rescue School is held in South Bend each year and that 84 students attended in 1994, 110 students attended the 1995 sessions and in 1996 there were 92 students. Students come from as far away as California for such training. The Chief noted that there's approximately$20,000.00 in the account currently. Joyce Boaler spoke in favor of the proposed appropriation. In response to a question raised by Council Member Broden,it was noted by the Chief that the team is activated into such situations as the flooding in Southern Indiana and Southern Ohio by SEMA. Following further discussion, Council Member Coleman made a motion seconded by Council Member Hosinski that Bill No.'15-97 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member David Varner then brought to the Committee's attention a letter dated March 7 from Joyce Boaler copy attached) with regard to neighborhood problem with the reverse side containing several signatures of concerned residents. Council Member Varner also called upon Joyce Boaler to voice her concern with regard to the requirement of the City Council that you must give your name and address prior to speaking on an issue in light of threats that have been made to local activists. The Council Attorney recommended that Chief Gunn have the opportunity to review Ms. Boaler"s letter before any action be taken by the Committee or the Council. She also recommended that the suggestion of Ms. Boaler with regard a to possible change of the local rules be discussed by the Council Rules Committee. Under unfinished business, Council Member Pfeifer, the sponsor of Bill No. 97-10(copy attached) brought the Bill to the Committee's attention. The Resolution would ask the Indiana State Legislature to defeat House Bill 1412 and Senate Bill 326 which would negatively impact a municipality's ability to annex. Council Member Pfeifer noted that she had been in contact with the Mayor from Fort Wayne and Senator Washington