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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-2005 Newsletter Highlights Pagel City of South Bend Mayor's Letter-Combined Sewer ' Overflow Combined Sewer w-Public Newsletter Notification on Program Paee2 Halina Poetry Prize Honors Sister City f . Roundabouts-Improve Traffic Flow Cold Weather Safety Information February 2005 Letter from the Mayor During the 1990s the City spent should a rate increase be structured? Should DearNeighbors: over$30 million improving the collection the increase be made in one change or system and eliminating 9 combined sewer phased in over a number of years?Are there I am pleased to report that we are overflow chambers. Another$50 million was alternate ways of financing these projects? continuing our emphasis on important en- spent upgrading the Wastewater Treatment Ultimately,these questions and others will vironmental stewardship programs by Plant. Storm related discharges to the river generate thoughtful recommendations for partnering with Elkhart and Mishawaka to were reduced by 14%. Computer models and the City and the public to consider as we study the effect of combined (storm and sample analysis show that fish and other continue to bring this information to the sanitary flow in the same pipe)sewage over- aquatic life are prospering in our river as a community. I appreciate the efforts of the flows (CSOs) on the water quality of the resultof our industrial pretreatment Program. community volunteers on the Advisory Saint Joseph river. This proactive"water- The only pollutant of concern from CSO dis- Committee as well as our staff. This is good shed" approach will help us maintain and charges is bacteria, which during storm stewardship and good government. improve the quality of our river,one of our events is raised to high levels in the river. most important natural resources. In 2003, we established an Advi- A Storm Water Management Mas- sory Committee to provide citizen input and ter Plan was completed after surveying our recommendations on a plan to further reduce customers m2003. This plan addresses the the impacts of CSOs. This Committee,made Stephen J.Luecke long standing problem of basement back- up of 18 citizens,represents large and small Mayor ups during heavy rain events. The 30 year businesses, environmental groups, and plan has been reduced to 10 years with con- neighborhoods. Throughout the process, struction beginning this year. Separating members have show a keen understanding Combined Sewer Overflow the storm water from the sanitary flow will of the issues and offered valuable advice relieve the backup issues and give us the which led to a phased approach in our Long Public Notification Program added benefit of reducing the volume of Term Control Plan for CSOs. The Plan was sewage that overflows into the St. Joseph submitted to the State for approval in De- The City of South Bend has devel- River during these storm events. This is a cember. oped a public notification program regard- win for the residents who have experienced Phase I of the plan calls for a sewer mg the potential health impacts of combined basement backups and for the positive en- separation program that will account for a sewer overflows(CSOs). The goals of the vironmental impact on our river. 40%reduction of the wet weather overflows Public notification program are to notify in- Combined sewers are not just a into the river. While alternatives for Phase terested residents when wet weather sewer local problem. Over 100 communities in In- II were analyzed for cost and effectiveness, overflows are likely to occur, to educate diana are faced with this dilemma and they projects were not committed to until the ef- them about health hazards associated with represent about 10% of the national CSO fects of Phase I can be monitored and other wet weather overflows in our streams,and problem. This is an historic issue that dates information concerning the water quality to enable them to protect themselves and back 100+years to the earliest development standards can be determined. their families from those hazards. of indoor plumbing and public sewer sys- Phase I has been projected to cost The public is invited to sign up for tems. $117 million. Phase 11 will cost more. Cur- an email notification of potential CSO dis- Over the last fifteen years, South rently, our average residential sewer bill is charges at www.ci.south-bend.in.us/ Bend has been proactive in researching and $17.57 per month for 5,600 gallons of water Pub licWorks/Wastewater/wa/ applying many strategies for improving the used. This average charge is well below csonotify2.htm1 orby calling 574-277-8515 handling of our storm water. We developed sewer charges for most communities in Indi- ext 28 to get a recorded message on current our"CSO Operational Plan"in 1989 focus- ana. However,this rate does not allow for overflow conditions. ing on the EPA's"nine minimum controls". the capital improvements necessary to meet After a rainstorm or snowmelt,you In 1996,we received a national second place federal guidelines for CSO and stormwater should avoid contact with streams in the award from US EPA for this effort. Ourpro- management. combined sewer area for at least 72 hours. gram was also used as a"case study" in a The Advisory Committee will now Signs are posted along our waterways to Federal Guidance Document and applauded tam its focus on ways to finance this plan, identify wet weather overflow outfalls and in an Indiana Department of Environmental including future sewer rate increases. They areas where contact with water could be Management(IDEM)newsletter. will review our financing options. How hazardous. Visit the City of South Bend online