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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRM 03-21-75March 21, 1975 10:00 A. M. Presi ing Officer: 1. 2. OLL CALL ommissioners SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Mr. F. Jay Nimtz, President 1200 County -City Building 227 W. Jefferson Boulevard South Bend, IN 46601 resent: Mr. F. Jay Nimtz, President Mr. John E. Chenney, Vice President Mr. Donald A. Wiggins, Secretary Mr. A. Peter Donaldson, Member missioner ent: Mr. B. L. Wade, Assistant Secretary egal Counsel: Mr. Kevin J. Butler ews Media: Ms. Jeanne Derbeck, South Bend Tribune Reporter Mr. Dave Anderson, WNDU -TV Reporter Mr. Dan Caesar, WSBT -TV Reporter Mr. Larry Ford, WSJV -TV Reporter Mr. Les Howard, WSJV -TV Photographer )thers Present: Mrs. Janet S. Allen, Interested Citizen Mr. John R. Kagel, Executive Director, Downtown South Bend Council Mr. Karl King, Chairman, River Bend Plaza Advisory Committee Mr. Dan R. Lawson, Lawson Associates Mr. Bill E. Slabaugh, Dept. of Public Works Mr. Edward F. Soltesz, Chairman, Governmental Coordination Committee of River Bend Plaza Advisory Committee Mr. Gene Stokes, Acting Director, Bureau of Environmental Protection Mr. James T. Zackrocki, The Hickey Company _PA Staff: Mr. C. Wayne Brownell Mr. Keith P. Crighton Ms. Helen S. King Mr. Louis N. Wilcox 4PPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Mr. Donaldson, seconded by Mr. Wiggins and MINUTES carried, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 7, APPROVED 1975, were approved, as mailed and distributed. - 1 - 3. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS On motion by Mr. Chenney, seconded by Mr. Wiggins and carried, the claims, as submitted, were allowed and ordered to be paid -- totalling $191,511.02. The claims, as authorized, are: P. .A. R -57 Real Estate Purchase St. Joseph County Commissioners, Parcel #11 -4, R -57 SW eney, Butler & Simeri Total P. .A. R -66 W. J. Doran, Clerk of Court, Parcel #8 -4, R -66 Go dson -Tyler & Associates In Tana & Michigan Electric Co. Mu zynski Insurance Agency Sweeney, Butler & Simeri Total REDEVELOPMENT REVOLVING FUND Payroll: February 22 through March 7, 1975 Ault Camera Shop, Inc. C. Wayne Brownell (Travel) Business Systems Co munity Development Credit Bureau of South Bend - Mishawaka In Tana & Michigan Electric Co. Institute for Management International Business Machine Corp. Jack's Conoco Service Os himer MODEL CITIES EXTENDED SERVICES Relocation Claims Nannie Smith - Moving Expenses Nannie Smith - Dislocation Allowance Nannie Smith - Housing Replacement Payment Elvie Hill & Nora Jean Hill - Dislocation Allowance Total P.E.A. A -10 Relocation Claim Marion Malone - Replacement Housing - 2 - CLAIMS APPROVED $ 500.00 42.00 542.00 $ 10,980.00 1,800.00 1,311.88 390.00 4,717.73 $- 19,199.61 $ 8,067.91 36.46 8.83 54.96 6,387.84 4.00 24.40 49.50 412.66 67.74 8.75 230.00 200.00 14,107.50 200.00 29,860.45 $ 11,200.00 3. AMIPROVAL OF CLAIMS (Cont'd al Estate Purchase Dept. of Public Welfare, St. Joseph County, Parcel #66 -5, 232 East Elder Street, SE #1 $ 800.00 rthern Indiana Public Service Co. 66.51 eeney, Butler & Simeri 133.00 ren Williams - Rent Refund 13.66 Total 12,213.17 READ OF HOUSING - E -7 location Claims Charlie Mae Sanders (Replacement Housing Report) $ 2,500.00 Charlie Mae Sanders (Moving Allowance) 300.00 Charlie Mae Sanders (Dislocation Allowance) 200.00 me Pest Control 10.00 dison Builders, Inc. 6,373.00 eeney, Butler & Simeri 91.00 Total 9,474.00 DISTRICT CAPITAL FUND Alex Batcho $ 3,500.00 C. E. Lee Company 25.38 National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials 25.00 Total $ 3,550.38 DISTRICT CAPITAL BONDS OF 1972 Acme Air Filter Service $ 4.00 Circle Lumber Co., Inc. 10.76 Circle Lumber Co., Inc. 186.13 Phillip Dillon 20.00 E terior Designing, Inc. 19,144.90 Flag International 902.66 The Hickey Co., Inc. 96,298.53 Indiana Bell Telephone Co., Inc. 26.03 Indiana & Michigan Electric Co. 62.66 North Side Feed Store 15.74 Total 116,671.41 GRAND TOTAL $ 191,511.02 REJIMBURSEMENT REVOLVING FUND mbursement for February, R -57 $ 2,139.39 mbursement for February, R -66 12,578.83 - 3 - 3. AIPPROVAL OF CLAIMS (Cont'd imbursement for February, E -6 imbursement for February, A -10 imbursement for February, Urban Total 4. COMMUNICATIONS HUD Area Office letter dated March 6,.1975: This letter, over the signature of Mr. Albert G. Smith, Acting Direc- tor, Community Planning and Development, advises the plans and specifications for the Colfax Pier Park Dredg- ing Rip -Rap, Project Indiana R -66, have been reviewed and will be acceptable for advertising when the correc- tions or additions, as noted in the letter, are made. The E.E.O. requirements were reviewed and approved by Ms. Joyce Rayford of the E.E.O. Division. An updated wage decision for this project is being supplied by their Cost Branch as an attachment to the letter, and should be included with the contract docu- ments as Addendum No. 2. Mr. C. Wayne Brownell, Executive Director, advised Lawson