04-23-18 Health and Public Safety

Home Browse Search

CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK Councilmember Dr. David Varner stated, I read and it says that of the fifty-seven (57) charges taken to the investigator, twenty (20) of the parties fought for more than one (1) protected class discrimination. So, does this mean there were a total of thirty-five (35)parties? Ms. DeRose replied, I don't know. That is a good question. Lonnie will be here this evening and he may be able to answer that for you. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston asked,If there is a complaint for housing discrimination or some discrimination with regard to something the City of South Bend is doing, can the South Bend Human Right's Commission investigate that?And if they can't, where do people go? Ms. DeRose replied, I think it would be perceived by the person who is being investigated that there is a conflict. If the individual asks the case is sent somewhere else, it is, and that would be to the Civil Rights Commission or the EEOC.Most of the time we encourage that because there could be that perception it wouldn't be treated fairly. We offer that as a recommendation to transfer that. Vice Committee Chair Voorde then opened the floor to members of the public wishing to speak in favor of or in opposition to the legislation. Will Smith, 728 Whitehall Drive, stated,I would like to speak in support of this. With the gathered information apparently a lot of what was contested was housing. I know Sacramento, currently, is taking suit against Wells Fargo for discriminating practices and maybe our City could look into doing the same. Ms. DeRose replied, The City looked into that earlier and there is a level of proof that is required before one could even file such a suit. That level of investigation has not been done but it is something we are looking at because housing is a priority and is hard to get after. Vice Committee Chair then turned the floor back to the Committee for further comment or main motion. Committeemember Davis made a motion to send Bill No. 18-17 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Committeemember White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of three (3) ayes. St. Joseph County Health Department Update Linda Mauller, Environmental Director for the St. Joseph County Health Department with offices on the 8ffi floor of the County-City Building, stated, I have several handouts for you. She provided four(4) handouts that are available in the City Clerk's Office. She continued, Councilmember Jo M. Broden contacted me and came to my office. We discussed many of these things and I will be telling you the same information. The first document relates to public and property nuisances. There are many things that people want us to investigate. There are things that are definitely not in the purview of the State Department of Health or the local Health Department. Things like poison ivy, drainage, accumulated junk, storm water retention ponds, rental disputes and other things are not within our purview or the State Department of Health. Health nuisances are described at the bottom and it says `A person shall not institute,permit, or maintain any conditions that may transmit, generate or promote disease.' That is the prime focus of what we do when EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1 227 W.Jefferson Bvld'1 South Bend.Indiana 46601 j p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 3