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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/18/76 Board of Public Works Minutes,4 A REGULAR PT.ETING OCTOBER 18, 1976 A regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was convened at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, October 18, 1976 by President Rollin Farrand with Mr. Farrand, Mr. Brunner and Mr. Mullen present. Deputy City Attorney Georgia Luks was also present. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING APPROVED Mr. Farrand noted that the minutes of the October 11 meeting had been reviewed and he made a motion that they be approved as submitted. Mr. Mullen seconded the motion and it carried. PETITION FILED FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT OLIVE AND PRAIRIE Councilman Walter Kopczynski submitted to the Board a petition containing over 1000 signatures requesting consideration,of the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Olive and Prairie Street. Mr. Kopczynski-said this is a heavily travelled intersection and -there is much truck traffic. There is also school bus traffic in the area. He said some years ago the Indiana State Highway Commission was contacted regarding a signal at this location and rejected the request. Mr. Kopczynski said the residents of the area are concerned and he feels the situation warrants immediate attention. He said he would like to see this Administration make some studies in an effort to correct.the situation at this inter- section. He also noted that there is a school, St. Mary's of the Assumption, in the immediate area. Father Piel, Pastor of St. Mary's of the Assumption parish, was present and told the Board that he is concerned about the safety of citizens at this intersection. He noted that he was stopped at this intersection for four to five minutes recently and there were eighteen cars stopped. He said a traffic signal is needed. Edward Nowak, 2407 S. Meade, said this area was annexed to the City and there is a definite need for a signal. Ile said speed limits posted in this area are 45 miles per hour but at the City Limits signs,t he speed is posted at35 miles per hour. Ile noted that buses for Green Township School, Marian High School and St. Mary's of the Assumption travel this intersection. He said anything the Board could do to assist in the installation of a signal would be appreciated. David A. Wells, Manager of the Bureau of Design and Administration, noted that this intersection involves the State Highway, since it is State Road 23, and St. Joseph County. Mr. Farrand noted that anything the City wanted to do would require State Highway concurrence. He moved that the petition be filed and referred to the Bureau of Traffic and Lighting for an update on the most recent studies conducted and for a written reconunendation to be made on November 1, 1976. Mr. Brunner seconded the motion and it carried. PUBLIC HEAPING CONTINUED - IMPROVEMENT RESOLUTION NO. 3433, HIGHLAND PARK 2ND ADDITION SANITARY SEWERS Mr. Farrand noted that the public hearing on Improvement Resolution No. 3433 for the construction of sanitary sewers in Highland Park 2nd Addition was continued until today to allow property owners to submit their written comments to the Board in regard to the project. He then read the following report prepared by Ray S. Andrysiak, Bureau of Engineering, based on the votes cast by property owners who attended the hearing on October 11 and one written vote submitted to the Board this week. "Phillipa Street Sanitary Sewer Project. The assessed drainage area is comprised of 112 lots of various sizes. These 112 lots are owned by 41 property owners/or owner which can mean: 1. An individual, 2. husband and wife, 3. several persons or 4. a bank, or company, or corporation. All property represented by "No -Show" are 3 REGULAR 11EETING OCTOBER 18, 1976 counted as Yes votes. 13 ownerships, representing 30 lots voted "No". 27 ownerships, representing 30 lots, voted "Yes". 1 ownership, representing 3 lots, voted "Neutral". Total - 112 lots. 30 lots Voting No represent 26.73'10 of the 112.1ots. 79 lots doting Yes represent 70.53 of the 112 lots. 3 lots Voting Neutral represent 2.631/0 of the 112 lots. 13 Ownerships Voting No represent 31.75% of the 41 ownerships. 27 Ownerships Voting Yes represent 65.36% of the 41 ownerships. 