HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-08-16 Health and Public SafetyHEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY FEBRUARY 8, 2016 4:50 P.M.
Committee Members Present: John Voorde, Karen White, Oliver Davis, Jo Broden
Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Dr. Varner, Gavin Ferlic,
Regina Williams- Preston
Others Present: Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand, Adriana Rodriguez,
Jennifer Coffinan, Joe Molnar
Agenda: Sue Kesim, AARP Representative, Presentation
Bill No. 05 -16 — Approving fees for nuisance abatement
Bill No. 06 -16 — Approving fees for securing and
Demolishing structures
John Voorde, Chair of the Health & Public Safety Committee, called the meeting to order with
two bills for consideration.
Due to a request from Randy Wilkerson, Director of Code Enforcement, Chairperson John
Voorde entertained a motion to continue Bills 05 -16 and 06 -16 until February 22nd 2016. So
moved by Councilmember Karen White and seconded by Councilmember Regina Williams -
Preston which carried by a voice vote of four ayes.
Sue Kesim, an AARP Representative, gave a presentation on the status of seniors in South Bend.
She highlighted the reluctance of seniors to leave their homes because of fear relating to the high
violence in the area. She also stated many seniors are unhappy with the city spending millions of
dollars on the Smart Streets projects and think that money should have been spent hiring more
police officers. She quoted studies that show South Bend is short seventeen police officers
relating to the crime in the city. She also claimed South Bend is in the bottom three percent
nationwide in crime per capita.
Hope Sibley Vollmer, representing the new Miami Village Neighborhood Association, spoke to
the Committee regarding the excess speed of cars through her neighborhood and throughout the
city. She claimed the cars use her neighborhood as a racing circuit and also cited other roads
such as Ironwood where people blatantly do not follow the speed limit. She asked the Committee
to look into establishing a Traffic Division to better monitor traffic in South Bend.
Chairperson John Voorde gave the remaining time of the Committee to Councilmember Dr.
Varner, Chairperson of the Utilities Committee.
Councilmember Dr. Varner reported that the Utilities Committee will be looking into water rates.
Coming up will also be a meeting regarding the federally mandated Public Works Project that
will cost approximately six - hundred million dollars when it is finished. Councilmember Dr.
Varner said that meeting would take place early in March and asked the members of the Utilities
Committee to attend that meeting. Anew sewer rate increase is also expected to come up some
time this year as there really is no idea yet of how the city is going to pay for a project this size.
He stated TIF money may be needed to pay for a part of this project and he distributed a letter
from Mayor Dave Wood of Mishawaka that explains how Mishawaka is using TIF money to pay
for a large portion of their part.
With no further business before the Committee, Chairperson John Voorde adjourned the meeting
at 5:12 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Voorde, Chairper on