05-29-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) go through town and he also questioned the plans for Madison and LaSalle. Mr. Richardson indicated that the transportation plan would have to be realized or dropped. He indicated that alternate routes are always chosen; however, the study recommended a series of certain routes to coordinate with each other. He mentioned that there is a large amount of traffic using alternate routes that could be using the Inner Belt. Councilman Szymkowiak indicated that he felt using Colfax Avenue was a wise move because it would take traffic off Fassnacht Avenue which was a heavily traveled street. Councilman Miller indicated that he wanted to compliment Mr. Richardson on his proposed projects because the program he had submitted to the Council last October had been followed very closely. He indicated that he was not against the concept of the project at hand but that he was concerned about the city over- extending itself. He asked who the engineering consultant was to be, and Mr. Richardson indicated that Cole and Associates had been selected. Councilman Taylor asked about the right -of -way acquisition status, and Mr. Richardson answered that the right -of -way maps would be studied, including the property descriptions, in order to come back to the Council for the construction funds which would include the right -of -way costs. Councilman Szymkowiak made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Parent. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $18,000.00 FROM THE LOCAL ROAD AND STREET FUND AND $2,000.00 FROM THE CUMULATIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR PROJECT R & S 61 - MICHIGAN STREET - MAIN STREET CONNECTOR. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mrs. Janet Allen, 125 West Marion Street, asked where the construction would be and where the project would go. She indicated that it was not stated in the ordinance. Mr. William J. Richardson, Director of the Department of Public Works, stated that Mrs. Allen had a just concern. He indicated that the entire $20,000 was more than just plans and specifications and would not be very expensive. He mentioned that the big expense would be for right -of -way. He mentioned that a study must be available for the area from Madison Street north of Park Lane to determine the feasibility of the connector in that area. He indicate, that the alternate routes would also be investigated. Mrs. Allen questioned the area north of Park Lane. Mr. Richardson indicated that he had used that only as a limit of the study and that area might not even necessarily be recommended. He indicated that he was not in the position to tell anyone exactly where the project would go. He indicated that he was only asking for the funds to see where the most feasible location for the project would be. Mrs. Allen indicated that most of the ordinances being considered by the Council at the meeting were simply for engineering studies. Mr. Richardson indicated that, by Indiana law, anything over $4,000 requires plans and specifications. He indicated that the only item that has a study attached was the ordinance in question. He briefly explained the procedure used in approving the appropriations. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, indicated that these funds did not include the actual construction, and she asked where these funds would come from. Mr. Richardson indicated that the funds would be derived from the R & S Fund. Mr. Roger Gay, 1120 East Ewing Avenue, asked if Mr. Richardson expected this project to affect the intersection at Main and Marion. He asked when this information would be available. Mr. Richardson indicated that there would be a public hearing held when the route was selected and he guessed that would be sometime around September or October. He assured Mr. Gay that notices would be sent to the affected proper owners. Councilman Parent made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Horvath. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $153,000.00 FROM THE LOCAL ROAD AND STREET FUND AND $17,000.00 FROM THE CUMULATIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR PROJECT R & S 62 - COMPLETE RECONSTRUCTION OF MIAMI STREET AND IRELAND ROAD INTERSECTION. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, asked if this appropriation was for the engineering or actual construction, and Mr. Richardson indicated that it was for the actual construction. Council President Nemeth asked when the actual construction would be commenced, and Mr. Richardson indi- cated that the Board of Public Works would be taking bids on June 11. He also mentioned that the plans call for full operation of the intersection during the construction period. Council President Nemeth asked if this project would be completed before the opening of the new Scottsdale Mall, and Mr. Richardson indicated that the plans called for completion before the mall opened, and he hoped this could be accomplished. Councilman Taylor asked if the traffic lights would be overhanging. Mr. Richardson indicated that they would hang from the catenary and would be referred to as "clothesline ". He indicated that the intersection would be six lanes with a con- trolled left turn and right turn lane, identical to the improvement to be made at Ironwood and Ireland. He also mentioned that there is right -of -way available for the construction except for a small portion of the Erskine Golf Course and Standard Oil. Councilman Taylor made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried. Chairman Newburn expressed his appreciation to Mr. Richardson for the work he had done for the city, and he indicated that Mr. Richardson had always given the Council much help in matters and also submitted very clear and complete reports to the Council concerning the various public works projects undertaken. The audience and other Council members acknowledged Councilman Newburn's statement with a standing ovation for Mr. Richardson. There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, Councilman Taylor made a motion to rise and report to the Council, seconded by Councilman Horvath. The motion carried,. ATTEST: ATTES // /' CITY CLERK CHAIRMAN