HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-26-15 Health and Public SafetyHEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY MAY 26, 2015 4:45 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Derek Dieter (xab), Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White,
Valerie Schey (xab)
Citizen Members Present: Bob Emery (ab)
Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis, Oliver Davis (xab), Gavin Ferlic
Dr. David Varner (xab)
Others Present: Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, David Kepple,
Robert Irish, Linda Irish
Agenda: Bill No. 22 -15 Amend Chapter 19— Addressing Tall Grass,
Weeds, Noxious Weeds and Rank or Overgrown
Vegetation
Bill No. 15 -35 Resolution Recommending Local Youth with
Working Opportunities for Summer of 2015
Bill No. 18 -15 Hand Held Electronic Communication Devices
While Driving
Despite the lack of a quorum, Vice -Chair Karen White opened the meeting of the Health & Public Safety
Committee with three bills on the agenda.
Karen announced that the first two bills on the agenda, 22 -15 and 15 -35 would be continued until the
June 8th meeting at the request of the petitioner.
The other item on the agenda, bill 18 -15, was also sponsored by Councilman Henry Davis. This bill
would ban hand -held electronic devices from being used while driving.
The meeting opened with the presenter Henry Davis, expressing frustration that no one from the police
or legal departments were present to offer comment. Henry had specifically asked they be notified of
this review. He wondered if the administration was even interested in being involved with the bill.
Gavin Ferlic came to the city administrations defense suggesting Henry might try one on one meetings
with department heads. Dr. Fred Ferlic chimed in suggesting Henry had not done his homework.
Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski - Farrand turned the discussion to what she felt were four essential
elements of the bill. First would be signage: How extensive? How much would signage cost? Secondly
who would be responsible for enforcing the bill? Third, was training: Who would train those who may
be exempted: HAM radio operators? GPS users?
Henry Davis said given these questions it was all the more important the Mayor be involved. To that
end he asked the bill be continued until the next meeting on June 8th.
Before adjourning Karen White felt it important to hear from members of the public who had taken the
time to attend the meeting.
Three people were present, each wanting to lobby for an exemption for HAM radio operators. They
were David Kepple, Robert Irish and Linda Irish.
David Kepple spoke for the group. He is the Chief Radio Emergency Manager for St. Joseph County. His
role is to coordinate emergency public safety (PD, FD) communication during an emergency crisis.
When power may be lost disabling police and fire dispatch or the internet may be interrupted it would
fall to the HAM operators until power and normal emergency communications be restored. This critical
backup, including radio stations in each hospital, warranted exemptions for licensed HAM radio
operators.
Recognizing the importance of hearing from everyone concerned it was felt the bill should be
rescheduled for the June 22 meeting.
Karen adjourned the meeting at 5:14 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen White, Vice - Chairperson
Health & Public Safety Committee