01-24-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 24, 2011 Councilmember Timothy Rouse, 605 N. Cherry Tree Lane, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Councilmember Rouse read the Resolution in its entirety and advised that he and Council President Derek Dieter are proposing a 2011 Financial Summit. He noted that the South Bend Common Council, over the years, have held a series of Council Summits where Councilmember's have had the opportunity to share their concerns and discuss Council priorities. He advised that these individuals would have the opportunity for dialogue and discussion on financial concerns facing our communities. He stated that he and Council President Dieter believe that this would be a good first step in improving communication during these challenging economic times. A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. There being no one present wishing to speak to the council either in favor of or in opposition to this Resolution, Councilmember White made a motion to adopt this Resolution. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried and the Resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of eight(8) ayes. BILL NO. 10-59 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ADOPTING A WRITTEN FISCAL PLAN AND ESTABLISHING A POLICY FOR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO AN ANNEXATION AREA IN CLAY TOWNSHIP, STATE ROAD 23 AND MAPLE LANE ANNEXATION AREA Councilmember Kirsits made a motion to accept the substitute version of this bill. Councilmember Puzzello seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. Additionally, Councilmember Kirsits made a motion to strike Bill No. 10-59 from the Council Agenda at the request of the petitioner. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS —UPDATE ON SNOW REMOVAL PROGRAM Gary Gilot, P. E., Public Works Director, 13th Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, gave his report to the common Council on recent snow control activities. Mr. Gilot advised that on January 8, 2011, South Bend received record snowfall. With about 25 inches of snow that day and over 40 inches total in the next few days it was a big snow control challenge. By most accounts the city team did a great job of pulling together and getting a big job done and done well. Let's examine what goes into a coordinated effective and efficient snow control response. Pre-planning was key, they used several weather services and our own weather reporting service in the Street Department to monitor weather predictions and patterns with 5 minute updates. Thanks to the South Bend Common Council we have a winter weather ordinance that establishes policy and procedures that the city follows in declaring snow emergencies and residential snow clearance conditions. It calls for main streets, first, then north south streets and then east west streets. Mr. Gilot stated that they have pre-arranged roles within the Street Department to cover leadership and supervision round the clock as winter conditions change hour to hour. They have crews on day and night shift in the winter and they go to 12 hour shifts when more than 2 inches of snow triggers snow control team effort. He stated that they have equipment that has been specified for interoperability with Gross Vehicle Weights and Suspensions and Drive Trains to handle snow plowing. The have 3