11/02/1981 Board of Public Works Minutes

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115 REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 1981 necessitated because of severe damage caused to it by recent heavy rains. He stated that funds have been appropriated for this purpose. Upon a motion made by Mr. Leszczynski, seconded by Mr. Hill and carried, the request to advertise for bids was approved and the title sheet signed. APPROVE REQUEST TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS - SALE OF ABANDONED VEHICLES Mr. Leszczynski stated that, in accordance with the Cou.ncil's newly adopted ordinance dealing with abandoned vehicles, the disposal of said vehicles would be handled by the Board of Works rather than the Board of Safety as had previously been done. He submitted a request from Katherine Barnard, Director of the Neighborhood Code Enforcement Office, for the sale of 17 abandoned vehicles, 13 of which were valued at over $100.. He advised that all the vehicles have been stored at Steve and Gene's Impoundment Lot, 3109 South Gertrude Street, for more than the required 30 days, identification checks have been run for auto theft, and the owners and lien holders have been notified. Upon a motion made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Kernan and carried, the request to advertise for bids was approved, with sealed bids to be received on November 16, 1981. PUBLIC HEARINGS SET FOR STREET AND ALLEY VACATIONS ON NOVEMBER 9, 1981 Q Mr. Leszczynski explained that as of September 1, 1981, the date on which the Home Town Rule became effective, the Common Council would have jurisdiction on all street and alley vacations. Accordingly, the Council adopted an ordinance setting forth procedures to handle the vacations which consisted of the Board of Works submitting a recommendation to the Council concerning each vacation. Mr. Leszczynski suggested that, in order for the Board to provide the Council with a thorough recommendation, public hearings be scheduled before the Board so that considera- tion could be given to all the affects of the proposed vacations on abutting properties. He stated that, in addition, comments would be forthcoming to the Board from the Engineering Department, Area Plan Commission and Community Development Department concerning the vacations. Upon a motion made by Mr. Leszczynski, seconded by Mr. Hill and carried, public hearings were scheduled for Monday, November 9, 1981, at 9:30 a.m., for the vacation of a portion of Sunnymede Avenue,, -and George Avenue and surrounding alleys in the Monroe -Sample Development Area. The Clerk was instructed to mail certified notices to abutting property owners. Mr. Stephen Drendall, a petitioner for the vacation of a portion of Sunnymede Avenue, stated that he had been advised that the Engineering Department would be making a preliminary unfavorable recommendation to the Board concerning that vacation. He asked that members of the Engineering Department make an inspection of the property to see the existing use of same rather than considering a recommendation simply by referring to the plat maps. He felt that the petition, in light of what has happened to the surrounding property, should be considered favorably. Mr. Leszczynski stated that, regardless of the current physical condition of the property, the vacation ofonly a portion of Sunnymede Avenue would create a dead-end of a public street and could possibly adversely affect future property owners. Mr. Drendall stated that it appeared some lots would be.land- locked, but, in reality,they would not be. Mr. Leszczynski explained that that was the purpose of the Board scheduling a public hearing on the matter. He stated that the Board wanted to thoroughly review the petition and receive comments from affected property owners before submitting its recommendation to the Common Council.