08-28-97 Public Works & Property Vacation

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Public Works and Property Vacation Committee 5TO- t!& G°o riznor' Opeated o f toe &°ig' o 'Jout4 luau.!. The April 28, 1997 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Councilmember David Varner, at 4:15 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Councilmembers Kelly, Aranowski, Pfeifer, Broden, Varner, Ujdak, Coleman and Hosinski; Anne Carol Simon, Betsy Roessner, Kathy Dempsey,Don Porter,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. The first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 29-97 which is a petition to vacate an alley north of Lindsey. Betsy Roessner, one of the petitioners, along with her daughter, Cricket Roessner Pratt, made the presentation. Mrs. Roessner noted that the alley in question has significant public safety problems including but not limited to illegal drug transactions,needles being let, a loaded gun being found, etc. She has recently purchased the home for her daughter and believes that the vacation would increase public safety. Councilmember Aranowski noted that he is the Councilmember for the District and that he has visited the site. He spoke in favor of the proposed vacation. Councilmember Pfeifer voiced concern with regard to putting the burden on residents and neighbors who wish to enhance public safety. She stated that she believes that there should be an organized plan so that residents do not have to pay out of pocket expenses for this type of procedure and the additional time and concern that it raised. Dr. Varner suggested that perhaps the residential neighborhoods committee could look into this matter further in light of Councilmember Pfeifer's concern. Council President Kelly also voiced concern and stated that so often when a vacation comes to the Council that it is too late in light of societal problems affecting various parts of our city Councilmember Coleman suggested that the Mayor's office or one of the Mayor's assistants should be involved in this type of program for the entire city. Following discussion, Councilmember Aranowski made a motion seconded by Councilmember Udjak that Bill No. 29-97 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Substitute Bill No. 33-97 which would amend the South Bend Municipal Code with regard to BOCA. Kathy Dempsey made the presentation. She noted that the National BOCA Code is updated every three(3)years and that the Ordinance brings our local regulations in compliance with the federal law.