05-28-96 Public Works & Property Vacation

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tommittu /t oort: Public Works and Property Vacation Committee /Co the Common QCoui ufl of t t titij of 6out1j tnb: The May 28, 1996 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 3:50 P.M. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Varner, Luecke, Zakrzewski, Broden, Coleman, Kelly, Washington, and Pfeifer; Kathy Dempsey, Jeff Rinard, Tony Zappia, Tom Sopko, Gene Oakley, Mike Urbanski, John Leszczynski, Ernie Szarwark, Patrick Oliva,Joseph A. Catanzarite,Don Porter,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand; The first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 34-96 which would appropriate$110, 000 from the local Road and Street Fund. Mr.John Leszczynski made the presentation.He noted that the moneies would be used for the design of an interchange allowing traffic to flow from the St. Joseph Valley Parkway to Nimtz Parkway. The total design cost is$305,000.00. Following discussion, Council Member Zakrzewski made a motion seconded by Council Member Pfeifer, that Bill No. 34-96 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The next item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 31-96 which is a petition to vacate Ivy Road between South Bend Avenue and Edison Road. Mr. Tony Zappia, the attorney for the petitioners, Patrick Oliva, and Joseph and Phyllis Catanzarite made the presentation.He noted that they have owned the property next to Ivy Road since 1970. In light of the improvement of State Route 23 from two lanes to four lanes, they believe that public safety would be enhanced by the proposed vacation. Additionally,the vacation of Ivy Road would permit the continued vitality of three of the businesses at that intersection.He noted that he believes it is a greater danger to the public not to vacate. He then introduced Mr. Thomas Sopko,the attorney for The Linebacker. Mr. Sopko noted that he represents The Linebacker and that his client has been in the state of limbo for at least four years and that this problem needs to be resolved. Mr. Zappia noted that the state of Indiana voiced no objections and that the Attorney General's Office is in an Condemnation suit. Council Member Luecke voiced concern with regard to engineering at that triangle in light of its high accident area. Mr. Zappia noted that he would work with the Engineering Department as far as all engineering designs. It was noted that one half of the proposed vacation would go to the University of Notre Dame.He also noted that in 1970 this same area was vacated in order to build the proposed Four Horseman Hotel. In 1984, the city requested that it be re- dedicated back to the city in light of that the venture not going forward.