04-10-00 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING APRIL 10, 2000 Mr. Talley outlined the history of the bridge beginning in 1878. He noted that the current bridge was opened to traffic in 1940 and is a three (3) arch Melan style bridge. The bridge is ranked a significant twelve (12) in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. Mr. Talley additionally advised the Council that the bridge will undergo some reconstruction which will make it resemble the Leeper bridge when that work is completed. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. David Koehler, 601 North Hill Street, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that this bridge is a landmark and he recommends their favorable recommendation as it is important to save structures like this one for the history of our community. There being no one else present wishing to speak to the Council in favor of this bill or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Coleman made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 31 -00 A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE FIRST EAST/WEST ALLEY SOUTH OF CALIFORNIA BETWEEN ALLEN ST. AND SHERMAN AVE., THE FIRST EAST /WEST ALLEY SOUTH OF VANBUREN ST. BETWEEN ALLEN ST. AND THE FIRST NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY EAST OF HARRISON AVE., AND THE FIRST EAST /WEST ALLEY SOUTH OF LINDSEY ST. BETWEEN HARRISON AVE. AND THE FIRST NORTH /SOUTH ALLEY EAST OF HARRISON AVE. BILL NO. 32 -00 A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE FIRST EAST/WEST ALLEY NORTH OF LINCOLNWAY WEST BETWEEN COTTAGE GROVE AVE. AND THE FIRST NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY EAST OF COTTAGE GROVE AVE., THE FIRST EAST /WEST ALLEY SOUTH OF LINDSEY BETWEEN THE FIRST NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY WEST OF SCOTT ST. AND SCOTT ST., THE FIRST AND THIRD EAST/WEST ALLEYS SOUTH OF LINDSEY ST. BETWEEN SCOTT ST. AND THE FIRST NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY EAST OF SCOTT ST., AND THE FIRST EAST/WEST ALLEY SOUTH OF LINDSEY ST. BETWEEN LELAND AVE. AND THE FIRST NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY EAST OF LELAND AVE. Councilmember Aranowski made a motion to combine Bill Nos. 31 -00 and 32 -00 for purposes of Public Hearing. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Varner reported that the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee met on these bills and sends them to the Council with favorable recommendations. Ms. RitaKopczynski, Executive Director, Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc., 1005 Portage, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for these vacations. Ms. Kopczynski informed the Council that these bills vacate a number of unnecessary east/west alleys which have already been replaced with sod and curbs. She noted they have received favorable reports from abutting residents on these improvements and the neighbors are pleased that these alleys will not be used as short-cuts and for illegal activities. Ms. Kopczynski indicated that the NNN sent out letters regarding this process to the affected residents and they are grateful because it has improved the neighborhood.