1 Ownership Voting Neutral represent 2.44% of the 41 ownerships. Mr. Farrand noted that one written comment was received from Charles Yuhasz, owner of Lot 272, who voted No.. That vote was included in the tabulation prepared by Mr. Andrysiak., The, Board also received a letter from Dr, William J. McCraley, St. Joseph County Health Officer,.which indicated that the Health Department- is still evaluating conditions concerning this project before a decision is made and asking that the Board continue the matter. Jack Young, 1712 Phillipa, was present and said he owns three lots in the area and did not receive any notification of the hearing held last week. Mr. Farrand said notices were sent to all owners listed on the Assessment Roll using information obtained from the Recorder's Office. A check of the Assessment Poll showed that Stanley & Henrietta Kryszczuk are listed as owners of Lots 97, 98 and 99 which Mr. Young has purchased. Mr. Young said the.only.property which has a sewer problem is located on Hillside Avenue, where there are three houses. Ile said his sewer system and well are perfectly adequate and he asked why the Board didn't consider putting sewers on Hillside where they are needed and save the money it would cost to put sewers in where they are not needed and the property owners don't want them. Mr. Young said he did not want or need city sewers. Doris Wesszo, 1725 Phillipa, said she was represented by another person at the hearing last week and thinks her vote was recorded as Neutral. She said she votes No on the project. David. A. Wells,. Manager of the Bureau of Design and Administration, said the Department of Engineering and the Health Department feel that septic tanks are a temporary way of getting sewage disposed of. Because of the high water table in the area, it is possible that sewage is getting into the water supply. Mr. Wells said it has been learned that salt is leaching into the system and if salt is doing so, it is possible that sewage is also. Mr. Young said nobody is having problems but the people on Hillside. He said he has a well and has had no problems with his water. Ile said he feels there is no.sewage showing up in the water system. Mr. Farrand said, in view of the fact that the Health Department has asked for a continuation to complete their review and on -site inspections, the Board could either continue the public hearing or take the matter under advisement. Mr. Brunner said he felt sufficient questions had been raised to warrant keeping the public hearing open. Ile said some persuasive arguments have been presented for the sewer construction. Mr. Brunner made a motion that the public hearing on Improvement Resolution No. 3433 be kept open until such tine as Dr. McCraley reports to the Board on the findings of the Health Department. Mr. Farrand seconded the motion and it carried. Mr. Farrand noted that when a report has been received from the Health Department, a time will be set to bring the matter back before the Board. Ile asked the property owners to watch the newspaper accounts of Board of Works meetings to learn the date when the matter will be brought back. Mrs. Payton, representing Anna Desits, owner of Lots 77 and 78, said a neutral vote was cast for Mrs. Desits last week but she would like to change that vote to No. REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 18, 1976 CHANGE ORDER PORTAGE:-1 MILTON UR SIG14ALIZATION A change order in t e.Portage-Ilamilton-Wilbur Signalization Project No. 6000(16) was submitted to the Board. The change order listed changes in the project and reflects a decrease in the contract of $2,380.90. Mr. Farrand made a motion that the change order be approved as submitted. Mr. Brunner seconded the motion and it carried. CLOSING OF CAROLINE STREET ON NOVEMBER 6 APPROVED report.from the Bureau of Traffic and Lighting The Board received a that the request of Zr. & Mrs. Roger Longley to close Caroline Street on November 6, from noon until midnight, for a Block Party had been reviewed w'th,the Police Department and approval is recommended. Mr—Farrand made a motion that the Board approve the closing of Caroline Street on November 6, subject to the filing of the necessary liability insurance., Mr. Mullen seconded the motion and it carried. RIVED. BEND PLAZA AP LICATIO14 APPROVED of River Bend Plaza,,submitted to the Board Ronald Bock, Director an application from the Cooperative Extension Service to conduct a demonstration on the Plaza on November 4, 5 and 6 on the drying of vegetables. Mr. Bock made a favorable recommendation on the application. Mr. Farrand made a,r..iotion that the application be approved, seconded ly Mr. Brunner and carried. BONDS APPROVED Ray S. Andrysiak, Bureau of Engineering, submitted to the Board a contractor's bond for Stephen J. Suth and an Excavation Bond for Wallace Mitchel , along with his recommendation that the bonds were properly executed and could be approved and filed with the Board. Upon motion made by Mr. Farrand, seconded by Mr. Mullen and carried, the bonds were approved. CLAIMS APPROVED The Board received a