03-18-91 Public Works - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

(knmmittrr trJnrt PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE illy file fdnnunan fllounctl of tip fad of*until Nrnd: The March 18, 1991 meeting of the Public Works Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Tom Zakrzewski at 3 :35 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Zakrzewski, Duda, Soderberg, Puzzello, Ladewski, Coleman, Luecke, Slavinskas, Niezgodski; John McNamara, Vicky Black, members of the news media, residents of the Bowman Creek area, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Zakrzewski noted that the purpose of the meeting was to receive an update from the County Surveyor, Mr. John McNamara, with regard to the Bowman Creek situation. Mr. McNamara thanked the Committee for the opportunity to receive an update. He noted that the Council and the St. Joseph County Drainage Board were fortunate to have the same attorney representing both bodies, therefore communication on the topic of Bowman Creek has been ongoing. Mr. McNamara noted that there are 2 ditches which connect to form Bowman Creek. He noted that the Auten and Phillips ditch, which are under the jurisdiction of the Drainage Board, join at approximately the location by the LTV Plant. He stated that after the 2 ditches join, that the St. Joseph County Drainage Board has no jurisdiction and it becomes a natural stream. He noted that the Drainage Board has the authority to construct or reconstruct and to maintain proper legal ditches and to have assessments made after proper public hearing. He noted that since the Bowman Creek is not a part of the regulated drain system, that it is not under the jurisdiction of the Drainage Board. He noted that the Phillips was studied in the late 1970's by Lawson Fisher, and that several retention basins were proposed. These retention basins were not built due to the cost of building and the cost of land acquisition. One parcel involved was projected at that time to cost between $350,000. 00 to $400, 000. 00. He further noted that in 1981 or 1982, a task force was put together composed of John Leszczynski, Jan Ludwig, Bob Richardson, Don Germann, and himself, to look at retention basins along the Auten ditch. He also noted that the recommendations of the task force were then reviewed by the