Associates were given a copy of the letter to make the changes requested by HUD. We will advertise the Colfax Pier Park Dredging and Rip -Rap Contract for the invitation for bids with the changes submitted to the Commission today. HUD Area Office letter dated March 13, 1975: This letter, over the signature of Mr. Albert G. Smith, Acting Director, Community Planning and Development, advises approval of Budget Revision #18, (HUD Form 6220), Project Indiana R -57. HUD Regional Office letter dated March 14, 1975: This letter, over the signature of Mr. Richard A. Kaiser, Assistant Regional Administrator for Community Planning and Development, advises the $14,500.00, representing the Redevelopment Commission's share of the settlement of a fire insurance claim, is an eligible cost to the subject project. The Plaintiff was Stanz Cheese Company, et al. vs. the Department of Redevelopment, et al., Cause No. F4 -67, St. Joseph Superior Court. HUD Regional Office letter dated March 14, 1975: This letter, over the signature of Mr. Richard A. Jacobsen, Financial Management Specialist, Community Planning and Development Office, advises the outstanding Project Notes in the Central Downtown Urban Renewal Project, R -66, mature on June 20, 1975. - 4 - $ 4,790.72 4,584.14 184.00 $— 24,277.08 COLFAX PIER PARK DREDGING & RIP -RAP, R -66 BUDGET REVISION NO. 18 APPROVED, R -57 COLUMBIA WAREHOUSE FIRE INSURANCE CLAIM APPROVED AS ELIGIBLE COST, R-66 SALE OF PROJECT NOTES, FINANCING GROUP 75 -6, R -66 4. 5. a ICATIONS (Cont'd The documentation, as prescribed in RHA 7215.1, Chapter 4, Section 2, must be submitted to the HUD Regional Office, on or before April 1, 1975, if we intend to sell new Project Notes to refinance all or a portion of the maturing loan notes and to obtain additional funds from project expenditures if necessary and within the currently approved financial plan and project comple- tion date. The transaction is to be scheduled under private financing group, 75 -6. The advertising date for this group is May 6, 1975. Mr. Brownell advised the above documentation has been submitted to the Regional Office, in Chicago. motion by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Chenney and carried, above letters are to be received and placed on file. D BUSINESS Site Inspection, Contract No. 5: In response to the POOL "D" SITE Chair's directive for a report from our Consulting INSPECTION, Engineers, Clyde E. Williams & Associates, Inc., re- CONTRACT NO. 5, garding the comments made on Pool "D ", in Commission R -66 Meeting of March 7, 1975, Mr. Thomas A. Oesterling, P.E., submitted a written follow -up report of their in- spection of the pool, which is north of Wayne Street. This is on Contract No. 5 construction with The Hickey Company. Mr. Oesterling advised after an inspection, they did not find any evidence to substantiate the allegation that Pool "D" had defective workmanship and material. The surface of the pool was wet when inspected. When the surface of the pool is drying, some hairline cracks will show up. This was anticipated in the design and it does not take away the integrity of the pool. Again when the surface of the pool is wet, these hairline cracks will not be apparent. Estimate #15, Payment to The Hickey Company, on Contract ESTIMATE #15 No. 5, Phase III, R -66: This item was tabled from the APPROVED FOR last Commission Meeting, for consideration at this meet- PAYMENT, CONTRACT ing, and relates to 5a above. The payment requested is NO. 5, PHASE III, in the amount of $96,298.53, which would leave a retain- R =66 age amount of $8,000.00, in Contract No. 5, with The Hickey Company. President Nimtz said he has had several meetings with Mr. Brownell on this subject, and conversation with Commission Legal Counsel, Mr. Kevin J. Butler, and we feel that we are adequately covered with the retainage amount of $8,000.00 and the maintenance bond which is in effect. - 5 - 5. OLD BUSINESS (Cont'd On motion by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Donaldson and carried, Estimate #15, in amount of $96,298.53, was approved for payment, to The Hickey Company, on Contract No. 5, Phase III, R -66. There is a final change order that is still pending, be- sides the retainage amount of $8,000.00. Mr. James T. Zackrocki, Project. Manager with The Hickey Company, ad- vised the total value of maintenance material is $1,500.00. Mr. Ed Soltesz, Chairman, Governmental Coordination Com- mittee of the.River Bend Plaza Advisory Committee, felt an apology was in order to Mr. Zackrocki relating to his com- ments directed to Mr. Zackrocki in the last Commission meeting. He said his main interest is to have the pools work and the definitive given- -there had been no explana- tion given on why the hairline cracks were in the pool- - and once again we go back to lack of communications. Mr. Zackrocki advised they were aware of the cracks, but in the last meeting the statement made of the cracks, (i.t­was asserted),his first reaction was that the pool was caving in. Mr. Zackrocki said they have been watching the cracks since the Terrazzo was installed. Terrazzo has been in- stalled in the midwest and throughout the country. With 1000 temperature variations, Terrazzo will not perform in all places. 