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HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE <br />2007 SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL <br />The December 19, 2007 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee of the South Bend <br />Common Council was called or order by its Chairperson, Councilmember Karen L. White at 5:30 <br />p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. <br />Persons in attendance included Councilmember's White, Puzzello, Kirsits and Dieter; Cary Levin, <br />David Mirkin, Gary Mentag, Mike Morris, Randy Schlipp, Joe Decamburn, Mike Critchlow, Rick <br />Bishop, SBPD, Ann Carol-Nash, Martha Lewis, Jamie Loo, South Bend Tribune. <br />Councilmember White began the meeting by explaining the purpose of the meeting. That is, to <br />focus on the scrap metal articles in the South Bend Tribune in the context of improving the 17 <br />quality of life ordinances in the City Code. To that end, Councilmember Karen had invited scrap <br />yard owners, the Police Department, and the City Legal Department to the meeting. <br />Councilmember White wanted to review the effectiveness of the ordinance taking testimony from <br />the affected parties. The players were at the table for a productive meeting. <br />Ann Carol-Nash, Deputy City Attorney, was called upon to present the city administration view. <br />She said enforcement of the ordinance while an improvement over past practice could be <br />improved by better communication between the SBPD and the yard owners. Both parties agreed. <br />Sgt. Critchlow commended the owners for their effort to comply with the paperwork required in <br />the bill. The owners spoke of the difficulty keeping up with the forms required. Councilmember <br />Puzzello asked how the forms and the process could be streamlined. Karen solicited input from <br />the owners as well as the legal department. The owners were happy to comply with the <br />opportunity. They suggested a shorter form, citing the state form as an example. Sgt. Critchlow <br />was supportive of their suggestions. Dave Mirkin, an attorney, for the owners made 4 points <br />suggested by the owners 1.) eliminating the ferrous requirement 2.) eliminating the thumb-print <br />requirement 3.) provision for a warning ticket and 4.) communicating a theft alert system for <br />owners. With agreement that the forms could be improved all agreed to work together to improve <br />the enforcement process. <br />Councilmember White adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m. <br />Respectfully Submitted: <br />~ ~`"~ <br />Karen L. White, Chairperson <br />Health and Public Safety Committee <br />F <br />