12-15-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 15 19751 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) He stated he felt it might very well be that the Council was not doing all it could in this regard. He felt there were other problems and this particular problem should be taken care of at this time. Councilman Serge felt the older neighborhoods experienced this problem with the plugging of the lines probably more so than newer areas. Mr. Krueper indicated that this was not necessarily true. He stated that the problem could not be pinpointed. Councilman Serge felt this was a problem especially for the senior citizens with limited incomes. He wondered if some consideration could be given to the elderly. Mr. Krueper again mentioned financial responsibility for the city and felt the Council "should not jump in and do 100% of it ". He indicated that the process would have to be a gradual one. He felt the stop box probl should be taken care of first. Council President Parent made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, as amended, seconded by Councilman Miller. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if any of the engineers within the city were familiar with the amount of coating within the city's water mains. Mr. Krueper invited Councilman Kopczynski to view the samples of water taken from the mains. He indicated that this was not a problem of the water mains closing up, but of the oxidization of minerals and corrosion of the iron in the water. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that, in 1958, he had built a new building and new service lines had been installed. He stated that he had inadequate water pressure. He stated that a one -half inch crust within the water main had been causing the problem and not allowing sufficient water to flow through the main. He indicated that the service line had been disconnected from the main line, the crust was broken and the pipes reconnected. Since that time, he maintained that he has had adequate water pressur He felt this problem was also a health hazard in many cases. Councilman Szymkowiak asked about the possibility of increasing the water charges. Mr. Krueper indicated that there had been a 50% increase two years ago. Councilman Szymkowiak felt a 2% or 3% amount taken from the income from the water users should be applied to the operation costs. He felt the citizens have been assess enough on the water bill. Mr, Krueper referred to the financial breakdown he had submitte to the Council concerning repairs of the leaks and stop boxes. Councilman Szymkowiak felt per- haps the.overhead should be cut down in order to render adquate service. Mr. Krueper indicated that, in effect, he was aking for this increase over a four -year period. The motion carried, with Councilman Szymkowiak opposing. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $15,000.00 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. Council President Parent made a motion to continue the ordinance to the January 19, 1976, regular meeting of the Council, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $5,000.00 TO ACCOUNT 260.0, "OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES ", AND $7,000.00 TO ACCOUNT 370.0, "OTHER SUPPLIES ", WITHIN THE BUDGET OF THE BUREAU OF SANITATION, ALL ACCOUNTS BEING WITHIN THE SEWAGE WORKS GENERAL FUND OF THE CITY OF WOUTH BEND, INDIANA. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Michael Vance, Chief Deputy Controller, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that the fund would be used as follows; the $5,000 will be used to purchase concrete to reset and level manhole frames and catch basins. Normally the Street Department supplies this, but because of their budget it is necessary that Sanitation pay for the concrete. The $7,000 will be used to purchase manhole rings and covers, which have increased in price. Also there has been an increase in price for sewer pipe and the brick used in manhole leveling and repair. In the process of rebuilding Huron Street, it was necessary for the Bureau of Sanitation to replace the complete surface drainage system. This was an unanticipated expenditure. Councilman Horvath wondered if the amount of $5,000 would be used to raise the manholes. Mr. Vance indicated that amount would be used to cover the concrete needed for the remainder of this year. Councilman Miller wondered if some money had been appropriated from Community Development funds for the Huron Street project. Mr. Vance indicated that funds were used for curbing and sidewalks from Community Development funds. He indicated that the catch basins and pipes had to be replaced at the expense of the Street Department. Councilman Miller wondered if the full amount of that appropriation had been used. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, indicated that estimated amounts on the project were given. He indicated that the city's own work force had accomplished part of the work in an effort to have additional money left over. Councilman Miller asked for a further explanation of the fund. Mr. Farrand indicate that he had submitted a complete breakdown to the Council on the project. Councilman Miller wondered if the money was an additional appropriation from the working balance, and Mr. Farrand indicated it was. Councilman Miller indicated that he had a series of problems in his district with catch basins and manholes. He stated that this needed to be taken care of, and he asked for a recommendation from the administration regarding this problem and what was needed to take care of it. Councilman Kopczynski made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried.