04-28-99 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 28, 1999 At this time, Councilmember Sniadecki made a motion that members of the audience wishing to speak to this issue be allowed five (5) minutes each to do so. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Mr. Ron Milliken, 25301 Adams Road, South Bend, Indiana, indicated that the report given addresses the storage and backup power but does not address water pressure. He further noted that it is his understanding that there are no plans to expand the existing distribution system and that there are other sites that are considered prime. Mrs. Lois Ehninger, 50759 Orange Road, South Bend, Indiana, addressed the Council and advised that she and her husband Bob are the owners of the property on which the City intends to build the water tower. She noted that they have farmed on this land for the past fifty -two (52) years. Mrs. Ehninger expressed to the Council their concerns about how the City has been handling the acquisition of their property. Mr. Bob Ehninger further advised the Council of his conversations with representatives of the Department of Economic Development concerning the acquisition of his land and the problems he has encountered. Mr. Stancati concluded by indicating that he was not present today to debate the issue and that they have provided to the Ehninger's answers to their questions along with maps. He also noted that the Water Works has not come to the Council yet with a request to buy the property. In response to the Ehninger's concerns about a May 5, 1999 deadline, Mr. Stancati advised the Council that that was a date set concerning the rezoning but it has been taken off the table. RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 5:45 p.m. Councilmember Hosinski made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Aranowski seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Chairman Pfeifer presiding. BILL NO. 23-99 A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE FIRST NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY WEST OF ROBINSON STREET FROM THE NORTH RIGHT -OF -WAY OF RANDOLPH STREET TO THE SOUTH RIGHT -OF -WAY OF THE FIRST EAST/WEST ALLEY NORTH OF RANDOLPH STREET FOR A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 143 FEET AND A WIDTH OF 7 FEET. LOCATE D IN BUNGALOW PLACE SUB., CITY OF SOUTH BEND, ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA Councilmember Varner reported that the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee met on this bill and sends it to the Council with a favorable recommendation. Ms. Michelle Eli, 1621 Hoover, South Bend, Indiana, Petitioner, advised the Council that she and her husband are owners of the property at 1631 Randolph and are requesting that this alley be vacated for safety and cleanliness concerns. She noted that the alley has not been used for thirty (30) to thirty -five (35) years. 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. Niles Stickler, 1613 East Dayton, South Bend, Indiana, indicated that he did not understand how his property was affected as he does have a garage on the alley. Mr. Stickler was advised that he does not live on the segment of the alley proposed for vacation. Councilmember Varner advised Mr. Stickler that he would explain to him how he can go about having the portion of alley behind his property vacated. There was no one present wishing to speak in opposition to this bill.