10-24-05 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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Health and Public Safety Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The October 24, 2005 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee was called to order at 4:52 p.m. by its Chairperson, Council Member Karen L. White, in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Pfeifer, Dieter, Kuspa, Rouse, Kirsits, Puzzello, White, and Varner; Mayor Stephen Luecke, Citizen Member Martha Lewis, Assistant City Attorney Ann-Carol Nash, City Attorney Charles Leone, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Mrs. Kopola, Executive Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development, Mikki Dobski-Schidler, Keith Sweitzer, Rick Ruzkowski, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney,and Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune. Council Member White noted that the Committee members include Council Members Rouse, Varner,Kuspa and herself. Council Member White noted that Bill No. 70-05 which would amend Chapter 13 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing noise regulations will be continued until the November 14th Council meeting. This will allow additional meetings with the Legal Department,the Ordinance Violations Bureau, the Police Department and the Council. She stated that if the Council Members have any questions or concerns that they should contact her. Council Member White noted that the next item on the agenda is a discussion on the proposed safe street ordinance. She stated that she received a memo dated October 14, 2005 from Assistant City Attorney Ann-Carol Nash requesting this to be heard. Assistant City Attorney Ann-Carol Nash noted that she is working with the City Attorney to address concerns where people are at busy intersections often soliciting money for good causes. She noted that there are state laws in place which address the obstruction of traffic. The police department believes that regulations are needed based on public safety concerns. It is her intent to contact charitable organizations to see how many use this for fund-raising purposes. Mr. Leone stated that this practice has been "going on for a while", and that he supports the proposal. The Council Attorney inquired when the process changed, noting that in the past only those charitable organizations who received permission from the Board of Public Works at designated locations with proper reflective vests, etc. were allowed. All others where prohibited and stopped by the police department. Mr. Gilot stated that when requests come to the Board of Public Works, the Board no longer approves them,however they continue to take place. Council Member White suggested looking at the current legislation to see what enforcement mechanism now exist and what follow through there has been. She then inquired about the proposed time line. October 24,2005 Health and Public Safety Committee of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -page 1-