03-28-05 Informal Meeting Common Council

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Y Informal Meeting of the Common Council 2005 South Bend Common Council The March 28, 2005 Informal Meeting of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by Council President Charlotte D. Pfeifer at 5:08 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Kelly, Puzzello, Varner, Kuspa, Rouse, Kirsits and White; Mayor Stephen Luecke, Director of Public Works Gary Gilot, Director of the Bureaus of Streets and Sewers Sam Hensley, Director of Code Enforcement Catherine Bruecker, Rita Kopola, Martha Lewis,Ruth Conway, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council President Pfeifer noted that there were two (2) updates which the Council would receive today, one from the Bureau of Streets and one from the Department of Code Enforcement. Gary Gilot, Director of the Department of Public Works, stated that his department continues to be very pro-active. He welcomed the opportunity to share information with the Council. Director of the Bureaus of Streets and Sewers Sam Hensley then provided a handout entitled "Street Department 2005 Spring Activities" (copy attached), which he then highlighted. He noted that today is the first day of the Bureau of Streets working four(4) 10-hour days. Mr. Hensley suggested that if the Council Members had suggestions that they suggest the street and specify the blocks which they would like addressed. In response to a question from Council Member Kelly, Mr. Hensley stated that flowers in the "street islands"would be handled by the Park Department. In response to a question from Council President Pfeifer, Mr. Hensley noted that last year they started using synthetic rubber and found that although it is more costly, it lasts longer. Mr. Gilot noted that there are over 400 miles of alleys in the city and that approximately 5% of the budget is spent in maintaining alleys,with 95%being spent on city streets. Council President Pfeifer suggested looking into an alley program which would be a shared cost program 50/50 with the property owners. Mr. Gilot noted that smaller equipment is needed for alleys in light of the varying widths involved; adding that there are alot of neighborhood disputes. There would be an Administrative burden with such a program,but perhaps a pilot program in the downtown could take place. Council Member Kirsits noted that often there is just 10-15 yards in a street that needs attention. Mr. Hensley stated that in those situation an overlay is applied over the areas in need. He added that it does not look"pretty"and the residents complain,but it does the job. March 28,2005 Informal Meeting of the South Bend Common Council -page I-