08/01/77 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 1, 1977 seconded by Mr. Brunner and .carried, -the -.letter was ordered filed. Mr. McMahon reported that, following a meeting with hospital representatives and R. J. Ludwick, of the Park Avenue Neighborhood Association, the Board received a letter from Attorney Bruce Hammerschmidt committing the hospital to provide screening on Navarre Street, from Lafayette Blvd. to the alley, and Bartlett Street, from Lafayette to Main, with four -foot high webbed cyclone fencing and to complete the screening on Lafayette Street with fence or hedge. Mr. McMahon said the Board had requested clarification regarding the screening on Lafayette since it was their understanding this would all be green hedge. Mr. Hammerschmidt said the hospital had requested this alternative because of the topography of the land where the screening is to continue. It is narrow with slopes and the hospital is concerned about maintaining the bank with hedge planting. There also were complaints about the headlights of cars in the lot and they felt this webbed fence would conceal the lights better than a hedge. Mr. McMahon said he has inspected the property and it does drop down in that location. He said the Board was inter- ested in seeing that the hospital modify its commitment to provide a hedge on Lafayette. Mr. Hammerschmidt said the hospital was concerned with holding costs down and they would have a problem maintaining hedge plantings. Mr. McMahon said the Board is aware that cost is a consideration but still makes the request that hedges be continued on Lafayette. Mr. Mullen asked about the cost involved. Mr. R. W. Trenkner, Hospital Administrator, said fencing would cost about $10.00 a foot and shrubbery would cost about $75.00 per plant without any retaining wall. Shrubs would also require maintenance costs for trimming and watering. Mr. Hammerschmidt said the hospital has tried to cooperate with the Board in what was asked of them, but said this is not a requirement of the ordinance. They have gone along with the request of the neighborhood association on Bartlett Street but feel they should have the option of hedge of fence in the remaining area on Lafayette. Mr. Brunner asked Mr. Hammerschmidt if the Board had agreement now that the screening on Lafayette would be shrubbery. Mr. Hammerschmidt said they would go along with the Board's wishes, although they would prefer having the option. Mr. Mullen asked what kind of shrubbery was used at $75.00 per plant. Mr. Trenker said the hospital has used honeysuckle and mock orange and the plants installed must be four feet high. Mr. Ludwick said the Park Avenue Neighborhood Association would be satisfied with a privet hedge on Lafayette and on Navarre and could then forego the screening on Bartlett. Mr. McMahon then pointed out that Mr. Ludwick was present at the meeting with the hospital representatives on July 25 at which time it was agreed that the hospital would complete the hedge screening on Lafayette and install fencing on Navarre and Bartlett. Mr. Ludwick said he was present but did not agree to this but took the information back to his association. Mr. McMahon said he took exception to Mr. Ludwick's statement that he did not agree to the conditions discussed and said Mr. Ludwick did not make any objection to the type of fencing proposed by the hospital at that meeting and it was agreed those conditions would be pursued. Mr. Ludwick said he did agree to further discussion. Mr. McMahon asked Mr. Ludwick to clarify his position on screening. Mr. Ludwick said if the hospital would agree to green shrubbery on Lafayette and on Navarre, from the alley to Lafayette, they would forego any screening on Bartlett. Mr. McMahon asked Mr. Hammerschmidt if the hospital would agree to this. Mr. Hammerschmidt said the hospital would like to eliminate the fencing on Bartlett but to put hedges on Navarre would present a problem as this area is already paved. Fencing could be installed on the pavement but hedge planting would require tearing up the pavement. Mr. Trenkner pointed out that any additional costs must be passed on to the patients and must also be approved by the North Central Hospital Association. He said it should be noted that this is a community hospital - the largest charity in the area. It employs over one thousand people. He said he did not like to hear reports that the hospital could spend an unlimited amount of money with no trouble. Mr. Brunner said the Board was acting