06-10-02 Public Works and Property Vacation

Home Browse Search

Committ* ort: uWt orkz an taroperty i1a,ation (Committee The June 10, 2002 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Pfeifer, Kirsits, Kelly, Ujdak, Aranowski, King, Varner, Coleman, and White; Jon Hunt, Carl Littrell, James Masters, Gary Gilot, Terry Bland of the 'outb WO tribune, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Varner noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 40-02 which is a request to vacate a portion of the first east/west alley south of Mishawaka Avenue from 21st Street West and a portion of the first north/south alley west of 21st Street. There was no one present to make a presentation on Bill No. 40-02. Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Council Member Aranowski that Bill No. 40-02 be table until June 24th in light of the lack of a presenter on the proposed Bill. The motion passed. At this point in the meeting, Mr. James Masters, the attorney for Bill No. 40-02 joined the Committee meeting. Council Member King then made a motion, seconded by Council Member Aranowski to reconsidered Bill No. 40-02. The motion passed. Dr. Varner noted that Bill No. 40-02 received an unfavorable recommendation from the Board of Public Works. Mr. James A. Masters, an attorney with Nemeth, Feeney & Masters, P.C. Made the presentation. He noted that the overall purpose of the proposed vacation is to allow the St. Joseph County Public Library to expand its parking lot for the River Park Branch which is currently located on Lot Nos. 46,47, and 48, by the construction of an additional parking lot on Lot No. 45. The alley vacation is being requested out of concern for the safety of the persons using the parking lots. Mr. Masters stated that vehicles are using the alleys to cross through the parking lot and this exposes pedestrians who use the library to danger from such traffic. He further noted that the alley located to the west of the alleys sought to be vacated was vacated in 1982 by Dr. Robert L. Proudfit and his associates. Mr. Masters showed an architectural rendering prepared by the Troyer Group. He noted that many persons traveling to IUSB use the parking lot to get to the IUSB parking garage. The Library intends to close and curb the affected alleys. Mr. Littrell, City Engineer, stated that the City opposes the proposed vacations because they would result in a dead end alley. He added that Solid Waste would be unable to negotiate turns for their trucks and this would result in front yard pick-up. He also noted that when reviewing this matter the need for a new legal description was found and therefore a substitute bill including the new legal was prepared. Dr. Varner suggested that the City Administration and Mr. Masters get together to see if the items of concern could be resolved. Following discussion, Mr. Masters requested that Bill No. 40-02 be continued until the June 24th Council meeting.