HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-2026 Health and Public Safety Committee MinutesOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
BIANCA L. TIRADO, CITY CLERK
INTEGRITY | SERVICE | ACCESSIBILITY
Jasmine Jackson Matthew Neal Veronica Pitt-Payne
CHIEF DEPUTY CITY CLERK / CHIEF OF STAFF DEPUTY CITY CLERK / DIRECTOR OF POLICY DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
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300 City Hall | 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | South Bend, Indiana 46601 | p. 574.235.9221 | f. 574.235.9173 | www.southbendin.gov
HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY JANUARY 12, 2026, 4:00 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Sharon McBride*, Dr. Oliver Davis, Sheila
Niezgodski, Savino Rivera Jr., Troy Warner
(arrived late), Rachel Tomas Morgan
Committee Members Absent: None
Other Council Present: Canneth Lee
Others Present: Bianca L. Tirado, Matthew Neal, Jasmine
Jackson, Veronica Pitt-Payne, Bob Palmer
Presenters: Michael Schmidt
Agenda: Bill No. 78-25 - Amending Chapter 14, Article 15, Section 14-175 to Increase the Number of Public Safety Officers Available at No Cost to Event Organizers
Members marked with an asterisk (*) are in virtual attendance.
Please note the attached link for the meeting recording:
https://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/browse.aspx?dbid=0,0,0,0,0,0&mediaid=403201
Committee Chair Rachel Tomas Morgan called to order the Health and Public Safety Committee
meeting at 4:01 P.M.
Bill No. 78-25 - Amending Chapter 14, Article 15, Section 14-175 to Increase the Number of Public Safety Officers Available at No Cost to Event Organizers
Michael Schmidt, Assistant City Attorney, with offices on the sixth (6th) floor of City Hall, South
Bend, IN 46601, presented the bill. He said the bill provides eight (8) additional hours of police
staffing at special events.
Citizen Member Savino Rivera Jr. asked about the criteria for classifying events as tier two (2)
and tier three (3).
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300 City Hall | 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | South Bend, Indiana 46601 | p. 574.235.9221 | f. 574.235.9173 | www.southbendin.gov
Michael Schmidt said those categories refer to the size of the event. He noted that the bill does
not make any changes to those classification criteria.
Committee Chair Tomas Morgan asked Michael Schmidt to confirm that event organizers will
still pay for security, and the bill is merely increasing the number of hours included in the
registration fee.
Michael Schmidt confirmed that is correct. He said “security” refers to the closing of roads and
crowd control.
Council President Canneth Lee asked about the reason for the change.
Michael Schmidt said the City wants to make sure they are not losing special events over the cost
of the required police presence.
Committee Chair Tomas Morgan opened the public hearing.
William Elliot Smith, 728 Whitehall Drive, South Bend, IN 46615, spoke against the bill. He said
the bill restricts free speech and imposes prior restraints through the permitting process.
Committee Chair Tomas Morgan closed the public hearing.
Citizen Member Rivera spoke about his previous experience organizing a five-k (5k) race and
expressed support for the additional resources the bill would provide for special events.
Committee Member Sheila Niezgodski spoke about the Westside Memorial Day Parade and
echoed Citizen Member Rivera’s support for the bill.
Committee Member Dr. Davis asked about the constitutional concerns that were brought up
during the public hearing.
Michael Schmidt said he disagrees with this interpretation and clarified that the ordinance is
content neutral, does not generate revenue, and does not target specific events. He said he would
provide Committee Member Dr. Davis with a letter addressing his legal concerns prior to the
Council meeting at 7:00 P.M.
Committee Member Niezgodski moved to send Bill No. 78-25 to the Committee of the Whole
with a favorable recommendation, which was seconded by Committee Vice Chair Troy Warner
and carried by a vote of five (5) ayes with one (1) nay.
Committee Chair Rachel Tomas Morgan – Aye Committee Vice Chair Troy Warner – Aye
Committee Member Sheila Niezgodski – Aye Committee Member Sharon McBride – Aye
Committee Member Dr. Oliver Davis – Nay Citizen Member Savino Rivera Jr. – Aye
With no further business, Committee Chair Tomas Morgan adjourned the Health and Public
Safety Committee meeting at 4:21 P.M.
EXCELLENCE | ACCOUNTABILITY | INNOVATION | INCLUSION | EMPOWERMENT
300 City Hall | 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | South Bend, Indiana 46601 | p. 574.235.9221 | f. 574.235.9173 | www.southbendin.gov
Respectfully Submitted,
Rachel Tomas Morgan, Committee Chair