12/07/1981 Board of Public Works Minutes

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14'7 REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 7, 1981 of abutting landowners, and it was his opinion that, in order to be an abutting property owner, the properties must actually touch or come together. He advised that properties which are separated by a public street, alley or right-of-way are not abutting within the meaning of the statutes. It was noted that Mr. Willemin was the owner of property located at 615 Clinton Street, which abutted the city -owned lot. To the rear of the city -owned lot and on the other side of this property, public alleys abutted. Mr. Hill stated that the city's offering price, or appraisal price, ,for the property in question was $630.00, and the only bid received was in the amount of $153.00 from the sole abutting property owner. He stated that the Board had met all legal requirements concerning the sale of the property. In accordance with the statutes, the Board needed to determine that the highest and best use for the property would be its sale to an abutting property owner. Mr. Hill stated that Mr. Willemin was anxious to conclude the nego- tiation of this sale since he was anticipating having a house moved from the Monroe -Sample Development Area onto the property in question, and he was, therefore, awaiting the city's acceptance d. of his offer. Upon a motion made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Kernan and carried, Mr. Willemin's offer in the amount of (29 $153.00 for the purchase of the above property was accepted, and the matter referred to the Legal Department for drafting Q of the appropriate purchase agreements and deed of conveyance. PUBLIC HEARING - VACATION OF PORTION OF LATHROP STREET (MICHIANA REGIONAL AIRPORT) It was noted that, in order for the Board to submit a recommenda- tion to the Common Council concerning a petition filed to vacate a portion of Lathrop Street by the St. Joseph County Airport Authority, a public hearing had been scheduled at this time, thus giving the Board an opportunity to hear any opposition to the proposed vacation. It was further noted that notices had been sent to affected property owners advising them of the public hearing. Fire Chief Timothy J. Brassell raised certain questions about future use of the property and expressed concern over the potential delay of fire response to the area west of the airport if Lathrop Street was closed. He stated that fire apparatus could be routed to the site from Fire Station No. 11 utilizing Cleveland Road; however, there could be delays encountered in getting additional equipment from any of the other stations. Mr. Leszczynski stated that the Community Development Department and Area Plan Commission had no objections to the vacation since it was in keeping with the land use and development plan for the airport property. He indicated that the only objection on the part of the Engineering Department was the fact that a dead-end would exist; however, the airport was willing to construct a cul-de-sac on Lathrop immediately west of the entrance to the maintenance complex and the tower which would rectify the problem. It was noted that Mr. Gene Matthews of Burlington, Indiana, owner of a parcel of property in the immediate vicinity of the proposed vacation, objected to same. Upon a motion made by Mr. Leszczynski, seconded by Mr. Kernan and carried, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Leszczynski stated that, prior to rendering a recommendation to the Council, a meeting would be held with the Fire Chief, the Board of Works and members of the Airport Authority to discuss the chief's concern for fire safety in the area. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 26, 1981 - RENEWALS OF SCRAP DEALERS' LICENSES RESOLUTION NO. 26, 1981 WHEREAS, license renewal applications for scrap and junk dealers for the year 1982 have been received by the Board of Public Works; and