HomeMy WebLinkAboutRM 03-04-77SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
March 4, 1977
10:00 a.m.
Presiding Officer: F. Jay Nimtz, President
1. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Mr.
Present Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Legal Counsel Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
1200 County -City Building
217 W. Jefferson Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46601
F. Jay Nimtz, President
Donald A. Wiggins, Vice President
A. Peter Donaldson, Secretary
Robert J. Cira, Assistant Secretary
Lloyd E. Robinson, Sr., Member
Ke'vi n .J . Butler
Edward Chapleau
George Patton
News
Media
Jeanne Derbeck, South Bend Tribune Reporter
Commu
ity
Mr.
John Davis
Devel
pment Staff
Mr.
Stephen M. Hardy
Mr.
Ken Schaller
LPA Staff
Mr.
C. Wayne Brownell
Ms.
Gertrude Barth
Mr.
Marc Brammer
Ms.
Pat Lodyga
Ms.
Sue Ragland
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
On mo ion by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Cira, and carried, the
Minut s of the Regular meeting of February 18; 1977 were approved
as mailed.
3. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
On motion by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Cira and carried, the
claims in the amount of $212,417.43 were approved as submitted
and Were allowed and ordered to be paid.
List Of claims approved this date is as follows;
MINUTES OF
2 -18 -77
APPROVED
CLAIMS
APPROVED
IN AMT. OF
$212,417.43
3. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS, Continued:
PROJECT EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT, INDIANA R -66
4.
Edwar A. Chapleau
Lakes ore Typographers, Inc.
Project Temporary Loan Repayment Fund R -66
South Bend Exterminating Co.
James E. Childs & Associates
Georg4 A. Wing
Total
REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT CAPITAL
The Abstract & Title Corporation
South Bend Exterminating Co.
Total
PROJECT TEMPORARY LOAN REPAYMENT FUND R -66
Bankers Trust Company
Total
REDEVELOPMENT REVOLVING FUND
Payroll: 2 -12 -77 to 2 -25 -77
Kevin J. Butler
Busin ss Systems, Inc.
International Business Machines Corp.
Fishey Brothers Paper Company
C. Wa ne Brownell
Total
GRAND TOTAL
COMMUNICATIONS
$
$
1,228.00
79.50
68,874.86
30.00
1,262.75
500.00
71,975.11
am
136,832.57
136,832.57
2,996.93
200.00
12.70
54.50
149.24
116.38
3,529.75
212,417.43
Letter dated February 25, 1977, from Office Products Division of IBM
conce nino changes in ourchase price of IBM Co ier II and III as well
as ch ncles in terms and conditions of SerVice Agreement for IBM
Copie products.
Mr. B ownell read this letter and indicated that he had not yet heard
from lex Kobeck. It was suggested that the letter be placed on file,
and t e Chair so ordered.
-2-
LETTER
FROM IBM
RE COPIER
PRICES
5. OLD BUSINESS
a.
Redevelopment Agreement for Disposition of Land and execution of
O-uit-Claim Deed for transfer of title in connection with land to
be disposed of in downtown Project Indiana R -66, Parcels 6 -1E and
6 -1F to St. Joseph River Bend Development Corporation. Commis-
sion action on this transfer has been tabled in prior meetings
a aiting HUD approval of the assignment by St. Joseph River Bend
Development Corp. to International Constructors Company, IV, an
Indiana Limited Partnership.
Mr. Brownell: HUD has indicated that they would like this trans-
fer -- this right to purchase from the St. Joseph River Bend
Development Corporation to the International Constructors Company,
IV, an Indiana Limited Partnership. I pointed out to HUD that in
order to do that the regulations require certain things to be done.
A first they seemed to think they were going to waive that, and
then they came back with a letter to me,_dated February 22, 1977,
which stated as follows:
in answer to your call of February 18, 1977 to Mr. Lerch.
The requirement of 7214.1, paragraph 75 and 71, will have to be
met if state law requires it.
e proposed amendments to the contract and the consent form
ntained in my letter of 2 -1 -77 are still applicable."
His letter of February 1st suggests that in order to have the
elderly project insured under the FHA Article 4, Section I, we
w uld have to amend our contract as follows:
provided, that if a mortgage securing money loaned to finance
mprovements or any part thereof is insured by the Secretary of
ousing and Urban Development, then the aforesaid completion time
hall not apply but instead the construction of the improvements
r any part thereof shall be completed within the time specified
n the applicable building loan agreement approved by the Secre-
,ary of Housing and Urban Development ..."
