07-28-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 28 1975 I COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) been filed in order to provide funds for modifications to the jail portion of the Municipal Servi Facility. He stated that the juveniles must be housed in a large bullpen area and then locked in individual cells. The cells did not have toilet facilities which created a health hazard and a very bad security problem. Councilman Miller indicated that, at one time, the city jail was eliminated and the county jail wa determined inadequate. He wondered if this was the reason for using the city jail at this time. Mr. Farrand indicated that there was not a large number of people at the jail and normally the persons were only held in the city jail for short periods of time. Councilman Miller felt it was a failure of county government to provide inadequate facilities; however, if improvements had to b made, he stated that he would support the ordinance. Council President Parent made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $9,081.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that the Bureau of Traffic and Lighting was in need of a hydraulic platform lift and truck estimated to cost $9,081. He talk about the various installations that the department could not maintain with its present equipment. He indicated that bids were received and would be awarded subject to funding. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, stated that $4,500 had been budgeted for this year for motor vehicles. He wondered if this amount had been expended, and Mr. Farrand indicated that it had been. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if the bids received covered new or used equipment. Mr. Farrand indicated that the base bid was for new equipment; however, the low bid was for demonstrator equipment. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that the Board of Public Works had the authority to award the bid. He wondered if the bids were comparable. Mr. Farrand indicated that the new equipment was bid approximately $500 more. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that there was a guarantee on the new equipment. He wondered if the savings of $500 should be realized and the equipment purchased with no guarantee. He indicated that he did not question the amount or the necessity of the equipment. Mr. Farrand indicated that he felt there was a differenc in used equipment and what was considered to be a demonstrator. Councilman Kopczynski asked if there would be a guarantee with the demonstrator, and Mr. Farrand indicated that he did not know. d red if m in e He stated that he was assured the equipment was g ood condition. Councilman Miller won it would be possible for Mr. Farrand to check the bid documents prior to final action by the Counci' on the matter. Mr. Farrand indicated that he would try to come up with the requested information concerning the guarantee. Mr. James Barcome, City Controller and member of the Board of Public Works, indicated that the board would agree to rescind the bid if there was no guarantee and then approve the bid for the additional $500 with the guarantee. Councilman Miller made a motion to include a new Section II to read: Provided that this equipment has a new equipment guarantee. The motion was seconded by Council President Parent and carried. Councilman Miller then made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably, as amended, to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried. INANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $44,000.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Assistant Fire Chief Joseph Nagy made the presen- tation for the ordinance. He explained that the request would pay for repairs to the Fire Department snorkel truck which was damaged as a result of an accident earlier in the year. He stated that the bids have been advertised for three options. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that there was quite a price differential on parts between the time they were ordered and the time they were delivered. He wondered what happened to the payment of these bills. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, indicated that, whenever a bid was made, that bid was a firm bid. If the price increased prior to delivery of the merchandise, the city has the option to ask that the bid be rescinded or the bidder can take the loss and let the bid stand. He indicated that, in this particular contract, there was a firm bid and no indication of any price protection clause.. Councilman Serge wondered if this was the total price for the whole unit, and Assistant Chief Nagy indicated that the bid was let on three options. He indicated what was involved in each of the options as far as replacing and repairing. He stated that the fourth option was not bid. Councilman Serge wondered what a new snorkel truck would cost. Assistant Chief Nagy indicated that a new truck would cost between $140,000 and $160,000. Councilm Kopczynski wondered how many mechanics were employed within the department. Assistant Chief Nagy indicated that there were two mechanics. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if the men could perform some of the work on the snorkel themselves. Assistant Chief Nagy felt the mechanics were not the problem; the equipment was not available to accomplish the repairs. Councilman Kopczynski indicate that some hoists were available to pull engines. He indicated that he was aware that the Municipal Services Facility was not equipped to do some jobs. He felt the mechanics should be able to per- form the required work on the boom., Councilman Serge made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Council President Parent. The motion carried.