04-19-10 Health & Public Safety Committee

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6~~ t`~jI~-.. ~.t ~"4'~•• HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE 4-19-10 The April 19, 2010 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Karen L. White at 7:00 p.m. at South Bend Fire Department Station #2, 402 M.L. King Drive, South Bend, Indiana Persons in attendance included: Committee Members: Ann Puzzello, Vice-Chairperson; Henry Davis, Citizen Member Valerie Schey Other Council Members Present: Derek Dieter, AI "Buddy" Kirsits Others Present: Phillip Byrd, Sherry Adams, Sidney Forester, Jr., Gert Doarling, Craig Bruce, Michael Novak, Gary Libbey, Catherine Toppel, Diana Hess, Noreen Dean-Moran, Marissa Scalia Sucosky, Phillip Sucosky, Anne Mannix, Rosalinda Leyva, Cindy Werner Agenda: Neighborhood Issues & Concerns Chairperson White opened the meeting by explaining to those in attendance that her Committee was here to listen to concerns on neighborhood residents. In particular Chairperson White called the meeting to respond to complaints voiced at the Council meeting on Monday, April 12, 2010. As well, the Health and Public Safety Committee has been rather aggressively addressing quality of life issues through a series of Councilmanic District meetings. The purpose is to help provide a safe, clean, stable neighborhood environment through the responsive and effective delivery of city services. The start and ultimate success of this effort depends upon citizen engagement. By listening, developing a fair and balanced assessment, and then working with the administration, appropriate remedial action, when necessary, can be implemented. Citizens and the Council should expect and settle for no less. After her opening remarks which also thanked attendees for coming and the SBFD for providing the place, Chairperson White asked fellow councilmember's to introduce themselves as they briefly made their own remarks. In particular, Henry Davis, who represents the area residents from whom the most recent complaints arose, spoke to the need for change that would deliver services in a more responsive and responsible manner. Turning to citizens attending the Health & Public Safety Committee heard first from Sidney Forester, from 215 Seebrit Place. Mr. Forester complained of safety concerns due to fast traffic on LaSalle off M.L. King Drive and poor lighting especially in the 900 block of LaSalle. He as well as Sherry Adams also complained about possible drug traffickers at 808 W. LaSalle. Sherry Adams went on to complain about vacant run-down houses. Councilmember, SBPD Officer Derek Dieter interjected asking residents to try to get additional information when suspicion of illegal activity is occurring. Information like make, model, license plate number, day, time would help build a case. He also urged residents to exercise caution and provided telephone number to call at the South Bend Police Department for a better response.