at www.ci.south-bend.in.us Halina Poetry Prize Honors Sister City Roundabouts Will Improve Traffic Flow on Portage Ave. i Mayor Stephen J.Luecke announced the City e S of South Bend's first annual Halina Poetry The City of South Bend is launching an ex- Prize winners at his State of the City Address citing project this construction season to IZFL c I low on Monday, January 24, 2005. The Halina improve traffic flow and safety in a cost ef- W pwbl ,ta Poetry Prize,a poetry contest for high school fective manner along north Portage Avenue. students,was designed to showcase area stu- Two roundabouts will be constructed at dents'literary talent and to honor South Bend's Sister City,Cze"stochowa,Poland. Portage's intersections with Ribourde Drive and Lathrop Avenue. The roundabout at The contest has been a great success! A total of 244 entries were received from students Lathrop will include the Highland Cemetery from seven South Bend public, private and parochial high schools. The top prize, the entrance. Halina Award,was given to Amber Eslinger, a 10 grader and participant in Riley High School's creative writing program. First Place was awarded to Teshaun Massey,12' grade, Each roundabout will be a circular 4-way also of Riley. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Brittany Nicole Fisher,9'grade,of intersection with a landscaped island in the Clay High School,Nausheen Shaikh, 12'"grade, of Clay,Ashley Petersen IV grade, of center. The important thing to know about Riley,and Lauren LaPierre, 12'"grade,of Riley. The top 20 poems in each age category roundabouts is that traffic flows in a have also been selected for inclusion in the 2005 Halina Poetry Prize Chapbook. counter-clockwise direction. Yield signs control each entrance into roundabouts. All The City of South Bend would like to thank the sponsors of the 2004-2005 Halina Poetry turns that drivers make when entering and Prize contest for their generosity. Sponsors include the University ofNotre Dame Nanovic exiting a roundabout are right turns. Driv- Institute for European Studies, Indiana University South Bend International Programs ers inside the roundabout have the right- Fund,The Public Education Foundation,Chopin Fine Arts Club and Erasmus Books. of-way over any driver entering the round- about. Mayor Luecke and the City would also like to thank the members of the Halina Poetry Prize Committee: Dr.Gabrielle Robinson,Committee Chair,IUSB International Programs,Mike Roundabouts were chosen for these inter- Amato,NoExit magazine;Nancy Botkin,IUSB English Department-,Conrad Damian,Wash- section improvements because they are safer ington High School;Jacquee Dickey,Representative of Studio Art Classes;Howard Dukes, than traditional 4-way stops,especially dur- South Bend Tribune;Mary Sue Freitag,Chopin Fine Arts Club;Bonny Hoover,Clay High ing periods of high volume traffic. School;Patricia Jones,South Bend Area Music Teachers'Association;Ken Peczkowski, Roundabouts are designed to keep speeds Griffon Bookstore. All poems were anonymously judged by committee members. low and there is no opportunity for drivers to run a stop sign or traffic light. There will The Halina Poetry Prize contest was created to help build and strengthen the connection also be fewer delays in low-traffic periods area youth feel to our Sister City,Cze&"stochowa and to encourage their participation in the because drivers do not have to stop to en- arts. The Halina Poetry Prize was named in honor of Halina Poswiatowska who was bom ter the intersection. Roundabouts are also in Czestochowa on May 9, 1935. She wrote poetry from a young age and published three less expensive to maintain because they do volumes before her death at the age of 32. Her poetry is still highly regarded in Poland. not require electricity to operate traffic sig- nals. The City of South Bend and the Halina Poetry Prize Committee would like to thank area high schools for their participation and in particularthe English teachers who encouraged The City is investing in additional improve- and facilitated student contributions. The second annual Halina Poetry Prize contest will ments that extend from Lathrop Avenue to be launched at the start of the 2005-2006 school year. the bridge just south of Cleveland Road to further enhan ce the Portage Avenue Corri- dor. A bikeway/walkway will be installed on Important Cold Weather Safety Information - Help Save a Life! the west side of Portage between the two roundabouts and on the east side of Por- Carbon monoxide poisoning and fire can kill! Carbon monoxide comes from vehicles,gas tage from Boland Drive to the bridge over grills,fireplaces and faulty heating appliances. Never idle the car in a garage and do not the Toll Road. A signalized intersection will use a gas oven to heat your home. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause headaches, be added at Portage Avenue and Portage dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion and nausea. If you think you have Way including the entrances to Indian carbon monoxide poisoning,get fresh air immediately and go to an emergency room. It is Springs Apartments and Portage Manor. also important to install smoke alarms on every level of your home and near or in each 1 • 1 The City has received design approval from bedroom. Smoke alarms give you the NOVOINUMM11111 • '• ' • 1 the Indiana Department of Transportation chance to escape and reduce the risk of 1 • • • to use federal dollars to accomplish this dying from fire by 50%. Call the Fire De- • ' • ' project. Federal dollars will cover 80%of partment at 235-9255 if you need help in- 1 • • the total project cost of$3.5 million with a stalling a smoke alarm. fffIFARININON 1 1 20%local contribution. TELJ�FONO 111