05-27-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) it was an item of concern. Mr. Mutzl referred to an incident when he had parked his car in the tunnel and signs had been erected indicating that unauthorized cars would be towed away. He did not agree with this. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, wondered if the appropriation ordinance would cover a yearly period, and Mr. Farrand indicated that the ordinance was based on an annual period and would cover the remainder of 1975. Mr. Evans wondered if some of the items had been encumbered prior to adoption of the ordinance. Mr. Farrand indicated that, unfortunately, some electrical expenses had been incurred. Councilman Nemeth talked about the need for long -range planning in cases of this kind. He stated that, in 1973, the Council had directed a letter to the Department of Redevelopment concerning the downtown mall maintenance. He stated that the Council had never received a reply to its letter. He wondered if the downtown mall was being officially turned over to the city at this time. Mr. Farrand stated that, from a technical standpoint, it was not being turned over to the city. Councilman Nemeth wondered if the Department of Redevelopment had run out of funds before it shoul< have; thus the reason for the city having to pay for the maintenance. He stated that he realized Mr. Farrand was not to blame for this, but he was concerned about the expense of maintaining the mall when the Redevelopment Department had not turned it over to the city. Mr. Farrand indicated that the Redevelopment Department could only fund the construction of the mall and the certificate! of compliance had not yet been filed. It was determined that some of these items could not be handled through the construction accounts; namely the maintenance of the mall. Councilman Nemeth wondered if any sort of an accounting had been received from the Redevelopment Department. Mr. Farrand indicated that he had not received anything. Councilman Nemeth wondered if the city could get a copy of the department's accounting concerning the mall, and Mr. Farrand suggested that Councilman Nemeth request this information from the Redevelopment Commissioners. Councilman Nemetl indicated that the Council had requested this information quite a while ago and had never gotten aY answer. Mr. Farrand indicated that he would be happy to sit down with the Council concerning the mall maintenance. Councilman Nemeth wondered if anyone could hook up in the electrical outlets on the mall, and Mr. Farrand indicated that no one could do this at the present time. He stated that there had been a problem in the past. Councilman Nemeth wondered about the monthly cost of the lighting. Mr. Farrand indicated that he did not have an accurate per month accounting available at this time. He indicated that he could determine this, however. Councilman Nemeth wondered when the outlets had been shut off, and Mr. Farrand stated that most of them had been shut off last summer. Councilman Miller asked if the lights belonged to the city, and Mr. Farrand indicated that they did. He stated that the city pays only for the electricity. Councilman Miller wondered if the lights were turned down after business hours. He wondered if this would be feasible. Mr. Farrand indicated that it was probably more feasible to shut the lights off for a certain period of time each evening rather than to reduce the lighting. Councilman Miller wondered if the water for the fountains was recycled, and Mr. Farrand stated that it was; however, there was always a certain amount of loss when flushing took place. He mentioned the watering of the grassy areas, flowers and trees in the mall area. Councilman Miller indicated that, in comparison with the Bureau of Cemeteries, the amount for gasoline and repair parts was somewhat less than the mall budget. He asked for an explanation of this. Mr. Farrand indicated that the Bureau of Cemeteries operates only two vehicles and lawn mowers. He stated that one and sometimes two sweepers maintain the mall area daily. He indicated that there was a greater vehicle use in the downtown mall. He stated that this was an estimated budget based on six months' actual operating experience, and he felt it was a "bare -boned budget ". Councilman Miller wondered how many people worked in the mall, and Mr. Farrand indicated that there were six employees working full -time on split shifts. Througt the Summer Employment Program, an additional six people would be used. Councilman Miller asked about the salary level of those employees, and Mr. Farrand indicated that the hourly rate would be approximately $2.10 to $2.35 an hour. He stated that he would furnish an exact figure to the Council if it desired. Councilman Miller wondered if any of the line items could be reduced. Mr. Farrand stated that he had submitted the budget after much study and research. He felt the budget could not be reduced in any of the accounts. He indicated that he would be happy to have the Council monitor the expenses if it wished. Councilman Kopczynski felt it was unfair to ask the Council for funds for maintenance of the mall when no cooperation had been given the Council by the Redevelopment Department. He felt the downtown mall should "stand on its own feet ". He states that the problems experienced with the fountains was due to poor maintenance and abuse. He felt the cost of operating the mall would be accelerated. He felt the Council should not act on the ordinance until such a time that the Redevelopment Commissioners and the Board of Public Works furnish the requested information to the Council. He felt the Council should delay the ordinance until the information was received. He made such a motion, and Chairman Newburn indicated that he would not recognize any motions until all the councilmen had had an opportunity to speak. Council- man Kopczynski asked that he be given the opportunity to make such a motion after all councilmen had spoken, and Chairman Newburn indicated that he would allow this. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered if the city paid for the electricity used by the concession stands in the mall. Mr. Farrand indicated that the city did not pay for that electricity. He indicated that the stands were located on the supergraphic area of the mall and did not have access to the outlets. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered about the amount budgeted for water. Mr. Farrand indicated that the amount budgeted for water was estimated on the amount needed for the fountains and watering of the trees, etc. Councilman Szymkowiak felt the amount for water should be reworked. He felt the water meters in some cases, such as in the parks and mall area, should not be utilized. He agreed with Councilman Kopczynski and Councilman Nemeth in that the Redevelopment Department should have furnished the requested information to the Council before. He felt the ordinance should be delaye until this was done. Councilman Horvath wondered how much was saved in electricity when the light were taken off Michigan Street for construction of the mall. Mr. Farrand indicated that he could come up with all that information but he did not have it available at this time. He stated that, at some point in time, the electricity would have to become part of the regular electrical budget. Councilman Horvath wondered about the plaza vehicles, and Mr. Farrand indicated that one sweeper is used exclusively, plus another sweeper on occasions and a jeep. Councilman Horvath wondered if this was new equipment, and Mr. Farrand indicated that it was, except for one of the sweepers. Councilman Horvath wondered if the amount of $200 for tires and tubes would be needed in view of the fact that the vehicles were new. Mr. Farrand indicated that $200 would not purchase many tire Councilman Kopczynski wondered how the tires were damaged, if this was the case, and Mr. Farrand indicated that the tires were not necessarily damaged but they did wear out. Councilman Horvath asked about the building materials account. He felt this should be covered by the Redevelopment Department unless it was willing to turn the mall over to the city. Mr. Farrand indicated that, within four to six weeks, he anticipated the mall would be officially turned over to the city. Council President Parent felt that, if the city had not yet accepted the mall, the maintenance should be a responsibility of the Redevelopment Department. Mr. Farrand indicated that there have