Mr. Brownell: I have no quarrel with making that change in our
a reement, when we get to an agreement with the International Con -
svructors Company, but right now we are waiting for the River Bend
Development people. I talked to Lloyd Taylor yesterday at noon,
and he said he would drop by in the afternoon to discuss this matter,
because he has a number of things he is required to do. However,
he didn't show up. He is required to certify by a certified public
accountant that the price he is charging International Constructors
contains no profit, and they are required to do all of the things
that the St. Joseph River Bend Development Corporation did before.
I thought T would explain that this morning.
T e Chair; Actually, then there is nothing we can do on this this
m.rni.nq?
,33.,
TRANSFER OF
TITLE ON
PARCELS
6 -1E & 6 -1F
FROM ST.
JOSEPH
RIVER BEND
DEVELOPMENT
TO
INTERNATIONAL
CONSTRUCTORS
CORP.
5. OLD BUSINESS (Continued):
a. M. Brownell: There is nothing you can do unless you want to autho-
rize this change in contract as to Parcels 6 -1E and 6 -1F.
The Chair: Has HUD approved that, subject to the paragraphs being
met?
My. Brownell: They have requested it. In order to have the elderly
project insured under FHA they require that. (The letter) was signed
by Thomas P. O'Malley, Attorney Advisor, HUD. I would think that the
requirement . . . you see we have a time table they have to con-
struct under . . . this would change that time table on those two
parcels and we would amend our contract with Taylor, and then that
would apply to International Constructors.
M tion was made by Mr. Wiggins for compliance with the stipulation
that Mr. Taylor be advised, so they can include the required para-
graphs. Motion was seconded by Mr. Robinson and carried.
My. Brownell indicated that as a matter of fact we have already
sent copies of the regulations to Mr. Taylor and to his attorney,
aq well as copies of the letter, so they have been informed.
b. Damage to Plaza lighting fixtures. Mr. Brownell indicated that TELEPHONE
-Cc-lip Brothers Electric Company's insurance carrier called him (Mr. CONTACT TO
Brownell) the other day, saying that he had just heard about this MR. BROWNELL
claim. Mr. Brownell stated that he was sorry about that, but it FROM COLIP'S
was handled as a routine matter. When the contract was completed INSURANCE
e erything was there, and we paid the contract price, so we have CARRIER RE
nc desire to pay anything more than that. The vandalism occurred PLAZA LIGHT
during the construction period, and we think it is up to Colip FIXTURE
a d their insurance company (to pay for damages). DAMAGE
T e Chair inquired if there had been a response to this by the
i surance carrier and Mr. Brownell said the only response was that
t e insurance company had just heard about it and were checking
or the problem.
THe Chair directed this information be received and placed on file.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. C ange Order No. 2 to Rehabilitation Contract No. SECD /PR /CS -5/40 APPROVAL OF
i the Southeast Community Development Program. Approval of this CHANGE ORDER
c ange order was requested by James L. Johnson, Jr., Chief In- NO. 2 TO
s ector, per his memo of March 1, 1977, as a result of a report by CONTRACT
t e contractor that a badly deteriorated porch railing was exposed SECD /PR/
w en wood panels were removed from both sides of the railing. CS -4/50 FOR
T ese wood panels had been installed by the homeowner and con- TOTAL OF
c aled the railing problem when the original inspection was made. $7,449.00
-4-
6. NEW B SINESS (Continued)
a. This contract is with Slatile Roofing & Sheet Metal, and the change
order calls for replacement of corner steel columns, flat steel
columns, steel supports and steel railings on the front porch, for
an increase in contract price of $250.00, resulting in an amended
contract total of $7,449.00.
Mr. Schaller referred the Commission to Mr. Johnson's memo attached
to the change order, and stated that the contractor could not see
the problem at the time he bid on the contract, because the railing
was covered by a resident and could not be seen at the time of
inspection.
Mr. Wiggins: I notice they have "steel" as contrasted to wrought
iron -- is this the kind of steel that gets a patina that protects
it from rust, or does it have to be painted -- do you know? They
have some kind of steel they use in construction work -- especially
in exterior materials now that turns a brown color and stays that
waly. It doesn't rust. They use it for building facings in Chicago.
Schaller: No, it's not that.
Mr. Wiggins: Then this has to be painted. Is that incorporated into
this price? Will it be protected against rust?
Schaller: It will be painted, yes.
