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206 <br />REGULAR MEETING <br />FEBRUARY 16. 1982 <br />Mr. Wadzinski explained that the routes as proposed range from a <br />length of five miles to 15 or 20 miles, and he stated that the <br />Rum Village route was the most versatile with many options <br />available because of the park area to be used and the surrounding <br />streets. <br />Mr. Hill wondered what the city's policy would be in handling <br />requests or particular groups wanting to hold neighborhood runs <br />for any reason. Captain Thomas Gargis of the Police Traffic <br />Division stated that, if a request was received for a specific. <br />reason to hold a run or race in a particular neighborhood or <br />some other area than the above three routes, the request would <br />be reviewed and a charge possibly made for additional manpower <br />if it was needed. Mr. Hill emphasized that the Board would not <br />want to automatically disapprove such requests, but wanted to <br />consider the possibility of utilizing a route requested by the <br />sponsoring organization if it was determined the route was <br />basically safe and additional expenses would not be incurred <br />for manpower. Mr. Wadzinski cautioned that the city might be <br />subjecting itself to a situation that may not be as safe as it <br />could be if one of the above three routes was not utilized. Mr. <br />Thomas Burzynski, a representative of the March of Dimes which <br />traditionally holds a Superwalk every year, questioned whether <br />or not the policy would apply to walk-a-thons. Mr. Wadzinski <br />stated that the walk-a-thons and bike-a-thons are usually not <br />timed events and the participants normally utilize the sidewalks <br />wherever possible and obey traffic signals. Therefore, such <br />requests would not be affected, and any routes submitted would be <br />reviewed. A representative from the YMCA spoke in reference to the <br />Broadway Christian Parish road run held last year, and questioned <br />whether the city officials were mostly concerned about safety <br />factors at the start or finish of these types of races. Mr. <br />Wadzinski stated that safety along the entire route must be <br />considered; however, the start and finish of the races were <br />most critical because any time there is an interruption of <br />vehicular flow, there is a risk of an accident occurring. Captain <br />Gargis stated that, in past years, no problems have been encountered <br />with the Broadway Christian Parish race; however, numerous inter- <br />sections are used which must be manned. Mr. Wadzinski pointed <br />out that he was concerned primarily about the finish lines of <br />these races and stated that they would be closely reviewed and <br />monitored. Captain Gargis explained that an average cost of <br />between $12 and $13 per hour per officer on duty is incurred. <br />Mr. Wadzinski stated that, when possible volunteers are used; <br />however, there is a problem in utilizing volunteers because many <br />times they do not show up. Captain Gargis explained that the <br />Civil Defense people, REACT and Weather Watch have provided the <br />city with invaluable assistance in the past. Mr. Dean Reinke <br />from the St. Joseph's Hospital Sports Medicine Program, commended <br />Mr. Wadzinski and Captain Gargis for their help in the past and <br />also that of the volunteer groups. He stated that his organization <br />has identified a possible 24 races which could be held in the <br />community, and he felt a standard route would be helpful since <br />it appeared such requests would be increasing. He stated that <br />the Sports Med Program sponsored a race last year and over 1,600 <br />runners participated. He referred to the Michiana Lung Run 'which <br />is held each year which, last year, involved over 1,000 runners. <br />He appreciated the financial problems posed to the city as a result <br />of these races and understood that safety was a most important <br />factor which must be taken into consideration. <br />Mr. Wadzinski pointed out that re-constructionwork would be <br />starting in the spring on the Colfax Bridge which would mean only <br />two bridges left open running into and out of the downtown area. <br />He stated that no deviation from the Howard Park route would be <br />permitted which would cross one of those two bridges remaining <br />open. Ms. Kathy Peas from the American Lung Association stated <br />that this year would be the fourth year for the annual Michiana <br />Lung Run, and her group was impressed with the cooperation it had <br />1 <br />