6 Payment #4 to Exterior Designing, Inc., on Contract No. 2, PAYMENT #4 Phase III, R -66: Commission consideration was requested APPROVED, CONTRACT to approve Payment #4 to Exterior Designing, Inc., in NO. 2, PHASE III, amount of $19,144.90, on Contract No. 2, Phase III, R -66 R -66, which would leave a retainage amount in their con- tract of $9,671.20 (5%). Mr. Brownell advised this payment request is usual. The firm also has a maintenance obligation to us for approxi- mately 15 to 18 months, plus the 5% retainage, as well as the maintenance of $13,050.00, not yet invoiced which would be more than adequate to cover any unknown claims. Also, per their letter of March 7, 1975, they have paid Jim's Greenhouse in full. The dispute on the three (3) lost planters has been cleared and the trucking firm's insurance will replace them. The planters will be on the job shortly. On motion by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Chenney and carried, Payment #4, in amount of $19,144.90, was ap- proved for payment, to Exterior Designing, Inc., on Con- tract No. 2, Phase III, R -66. 5. ODD BUSINESS (Cont'd d Final Pay Estimate No. 10 and Final Acceptance to Morse FINAL PAY Electric Company, on Contract Phase II -D, R -66: Commis- ESTIMATE NO. 10 sion consideration was requested to approve Final Pay & FINAL ACCEPT - Estimate No. 10 and Final Acceptance, to Morse Electric ANCE APPROVED, Company, for balance of $20,438.73, Phase II -D, Project CONTRACT PHASE Indiana R -66. II -D, R -66 Mr. Brownell read the letter from Mr. Thomas A. Oesterling, P.E., Clyde E. Williams & Associates, Inc., Engineering Consultants for the R -66 Project, dated March 19, 1975, which states that pursuant to a March 11 final inspec- tion of this project by Ralph Wadzinski of the Bureau of Traffic and Lighting, Robert Urbanski of Morse Electric Company, and Kenneth Herceg of Clyde E. Williams & Associ- ates, it has been agreed and substantiated that the Phase II -D Contract has been satisfactorily completed according to the contract plans and specifications. It is the recommendation of Clyde E. Williams & Associates that this final payment be made and that the official date of final acceptance of this completed project be March 11, 1975. The Contract Performance and Payment Bond (CP -1 thru CP -3 of the Contract Documents) must remain in force for the stated period of 24 months from the date of final acceptance. It is also recommended that the Morse Electric Company be required to present the "Contractor's Certificate and Release" duly sworn and notarized, concurrent with the release of the check for final payment. On motion by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Donaldson and carried, Final Pay Estimate No. 10 and Final Acceptance to Morse Electric Company for balance of $20,438.73, was approved on Contract Phase II -D, Project Indiana R -66. e Plaza Park Contract No. 1, R -66: Commission authoriza- PLAZA PARK tion was requested to reject the bids received on Plaza CONTRACT NO. 1, Park Contract No. 1, and rescind the conditional award BIDS REJECTED, by the Redevelopment Commission, of Plaza Park Contract CONDITIONAL No. 1, to Arco Engineering Construction Corporation, in AWARD RESCINDED, amount of $240,322.63, as proposed, (Base bid amount of & APPROVAL TO $277,555.57, with Alternates "A" through "M" amounting RE- ADVERTISE, to $35,917.85, totalling: $240,322.63), which was R -66 awarded subject to HUD approval and Commission Legal Counsel approval. Mr. Brownell mentioned the subject and again read the ary 11, 1975, in which they our award of Contract No. 1 tion Corporation, in amount reasons: previous discussion on this letter from HUD, dated Febru- stated they cannot concur in to Arco Engineering Construc- of $240,322.63, for two - 7 - 5. 01-D BUSINESS (Cont'd) 1) The low bid ($277,555.57) exceeded the engineer's estimate of $245,162.25, by a considerable amount, which is in violation of RHA 7209.1, Chapter 4, Section 3, Page 2, subparagraph 4. 2) The practice of reducing the unit price quantities in order to obtain a contract price lower than the price obtained by competitive bidding is unacceptable, and the only apparent action open at this point, to pro- ceed with the project, is to re- advertise Contract No. 1, with the scope reduced so that the low bid will be within the revised estimate. Mr. Brownell advised that he and Mr. Dan Lawson, with Lawson Associates, had attended a meeting with HUD officials, in Indianapolis, to attempt to find a way around the difficulty. HUD had orally indicated they might waive it and if it would not be waived, they might allow the engineers to file a new estimate, but neither was approved. What is being suggested today is to reject the three (3) bids received on Contract No. 1 and rescind conditional award to Arco, in amount of $240,322.63, as proposed. This contract was awarded subject to HUD ap- proval and Commission Legal Counsel approval. We did not get HUD approval. When this motion is made, we then are requesting another motion to have Commission authorization to re- advertise the Plaza Park Contract No. 1, with adver- tising dates of March 28 and April 4, 1975, with a bid opening date of April 11, 1975. Lawson Associates, as per their letter of March 20, 1975, have prepared the revised Plans and Specifications for this project to permit a rebidding. The recommendations for award of the bids will be presented to the Redevelopment Commission in meeting of April 18, 1975. The Chair stated that Mr. Brownell has worked hard to push the awarding of Contract No. 1 through, but HUD will not ap- prove it, but will accept the modification of the plans and specifications. We have set up a base contract and alternates to assure our being able to keep the project within the budget available and within the revised Engineer's estimate. The con- cern was stressed on the possibility of getting higher bids than prior, and Mr. Karl King, Chairman, River Bend Plaza Advisory Committee, inquired if we get higher bids if we would then lose the project? Mr. Brownell advised that we are very apt to get higher bids, but we are cutting the base bid and placing the alternates in separately, and then we can select the alternates that we can afford within our budget. This is the legal way we can go. 5. OLD BUSINESS (Cont'd Mr. John R. Kagel, Executive Director, Downtown South Bend Council, wanted to re- amplify a statement he made before in reference to our commitment to the people of this com- munity and with all due respect to .the people in the com- munity and the forthcoming Bicentennial activities, it would be a real shame if we fall down on our commitment to the community. He knows that we are doing what we possibly can, but that it would be a shame if we did not meet the commitment. President Nimtz advised that this is part of the pressure we applied on the HUD officials, but what we are doing is the only solution available. Mr. Brownell said he talked to our HUD representative this morning and outlined the procedure we sent to HUD in a letter. We have not had a reply, but.the representative agreed we can proceed and we will receive a letter from them. Motion was made by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Chenney and carried, to reject the bids received on Plaza Park Contract No. 1, and rescind the conditional award by the Redevelopment Commission of Plaza Park Contract No. 1, to Arco Engineering Construction Corporation, in amount of $240,322.63, as proposed, which was conditionally awarded subject to HUD approval and Commission Legal Counsel approval. Motion was made by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Chenney and carried, to re- advertise the Plaza Park Contract No. 1 with the modified plans and specifications as prepared by Lawson Associates. f Bid Bond Requirement, E -7 Project: Mr. Conrad Damian, Chairman of the E -7 Advisory Committee, responded to Ms. Conchita Washington regarding her request to consider waiving the bid bond requirement for this project, and itemized the reasons they do not believe it appropriate to change or waive the bid bond requirement at this time. The Committee made a thorough investigation of all aspects of the bond regulation and arrived at the following con- clusions: 1) At the present time bonding companies have not signi- ficantly changed their requirements for bonding con- struction companies. 2) The bonding requirement has not proven itself to be discriminatory in this project. We have been having excellent minority participation in the E -7 Project with 13 out of 32 awarded contracts being performed by minority contractors. BID BOND REQUIRE- MENT RETAINED, E -7 PROJECT 5. OLD BUSINESS (Cont'd 3) The bonding requirement is indeed an assurance to the E -7 Committee that, if awarded the contract, a parti- cular contractor will be able to provide a performance bond within a reasonable length of time. The bond re- quirement further assures this LPA that the bid is an earnest one and that it will be followed by an agree- ment to rehabilitate properties through these contracts. 4) It is not necessary that a contractor provide the LPA with an actual insurance bond. He can deposit a certi- fied check in amount of 10% of the bid amount as surety. This amount can be obtained through a personal account or loans through local lending institutions. The Advisory Committee is recommending to the Redevelop- ment Commission that the bid bond requirement remain a part of the E -7 Program and that their letter to Ms. Washing- ton conclude this matter. Mr. Wiggins was in concurrence with the Advisory Committee's action, and moved for the approval of the E -7 Advisory Com- mittee's recommendation to retain the bid bond requirement for the E -7 Program. Motion was seconded by Mr. Chenney and carried. 