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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
Health and Public Safety Committee
March 10, 1997
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when she was recently in Indianapolis and that they urged the City to take action on this to
help defeat both of those measures.
Council Member Coleman noted that in 1993 that he sponsored a Resolution, a similar
measure which was passed unanimously by the Council.
Council Member Broden stated that the Resolution is most appropriate on this important
issue.
Council Member Varner noted that he would be in favor of such a Resolution as long as
there is fair and open discussion along with compensatory legislation to such communities
as South Bend in light of current anti annexation laws in effect.
There being no further business to come before the Committee,the meeting was adjourned
at 3:55.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Charlotte Pfeifer
Chairperson,Health and Public Safety Committee
Attachments