06/19/74 Board of Public Works Minutes

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125I I�� J 'Jr REGULAR MEETING JUNE 19, 1974 APPROVAL OF BLOCK PARTY The Bureau of Traffic and Lighting investigated a requestfor a Block Party in the 1700 block of North Adams Street and recommended approval, providing the residents meet the requirements of the Board regarding liability insurance and with the stipulation that there be no open fires on the street. Upon motion made,,seconded and carried, the Board approved the Block Party for Friday, June 28 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the 1700 block of North Adams Street, between Keller and Marquette, subject to proper insurance being filed with the Board and the restriction against fires. The Bureau of Traffic and Lighting will deliver barricades. REQUEST FOR STREET SERVICES A request was received from Rev. Henry Underwood to hold Street Services on Friday evenings at 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday evenings at 6:00 p.m. during July and August in the 200 block Pennsylvania, the 4600 block West Washington Street and the 200 Block Chicago Street. Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the request was referred to the Bureau of Traffic and Lighting for review and recommendation. COMPLAINT - VENDORS ON RIVER BEND PLAZA Several merchants were present to complain about the location of vendors on River Bend Plaza. Mr. Charles Lennon, Jr., Director of the Department of Redevelopment, explained to the Board that a popcorn vendor had been operating in the Bicentennial Village area but the wiring in that area was not sufficient and the Electrical Inspection Department would not approve the temporary wiring being used,, where cable was laid across the sidewalk. The Manager of the Peanut Shop is objecting to the vendor being located in front of his store since they both sell the same items. Mr. Lennon said there are really two questions involved. One is whether vendors are to operate in the green belt area of the Plaza or just the Bicentennial Village area. He said this is a question for the River Bend Plaza Advisory Committee to settle. The other question is whether vendors competing with the downtown merchants should be allowed. Mr. Lennon said this particular problem with the popcorn vendor will be solved when the proper electrical outlet is available in the Bicentennial Village. He said he felt the other question of where vendors are to be allowed should go to the River Bend Plaza Advisory Committee for an answer. Mr. Barcome said the Board would try to do everything they could to resolve the problem. He said Mr. Wilcox and the River Bend Plaza Advisory Committee have been working hard to bring people into the downtown. He said the Board would abide by whatever recommendation the River Bend Plaza Advisory Committee made.. Mr. Raymond Breden of the Peanut Shop spoke to the Board. Mr. Breden said the downtown merchants were assured, in early planning meetings, that vendors would not be allowed to station themselves in direct competition with the downtown merchants. Mr. Breden said it was his understanding that the vendors would be assigned to an approved location and would have to come back for approval before they could move to another location. Mr. Breden said -he attended the River Bend Plaza Advisory Committee meeting in `regard to this problem and they advised him to attend the Board of Public Works meeting. Mr. Breden said he felt the Board's obligation was to the people they have been dealing with from the beginning, the downtown merchants who are paying taxes and who will still be here when the vendors have left. Mr. Richard Doyle, Attorney, said there needed to be some clarification of the Board's position on vendors and he was advised to discuss this matter with Deputy City Attorney Kathleen Cekanski. Mr. Doyle said the downtown merchants did not have the opportunity to consider whether they wanted to get into this outdoor vending activity. He said there are now some 40 applications on file and this is going to present a problem to the merchants. Mr. Seitz expressed his concern that the green belt area should be retained and said he had reservations about allowing vendors in that area. Mr. Lennon said the original plan had been to allow no booths in that area. Mr. Barcome made a motion that the popcorn vendor near the Peanut Shop move his vehicle to the Bicentennial Village area and operate there when they have installed the proper electrical facilities. The motion was seconded and carried. Mr. Breden said the merchants are not complaining about vendors in the Bicentennial Area but only vendors in the green belt area in direct competition to merchants there.