04/02/84 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING. APRIL 2, 1984 APPROVE RECOMMENDATION - PETITION REGARDING DISSATISFACTION WITH INSTALLATION OF NEW STREET LIGHTS (4000 BLOCK ST. JOHNS WAY & 1300.BLOCK WOODBINE WAY) Mr. Leszczynski advised that pursuant to a Petition filed with the Board on March 19, 1984, which Councilwoman Eugenia Braboy received from the residents of the 4000 block of St. Johns Way and the 1300 block of Woodbine Way concerning their dissatisfaction with the new lighting installed in their neighborhoods, it is his recom- mendation and that of the Bureau of Traffic and Lighting that the three (3) street lights in question be replaced with the next highest high pressure bulb fixture generating more light. Upon a motion made by Mr. Leszczynski, seconded by Mr. Vance and carried, the above recommendation was accepted and approved. DISCUSSION CONCERNING DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF STATE HIGHWAYS AND CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND CLAIMS BECAUSE OF THE CONDITION Mr. Sean Watt, Manager, Bureau of Transportation, was present at the meeting and addressed members of the Board concerning recent letters to the Editor appearing in the South Bend Tribune regarding the condition of streets in South Bend. Mr. Watt explained that citizens are not distinguishing between City maintained streets and state maintained streets and consequently the City Attorney's office is receiving notices of claims for damage done to vehicles on streets that should be maintained by the state. Mr. Watt advised that as most of the state highways are entrance ways into the City, the City has spent numerous hours repairing state highways. He further stated that pleas have been made to the state to repair the roads but they have not responded. Using a map for illustration, Mr. Watt pointed out that the state highways that come into the City and which the City has done some repair work on. Those highways include Business District 31/33, US 20, Ind. 23 and Western Avenue. He advised that the problem the state is experiencing is lack of funding to make the needed repairs. Mr. Hill reiterated Mr. Watt's comments in that it is very difficult to get into the City without using a state highway and when citizens do experience problems they do not distinguish between City and state highways. Mr. Watt indicated that his office has tried to direct people to the right source when they experience damage or have complaints and have referred people to the Plymouth and LaPorte District offices. Mr. Vance inquired if the Governor's office should be contacted to be encouraged to allocate monies to repair the highways. Mr. Watt advised that the state highways are in a very bad state of deteriora- tion and that the state is not spending a lot of money of them. He indicated that having citizens communicate their concerns with the Governor's office would be a good idea. Echoing those sentiments, the Board indicated that the citizens of South Bend need to be made aware of the situation and encouraged citizens to contact the Governor's office to voice their concerns about the condition of the state highways coming into and running through the City. APPROVE REQUEST OF VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE U.S. TO CONDUCT POPPY DAY SALES (MAY 19 & 20, 1984) Mr. Leszczynski advised that Mr. Ralph-J. Wadzinski, Manager, Bureau of Traffic and Lighting has reviewed the request of the Veterans of Foreign Wars submitted to the Board on March 26, 1984 and recommends approval. Upon a motion made by Mr. Leszczynski, seconded by Mr. Hill and carried, the above request was approved. 1 Fj 1