04/23/13 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 23 2013 127 REPLACEMENT PROGRAM Ms. Greene stated she should have included establishing policies as well as rates in the title of the resolution. She added there will be additional action on the part of the Common Council on this program. Mr. Eric Horvath, Public Works Director, stated this resolution stands on its own to establish an internal policy and rates; the Council's action will be on separate issues. Upon a motion made by Mr. Gilot, seconded by Mr. Inks and carried, the following Resolution was adopted by the Board of Public Works: RESOLUTION NO.23-2013 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS ESTABLISHING RATES FOR COST -SHARING ASSOCIATED WITH A VOLUNTARYSIDEWALK AND CURB REPLACEMENT PROGRAM WHEREAS, pursuant to Ind. Code §36-9-6-2, and Ind. Code §36-9-6-3, the City of South Bend, Indiana Board of Public Works ("Board") has authority over the use of public rights of way and is responsible for the supervision of streets, alleys and other property of the City; and WHEREAS, the Board's authority over streets and sidewalks is similarly granted in accordance with Section 18-2 of the Municipal Code of the City of South Bend; and WHEREAS, the Board is empowered under Ind. Code §36-9-36-17 with the discretion to require the owners of abutting property to construct or repair the owners' own sidewalks or curbs: and WHEREAS, there are approximately 750 miles of sidewalks and similar amount of curbing within the City of South Bend; and WHEREAS, there are economies of scale constructing both sidewalk and curb concurrently and in having construction completed on multiple adjacent properties; and WHEREAS, the Board desires to implement a voluntary sidewalk and curb replacement program for City homeowners which includes cost sharing between the City and property owners who wish to participate in the curb and sidewalk replacement program. THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS HEREBY FINDS THAT: 1. Sidewalks are an integral component of the transportation system for the City of South Bend. They provide a safe location for pedestrian traffic. School children utilize the sidewalks to travel to and from school. Sidewalks allow walking and jogging while being safely separated from vehicular traffic. Without sidewalks, the intermingling of pedestrian traffic and vehicular traffic would greatly increase the chances for serious injuries to both pedestrians and motorists. 2. New sidewalk and curb infrastructure improves the City aesthetic environment and promotes economic development and encourages community investment. 3. New sidewalk and curb infrastructure improvement will assist in promoting the rehabilitation of vacant and abandoned homes within the City which is in the best interests of the health, safety and welfare of the City and its citizens. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND BOARD OF PUBLIC WORK AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The Board hereby establishes a cost share program between the City and City homeowners and approves the following rates and charges to the homeowners: 5' Wide Sidewalk Only $10/Lineal Foot 6" Curb Only $10/Lineal Foot