HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 Annual Report - Health and Public Safety 2015 Health and Public Safety Committee
Annual Report PUBLIC
SAFETY
South Bend Common Council
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Date: November 19, 2015 IN.
To: The South Bend Common Council
The Office of the City Clerk
From: Council Member Derek D. Dieter
Health and Public Safety Committee Chairperson
I am pleased to file the following 2015 Health and Public Safety Committee Annual Report. It is a
summary of some of the key activities of the Common Council's Health and Public Safety Committee
which fulfills the requirement of § 2-10 (i) of the South Bend Municipal Code.
Duties: The Health and Public Safety Committee is charged with "overseeing the many activities
performed by the Department of Code Enforcement, EMS, Fire Department, Police Department,
ordinance violations and related health and public safety issues".
Members: There were four (4) Council Members and one (1) citizen member this year serving on this
Standing Committee, namely:
Council Member Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson
Council Member Karen L. White, Vice-Chairperson
Council Member Dr. Fred Ferlic, Member
Council Member Valerie Schey, Member
Citizen Member Robert Emery
Meetings: The Health and Public Safety Committee has always been one of the more active Council
Standing Committees, in light of the subject matter it is charged with overseeing. If we include next
Monday's Health and Public Safety Committee meeting which is scheduled to meet at 4:45 pm, this
committee will have met twenty-seven (27) times this year. That number is the same as the number I
reported in last year's Health and Public Safety Committee Annual Report. Of the 27 committee meetings
this year, five (5) were joint meetings held with another Council committee.
Summary of 2015 Committee Activities: Similar to the many public safety concerns which were a priority
for the Committee last year, this year's key topics and discussions focused on:
• Recapping the priorities of the Committee in 2014
• The continuing need to focus on the"quality of life issues in neighborhoods"
2015 Annual Report of the Health and Public Safety Committee
November 19,2015
Page 2
• The continuing need to press for enforcement by the Administration on "quality of life issues in
neighborhoods"especially focusing on illegal dumping,graffiti and lawn parking to see how many
citations have been issued and how many have been paid thru OVB
• Amending the South Bend Municipal Code to address vacant building maintenance and
registration requirements proposed in Bill No. 59-14
• Discussion on the Healthcare Clinic for City Employees which was reported at the February 23,
2015 committee meeting to be"up and running by October 151" of this year
• Discussion of residential composting regulations addressed in Bill No. 05-15
• Discussion of the "Drive Now, Text L8R" Campaign to raise awareness regarding the use of the
negative effects of using electronic devices while driving
• Discussion of moped regulations and the new state law pre-empting local regulations
• Discussion of tall grass/weed abatement pilot program which would also provide youth with
working opportunities
• Preliminary discussion of a municipal photo ID program which would warrant a "...series of
discussions with input from the entire community"
• Discussion on amending the City's tall grass regulations in the interest of greater efficiency,
fairness, improved implementation and enforcement
• Multiple meetings where public safety and employee concerns and issues were shared related to
the 911 Call Center and Public Safety Communication Systems (PSAP). Concerns and discussion
regarding compliance with Indiana Code § 36-8-16.5, addressing limitations on the number of
PSAPs in a county after December 31, 2014; exceptions, required Inter-local Agreement;, and
amendments to such an agreement
• Discussions on concerns regarding increased instances of both passive and aggressive
panhandling; as well gang violence and prostitution; ShotSpotter
• Discussion of ongoing concerns regarding enforcement and in particular quality of life regulations
• Multiple discussions on noise complaints and enforcement of local regulations
2015 Annual Report of the Health and Public Safety Committee
November 19,2015
Page 3
It was noted in last year's Health and Public Safety Committee Annual Report, and remains true this year,
South Bend City residents continue to see health and public safety issues as their top priorities.
Most if not all of the topic discussed this year, I believe warrant continued and ongoing discussions and
timely updates of relevant information, if there is going to be sustainable improvement or greater success
in each of these highlighted areas. Thank you.
Respeo Ily sub itted,
Council Me • ler Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee