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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/29/73 Board of Public Works MinutesJanuary 29, 1973 A regular meeting of the Board of Public Works and Safety convened at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, January 29, 1973 with Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Barcome in attendance. Mr. Richardson was out of the city. Minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and approved. Mr. Sweeney announced that present today were Mr. James Seitz, who will be a member of the Board of Public Works beginning next Monday and Mr. Pat Gallagher, Director of the Bureau of Safety and Dr. John Kromkowski, Director of Human Resources, who will serve on the Board of Public Safety. Mr. Barcome, on behalf of himself and Mr. Richardson, expressed their thanks and appreciation to Mr. Sweeney, who will be, leaving the Board of Works after this meeting. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, also expressed her thanks to Mr. Sweeney and the Board for their courtesy and cooperation. BIDS OPENED ON MAIN STREET SEWER PROJECT CS-3-1972 Bids for the Main Street Storm Sewer Project No. CS-3-1972 were openedand publicly read, the Clerk having tendered proofs of publication of notice in the South Bend Tribune and the Tri-County News which were found to be sufficient. Howell Construction Company Bid - $27,250 Alternate l-A $3200.00 Alternate 1-B $ 400.00 Alternate 1-C $1560.00 Alternate 1-D $1620.00 Arco Engineering Construction Co. Bid - $35,551.55 Alternate 1-A $5280.00 Alternate t-B $ 300.00 Alternate 1-C $3000.00 Alternate 1-D $3400.00 H. DeWulf Mechanical Contractor Bid - $39,015.25 Alternate 1-A $5360.00 Alternate 1-B $ 300.00 Alternate 1-C $1880.00 Alternate 1-D $2060.00 Non -collusion affidavit was found to be in order and a 5% bid bond accompanied the bid Non -collusion affidavit was found to be in order and a 10% bid bond accompanied the bid Non -collusion affidavit was found to be in order and a 5% bid bond accompanied the bid Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the bids were referred to the Bureau of Engineering for study and recommendation. FIRE DEPARTMENT Chief Bland was present and matters pertaining to his department were discussed. RECOMMENDATION OF PROMOTION - FIREFIGHTER ED SZYMKOWIAK The following letter was received by the Board: Board of Public Works and Safety 13th Floor, County -City Building South Bend, Indiana 46601 Re: Pvt. Ed Szymkowiak Honorable Board Members: Fire Fighter Ed Szymkowiak has worked in the South Bend Fire Department Fire Fire Prevention Bureau for several months and has proven to be a very capable and efficient Fire Inspector. He has exhibited all the qualities necessary to merit a promotion. 1 1 1/29/73 LJ 1 I am, therefore, requesting that Fire Fighter Ed Szymkowiak be promoted to the rank of lieutenant effective this date. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully yours, SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT /s/ Jack R. Bland, Fire Chief JRB/ss Upon motion made, seconded and carried,.the Board approved the request of Fire Chief Jack Bland that Fire Fighter Ed Szymkowiak be promoted to lieutenant, effective this date. POLICE DEPARTMENT RESIGNATIONS FROM CADET PROGRAM GLENN POWELL AND JAMES W. TRAEGER_, JR. The following letter was received by the Board: Board of Public Works and Safety County -City Building 227 West Jefferson Blvd. South Bend, Indiana 46601 Gentlemen: Cadets Glenn Powell and James W. Traeger, Jr. have submitted their resignations for the South Bend Police Department Cadet program. It is the recommendation of this office that the resignations become effective -January 31, 1973. Respectfully, /s/ Robert W. Seals, Chief of Police RWS:msg Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the Board accepted the -recommendation of Police Chief Seals and accepted the resignations effective January 31, 1973. DELAY REQUESTED IN AWARDING GROUP III VEHICLE BIDS FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT The Board agreed to a request from Police Chief Robert Seals for a week's delay in awarding the bid for Group III police vehicles, upon motion made, seconded and carried. . APPLICATIONS - POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT Applications were received by the Board and ordered filed and referred to the Personnel Department for the following persons: Police Department Michael R. Klotz Ronnie A. Rhoades Fire Department Duane Kurek DISCUSSION ON USE OF THREE-WHEELERS BY POLICE DEPARTMENT Miss Virginia Guthrie, 403A Lincolnway West, asked whether the Police Department was considering increasing their patrolling of the city by the use of three- wheelers. She said that they had been used in the River Park area previously with good results. Division Chief Robert Urban replied that the use of three- wheelers had been discontinued sever -al years ago and he did not know the reason. 1/29/73 Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the award was made to Michiana Builders on their low bid of $890. 1505 Lebanon Street This being the date set for receiving bids for the demolition of the structure at 1505 Lebanon Street, the following bids were openedand read, after determining that non -collusion affidavits were in proper order: Michiana Builders $790.00 O'Neal Trucking Co. $875.00 Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the award was made to Michiana Builders on their low bid of $790. 1124 W. Napier Street This being the date set for receiving bids for the demolition of the structure at 1124 W. Napier Street, the following bids were opened and read, after determining that non -collusion affidavits were in proper order: O'Neal Trucking Co. $700.00 Michiana Builders $840.00 Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the award was made to O'Neal Trucking Company on their low bid of $700. 907 W. Thomas Street-712 N. Hill Street The Department of Redevelopment brought to the attention of the Board sub -standard structures at 907 W. Thomas Street and 712 N. Hill Street. -Upon motion made, - seconded and carried, the Board authorized the Department of Redevelopment to have the structures demolished. . 710 N. Hill Street The matter of the property at 710 N. Hill Street having been continued, Mr. John Carpenter, 706 N. Hill Street, appeared before the Board. Mr. Carpenter reported that he has decided to acquire the property at 710 N. Hill Street. He asked that the Board take the demolition contract away from Bryant Excavation Company since they have not completed the work and award the bid to O'Neal Trucking Company, the second lowest bidder. The Board instructed Mr. Steed to contact O'Neal Trucking Company to see if they will stand by their bid and report back to the Board of Safety. If the condition of the property is as reported, the Board of Safety will void the contract with Bryant Excavation Company and award the contract to the second lowest bidder, O'Neal Trucking Company, LETTER FROM MODEL NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING AGENCY RE: SUB -STANDARD BUILDINGS Mrs. Louvenia Cain, 1207 W. Washington Street, a member of the Model Neighborhood Planning Association Board, read the following letter: Board of Public Works & Safety County -City Building South Bend, Indiana 46601 Dear Sirs: We the members of the Housing Committee and the Model Neighborhood Planning Agency are very grateful to you for your diligent effort of eliminating sub -standard housing from the housing stock of the city and especially of the Model. Neighborhood. We are also thankful and proud of Mr. Isaiah Steed, Director of the Sub -standard Building Department for his efforts, since he is a shining example of the results of our Model Cities Program. He is a former housing inspector trainee of the Model Cities Program. We would like to commend you for being farsighted enough to change the stipulations in the contracts awarded to demolition companies which has resulted in a marked improvement in the speed in which buildings that have been ordered destroyed are taken care of in a speedy and efficient manner. 1/29/73 PROPOSAL FOR FINAL PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS-KENSINGTON FARMS SEWERS Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the Board approved a letter proposal from Kent S. Kaser to prepare the final plans and specifications for the Kensington Farms Sewer project at a cost of $8,800.00. REPORT FROM DEPARTMENT OF REDEVELOPMENT RE: PARKING SPACES -MAIN STREET LOT In response to an inquiry made into the availability of rental space on land cleared on Main Street across from the Court House, the Department of Redevelopment advised the Board that they could not provide such space because of the interest of prospective buyers for the property in question. The Board agreed to check further into available space for parking of County police cars. RESOLUTION - SALE OF CITY OWNED REAL ESTATE RESOLUTION NO. 3-1973 A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING VALUE FOR CERTAIN PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE OWNED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AND ORDERING SALE THEREOF O WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of South Bend has caused certain parcels of real estate not necessary to the public use to be appraised by two licensed independent appraisers who are freeholders in the u City of South Bend, Indiana; and WHEREAS, the Board has received such appraisals and now, pursuant to Chapter 30A of the Municipal Code of the City of South Bend, Indiana, desires to establish the valuation of said parcels for the purpose of sale; and WHEREAS, the Board now wishes to order said parcels offered for sale and provide for the giving of notice thereof, pursuant to Chapter 30A of the Municipal Code of the City of South Bend. WHEREAS, property located at 1219-1221 South Lafayette Blvd. was heretofore offered for sale and no bid was received equal to the offering price of $1610.00, and now, therefore, the Board has determined to sell said property on credit, pursuant to Chapter 30 A of the Municipal Code of the City of South Bend, Section 2 (e) (4) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of South Bend, Indiana: 1. That the Board now established valuation for the hereinafter described parcels of real estate for the purpose of offering the sale of the same as follows: Description VALUATION The South One -Half ('—z) of Lot No. 10, Sam. $1,335.00 Stull's 1st Addition to the City of South Bend, commonly known as 1315 South Main Street. 50 feet South End of Lot No. 50, Stull's 4th $ 635.00 Addition to the City of South Bend, commonly known as 1611 South William Street. Lot H, Sample's Sub. of 26-27-28, Denniston $ 935.00 Fellows Addition to the City of South Bend, commonly known as 314 East Bronson Street. The unused portions of Lots No. 11 & 12 as shown $1,210.00 on the recorded plat of Kuntsman's 1st Addition to the Town now City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana, described as follows: Beginning at the northwesterly corner of Lot No. 11, thence easterly along the northerly line of Lots No. 11 and 12 to the intersection of said line with the 7 1/29/73 Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the Board adopted the resolution. The Clerk was instructed to advertise the sale of property in two newspapers with bids to be received on February 26th, 1973. CONTRACTOR'S BOND FOR JULIUS O'NEAL APPROVED The Bureau of -Engineering reported that a contractor's bond for Julius O'Neal had been investigated and found to be in order and, upon motion made, seconded and carried,the Board approved the bond. CONTRACTOR'S AND EXCAVATION BONDS FILED The following contractor's and excavation bonds were filed and referred to the Bureau of Engineering for investigation and report: Contractor's Bond Continuation Certificate - The Hickey Company, Inc. Contractor's Bond - All American Concrete Company Excavation Bond-- Alex Niezgodski Excavation Bond-- Charles 0. Hawkins Excavation Bond --Guy Rizek Plumbing and Heating Excavation Bond-- All American Concrete Company COMPLAINT - MRS. F. S. WLODARSKI Mrs. F. S. Wlodarski 1869 Riverside Drive complained to the Board that she attended the public hearing on the Kensington Farms Sewer project and when she tried to ask questions she was ruled out of order. Mr. Sweeney, in answer to Mrs. Wlodarski's statement, said that the meeting was held for the benefit of the Kensington Farms residents so the plan could be explained to them. He said he felt he had to consider the equity of the people who came out to discuss their own needs. They wanted to talk about their problem and he thought it was fair to let them control the meeting. COMPLAINT - MRS. LEE SWAN Mrs. Lee Swan, 2022 Swygart Street, spoke to the Board about the Kensington Farms sewer project. She said she felt it was unfair that the Beale Street residents, who live in homes valued at $12,000 to $20,000 were paying the full cost of sewers in their area while the Kensington Farms residents, who live in much more expensive homes, will pay only half the cost. Mr. David Wells, Assistant City Engineer, explained that this is an experimental program and will be the approach used toward sewer construction all over the city. CITY HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR 1973 Mr. Sweeney said that, when the holiday schedule for City employees was set by the Board, they failed to take into consideration agreements made with the union as to the number of paid holidays City employees would have. Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the Board approved Monday, December 24th as a holiday for City employees. ST. JOSEPH RIVER RUN CANOE RACE Mr. Donald Sporleder, President of the Michiana Watershed, appeared before the Board and said that a letter was on its way to the Board asking for permission to hold the Third Annual St. Joseph River Run Canoe Race. It will be a 13 mile race from South Bend to Niles and will require use of Leeper Park and the closing of some streets in the area. The date is May 12th. The race might include a new section which would involve the use of Veterans Memorial Park also. The Board gave tentative approval of the project subject to the letter being received and referred to the Police Department and the Traffic Department for their investigation. 1/29/73 PERMISSION TO USE EAST DRIVE MSF BUILDING FOR CRANE OPERATIONS Mr. David Wells, Assistant City Engineer, reported to the Board that in order to remove some smoke stacks, permission would be needed to operate a crane in the drive on the East Side of the Municipal Services Facility. Mr. Sweeney said he would like to investigate this thoroughly to see what effect the crane might have on the asphalt surface before such permission was given. STREET LIGHT OUTAGE REPORTS Street Light outage reports for the period of 1/18/73 to 1/24/73 were received and ordered filed. There being no further business to come before the Board, upon motion made, seconded and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m. 1 1 4 1/29/73 RESOLUTION NO. 3-1973 (CONT.) chain fence running along the westerly right-of-way line of Cushing Street (Inner -belt), thence southerly along the westerly right-of-way line of Cushing Street and the above -mentioned fence to a point of intersection with the westerly line of Lot No. 11, thence northerly along the westerly line of Lot No. 11 to the point of beginning. The unused portion of Lots 1 & 2A and 2B in Keefer's Sub, of B.O.L. 29 and 30 described as follows: Beginning at the northeasterly corner of Lot No. 2 in Keefer's Sub. of B.O.L. 29 and 30, thence north- easterly along the northerly line of Lots 1 A and B, Keefer's Sub. of B.O.L.s to the -intersection of said lines with the chain fence running along the westerly right of way line of Cushing Street, thence southerly along the westerly right of way line of Cushing Street and the above -mentioned fence to a point of intersection with the easterly line of Lot 2 thence northerly along the easterly line of Lot 2 to the point of beginning. $1,110.00 2. As to the property located at the North ('-z) One -Half of Lot No. 21 Stull's 2nd Addition to the City of South Bend, commonly known as 1219- 1221 South Lafayette Blvd., heretofore having been offered for sale for the price of $1,610.00 with no bid having been received equal to the offering price, said property is now ordered sold on credit pursuant to Chapter 30A of the Municipal Code of the City of South Bend, Section 2 (e) (4) which provides that if there is no bid received for this property equal to the offering price, then the Board may offer the property for sale at not less than the offering price on credit in payments not to exceed three years, payable in equal quarterly installments with interest of eight (8) per cent. 3. The Board shall prepare an offering sheet for each parcel herein pursuant to ordinance and copies of the offering sheet shall be on file at the Board of Public Works and Safety and shall be made available to the public upon request. 4. The Board may offer for sale at private sale without notice, and for not less than the value established by the Board herein, any property valued by the Board at less than $1,000.00. 5. As to properties valued by the Board at $1,000.00 or more, the Board shall sell such property by published notice calling for sealed bids for cash at not less than the offering price. 6. Published notice of the offering of said parcels for sale shall be given by publication on the 2nd day of February,-1973 and on the 9th day of February, 1973, in the South Bend Tribune and the Tri-County News, which notice shall contain the information as required by Chapter 30A of the Municipal Code of the City of South Bend. 7. Bids shall be opened by the Board at its public hearing on the 26th day of February, 1973, and bids may be received in the offices of the Board until 9:30 o'clock A.M. on the 26th day of February, 1973. Adopted this 29th day of January, 1973. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS & SAFETY OF THE CITY OF SOUTH -BEND, INDIANA /s/ Charles A. Sweeney, President /s/- James V. Barcome, Member ATTEST: /s/ Patricia DeClercq Clerk, Board of Public Works and Safety �I 1 1 138 1/29/73 However, there is one part of the process that we feel the Board might investigate. That problem involves a method of reducing the time it takes to get a structure to the point of a demolition order. We feel that, if necessary, the Common Council be petitioned to change or enact an ordinance that would reduce the amount of time and the number of stalling tactics that are employed by slum and absentee landlords. If this is not desirable, maybe the Board could consider that a person who owns in excess of two rental dwelling units, and is making his or her living or some portion of it fromthe rental of that housing unit, should be given less consideration or leniency because such landlords are knowledgeable of their legal and moral responsibilities to the tenant and to the community. We feel that this is an urgent and important matter for as we discuss this matter today there are poor families scattered in the Model Neighborhood and throughout the city living in substandard housing that needs to be demolished at the earliest possible time. The only way to prevent neighborhood decay from happening is to rid the city of these units by swift destruction of such units that are substandard if its owner shows no interest in rehabilitation it. We wish to thank you for your cooperation in allowing us to present our concerns on the matter of substandard housing to you at this time and we hope that the Board will see fit to imvestigate this matter thoroughly and come up with some solutions to the problem. Thank you. Sincerely, MNPA Housing Co -Chairman Mr. Sweeney thanked Mrs. Cain for bringing the views of the Model Neighborhood Planning Agency to the Board and said that the letter would be referred to the Board of Public Safety for their consideration. . LETTER FROM ARTHUR SHULTS RE: DEMOLITION OF SUB -STANDARD BUILDINGS A letter was received by the Board from Arthur Shults, 1703 North Kaley Street, suggesting that instead of demolishing sub -standard structures,.the City should have them taken down piece -by -piece and salvage all the materials to be used to build low-cost housing for the poor. The letter was referred to the Board of Public Safety. RECOMMENDATION -IMPROVEMENT OF ALLEY BETWEEN BERKLEY PLACE AND INGLEWOOD PLACE Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the Board accepted the recommendation of the Director of Public Works that the petition for the improvement of the alley between Berkley Place and Inglewood Place, from Oakwood Blvd. to Lathrop Street, by constructing a concrete pavement be granted. , ORDER FOR PRELIMINARY PLANS -ALLEY IMPROVEMENT Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the Board approved an order with Clyde E. Williams & Associates for preliminary plans for improvement of the alley between Berkley Place and Inglewood Place from Oakwood Blvd. to Lathrop. IMPROVEMENT RESOLUTION NO. 3372-1972 RESCINDED Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the Board rescinded Improvement _Resolution No. 3372-1972, which was the 10 year plan for payment for sewers in the Kensington Farms subdivision. IMPROVEMENT RESOLUTION NO. 3373-1972 CONFIRMED The Board approved Improvement Resolution No. 3373-1972, the five year plan for payment for construction of sewers in the Kensington Farms subdivision upon motion made, seconded and carried. 1 1 1 1/29/73 He said it might have been because of lack of personnel. Miss Guthrie asked whether the use of the cadets was relieving police officers of some of the routine work and Chief Urban sAtd that it was. CIVIL DEFENSE HOURS REPORTED Mr. Don Germann, Civil Defense Director, reported that 22 men of the Civil Defense Department worked 7500 hours with the Police Department last year, including 1160 hours riding with patrol cars. BUREAU OF BUILDINGS - SUB -STANDARD DIVISION Mr. Isaiah Steed, Sub -Standard Director, appeared before the Board and matters pertaining to his department were discussed. Mr. Steed brought to the attention of the Board the following sub -standard structures: 207 N. Johnson Street 2206 S. William Street 1121 Hancock Street 1214-1214'' S. Ruth Street 316 E. South Street 417 E. South Street Owner: Lindzy Richardson, deceased, Minnie Smith, Executrix of the Estate Nicholas J. Manczunski Estate of Larry J. Pawleski, Frances Grzesiak, et al Samuel Graber June C. Kocsis Charles F. & Pauline Johnson Upon motion made, seconded and carried, Mr. Steed was authorized to bring the above persons before the Board to show cause why the various structures should not be demolished. 610-614 S. Fellows St. Arquilla Cannady having been requested to appear before the Board to show cause why the property at 610-614 S. Fellows Street should not be demolished and not having appeared, upon motion made, seconded and carried, Mr. Steed was authorized to seek bids for the demolition -of the structure. 720 George Avenue Robert E. Hester et al having been requested to appear before the Board to show cause why the structure at 720 George Avenue should not be demolished and.not having appeared, upon motion made, seconded and carried, Mr. Steed was authorized to seek bids for the demolition of the structure. 1607 S. Marietta Mr. Steed reported that he has been in contact with the owners of this structure and asked for a continuance which was granted upon motion made, seconded and carried. 511 E. South St. Mr. Steed reported that this property has been demolished. 1013-1015 S. Carroll St. Majer and Rose Zarnoviecki having been requested to appear before the Board to show cause why the property at 1013-1015 S. Carroll St. should not be demolished and not having appeared, upon motion made, seconded and carried, Mr. Steed was authorized to seek bids for the demolition of the structure. >}506 S. High Street Mr. Kollar, representing the Davis Realty Company, appeared before the Board and told them that his company hopes to sell the property to someone who would make the necessary improvements. The Board, upon motion made, seconded and carried, agreed to give Davis Realty Company four weeks.to comply with the necessary list of repairs to the structure and to .appear at the Board of Public Safety meeting on February 27, 1973 to report to the Board. 307 Hamden Court This being the date set for receiving bids for the demolition of the structure at 307 Hamden Court, the following bids were opened and read after determining that non -collusion affidavits were in proper order: O'Neal Trucking Co. $1,000.00 Michiana Builders $ 890.00 1