6. NEW BUSINESS a Dept. of Redevelopment vs. Lylvan Block, Cause No. E -8118: CONDEMNATION This is a request by Mr. Charles A. Sweeney, Jr., Commis- SETTLEMENT AP- sion Legal Counsel, in letter dated March 14, 1975, for PROVED, CAUSE approval of the negotiated settlement for payment of NO. E -8118, $45,000 in above condemnation action, in St. Joseph's R -66 Superior Court. Settlement has been agreed to, which is conditional upon approval of the Redevelopment Commissioners. In -house appraisals of the subject property, located at 227 South St. Joseph Street, Parcel No. 12 -14, which is behind Penney's Department Store on St. Joseph Street, were in amount of $38,467. The court - appointed appraisers (Forrest Eckert, Phillip Oestreicher and Edward A. Everett, Sr.) re- turned an appraisal of $47,000 in open Court. The Depart- ment of Redevelopment has paid the $47,000 appraisement to the Clerk of St. Joseph County. Attorney Baer on behalf of his client withdrew these monies some time ago. Mr. Sweeney has now negotiated a compromise settlement of $45,000 with Attorney Fred Baer who represents the property owner in this condemnation action, which is less than the court - appointed appraisers valuation of the property. This is a piece of the parking lot behind Penney's that we are acquiring, have filed the condemnation suit, and now have a negotiated settlement agreement. - 10 - 6. N17W BUSINESS (Cont'd) On motion by Mr. Donaldson, seconded by Mr. Chenney and carried, the negotiated settlement, by Mr. Sweeney, for payment of $45,000 in the above - captioned condemnation case was approved. b Amendment to E -7 Guidelines for Non- Profit Groups: Com- AMENDMENT TO mission approval was requested for the "Amendment to E -7 E -7 GUIDELINES Guidelines" for the Non - Profit Groups in the:E -7 Southeast APPROVED Rehabilitation Program, which was approved by the Advisory Committee on February 28, 1975. The request is to have the following paragraph added to the Guidelines for Non - Profit Groups: Part or all of the cash grant may be used to purchase or assist in purchasing a house to be rehabilitated by the Non - Profit Group. Houses may not be purchased unless the Non - Profit Group can demonstrate to the satis- faction of the Director of the Bureau of Housing that the house can be rehabilitated without an additional grant and in a reason- able period of time. On motion by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Chenney and carried, the above amendment to the E -7 Guidelines was approved. c Rehabilitation Contracts, E -7 Project: Commission CONTRACT NOS. approval was requested to award the following contracts, 34, 36, 40, & (per attached bid tabulations), in the E -7 Project, as 41 AWARDED, E -7 recommended by the Advisory Committee. 1) Contract Address Bidder Bid Amount 34 506 E. Pa. Ted Combs Construction $ 4,646.00 36 622 E. Pa. Ted Combs Construction 4,869.60 41 307 E. Ohio Ted Combs Construction 4,752.90 40 624 E. Keasey A.B.C. Plumbing & Heating, Inc. 4,977.79 Above approval is subject to Commission Legal Counsel approval. On motion by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Donaldson and carried, the above rehabilitation contracts were awarded to the low bidders, as noted, subject to Commission Legal Counsel approval. - 11 - 6. NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd 2) Contract Address 19 520 Pennsylvania 22 1226 S. Carroll 26 611 Wegner St. 35 134 Ohio St. 37 507 E. Keasey St. Bidder Ted Combs Construction Ted Combs Construction ABC Plumbing & Heating, Inc. ABC Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Ted Combs Construction As the above contracts exceed $5,000.00, they must be approved by the South Bend Common Council, after Commission approval, along with Commission Legal Counsel approval. Rid Ammunt $ 6,141.31 5,062.94 6,422.55 5,661.94 5,030.61 On motion by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Chenney and carried, the above - rehabilitation contracts were awarded to the low bidders, as noted, subject to the approval of the South Bend Common Council and Commission Legal Counsel. 3) Contract No. 33: This Rehabilitation Contract was re- commended, by the E -7 Advisory Committee, to be awarded to Ted Combs Construction, in bid amount of $5,723.05, (the second lowest bidder) for the rehabilitation at 1311 South Fellow Street, as per letters dated March 17 and March 20, 1975, from Mr. Keith P. Crighton, Director of Bureau of Housing. American Home Improvement was the low bidder, in bid amount of $5,699.00, but failed to comply with the bond requirement, under the E -7 Project, for Contract Nos. 16, 20 and 31, which had been pre- viously awarded to them as the low bidder. Mr. Stanley Walczak, owner of American Home Improve- ment, was requested to provide performance bonds, on Contract Nos. 16, 20 and 31, to be in compliance with the bid bond requirement for E -7 contracts, by March 19, 1975, deadline set. Mr. Crighton spoke with Mr. Walczak, at 8:30 a.m., on March 20, 1975, and was in- formed by Mr. Walczak that he was unable to comply with the requirement by March 19 deadline. The E -7 Advisory Committee had recommended that if the per- formance bonds are not provided by March 18, on Con- tract Nos. 16, 20 and 31, that Contract No. 33 be awarded to the next low bidder - -that being Ted Combs Construction. Mr. Kevin J. Butler, Commission Legal Counsel, ad- vised if the contractor cannot provide performance bonds for the contracts, he is not a legitimate bidder. On motion by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Chenney and carried, Rehabilitation Contract No. 33, was awarded - 12 - CONTRACT NOS. 19, 22, 26, 35, & 37 AWARDED, E -7 CONTRACT NO. 33 AWARDED TO: TED COMBS CON- STRUCTION, E -7 6. N�W BUSINESS (Cont'd to Ted Combs Construction (next lowest bidder), in bid amount of $5,723.05, for the improvements at 1311 South Fellow Street, as the low bidder did not comply with the performance bond requirements. The "Invitation for Bids" was duly published, on Febru- ary 21 and February 28, 1975, in The South Bend Tribune and Tri- County News. The bids were received and publicly opened, at 10:00 a.m., on March 10, 1975, in the Depart- ment, 1200 County -City Building, South Bend, Indiana. All bids received were noted on the bid tabulations, with copies provided in the packets distributed to the Redevel- opment Commissioners and news media present. 7. LIrTTERS OF COMMENDATION mmissioner Wiggins requested, by special privilege motion, to LETTERS OF ve that this Commission issue a letter of commendation to Mr. COMMENDATION ward F. Soltesz, (Chairman of the Governmental Coordination mmittee for the River Bend Plaza Advisory Committee), for the gnificent job he did on our behalf, on the occasion of Presi- nt Gerald R. Ford's appearance in South Bend. Mr. Soltesz rformed above and beyond the normal requirement of duty and should recognize this type of performance when and if it curs. President Nimtz said he would agree to -that, but to add: Mr. J hn R. Kagel, (Executive Director of the Downtown South Bend C )uncil), also for a letter of commendation. The motion was agreed to be so amended, and was carried. President Nimtz said the Commission is indebted to these two g ntlemen, and to Mr. Louis N. Wilcox, (Director, River Bend Plaza), for a tremendous St. Patrick's Day celebration. He w rked with these three gentlemen and everyone put their heart i to the work and did a magnificent job. He is proud of them. President Nimtz said they had prepared a reception for the President, and the dignitaries were on the reviewing stand, bit that they couldn't even get close to the President with tie Secret Service. Everything went well, however, and the staff of the President was very pleased how things happened in d wntown South Bend. All because of Ed Soltesz, John Kagel a d Lou Wilcox, these things went on. mmissioner Wiggins requested Mr. Louis N. Wilcox be included his motion also. The motion was supported by Mr. Donaldson d carried. e Chair called on Mr. Louis N. Wilcox for his comments con - rning the day. Mr. Wilcox thanked Mr. Wiggins and Mr. Nimtz r their comments. He wanted to reiterate the statement that Soltesz, John Kagel and Diane Campbell did work above and yond the call of duty, and realize how everyone feels in this - 13 - 7. LETTERS OF COMMENDATION (Cont'd c mmunity. This shows how things can be done efficiently with s curity and keep a crowd control, and that a number of people h ve commented on it. M% Ed Soltesz said, "accolades and thank you's" are wonderful aid they appreciate it, but stated that we did have a Chairperson f )r the St. Patrick's Day Festivities Program, Mrs. Pat DeClercq, Clerk of the Board of Works and Safety. This lady did a lot of p one calling and _a lot of effort, and the late time given that tie President would stop in South Bend also. Consequently, every - t ing that had been planned went out the window, and it was frus- t ating to the ones involved in the planning. In fact, it was a c allenge! They had to work fast, but received wonderful coopera- tion from a lot of people. There were a lot of contingency plans f r the emergencies made, which they are happy to say they did n t have to use. Mr. Soltesz suggested the Chairperson, Mrs. DeClercq, ba presented a letter of commendation. (Also agreed to and carried). M% John R. Kagel advised that the Commission and staff were repre- s nted on many planning meetings by the President of the Redevelop - m nt Commission, Mr. F. Jay Nimtz, who will verify that they worked a ound the clock changing few of the items. They worked with the W ite House staff and the Secret Service and a lot of things had to be d ne behind the scene. We were fortunate to have our Commission Presi- d nt sit in on many of the meetings and represent the staff on these matters. Mr. Kagel revealed they have received numerous thanks on tie security measures taken for the protection of President Ford aid working with the Secret Service, and putting our best foot f rward for the community. The statements were made that President F rd had received the warmest greeting of any place