HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 Annual Report - Health & Public Safety Committee0
Ins 2013 Annual Report of the Health and Public Safety
Committee of the South Bend Common Council
Date: December 30, 2013
To: The South Bend Common Council
The Office of the City Clerk
From: Council Member at Large Karen L. White, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee
This Annual Report is filed as a requirement of Section 2 -10 (i) of the South Bend Municipal
Code which calls for a report from the Chairperson of each of the Council's Standing Committee
by the 2 "d Monday in December.
Duties:
The Health and Public Safety Committee is charged with the following duties pursuant to
Section 2 -10 of the South Bend Municipal Code:
"Oversees the various activities of Fire and Police Departments, EMS, Department of
Code Enforcement, ordinance violations, and related health and public safety concerns. "
2013 Committee Members and Number of Committee Meetings:
The member of the Health and Public Safety Committee this year include Dr. Fred Ferlic who
serves as Vice - Chairperson and who served as the Health and Public Safety Committee
Chairperson in 2012, Dr. David Varner, and Tim Scott, with myself as Chairperson. Annette
Malone serves as a citizen member of this committee.
The Health and Public Safety Committee was busy this year, with twenty -six (26) meetings held
throughout the year.
Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting Tonics:
The Health and Public Safety Committee initially met to discuss and formulate goals and
objectives for the committee which would serve as a blue print for positive action throughout the
year. This year's committee organizational meeting also included Chief of Staff Mike Schmul
and Police Chief Ron Teachman.
There were many diverse topics referred to it this year for review and recommendation. The
following is a brief summary of some of those:
2013 Health and Public Safety Committee Annual Report
Page 2
• Bill No 74 -11 Zoning Text amendments addressing "urban chickens"
• Bill No. 64 -12 Public safety text amendments addressing "urban chickens"
• Bill No. 13 -13 Bicycle passing public safety text amendments
• Bill No. 13 -22 A Resolution on the Violence Against Women's safety act
• Bill No. 9 -13 Chronic Problem Properties text amendments
• Bill No. 10 -13 Certificate of Occupancy
• Update from Fire Chief Steve Cox on the Fire Department Training Facilities
• Bill No. 13 -30 Lease on Fire Station # 5 and the Training Facilities
• Authorized a special committee to report to the Health and Public Safety Committee on
their recommendations for updating Chapter 5 of the South Bend Municipal Code
addressing Animal and Fowl Regulations
• Community Needs Assessment presented by Dr. Margo DeMont, Executive Director of
Memorial Hospital/ Beacon Health Systems
• Bill No. 22 -13 Text public safety amendments to permit the keeping of honey bees within
the city limits
• Update on environmental concerns regarding Beck's Lake
• Discussions on Park Police
• Bill No. 28 -13 Moped public safety text amendments
• Bill No. 13 -43 Five -Year contract to provide EMS services outside of the city limits
• Bill No. 32 -13 Disabled parking text amendments
• Safety concerns in Southmore and Miami Hills
In the interest of being more proactive, the Health and Public Safety Committee held a series of
meetings prior to the implementation of the chronic problem property regulations with all
members of the various administrative departments who have a key role in the implementation
and enforcement process. In light of this major public safety legislation, and the need for a fair,
reasonable and orderly process to be followed, this extra efforts by both the Committee and the
affected departments has resulted in positive results to date. Receiving regular updates from
these departments will be critical to properly access the effectiveness of this legislation.
Challenges for 2014:
Much positive inter - action has taken place this year between the committee and the public, with
several of the Health and Public Safety Committee meetings being held off -site. In this way, the
public may have a greater opportunity to participate and have their voices heard. I would hope
that this would continue in 2014 as we continue to work together to have greater transparency
and accountability.
2014 will be a negotiating year between the city and the labor unions representing the police and
fire sworn members of the Fire Department and Police Department. My goal will always be to
continue to have good faith negotiations which are fair to the public and further the best interests
of both of our public safety departments.
2013 Health and Public Safety Committee Annual Report
Page 3
An ongoing challenge continues to be better access to valuable information with regard to
ordinance enforcement. I believe that this should be a continuing goal which needs to be
addressed so that the Council and the public has access to data that our local laws are being
properly enforced, and when fines are involved that they are being properly collected. Updating
the computer programs to make this a reality should be a vital part of our discussions in early
2014.
I believe that our community needs and deserves to be a healthy and safe city. I again will
dedicate my efforts to making this my top goal, along with being fiscally prudent in the new
year. It has been a pleasure to serve as the Chairperson of the Health and Public Safety
Committee.
Thank you.
Very truly truly yours,
Karen L. White, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee
Council Member at Large of the South Bend Common Council
cc: Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Mr. Mark Neal, City Controller
Police Chief Ron Teachman
Fire Chief Steve Cox
Shubhada Kambli, Code Enforcement Director