05-27-08 Public Works and Property Vacation Committee

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PUBLIC WORKS AND PROPERTY VACATION COMMITTEE PAGE #1 OF 2 The May 27, 2008 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Vice-Chairperson, Council Member Thomas LaFountain at 4:00 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Committee Members present: Thomas LaFountain, Vice-Chairperson; Derek D. Dieter Persons in attendance included Council Member's Kirsits and LaFountain. Others in attendance included John Sellers, Steve Luecke, Rita Kopala, Martha Lewis, Gary Gilot, Pam Meyer, Don Inks, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Catherine Fanello, Karen White, Beth Leonard, Jamie Loo, Carl Littrell, Tim Sexton, Marti Murphy Vice-Chairperson, Thomas LaFountain in Chairperson Varner's absence, noted there was no quorum so there could be no official action taken by the committee. BILL NO.20-08 ALLEY VACATION REQUEST (GOLDEN ~ WOODWARD) Vice-Chairperson LaFountain recognized Council Member Dieter who proceeded to provide a lengthy list of neighbors who opposed the vacation request. The petitioner Mike Neises of 1043 Riverside Drive, outlined the basis for the vacation request. He focused primarily on safety concerns due mainly to the proximity of structures to the alley. He expressed concerns about cut-through traffic, vandalism, teens hanging out, and automobile break-ins in the alley. Without a quorum, no action was taken. BILL NO.32-08 ALLEY VACATION REQUEST ILASALLE & NOTRE DAME AVENUE) Tim Sexton, a VP of the petitioner, the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center (SJRMC), explained the reason for the requested vacation. He stated the SJRMC had given, the Women's Care Center property to expand their facility requiring alley space for the expansion. Marti Murphy of James Childs & Associates, the architectural firm designing the expansion said meetings with nearby property owners had resolved access and water runoff concerns of neighbors. Ann Puzzello described an on-site meeting with representatives form the SJRMC, the Women's Care Center, the neighbors, and the design firm where turn-radius concerns were accommodated. Council Member Rouse, in receipt of opposition from Mr. Breen, a nearby resident, questioned whether an accord addressing neighbors concerns had actually been achieved. Council Member Puzzello maintained there was an agreement. Again without a quorum, there was no action taken. BILL NO. 30-08 APPROPRIATION FROM LOCAL ROAD AND STREET (LRBS) FUND FOR MCKINLEYIIRONWOOD INTERSECTION. At Vice-Chairperson LaFountain's request, Gary Gilot, Director, Public Works, explained the $2,000,000 appropriation request of state funds fully finding the project. The city along with the State and an ad hoc neighborhood group cooperated to design improvements acceptable to all. Bids on the work and completion was expected this construction season.