08-13-01 Health & Public Safety and Residential Neighborhoods

Home Browse Search

• ltommittet fort: oittt Qommittu tins of t alit Vub lit a£gtti Q:ommitt* anti tie sitiential lbzigiborbootio Committ*t The August 13, 2001 joint committee meeting of the Health & Public Safety Committee and the Residential Neighborhoods Committee was called to order by Health &Public Safety Chairperson Andrew Ujdak at 4:40 pm in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Kelly, Varner, King, Aranowski, Ujdak and Pfeifer; Citizen Member Isabel Gonzalez, Dennis Andres, Jim O'Donnell, William Hoye, Esquire; Bubba Cunningham, Lynn Coleman, Ann-Carol Nash, Sarah Penner,Todd Zeiger, Natalie Boyd, P.J. Dobbins, Jeff Kimmell, E.E. Cour, M.I. Cour, Leigh Anne Gerber, Bruce Bon Durant, Steve Dragovich, Douglas Brazy, bob Paszkiet, H.M. Forster, R.M. Foster, George E. Herendeen, Nancy Sulok of the §eioUt i J8ttb gribl,Mt, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Ujdak then introduced the Chairperson of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee, Council Member Karl King and noted the Council Members of the respective committees. The first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 65-01 which would amend § 13-75.5 of the South Bend Municipal Code to define ownership of disorderly houses, to provide for the security &safety of vacant buildings&to enhance the city's ability to enforce provisions of the ordinance. Ann-Carol Nash & Lynn Coleman made the presentation on behalf of the City Administration. They noted that the ordinance would create an effective tool to "rid the neighborhoods of problem properties". The ordinance is aimed at addressing certain types of behavior such as noise, etc and expands the regulations to address vacant homes which are not secure and often have trash around them. Mr. Coleman further noted that the Mayor's Neighborhood Task Force was instrumental in developing this ordinance which gives additional powers to Code Enforcement and the Legal Department. In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Mr. Coleman noted that notice to fix would be sent by the city before a hearing is held. Dr. Varner inquired about land trusts and was advised that the trustee would be notified but would not be personally liable. Council Member King inquired whether ultimately the owners would be held responsible for violations, and he was advised that they would be. Council President Pfeifer stressed the need for responsible actions of the owners. The Council Attorney inquired about the receipt of monies no longer being divided between the Police Department and the General Fund. Ann-Carol Nash stated that the former Controller requested that all receipts be deposited into the General Fund. Citizen Member Isabel Gonzalez made a motion, seconded by Council Member King that Bill No. 65-01 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Joint Meeting of the Health&Public Safety Committee and the Residential Neighborhoods Committee