09-09-13 Common Council Meeting Mintues

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 BILL NO. 49-13 FIRST READING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 16, ARTICLES 2 AND 4 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROHIBIT PLASTIC BAGS FOR YARD WASTE This bill had first reading. Councilmember Dieter made a motion to refer this bill to the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee and set for Public Hearing and Third Reading on September 23, 2014. Councilmember Scott seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Councilmember Oliver Davis handed out information regarding St. Joseph County Vote Centers. He stated that he is the representative for the South Bend Common Council on the Vote Center meetings and last week there was a public hearing regarding the proposed vote centers. The State Law says that for a county our size that we have about 20 locations, as you see currently we 39 locations. He stated that they are having a meeting this coming Wednesday to talk about satellite locations. Satellite locations would be available 28 days prior to election, where you can go around the county and vote. He stated that one of the two handouts shows the current locations that have been designated as proposed vote center locations as of September 5, 2013. He stated that the second hand out is a pamphlet of Voter Center’s frequently asked questions and answers. He asked the Council to review the handouts and feel free to contact him with any questions or concerns. He will forward them onto the committee for their consideration. He stated that there will be another meeting and from that meeting the findings will be sent to the St. Joseph County Election Board to make a decision. The St. Joseph County Council will then have to vote on whether to fund it or not. The plan is to begin using vote centers in 2014, if all goes accordingly. He stated that there are maps with the locations hanging outside of the Council Chambers for review. He noted that 2015 is a City Election, so there will be changes to those vote center locations given the nature that only city residents are able to vote in that election. He asked everyone to review the plan and urged them to make comments. Councilmember Valerie Schey advised that she would like to give an update on the South Bend Animal Care & Control Special Committee. She stated that like so much of our Municipal Code, Chapter 5 has been cobbled together and over time this makes it both difficult for our residents to read and understand as for our officers to enforce. She stated that the goal of the South Bend Animal Care & Control Special Committee is to clean up the language by using Fort Wayne’s Chapter as a model and our foundation. She stated that Fort Wayne’s Animal Care & Control Program is widely recognized throughout the state for their innovative programs & policies. Fort Wayne’s chapter has been actively managed & updated over the years. Their chapter reflects many of the changes that have been made to Indiana Code on this subject as well as it corrects for many of the legal challenges that other municipalities have tonight and lost. Our committee has met 6 times and has completed 11 sections. The process has been slow and deliberate. She stated that they have been working closely with the administration and thanked Councilmembers Scott, Oliver Davis and Henry Davis, Jr., for attending their meetings and to Matt Harmon, Director, South Bend Animal Care & Control, Brad Block, South Bend Animal Care & Control Senior Control Officer, Cecil Eastman, Financial Analyst for South Bend Animal Care & Control and Ann-Carol Nash, Assistant City Legal Counsel for South Bend Animal Care & Control for their ongoing assistance and support. She stated that it is her hope that through this rewrite we will see a reduction in the number of animals impounds and increase in enforcement and a reduction of animals euthanized at the shelter. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR 17