02-15-37 Council Special Meeting Minutes

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5 The Mayor and the Board of Public Works have thoroughly studied the existing conditions and the necessity of a sewage disposal plant for the City of South Bend. They have reached the con- clusion that while the present conditions of the river is not shown to be serious to the health of the city, it is entirely possible and probable thst a serious condition may arise if the river is not cleaned up. For your information, we have forty -three trunk sewers emptying into the river betweet Logan Street on the east'and Angella Avenue on the northwest. This makes the river between these points the most polluted of any section, where it should be in the best condition instead cf the worst. It is relieved that in the near future the city will be forced to clean the river running through the city. The Mayor and the Board of Public Works find that the sentiment towards buildings a sewage dis8 posal plant has changed greatly during the past eighteen months. Contractors Inform us that the cost of construction in connection with PWA grants has been lowered considerably in the past two years. The contrectors are now more familiar with the requirement of the Federal Govern- ment, and the government has made changes in its syAtem that are more understandable with the result that such work now done with the aid of PWA costs about the same as if done by private contract. A sewaoe'dispoeal plant built with Federal aid, the government paying 45% of the total, will cost the City $1,263,900.00. We believe that it is for the best interests of the city that a sewage disposal plant be built at this time in connection with the PWA. With this in mind the Board of Public Works consider- ed the employing of an engineer to prepare tentative plans so that the project could. be proper- ly placed before the officials of the VWA. The city records show that in 1930 an engineering firm was employed to make a survey of our district to ascertain the conditions of the river and. its ability to carry off our sewage, and. to recommend what shoudl be done to improve the conditions found to exist. The firm of Burns Find McDonnell made an extensive report in 1931 which brought out the necessity 'of a sewage disposal plant for the city, and a. second compre hensiv,e :report bringing the engineering date to date and in shape to file with the P,,WA offic- ials has just been received. It is the opinion of the Board and the Mayor that the City of South Bend is under obligations to employ this firm to prepare plans and specifications and present same to the PWA. In checking back it is found that Mayor Charles Goetz employed Burns and McDonnell to'make surveys and do engineering work in connection,with our weter system. They ware also employed by the Seebirt, Montgomery and Hinkle administrations for general engineering work. This firm has proven itself over a period of years to be entirely reliable and has built over two hundred sewage disposal plants in cities and towns of many states. We believe that a project of this magnitude should have the best engineering ability obtainable, and it is for the best interests of the city to provide same. With this in mind the Board of Public Works has employed the firm of Burns and McDonnell to prepare plans and specifications for 8 disposal plant to be built for the city in connection with the PWA. A contract has been signed with them subject of course, to the approval of the Common Council. The Mayor recommends that a committee be appointed to go over the plans and contract with the view of approving the project and making formal and proper a aplicstion for a. PWA grant for the construction of Fa sewage disposal plant for the City of South Bend, and that preparations be made for the-issuance of revenue bonds to finance the sponsor's share of the cost. Respectfully • sAmiited, George W. Freyermuih Mayor of South Bend. GWF;W Mayor Freyermuth reed said report. Councilman Chambers moved that the Mayor and Board of works be commended for their forwardness in the sewerage disposal plant problem. Councilmen Hull moved that this communication be referred to the Special. Committee consisting of Councilmen Bierwagen, Councilman James and. Councilman Goetz. Councilmen James, Chairman of Special Committee, read report and list of names chosen for com- mittee to study sewerage disposal plant. Councilman Chambers moved that the list of names that were recommended ty the Special Committee be confirmed. a Coincilma.n Hull moved that the City Clerk.write /letter to each name on the list, inviting them to attend an organization meeting where this matter will be explained. Councilman Goetz moved that March 3rd be set for the meeting date, time, 7:30 P. M., and in the Council Chambers. Councilman James seconded the motion. Motion carried. also Councilman Goetz moved that the Mayor, Board of Public Works and the City Attorney /be present at organization meeting. The Mayor's message on the annual reports of the year 1936 was placed on file. There, being no further business, Councilman Goetz moved to adjourn. Councilmen Rasmussen seconded the motion. Motion carried. Council adjourned at 8:50 P. M. ATTEST: APPROVED: n � CLERK DEI�5/ n U • • U *I