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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 Annual Report - Health & Public Safety CommitteeDate: December 22, 2008 To: The South Bend Common Council The Office of the City Clerk From: Karen L. White, Chairperson Health & Public Safety Committee South Bend Municipal Code 2:20 (1) stated that "...Each standing committee shall report periodically to the Common Council with an annual committee report highlighting activities of the past year..." The following is a summary of the activities and accomplishments of the Health & Public Safety Committee for 2008. The report will also list recommendations for the upcoming year. Health & Public Safety Committee Duties: Oversees the various activities performed by the Fire and Police Departments, EMS, Department of Code Enforcement, ordinance violations, and related health and public safety matters. Committee Members: o Karen L. White, Chairperson o Ann Puzzello, Vice-Chairperson o Henry Davis, Jr., Member o Derek D. Dieter, Member o Pamela Brunette, Citizen Member o Donald J. Brubaker, Citizen Member The Health & Public Safety Committee held an organizational meeting February 2008, to outline the committee's agenda as well as to ascertain priorities for the current year. The following are concerns/activities that the committee determined it would review. • Review of Quality of Life Ordinances o Overview of the Quality of Life Review Process May 14, 2008 o Scrape, Precious Metals, Junk Regulations June 18, 2008 o Graffiti July 16, 2008 o Yard Parking o Animal Control August 20, 2008 September 17, 2008 Series of District Committee Meetings Two Meetings were held The purpose of the District meeting was to provide an opportunity to hear from the citizens. • Need to become more transparent in our actions and discussions Appointment of the Council's Advisory Negotiating Teams for wage negotiations with the South Bend Firefighter's Association Local No. 362 of the International Association of Firefighters and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge No. 36 • The creation of a Health & Public Safety Committee Calendar Summary of Committee's Activities: On November 28, 2007, a letter was sent to Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, highlighting implementation and enforcement results of seventeen (17) quality of life ordinances for calendar year 2006 and 2007. Also provided were: • 2006 & 2007 Summaries of monies collected and monies outstanding • 2006 Summary of Quality of Life Ordinances listing the SBMC, Ordinance Number, Fines & Penalties Established, Reporting Requirements, #3 of citations issued, $ amount of fines paid and $ amount of fines outstanding • 2007 Summary of Quality of Life Ordinances listing the SMBC, Ordinance Number, Fines & Penalties Established, Reporting Requirements, # of citations issued, $ amount of fines paid and $ amount of fines outstanding. All council members were given this information in a detailed chart which reflected that as of November 14, 2007 there was a total of $103, 092 in outstanding fines not collected. This information established one of the agenda items for the Health & Public Safety Committee for 2008. In addition, 8 mechanisms were established to address ordinances implementation and enforcement. (Please refer to November 28, 20071etter to Mayor Luecke). Special Meetings were held regarding the following: • Harter Heights Residents Public Safety Concerns • Update Hotel Motel Licensing Bill • South Bend Community Schools: Crossing Guards Recommendations: • Districts Public Safety Committee 3Vleetings I believe that it is important to complete the remaining District Public Safety Committee meetings. The need for transparency and hosting meetings within the various districts is of utmost importance as we continue to articulate to our citizens the importance of Police Safety within our community. • Quality of Life Final Report A complete report regarding the quality of life ordinances meetings along with recommendations should be completed and disseminated by March 2009. • Budget Discussions If public safety is the top priority for our community/city than we must begin discussions as soon as possible regarding how this priority will be reflected with our budget especially in light of the impact of HB 1001. These discussions should reflect short and long range impacts. • Drafting of Proposed Health & Public Safety Legislation o No cells phones within school zones Respectfully submitted by Karen L. White, Chair Health & Public Safety Committee F'i~~~ tt~ ~~~~•tc's C;e1 ~ ~G 2 2 2608 JOFIN VOORDE CITY CCERK, ~0. BEND, IN.