12/18/1978 Board of Public Works Minutes

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ripZ] 1 REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 18. 1978 Officer, noting that Mr. Hartman was released on parole from the South Bend Work Release Center on April 10, 1978. The letter stated that during the time Mr. Hartman was on parole, he cooperated and there have been no reports that he has been involved with local law enforcement agencies. Mr. Hartman has held several jobs since his release and Mr. Hegman noted that the potential for Mr.. Hartman successfully completing his parole is very good. Mr. Works then noted that the Board's denial was based on incomplete information on Mr. Hartman's application and said he would like to give the Board that information now. He said Mr. Hartman was arrested and convicted of burglary and was sentenced to one to five years. He served thirteen months at the Indiana State Farm and six months at the Work Release Center. Mr. Hartman has been employed by the Sibley Foundry Company. He was married on May 3, 1978 and is seeking this taxicab license to gain employment to supplement his wife's income and to give himself something to do. Mr. Works said he would like the Board to consider this information and grant the license so that Mr. Hartman can go to work for the Yellow Cab Company. Mr. McMahon noted that the application reviewed did not contain all this information although Mr. Hartman did not misrepresent his back- ground. Mr. McMahon then moved, based on Mr. Work's statements this morning and the letter from the parole officer, that the taxicab license for Jeffrey Hartman be approved and the City Controller's office be advised of the action of the Board. Mr. Brunner seconded the motion and it.carried RUM VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION RE; 307 W, CALVERT The Rum Village Neighborhood Association submitted to the Board a letter requesting that the Board not renew the scrap yard license of Albert Mickelson for his location at 307 W. Calvert Street. Ann Vargyas, President of the Association, was present as were a number of members of ,,the organization. Mrs. Vargyas said the area residents object to the operation for a number of reasons. She said the original request was to operate a recycling center and not a junk yard. She noted the safety hazard to children and other residents because of the operation and the condition of the grounds and said a child was assaulted at this site. Teachers in schools in the area are very concerned about this type of operation where school children must walk. She noted that the Rum Village area has five junk yards operating. Members of the Rum Village Neighbor- hood Association are trying to improve and maintain their residential neighborhood. This business causes,heavy truck traffic on Calvert Street. Every street leading into Rum Village must pass these junk yards which are eyesores.. She noted concern over the amount of debris at the site and along the railroad right -of -way. Mrs. Vargyas asked the Board to deny the license renewal in order to try to preserve the Rum Village neighborhood. She also pointed out that Mr. Mickelson has an approved junk yard site on Prairie Avenue and asked the Board to request that he move his operation from Calvert Street to the Prairie Avenue location where there are no residences nearby. She asked.that a timetable for the move from Calvert Street be established. Albert Mickelson was present as was his attorney Carl Liebowitz. Mr. Liebowitz said it was very easy to write letters and to make statements which might be considered slanderous. He submitted a.number.of pictures'of scrap yards and other locations in and around the Rum Village area, noting debris and unfenced locations in existence. He asked that these business places be inspected for violations. With regard to the incident where the child was assaulted, Mr. Liebowitz noted that the business at 307 W. Calvert Street is fenced and the fence is closed and locked when the business is not operating. He said it was blatant for the Association to suggest putting.Mr. Mickelson out of business. He noted that other scrap yard operators have more than one location and, if