he has visited, aid that officially, the City of South Bend, and Mayor Miller and his staff are to be commended for a memorable day. We were informed by tie White House staff that the press count was over 80 million people w re viewing television that night across the nation, and that we hid, besides all the other news media coverage, a real great tribute t our community, and that the people of the community should be Gon- g atulated for the warmness and cooperativeness they have shown on P esident Ford's visit to our community. Mayor Miller had asked t at all the departments cooperate in every way possible to make tie President's visit a memorable and successful one. The Mayor aid his cabinet are to be congratulated! M% Soltesz said that the City of Chicago warmly recognizes that tie City of South Bend was really leading the nation on St. Patrick's Day as relayed by the International Press. The St. Joseph Band, after parading in South Bend, also went down State Street in Chicago aid were excellent, and then came back and performed for the Presi- d nt's departure in South Bend at the Airport. We have had the m st beautiful people here in South Bend - -the attitudes of the c mmunity and how they looked to the nation. They had respect f r the properties and respect for each other, and this was an e ample of participation and that people do respond to things on- g ing. - 14 - 7. L�TTERS OF COMMENDATION (Cont'd Messrs. Soltesz and Kagel were congratulated and thanked for their foresight for contacting the White House aides and suggesting that the President be invited to stop in South Bend also, prior to his v sit to the University of Notre Dame, as an official guest of the Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., Notre Dame President, to b presented the honorary doctor of laws degree during an academic c nvocation at the University of Notre Dame. M . Kagel said this has been proof that this is a people place a d it is not a "White Elephant" and will be for the consideration o the people and activity on that will have a roaring success:: Mr. Kagel said that the St. Joseph Band played in Chicago, and the terrific publicity in South Bend was shown as this same band then served as a. "farewell to the President" that evening. This band had started to perform early that morning in South Bend, then went to Chicago to perform, and then doubled back for the farewell, and that was the only band that performed for the President on the de- parture from our community. It was nice to give anyone a warm "llowdy" but it is even nicer to give a warm "Goodby." The band was there in extremely cold weather, and it was not originally p anned for the President, but at the farewell he shook hands with these kids and they were thrilled. Thousands of persons waited to bid the President farewell at our Michiana Regional A rport Monday night. Everything was just fabulous! That is the other side of our community! M% Soltesz said that each and everyone of the band who partici- p ted will receive a Presidential citation for their appearance. T is helps in the community and helps other bands throughout the e tire United States. The response was tremendous. We all bene- fit by this kind of growth. Community confidence! We have o ened the door for this type of participation in our own small w y. We were really elated that we have this type of citizen p rticipation. P esident Nimtz said that we also want to extend our comments to t ank Mr. Bill Slabaugh and his office in the participation and t thank the clean -up crews. 8. RAVER BEND PLAZA FOUNTAINS A ked whether he has everything he needs on the fountains, Mr. Bill RIVER BEND Slabaugh advised we should have all the parts in, including the PLAZA electric, and if we do, then by the 15th of April, the fountains FOUNTAINS, s ould all be running. They will not be running the pools for R -66 2 hours a day, as it invites breakdowns, and that the running of t e pools will be cut back to approximately 63% operating time. Mr,. Soltesz commented to reserve the "if" and say "go" on the f untains, to which Mr. Slabaugh was firm in his reply, saying: ")n and if - -I will not make any promises - -we have a goal of A ril 15 to have the fountains running." - 15 - 9, a ION AND ANSWER.SESSION Mrs. Janet S. Allen said she has several questions: 1) Sign Correction Request: Mrs. Allen stated in the minutes of the last meeting, in'reference to Mr. Wilcox's referral to the River Bend Plaza signs, there was no mention of the "crooked sign"- - the one by the LaSalle Street bridge. This is the one that looks like it is falling down hill and the one that is most objectionable- -not the others mentioned in the meeting. Mr. Wilcox thought the one Mrs. Allen was referring to was completed, but as the sign is a different one and still there according to Mrs. Allen, Mr. Wilcox volun- teered to accompany Mrs. Allen to the sign she is re- ferring to so that it also can be corrected. 