05-26-15 Health and Public Safety

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HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY MAY 26, 2015 4:45 P.M. Committee Members Present: Derek Dieter (xab), Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White, Valerie Schey (xab) Citizen Members Present: Bob Emery (ab) Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis, Oliver Davis (xab), Gavin Ferlic Dr. David Varner (xab) Others Present: Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, David Kepple, Robert Irish, Linda Irish Agenda: Bill No. 22 -15 Amend Chapter 19— Addressing Tall Grass, Weeds, Noxious Weeds and Rank or Overgrown Vegetation Bill No. 15 -35 Resolution Recommending Local Youth with Working Opportunities for Summer of 2015 Bill No. 18 -15 Hand Held Electronic Communication Devices While Driving Despite the lack of a quorum, Vice -Chair Karen White opened the meeting of the Health & Public Safety Committee with three bills on the agenda. Karen announced that the first two bills on the agenda, 22 -15 and 15 -35 would be continued until the June 8th meeting at the request of the petitioner. The other item on the agenda, bill 18 -15, was also sponsored by Councilman Henry Davis. This bill would ban hand -held electronic devices from being used while driving. The meeting opened with the presenter Henry Davis, expressing frustration that no one from the police or legal departments were present to offer comment. Henry had specifically asked they be notified of this review. He wondered if the administration was even interested in being involved with the bill. Gavin Ferlic came to the city administrations defense suggesting Henry might try one on one meetings with department heads. Dr. Fred Ferlic chimed in suggesting Henry had not done his homework. Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski - Farrand turned the discussion to what she felt were four essential elements of the bill. First would be signage: How extensive? How much would signage cost? Secondly who would be responsible for enforcing the bill? Third, was training: Who would train those who may be exempted: HAM radio operators? GPS users? Henry Davis said given these questions it was all the more important the Mayor be involved. To that end he asked the bill be continued until the next meeting on June 8th.