Mr. Robinson: I can't imagine why, when they knew they had to tear
up this porch decking on the original inspection, how they ever
figured that a railing that had stood there as long as the porch
decking was going to be in any better shape than the decking. Some-
where along the line somebody certainly should be updating his
knowledge of inspection or about building, because it is absolutely
ridiculous the direction we are going. It seems to me, with a
$7,449.00 price,that you are trying to get up to now . Originally
that thing was over what we could approve at this board and it had
to be approved by the City Council as well as by us. It looks to
me like it's one of those deals where they are trying to hold down
th price and later they are going to nit -pick us to death. Some -
bo y sure as heck is not doing their job as far as I am concerned.
Thee Chair: Any other comments or questions?
Mrs. Wiggins: The point is well taken.
Mo ion was made by Mr. Wiggins to approve Change Order #2 to Contract
SE D /PR /CS -5/40, seconded by Mr. Cira and carried.
b. Change Order #1 to Contract SECD /PR /CS -5/41, in the Southeast
Conmunity Development Program: Approval of this change order was
re n uested by James L. Johnson, Jr., Chief Inspector, in his memoran-
du of February 25, 1977. The rear steps have crumbled since the
-5-
APPROVAL OF
CO #1 TO
CONTRACT
SECD /PR /CS-
5/41 FOR
TOTAL OF
$4,563.00
6. NEW BUSINESS (Continued):
b. time of the initial inspection. The original contract provided
for the repair of the bottom riser on the rear steps at a cost of
$46.00. The replacement of the steps, plus a handrail, at a cost
of $244.00 results in a net increase in the contract of $198.00,
for an amended contract total of $4,563.00.
This contract is with Area Services, Inc., and covers rehabilitation
wo k to the dwelling at 626 E. Haney Street.
Wiggins: That's just about as legal as the other one.
Robinson: Ditto my last comment on the last one.
Mo ion was made by Mr. Wiggins to approve Change Order No. 1 to
re abilitation contract SECD /PR /CS -5/41, seconded by Mr. Donaldson,
an carried.
c. Th following bids for contract award, subject to approval of the APPROVAL OF
So th Bend Common Council and Legal Counsel, were requested by BIDS BY
Northwest Bureau of Housing Director, John E. Davis: CHAS BROWN
Contract #NECD /01
Contract #NECD /02
Contract #NECD /03
Contract #NECD /04
Contract #NECD /05
Co tract #NECD /06
1241 E. Howard St.
1206 E. Chalfant St.
1114 N. Burns Ave.
1208 E. Bissell St.
1122 E. Chalfant St.
1129 E. Campeau St.
Th bid tabulation indicated the above to be the lowest and best bids
received for these contracts, and award of said contracts was re-
co mended by the Northwest Advisory Committee.
M . Brownell read the above list of contract bids and indicated that
Charles Brown was the low bidder on all six, as indicated by the bid
sheet; Slatile Roofing being the only other bidder.
Discussion followed regarding the cost estimates assigned to these
contracts with the comment that these estimates were made up by
using the new manual. Mr. Brownell indicated that these cost esti-
mate breakdowns were covered at the Advisory Committee meeting.
bE
sf
1z
01
Chair: At 1208 E. Bissell, the contract is below the cost estimate
.00 below.
. Wiggins said that the other point -- which Lloyd Robinson has
en raising -- is: if we approve these things, there's a list of
ecifications these people bid on. Do we at some point a little
ter on in time, say a month or two, come back with a whole batch
changes in every one of these (contracts)?
MAINTENANCE
$5,295.00
Chas.
Brown
Maint.
6,180.00
Chas.
Brown
Maint.
6,775.00
Chas.
Brown
Maint.
5,165.00
Chas.
Brown
Maint.
6,832.00
Chas.
Brown
Maint.
6,752.00
Chas.
Brown
Maint.
Th bid tabulation indicated the above to be the lowest and best bids
received for these contracts, and award of said contracts was re-
co mended by the Northwest Advisory Committee.
M . Brownell read the above list of contract bids and indicated that
Charles Brown was the low bidder on all six, as indicated by the bid
sheet; Slatile Roofing being the only other bidder.
Discussion followed regarding the cost estimates assigned to these
contracts with the comment that these estimates were made up by
using the new manual. Mr. Brownell indicated that these cost esti-
mate breakdowns were covered at the Advisory Committee meeting.
bE
sf
1z
01
Chair: At 1208 E. Bissell, the contract is below the cost estimate
.00 below.
. Wiggins said that the other point -- which Lloyd Robinson has
en raising -- is: if we approve these things, there's a list of
ecifications these people bid on. Do we at some point a little
ter on in time, say a month or two, come back with a whole batch
changes in every one of these (contracts)?
6. NEW BOSINESS (Continued):
C.
