HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-69 Council Committee of the Whole Meeting MinutesCOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FEBRUARY 10, 1969
Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, met in the
Committee of the Whole in the Council Chambers of City Hall on Monday, February 10, 1969
at 8:00 p.m., with all members present. The invocation was given by Reverend Kenneth Foulke,
All Saints Evangelical United Methodist Chiirch. The meeting was called to order by Chairman
William W. Grounds, who presided.
ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE WATER WORKS OF THE
CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AND INLAND CHEMICAL CORPORATION,
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN ASSORTMENT OF CHEMICALS
FOR USE FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1969 TO FEBRUARY 7, 1970 IN THE AMOUNT
OF $26,972.50.
This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above Ordinance, proponents
and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard thereon. Speaking for the ordinance
Mr. John Hunter, Water Works Superintendent, Dr. Louis How, South Bend County Health Depart-
ment; Mr. William Smurr, Technician for the Water Works; Dr. Charles W. Gish,Division Dental
Health, Indiana State Board of Health and Associate Professor, Indiana University School of
Dentistry; Dr. Edward J. Molenda, South Bend Dentist; Dr. Herbert Schiller, Physician.
Councilman Allen questioned the cost increase of the fluoride. Mr. Hunter said the increase
was due to supply and demand and that they have trouble getting it. Councilman Allen read
a letter received from the St. Joseph County Health Department from Dr. Louis How, This letter
was in reply to the letter sent to him by the City Clerk, Kathryn L. Blough.
February 5, 1969
Mrs. Kathryn Blough, City Clerk
City Hall
South Bend, Indiana
Dear Mrs. Blough:
This is in reply to your request for information in regard to the effects of Hydrofluoro-
silicic acid on children's teeth for the first year of fluoridation of the public water supply
of the city of South Bend.
As explained at the several hearings prior to the fluoridating of South Bend's water,
the effects cannot be measured until the child has been exposed to fluorides for a definite
period of his dental life. The base line is usually taken as age five years. Since a first
year period has not elapsed, I cannot give statistics for South Bend, but, I am including
figures for several cities in the northern part of the state that have been fluoridated for
several years.
The term D.M.F. is used in the table and means Decayed, Missing or Filled. The ages used
are 6,7,8,9, and 10.
The statewide average for non - fluoridated areas for D.M.F. in this age group is 1.92.
Using this statewide average for comparison, Ilxesent the statistics for the following cities
after at least five years of fluoridation.
Valporaiso
Reduction: 390/.
Fort Wayne
Reduction: 56%
(after 10 yrs.)
LaPorte
Reduction: 53..9%
(after 8 yrs. - .99)
Elkhart
Reduction: 420%
Indianapolis
Reduction: 50%
(after 12 yrs.)
Kokomo
Reduction: 620/.
(after 10 yrs. - .46)
Within our own jurisdiction, we do have a small series from which we have derived some
statistics.
Walkerton and New Carlisle have had a fluoridation program since 1953. Three or four
years ago we did a survey in those two areas, taking school children who had lived all of
their life within the fluoridated water supply area, and, compared the D.M.F. factor with
other school children in the non -city schools. The result showed a 30° /o decrease in D.M.F.
for' -the..6,. '7,8-x'9; -. --and 10 year old children in the two towns.
This series of statistics, I believe, gives a good representation of the benefits of
fluoridation in cities, larger and smaller than South Bend.
After a period of five years, a table of findings can be presented for this city.'
I am sending copies for each member of the council, the mayor, superintendent of the
water department and others that may wish" a copy.
Sincerely,
Louis E. How, M.D., Director
St. Joseph County Health Department
LEH/bt
Councilman Allen also read the following letter from Mr. Wilmer H. Tolle, Director, Department
of Public Welfare:
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Mrs. Kathryn L. Blough
City Clerk
City Hall
South Bend, Indiana 46601
Dear Mrs. Blough:
FEBRUARY 10, 1969
January 20, 1969
This is in response to your letter of January 14 asking for statistics regarding dental care
provided welfare recipients in the past year. Our dental program has been increased in its
extent of coverage considerably in the past two years so any figures, I believe, would not be
of any assistance in determining a reduction in dental needs, as a result of the effectiveness
of using Hydrofluosilicic Acid in South Bend city water. Also, you will note that our figures
are county wide since we have the entire county, and are unable to give South Bend city figures
only.
During the year 1967, 57 dentists were paid $78,388.50 and for the year 1968, 61 were -paid
$95,721.72, or an increase of $17,333.22 for 1968 over 1967.
I am sorry we do not have figures that would reflect any of the effectiveness of the use of
Hydrofluosilicic Acid in South Bend water. If we can be of any other help, please feel free
to call on us.
Sincerely,
Wilmer H- .Tolle, Director
Councilman Allen questioned Mr. Hunter as to the change from 23% Hydrofluosilicic Acid to 25 %. Mr
Hunter suggested Mr. Smurr explain this. Mr. Smurr said the firm had difficulty providing constan
23/a.(sometimes 270/0 solution. It is hoped that a 25% solution will enable better distribution.
Dr. Gish stated agreement with Councilman Allen that there is need for specific control
statistics and that diligence should not be relaxed.
Councilman Allen spoke against the fluoride ordinance,, and stressed the need..for control statistics
Dr. Gish told of the benefits of $uoride throughout the state. In a fluoride community, the
Head Start children (4 -5 yrs.) program showed none had seen dentists and they had good teeth.
Dr. Gish stated that a preventive program in dental care eliminates tooth decay, that is, the
use of fluoride dental floss, fluoride dentifrice and fluoride water. Dr. Molenda told of
the teacher training program the Dental Society offers in South Bend. Dr. Schiller claimed
a fluoride program should have been started in South Bend years ago.
Councilman Laven made a motion to amend the ordinance to read the 20th day of January instead
of the 8th day of January. Councilman Craven seconded the motion. Motion Carried. 9 ayes, 0
nays.
Councilman Laven m ;owed- tYj-�_Ordinance go to the.Council favorable as amended. Councilman Reinke
seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7 ayes, (Councilmen Craven, Grounds, Laven, Palmer,Reinke,
Wise and Zielinski) 2 nays, (Councilmen Allen and Szymkowiak)
There being no further business before the Committee of the Whole, Councilman Laven made a
motion to -rise and report to the Council. Councilman Palmer seconded the motion. Motion
carried. Time: 8:54 p.m.
ATTEST:
CLE