01-22-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING _(CONTINUED) This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. City Engineer William J. Richardson made the presentation for the ordinance. Mr. Richardson indicated that, at the previous meeting of the Council when this request was tabled, there were several questions raised, and one of these questions concerned the Depreciation Fund. He went on to say that he had been able to obtain these figures: As of January 10, the amount in the fund was $397,716.29. Under the rules and regulations of the original Bond Issue (1954), a minimum of $360,000.00 must be kept in the fund. During 1972, a total of $89,712.00 was expended from the fund. He further indicated that the Council would have the budget prior to January 31 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and that the questions that were raised about the uses of the funds would be covered. Councilman Parent asked why there was an increase in the price for the identical piece of machinery purchased previously, and Mr. Jerry Bers from FMC Corporation read a portion of a general release from Chicago Pump, dated March 1, 1972, as follows: Effective 12:01 A.M., April 1, 1972, certain pump and comminution equipment prices are increased 9 %. This price increase applies to all orders received on or after April 3, 1972. All outstanding quotations should be adjusted accordingly. This change in price is being accomplished with a change in multipliers as shown on page 2. New discount sheets will be issued incorporating these multiplier changes. This price change is issued with the approval of the Wage and Price Board. Mr. Bers went on to say that this type of equipment is normally on anywhere from three to twelve months' delivery schedule and the company was negligent in putting forth price increases when they should have. They went to the Price Board for a loo increase and were allowed a 9% increase, however, the increase for the Comminutor in question only amounts to about 7.1% which is less than the approved increase. This figure is based upon shipment and costs involved during the second or third quarter of 1973. Councilman Taylor asked when the past purchase of this equipment by the city was made, and it was indicated that the contract was signed in 1971 and delivery took place in 1972, with the quotation being dated September 3, 1971. Councilman Miller asked about the possibility of purchasing two machines. Mr. Bers answered that the city has purchased several pieces of equipment from Chicago Pump, and he felt sure he could convince the company to make this a price for two machines and hold at this time. Councilman Serge asked if there was any change in the model. Mr. Bers indicated that the company was straining to keep from cheapen- ing the machine and trying to hold to the original specifications regarding material, etc., because of the competition. He further indicated that this Comminutor was still the leading piece of equipment in the sewage treatment field and that production has increased from year to year, with Chicago Pump being the originator. Councilman Szymkowiak mentioned that the city expected to purchase equipment that would last and be durable, and Mr. Bers indicated that the quality of the Model 36A Comminutor is excellent. Mr. Richardson indicated that this was part of the original equipment that was installed in 1955. One piece of equipment had already been re- placed, the second piece to be replaced with the purchase of this Comminutor and an anticipated replacing of the third piece in 1974. He also indicated that this equipment runs constantly. Mr. Bers concluded that there has been no cheapening of the equipment, and he thanked the Council for the opportunity to speak to them. Councilman Parent made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 9, ARTICLE 1, SECTIONS 9 -2 AND 9 -3 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, 1971. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. John Kromkowski, Director of the Economic Development and Human Resources Commission, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that the ordinance represents the Second Edition of the 1970 BOCA Fire Prevention Code. The intent of the ordinance is to fill a documentation gap in the workable program for community improvement that is currently in the HUD offices. He further indicated that the implementation . and operation of the BOCA Code has been out of practice. According to Fire Chief Bland and the Fire Protection Bureau, there is no substantive difference in the Second Edition of the.Code. The deletions follow the city's Municipal Code and refer to items that are state law. He mentioned that another deletion concerns the establishment of a Fire Appeals Board which is, in many ways, putting the Administration through a hoop for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He further went on to say that this was the practice of the Administration. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, said that she under- stood that the city's code was quite high. She questioned whether this ordinance would reduce it, Mr. Kromkowski answered that the purpose of the ordinance was to follow HUD and keep the code up to date. He again stressed that there was no substantive change in the ordinance. Miss Guthrie asked if the principle reason for the ordinance was because of HUD requirements, and Mr. Kromkowski answered that this was true as a matter of documentation. He concluded that this would be the official Fire Prevention Code for the City of South Bend, and that by passing the ordinance, the city would be taking advantage of the suggestions from BOCA. Councilman Szymkowiak made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 11, ARTICLE 1, OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, 1971. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above.ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. John Kromkowski, Director of the Economic Development and Human Resources Commission, made the presentation for the ordinance. He indicate that this ordinance was a supplement to the 1964 Edition of the BOCA Housing Code and that there were a number of general changes, however, they did not substantively change the procedure of housing inspection. One of the general changes that appeared was that dwellings and multiple - family dwellings were to be replaced by the words "all structures." The words "human habitation"