2) Signs Entering and Leaving South Bend: Mrs. Allen referred to information that Mr. Kotzenmacher was to obtain and come up with regarding the Michigan - Main connector residents alternates in Leeper Park and Marion Street, and nothing further has been said on acquisition of the Madison Street Sonneborn building, and we should make sure the traffic and the people coming down the street will see our Plaza that we have worked so hard on. Mr. Ed Soltesz commented his address to the two physical facilities on Michigan Street and that they have talked about signs and can incorporate the signs as we utilize the physical properties, central viaducts; one -way travel, etc. Mrs. Allen suggested we have welcome signs for the people, "Welcome- -you are now entering South Bend River Bend Plaza, and also recommended signs showing, "Thank you, and you are now leaving..." Travelling along the country, signs of this respect are obliterated and not seen, but these signs were very popular, and have a psychological factor, and this would welcome the people into South Bend. Other areas in the nation are trying to do what we have done and have spent more money and have not accomplished what we have. In driving down Main Street, Mrs. Allen asked whose juris- diction would it be to incorporate signs? Mr. Kevin J. Butler, Commission Legal Counsel, advised the request should be addressed to the Board of Works. Mrs. Allen said that she has tried many times prior without success as an individual, but was requesting our cooperation as a group to implement the ideas. President Nimtz advised he will discuss these signs with the Mayor. Mr. Brownell advised the signs on the viaduct have been submitted for action to prepare so they already have that. - 16 - ADDITIONAL SIGN CORREC- TION, R -66 RECOMMENDATION FOR ADDITIONAL SIGNS 9. QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION (Cont'd 3) Redevelopment Cars: Mrs. Allen referred to HUD's response to our letter on the retainage of Redevelopment property, and asked if the City is buying the cars from us, and, if so, how are they acquiring them? Mr. Brownell advised that we are not doing anything about the disposition of the cars at this time. The problem is that the employees are doing the same work, using the same desks, the same typewriters, in this transitional period, but that actually they are getting paid by us too. Actually there is no change as yet. When the Community Development funds come in, we will anticipate a change then. Easter Egg Hunt on the River Bend Plaza: Mr. Ed Soltesz re- quested if there is any means to have some paint available to paint the asphalt, on the "hole in the ground." They would like to paint a large Easter Egg for Easter, to be con- ducted in the amphitheatre area of the Plaza, at the corner of Michigan and Washington. Special prizes will be contained in the golden eggs for dinners at McDonalds and at Azar's, with twelve (12) winners. The are planning on having Easter bunnie costumes which are to be paid for from the Downtown Council funds, to be worn on the scene to direct the contest and lend a touch of fantasy. The painting would be done by volunteers. Mr. Soltesz said this is an idea that has passed through the Advisory Committee of the River Bend Plaza. The money re- quest for the paint would be minimal. This would be a promotion -type activity to interest the whole community. Mr. Brownell commented that the idea sounds good and is interesting, but the problem we have is that he didn't be- lieve that legally we can have any funds the Commission has control over that we can legally take out and use for that purpose. Mr. Butler, Commission Legal Counsel, advised that we also have the whole Plaza supergraphic that needs painted right now which is getting practically bare and asked what Mr. Soltesz's thoughts are on that? Mr. Soltesz said we don't get the whole loaf, but try to compromise, and that, "Yes, he agrees that also needs painting, but the bureaucracy of the government moves slowly and we are part of the bureau- cracy, and he is not saying that derogatorily." Mr. Butler said his understanding of the various accounts we have is that we cannot spend promotional monies for that type of expenditure, and as to whether there are any funds available outside of the promotional account, Mr. Butler said he will check into it, but that his off -hand opinion - 17 - STATUS OF REDEVELOPMENT CARS FUNDS FOR PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES 9. QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION (Cont'd) is that we cannot spend monies for promotional purposes from the various funds that Redevelopment has. 10. N7-XT COMMISSION MEETING Tie next Regular Meeting of the Redevelopment Commission will ba at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 4, 1975, in the Office of the D partment of Redevelopment. 11. A JOURNMENT T ere being no further business to discuss, motion was duly made tr adjournment by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Donaldson, at 11:00 a.m. rowne►►, (SEAL] NEXT COMMISSION MEETING, FRIDAY. APRIL 4, 1975 ADJOURNMENT mtz, resident