03-12-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 12, 1973 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Councilman Miller asked about the design of the entrance of Bercliff Estates, and Mr. Richardson answered by indicating that McKinley will have new curb and gutter and he assumed that there would be curb and gutter returns to the entrance and a new paved approach. Councilman Miller asked if there would be signals at that location, and Mr. Richardson indicated there would not be. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that, previously, there had been discussion on the Ironwood sewers, at which time the Council had requested that a sketch plan be submitted whenever this type of appropriation is needed. Mr. Richardson indicated that he had sent an explanation to the Council regarding this appropriation. He also indicated that the Federal Highway Commission advertised for a public hearing. He mentioned that he could furnish the Council with the set of plans if needed; however, they contained at least 50 sheets. Councilman Kopczynski asked if Mr. Richardson had just a preliminary plan, and Mr. Richardson indicated that he did not and that everything he had was in final form and quite lengthy. Councilman Kopczynski felt the Council should be furnished with a sketch plan in order to know what is going to be done on this project. Mr. Richardson indicated that it would be possible for him, in the future, to bring the plans with him to the Council meetings when requesting appropriations of this type. Councilman Kopczynski asked when the project would be completed, and Mr. Richardson answered by indicating that construc tion would start sometime in May and most of the work would be completed before winter; however, there would be some work yet to be done in the spring of 1974 when completion of the project was anticipated. Councilman Kopczynski asked if there were enough firms in the South Bend area to take care of the bidding on all of the projects the city was going to let. Mr. Richardson indicated that he could not answer that question and stated that the city does advertise for these projects in many different publications. Councilman Kopczynski asked if it would be possible for the city to undertake too many projects at one time, and Mr. Richardson indicated that completion dates are set and complied with and taken into consideration is the work loan of the industries, acquisition of right -of -way, etc. Councilman Kopczynski asked if there was a penalty for late completion, and Mr. Richardson indicated that there was not; however, a liquidated damages clause is used where the contractor is required to pay a certain amount per day for every day work is done on the particular project after the completion date. Councilman Kopczynski asked if the city was on schedule for the overall picture of the projects, and Mr. Richardson indicated that it was. Councilman Taylor mentioned that the Council had received a letter of explanation from Mr. Richardson on his request for this appropriation, and he also indicated that he would like to come to Mr. Richardson's defense. He felt that Mr. Richardson has done a good job of letting the Council know what he is proposing. Councilman Parent made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Szymkowiak. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $750,138.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FUND, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMIN- ISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. (AS AMENDED) This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mayor Jerry J. Miller made the presentation for the ordinance. He proposed certain cuts to the ordinance. In Program FA5 "Motor Vehicle Highway Motor Equipment ", he requested that the street paver equipment be cut by $3,118 and the slurry seal distributors by $25,000. He further requested that, in Program FA9 "Merry Avenue Land Acquisition ", the entire amount of $25,000 be deleted. He mentioned that some people might think quite a bit of money is going into Public Works projects; however, he felt that these projects were a very important factor as they involve the safety of motorists and pedestrians on the streets, alleys and the entire community. He mentioned that the money targeted last December was also included in this budget. He indicated that these programs will have to be complied with as far as national safety records are concerned. He also indicated that these would be asked for in the 1974 budget; therefore, if revenue sharing can be used, it would help as far as the taxes are concerned. He briefly spoke about the street equipment, indicating that much of the equipment is very old and some of the machinery is not even in operating condition. He hoped that at least eight or nine street sweepers would be in working condition at one time rather than just four as has happened in the past. He felt that the Solid Waste Department budget was self- explanatory, and he mentioned that copies were furnished the Council. He indicated that Program FA7 "Madison Street Bridge" was for land acquisition on that bridge. He concluded by indicating that $394,502 is left in reserve for future Public Works programs, and he expressed hope that the Council would act favorably on this request. Mr. William J. Richardson, Director of the Department of Public Works, spoke briefly on the pro- posed amendments to the Bureau of Solid Waste budget. He mentioned that there was to be a re- classification of a job title because of the union contract with the Teamsters. He then itemized the amendments as follows: Under item 4, in Services Personal, drivers were being re- classified as solid waste men with a total of 17 of these men at $150 per week. This would eliminate item 5, 11 helpers at $140 per week. He also indicated that item 6 would be deleted and a new item 5 would be 17 holidays at $30 times 9 remaining for the year. He indicated that the new sub -total would then read $120,183. Further, that item 8 would be decreased to $1,510; however, the total of Services Personal would remain at $121,693. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, indicated that she had a few questions to ask regarding this revenue sharing package, and she further indicated that the Civic Planning Association was hoping that more time would be taken to study the requests for appropriations because it was such an important matter. She referred to Program FA4 "Municipal Services Personnel" and asked if the figure of $5,000 was for a new manager. Mr. Richardson indicated that, at present, there is a building engineer on an hourly basis and that it was hoped that this man could be put on a salaried basis and increase his annual salary by $5,000. He mentioned that this amount would also include fringe benefits. Miss Guthrie asked if the full $5,000 was needed for the year, and Mr. Richardson indicated that it could be prorated at 75% for the remaining nine months. Miss Guthrie felt this should be done. In relation to Program FA5 "Motor Vehicle Highway Motor Equipment ", she commented that the association was pleased that additional money was going into the operation of the vehicles. In relation to Program FA6 "Summer Clean -up Program ", she felt it was not such an emergency at this time. In relation to Program FA8 "Street Lighting ", she asked if the $25,000 in that account was to restore what was previously cut from the budget. She felt this should also be considered as a safety factor because of the high