recommendation from Deputy City Controller Walter Lantz and Auditor Michael Vance that the claims for Docket Numbers 14930 through 15259 were reviewed and approval for payment was recommended. Mr. Farrand made a motion that the claims be approved, seconded by Mr. Mullen and carried. It was noted that the claims have always been reviewed and signatures of the Board members are required for payment, but a Field Examiner for the State Board of Accounts has recommended that the Board of Public Works officially approve the recommendation for payment of the claims at a Board meeting. Therefore, this procedure has been established. Mr. Farrand noted that this just formalizes the procedure that has been followed in the past. STREET LIGHT OUTAGE REPORT FILED The Street Light Outage Report for the period of October 11 through 15 was received. The report indicated 13 outages. Upon motion made by Mr. Farrand, seconded by Mr. Brunner and.carried, the report was ordered filed. LETTER TO INDIANA STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION RE: COLFAX BRIDGE APPROVED SUBJECT TO CONCURRENCE BY THE CITY ATTOP.NEY Mr. Farrand submitted to the Board a letter proposal to the Indiana State Highway Commission for reconstruction of the U. S. 20 (Colfax) Bridge. The project cost will be $950,000 and will involve a new bridge with the exception of the west span, which is salvageable, and will expand the bridge to four lanes. Mr. Farrand said the City was pursuing this matter rather than the County because the City is requesting public works money from the State and because this is a State Highway bridge. Tor. Farrand was asked if the project REGULAR. MEETING OCTOBER 13, 1976 would require any changes in,Pi;er Park; and he said it would not and that Pier Park would be protected during construction. Mr. Farrand made a motion that the Board approve the letter, subject to concurrence by the City Attorney. PZr. Brunner seconded the motion and it carried. COMPLAINT - VALLEY CABLEVISION Tim Zeak, South Bend Antenna Company, was present and called to the Board's attention a problem caused by radiation leaps from Valley Cablevision amplifiers and wiring installations. Mr. Zeak said the leaks interfere with the VHF signal in some areas and Valley Cablevision has not been willing to cooperate in correcting the situation. He said the problem can be remedied very easily but some problems have existed for more than four weeks and Valley Cablevision has not acted. Mr. Zeak said some of his customers have refused to pay him for his services because they are not able to pick up the signal. Mr. Zeak said the Antenna Company representatives would like to meet with the Board to discuss this problem, since they have received a negative response from Valley Cablevision. Mr. Brunner recommended that Valley Cablevision be sent a letter regarding the allegations that there are radiation leaks from their amplifiers and wiring installations and asking them for a response. The Clerk was directed to send such a letter. Mr. Brunner also recor.mended that a letter regarding the allegations be sent to the Federal Communications Conmission by the Legal Interne in the City Attorney's Office who has been handling cablevision matters. Mr. Farrand said the Board would pursue this matter by sending the letters as recommended and Mr. Zeak would be advised of the responses received. DRUG ABUSE VA14 TRANSFERRED TO BUREAU OF STREETS Mr. Farrand noted that a van titled to the Board of Public Works and used by the Drug Abuse Program was left with a blown out engine at Harold Medow, Inc. for a period of some months. Medows requested that the van be removed and the Bureau of Vehicle Maintenance has the van at the Municipal Services Facility. Mr. Farrand said no one from the Drug Abuse Progran assumes any responsibility for the van and he requested that it be transferred to the Bureau of Streets to be used by the Foreman in charge of the trash clean-up program. Board members concurred that this change should be made. BID ADVERTISING APPROVED - WO TRUCKS, BUREAU OF STREETS, ONE MOWER Mr. Farrand requested that the Board authorize advertising for . bids for two trucks and a mower for the Bureau of Streets, to be used by the trash clean-up crew wich is to be established to work in addition to the CETA crew. Upon motion made by Mr. Farrand, seconded by Mr. Mullen and carried, the Board authorized the Department of Public Works to prepare specifications and directed the Clerk to advertise for sealed bids to be received on November 1, 1976. There being no further business to come before the Board, upon motion made by Mr. Farrand, seconded by Mr. Brunner and carried, the.meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.