02-10-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 10, 1975 (COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Councilman Taylor seconded the motion. The motion carried. Councilman Miller then made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, as amended, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $4,100.00 FROM THE GENERAL PARK FUND TO ACCOUNT #260.0, "OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES ". This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. James Seitz, Director of the Department of Public Parks, made the presentation for the ordinance. He stated that the amount of $4,100 would help pay for the remaining construction cost of the Bicentennial Park. He mentioned the $40,000 grant received from the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission for park development. He stressed the importance of starting construction prior to January 15 in order not to lose the grant. He stated that the $4,100 was the first partial payment from the grant. Councilman Szymkowiak made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. Councilman Miller commended Mr. Seitz for the depart- mental report received by the Council. He recommended that all cabinet officers also submit an annual report. Councilman Nemeth asked when the park would be completed, and Mr. Seitz indicated that the park would be completed early in the summer. Hopefully, the park could be dedicated at that time. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $61,804.51 FROM THE CUMULATIVE SEWER BUILDING AND SINKING FUND TO THE GENERAL IMPROVEMENT FUND (northwest sanitary sewer project) . This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. David Wells, Manager of the Bureau of Design and Administration, made the presentation for the ordinance. He stated that sanitary sewers were installed in the northwest side of South Bend as part of the overall plan to provide sewers to the residents at approximately 500 of the cost. He indicated that the city's share of the project was now being requested. He added that the Barrett Law and Engineering work for the project was done by the Department of Public Works which saved an estimated 20% of the construction cost. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that the project was complete and the residents were already utilizing the services. He wondered what would happen if the Council should choose not to pass the ordinance. Mr. Wells indicated that that would present a unique problem. He stated that, at the present time, an assessment roll had been approved by the Board of Public Works. He indicated that he felt the city could be sued if the Council did not pass the ordinance. He stated that the ordinance was a procedural matter, and that the only alternative to the situation would be to appropriate money before the fact, at which time the amount of construction would not be known. This could create a problem in the Cumulative Sewer Building and Sinking Fund because the funds would be tied up and an exact balance in the fund would not be known. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if consideration had been given to adopting a resolution to appropriate funds for the engineering before construction was started. Mr. Wells indicated that Councilman Kopczynski's suggestion could be considered. He indicated that he would do whatever the Council wished. Councilman Miller asked about the unencumbered balance in the sewer fund. Mr. Wells indicated that there was a balance of $lZ million. Councilman Miller wondered about anticipated income, and Mr. Wells answered that the anticipated income would be about $637,000. Councilman Miller wonderec about other anticipated expenses, and Mr. Wells indicated that the Olive Street project was estimated at $225,000, the Model Cities Storm Sewer Separation project at $2.2 million and an undetermined amount for the Orange- Colfax project. Councilman Miller wondered if it would be possible to put together a balance sheet or income statement that would indicate at the end of the year where the city stood on the projects and the amount of money spent. Mr. Wells indicated that this could be accomplished. Councilman Kopczynski recommended that the Council be kept apprised o: the balances in any fund when the administration came before the Council for an appropriation from that particular fund. He wondered what provisions were being made on the deterioration of the sewers in the far western end of the Belleville area. He felt the Council should be able to choosy priorities on some projects. Mr. Wells indicated that the administration was committed to various projects. Councilman Kopczynski stated that, as a property owner, he had paid 100% of the cost of sewers and he felt sure that 98% of the residents had paid 100% for their sewers. He indicated that the city was running short of funds for repair of sewers yet was paying for half of the new sewer construction. He asked what it would cost to rebuild the Belleville sewers and where the money would come from. Mr. Wells indicated that the funds would come through Sanitation and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He stated that complete replacement would be very difficult. He also mentioned the Olive Street project and the amount of time taken to start that project. Councilman Kopczynski recommended that the assessment of 50% of the new sewer construction be discontinued because, in the past, the property owners paid 100 %. He did not feel it was fair to change that policy to 50 %.. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered if the city would experience a problem with its sewers. He talked about the heavy trucks damaging catch basins, sewers and curbs. He felt the Board of Public Works and Board of Public Safety should check into this situation and prohibit the heavy trucks from driving on the residential streets. Councilman Miller felt the Council was concerned about the city's sewers. He mentioned the possibility of the city getting into the sewe: construction business. Mr. Wells indicated that South Bend had an unusual situation of cheaper sewer prices on construction. He felt that, as long as this situation existed, it would be very difficult to involve the city in the construction business. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, indicated that, in the Model Cities program, it was estimated that it would cost $750,000 to put a crew into the field for one year. Councilman Miller mentioned the flooding of the residents' basements in the spring and wondered if any plans have been made to help solve the various problems the city faces. Mr. Farrand indicated that plans have been made to help solve such problems. He was hopeful the Council agreed with the list of priorities. Councilman Miller indicated that he approved of the priorities; however, he felt a long -range planning program was essential. Mr. Wells indicated that combined sewers where maintained would be acceptable to the state, in his opinion.