04-08-13 Public Works & Property Vacation

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PUBLIC WORKS AND PROPERTY VACATION APRIL 8. 2013 3:40 P.M. Committee Members Present: Oliver Davis, David Varner, Valerie Schey, Gavin Ferlic Other Council Members Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White, Derek Dieter Others Present: Huey Scoby, Chet Gamble, Scott Ford, Eric Hovath, Aladean DeRose, Mayor Pete, Kathryn Roos Agenda: Bill No. 13 -13 Vacate Alley — St. Louis/Wayne Update Update MLK Street Name Change Update Ethanol Plant Oliver Davis began his PW & PV Committee meeting with items on the agenda. The first Bill No. 13 -13 was a request to vacate an alley running north from E. Wayne. The petitioner, Zion United Church, wants to build a new fellowship hall and create additional parking. Chet Gamble representing the petitioner was present to explain the project and answer questions. City Clerk Voorde said Don Schefineyer, a nearby business owner phoned just prior to the meeting asking for a delay, claiming the construction would devalue his property. After Council Attorney Cekanski - Farrand explained the continuance consequences Councilmember David Varner made a motion for no recommendation which Valerie Schey seconded and all supported. The continuance option would require Mr. Scheffmeyer to submit it in writing prior to the 7:00 meeting and would have to be agreed to by the petitioner. The second item on the agenda was consideration of naming a street to honor Dr. Martin Luther King. Mayor Buttigieg spoke to the desire to honor Dr. King. He said the authority to name a street rested with the Board of Public Works. (BPW). However before he asked them to act the Mayor asked the advocates for a name change survey the property owners affected to achieve consensus. The he would ask the Council to adopt a resolution requesting the change, then upon adoption the Mayor would ask the BPW to act. The suggestion of the need for a Council resolution drew the ire of Henry Davis who said the Mayor could act on his own if he wanted to show support for the MLK initiative. Dr. Ferlic wondered if the city had the authority to rename a federal highway in that the petitioners were suggesting LWW which is U.S. 20 be renamed. He said he was working with Mr. Scoby on alternatives. Henry Davis added the survey requirement was too much to require of Mr. Scoby and the Senior Men's Club. Derek Dieter agreed. Kathy Cekanski - Farrand wondered if the Mayor's proposed three step process would be applied to all future name change requests. Councilmember Varner said we have to clarify the authority to rename a federal highway. City Attorney Aladean DeRose said she would do that research. Oliver Davis asked that the research and report by completed by May 8, 2013. The last item on the agenda was an update on the ethanol plant. Oliver Davis had sent a letter asking three questions that Aladean DeRose was ready to answer. Aladean said the new owners had five employees on site and 24 hr. security. She said the plant was being maintained in re -start condition while a marketing campaign by the owners joined by the City hope to find a new investor to operate the plant. Valerie Schey asked if we were paying for security. Schey also asked the City be notified if there was a demolition decision made. Henry Davis and Oliver Davis as well expressed concern about the plight of the nearby residents should the plant not re -open the water pumps stop and ground water rises again. Kathy Cekanski - Farrand added that the County Surveyor and Drainage Board also had concerns about the water now being pumped into the drainage ditch.