06-22-15 Health and Public Safety

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HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY JUNE 22, 2015 5:15 P.M. Committee Members Present: Derek Dieter, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White, Valerie Schey Citizen Members Present: Bob Emery (AB) Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis (XAB), Oliver Davis, Gavin Ferlic, Dr. David Varner Others Present: Chris Darden, Tim Baker, Valerie Mora, Randy Rompala, John Murphy Agenda: Bill No. 22 -15 Amend Chapter 19 Addressing Tall Grass Bill No. 15 -35 Encourage Youth Employment to Cut Grass Bill No. 18 -15 Ban use of Hand -Held Electronics while Driving Bill No. 15 -53 Approve First Amendment to PSAP Agreement The Health & Public Safety Committee was called to order by Chairman Derek Dieter with full membership attending. Four bills were listed for consideration. The first and second on the agenda, bills 22 -15 and 15 -35 addressed the tall grass regulations along with abatement measures. The bills were co- sponsored by Councilmembers Tim Scott, Karen White, and Dr. Fred Ferlic. Generally speaking these bills could be considered ones that are aimed at improving the quality of life in neighborhoods. Quality of life issues are a stated priority for the Council. More specifically the pesky recurrent problem of tall grass is addressed in these two bills. Bill 22 -15 primarily authored by Tim Scott proposed regulations that place costs incurred by the City for mowing lots not in compliance would be borne by the property owner not the taxpayers. Any recovered costs would then be applied to other neighborhood services. Tim who made the presentation (supplements attached) said the fee structure was designed to be escalating for property owners who ignore non - compliance regulations. This continuous enforcement approach was drawn from "best practices" of other communities. After considerable discussion mostly regarding the $250.00 base fine Tim yielded to Karen White to present bill 15 -35. She explained that this resolution was meant to create summer employment opportunities and life skills training for City youth. Business and organizations could be part of a program to hire youth for long grass abatement along with teaching life skills through youth mentoring. Tim Baker from the Holladay Corporation spoke in support of the concept. He said youth could earn $10.00 an hour learning to work hard, while developing a positive attitude and learning responsibility. All the while lots would be maintained controlling a too often frequent eyesore in neighborhoods. Oliver Davis has a problem with the concept feeling monies had already been appropriated in the City budget to address this problem. He implied department heads had either not asked the Council for