08-22-16 Health and Public Safety

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OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK KAREEMAH FOWLER, CITY CLERK HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY AUGUST 22, 2016 5:05 P.M. Committee Members Present: John Voorde, Karen L. White, Oliver Davis, Jo M. Broden Dr. Fred Ferlic (Citizen Member) Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic, Randy Kelly, Regina Williams- Preston Others Present: Kareemah Fowler, Joseph Molnar, Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Adriana Rodriguez Agenda: Lawn Cutting Update, Randy Wilkerson — Director of Code Enforcement Committee Chair John Voorde called the Health and Public Safety Committee to order with one (1) item on the agenda. Lawn Cutting Update, Randy Wilkerson — Director of Code Enforcement Randy Wilkerson, Director of Code Enforcement with offices on the 13th Floor of the County - City Building, gave an update on the lawn cutting program. Mr. Wilkerson distributed some pamphlets related to Code Enforcement and the services they provide. They are trying to improve relationships with the community and this is a good first step. The pamphlets are on file with the City Clerk's Office. Last year we analyzed the failures of the lawn cutting program and looked for possible solutions. One (1) of the big issues was last year Accela was not up and running which really put us behind as well as a lot of spring rain. We are still working on Accela but it is working much better than in 2015. We also determined that we never used the continuance enforcement properly. We are now starting that process at the beginning of spring and looking at those six hundred (600) some properties that are on continual enforcement and have their cuttings built into the schedule. At the end of last year, Code Enforcement also invested in more tractors which help cut the grass faster and give us a better presence in the neighborhoods. Another big change this year was Public Works put out a bid for all properties that are not related to Parks. That took a big burden off of Code Enforcement. Mr. Wilkerson reported that they have received fewer complaints this year from residents and Code Enforcement is responding to neighbors' complaints faster. We have a ten (10) day 455 County -City Building • 227 W. Jefferson Boulevard • South Bend, Indiana 46601 Phone 574- 235 -9221 • Fax 574- 235 -9173 • TDD 574- 235 -5567 • www.SouthBendfN.gov JENNIFER M. COFFMAN ALKEYNA M. ALDRIDGE JOSEPH.MOLNAR CHIEF DEPUTY/ CHIEF OF STAFF DEPUTY/ DIRECTOR OF POLICY ORDINANCE VIOLATION CLERK