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REGULAR MEETING MAY 29 1973
<br />((COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED)
<br />Councilman Miller felt the city might be damaging itself for other projects. Mr. Richardson
<br />indicated that he had not even mentioned the revenue sharing funds; however, he was anticipating
<br />funds from the Federal Assistance Grant Fund. Councilman Miller indicated that the Council had
<br />approved projects totaling over $300,000 recently and all the contracts had been awarded to Murphy
<br />Consultants. He questioned why some of the contracts had not been awarded to some of the local
<br />and smaller firms. Mr. Richardson indicated that the smaller firms were getting their share of
<br />business and that all the companies do balance out. Councilman Parent indicated that he felt Mr.
<br />Richardson did not want to pass judgment on the professional firms, and Mr. Richardson indicated
<br />that the firms selected were awarded the contracts on the basis of qualification.
<br />(Councilman Szymkowiak made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by
<br />Councilman Parent. The motion carried.
<br />((ORDINANCE
<br />AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $330,000.00
<br />FROM THE CUMULATIVE SEWER BUILDING AND SINKING
<br />FUND (NORTHEAST AREA STORM SEWERS - McKINLEY
<br />TERRACE AREA) .
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. William J. Richardson, Director of the
<br />Department of Public Works, made the presentation for the ordinance. He requested that the appro-
<br />priation of $460,000 be reduced to $330,000 because of the low bids being received. Councilman
<br />Parent asked for an explanation of the lowness of the bids received, and Mr. Richardson indicated
<br />that construction work is slow at the present time and contractors need the jobs. He indicated
<br />that the city had received four bids.
<br />Councilman
<br />used, and
<br />carried.
<br />favorable,
<br />IIORDINANCE
<br />Parent made a motion to amend the ordinance by deleting the sum of $460,000, wherever
<br />inserting in its place the sum of $330,000, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion
<br />Councilman Serge then made a motion that the ordinance, as amended, go to the Council as
<br />seconded by Councilman Parent. The motion carried.
<br />AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $108,000.00 FROM
<br />THE LOCAL ROAD AND STREET FUND AND $12,000.00
<br />FROM THE CUMULATIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND
<br />FOR PROJECT R & S 63 - WIDENING OF BENDIX DRIVE
<br />FROM SOUTH SHORE TRACK TO LATHROP AVENUE, AND
<br />INSTALLATION OF CURBS AND GUTTERS.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. William J. Richardson, Director of the
<br />Department of Public Works, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that, in 1962,
<br />Bendix Drive had been built under a general obligation bond, with the pavement being built with
<br />two 12 -foot lanes. He indicated that the transportation plan calls for a 48 -foot wide pavement
<br />with curb and gutter. He indicated that this would be the main feeder into the industrial park.
<br />Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, asked if the sum of
<br />$108,000 would do the entire job of construction, and Mr. Richardson indicated that it would. He
<br />also added that the project was designed by the Division of Engineering and not a consulting
<br />engineer. Councilman Serge indicated that he had given Mr. Richardson a proposed plan for the
<br />project, and he wondered if consideration had been given that plan. Mr. Richardson indicated that
<br />consideration had been given to that plan and that, possibly in the future, a fourth lane could be
<br />added if traffic increases on Lathrop Avenue. He indicated that the underground conduit would be
<br />installed in case a fourth lane was determined to be necessary.
<br />Councilman Szymkowiak made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by
<br />Councilman Parent. The motion carried.
<br />((ORDINANCE
<br />AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $54,000.00 FROM
<br />THE LOCAL ROAD AND STREET FUND AND $6,000.00
<br />FROM THE CUMULATIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND
<br />FOR PROJECT R & S 60 - ORANGE STREET - COLFAX
<br />AVENUE CONNECTOR FROM BENDIX DRIVE TO LaPORTE
<br />AVENUE.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. William J. Richardson, Director of the
<br />Department of Public Works, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that in the
<br />Model Cities Plan and the South Bend Urban Area Comprehensive Transportation Plan a new arterial
<br />is shown to intersect with Bendix Drive. He indicated that this was basically the same route that
<br />the South Shore tracks take. He indicated that the tracks from the O'Brien Plant east would be
<br />removed from the street; however, the tracks would have to remain to service the plant. He
<br />mentioned that Colfax Avenue would be improved at least to LaPorte Avenue and possibly to the
<br />Inner Belt to help relieve traffic. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic
<br />Planning Association, asked if the construction would require any right -of -way acquisition. Mr.
<br />Richardson indicated that the acquisition was being investigated and that the ordinance presented
<br />was for the engineering plans and specifications and not actual construction as yet. He did
<br />mention that the South Shore Railroad would dedicate its property for right -of -way. Miss Guthrie
<br />asked if Washington Street would be closed under the Model Cities Plan, and Mr. Richardson answered
<br />that it would be. Council President Nemeth mentioned priorities, and asked how high this project
<br />was on the priority list. He also expressed concern about the city over - extending itself on the
<br />projects. Mr. Richardson indicated that he has always tried to have what he called as a "back log
<br />of projects ". He explained that, when the engineering and planning is done and when the money is
<br />available, the project is started. He indicated that many times, there are problems encountered in
<br />obtaining right -of -way acquisition which always results in a delay. Council President Nemeth asked
<br />why Colfax Avenue was chosen as the connector rather than LaSalle. Mr. Richardson indicated that
<br />Colfax Avenue had originally been shown as the logical route. He indicated that the project had
<br />been fully coordinated with the overall improvement in the downtown area. Council President Nemeth
<br />asked about the traffic generated from the Bendix Plant. Mr. Richardson indicated that a number of
<br />Bendix employees use Olive Street and the idea of the Inner Belt was to route traffic around the
<br />central business district. Council President Nemeth questioned if someone working at Bendix would
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