Mrs. Davis: Hopefully not.
My. Cira: I think Lloyd's point is, who is doing the inspecting?
Dc we have any better inspectors than we have had previously . . .
is that it Lloyd?
Mr. Robinson: Or else they have to give adequate training to the
i spectors. Someplace along the line someone hasn't been giving
him adequate training so that he can foresee these things and know
from past practices that it is ridiculous. Like that one example,
tc replace the porch deck and not replace the railing -- when they
have both been there the same length of time.
My. Wiggins: I think there are some things that can't well be seen,
a d it's kind of hard to hold the contractor on it because he bid
or the specs . . . and it's not his fault.
My. Cira: The biggest problem is the time of the specs and the time
o the improvement.
My. Wiggins: That time lag has been improved from what it was at
ore time in the past. I don't think we have that problem to the
degree that we had it in the past.
Mr. Donaldson: The time isn't where it would deteriorate -- that
p rticular repair job -- where it would deteriorate that much . . .
t ere isn't that much time lapse.
Mr. Wiggins: There are some things that you can't see. You can't
See the plumbing in the wall; you can't see the wiring in the wall.
You can get some indications from the things you can see, what the
general age probably is. You can make some rational judgments that
way, but there are areas, roof areas and other hidden things that
are going to happen.
Or call by the Chair for a motion Mr. Wiggins moved to approve the
awarding of these six contracts to Charles Brown Maintenance, subject
tc approval by the South Bend Common Council and Legal Counsel.
M tion was seconded by Mr. Robinson and carried.
My. Cira indicated that he would like to see the cost estimate book
tc see how it is broken down; to see how much work is being done.
k
a
. Wiggins You only have half the picture there. You need to
ow how that lines up, but it still does not key with the inspection
pect. So, largely what we are being asked to do here is to ap-
ove the action taken by an advisory council who supposedly is on
e scene and has some kind of contact with it. We are talking
out properties that none of us have seen, with no idea what the
-7-
6. NEW BUSINESS (Continued):
c. place looks like or what is directly involved. If we are going to
have any kind of more definitive oversight than we have at this
point, then it seems to me that we ought to have our own inspection
people who are responsible to us to have a look at it.
. Donaldson: Yes, because is this advisory council qualified
make an inspection?
M . Brownell: I don't know about that. Some of the people on it
live in the area. Of course, you know about that. The inspector
a tends the Advisory meetings.
. Wiggins: Unless you are willing to attack this in the blind
shion that we have been, you are going to have to put up the
ney for a set of "eyes" I think.
Mr. Brownell: For example, on these six contracts, in the Advisory
Committee we went through every spec and how much they asked for
that item. We spent quite a bit of time on the major things, such
as furnaces, roofs, electrical, etc.
M�. Davis: The overall average for all six houses is only $150.00
o er.
Mr. Brownell: Yes, they are much closer than they have been up to
now. I think they are improving. The only way you could do it other-
wise would be to get the address and have members of the Commission
invited to go and look.
My. Wiggins: Even that would not be, because -- maybe Lloyd is an
e pert but I don't think any of the rest of us are.
My. Robinson said he is not an expert on the total thing, but he
t inks some common sense could be exercised. "Which I don't think
has been done in the past."
My. Brownell: I think everyone would agree with you. I think they
are doing better all the time.
Mr. Butler: This is at least 200% improvement on the previous
projects, but there is still room for improvement.
d. Contract Set MA, for Contracts for Community Development Bureau of
l H using South. Commission approval was requested for award of the
f llowing contracts subject to South Bend Common Council approval
a d legal counsel review; per recommendation of the Advisory Board:
CONTRACTS
SECD2 /PR/
CS -8/60,
62 & 63
DENIED
6. NEW BOSINESS (Continued):
d. S CD2 /PR /CS -8/60 1513 Marietta St. $6,798.00 B W Electric
S CD2 /PR /CS -8/62 415 Wenger St. $6,914.00 B W Electric
SECD2 /PR /CS -8/63 1213 High St. $7,827.00 B W Electric
These contracts appeared on the agenda of the February 18, 1977
Redevelopment Commission meeting, but motion was lost for want of
a second. The revised cost manual has been received and the con-
tracts have been re- estimated. As set forth on the bid sheet,
bids were received from B.W. Electric, Slatile Roofing, and Madison
Builders with B.W. Electric being the low bidder on the subject
contracts.
Mr. Robinson asked whether there had really been any change.
Mr. Brownell said that the first item cost estimate is $6,557.00, the
bid by B.W. Electric is $6,798.00, or $241.00 difference. Oh-.the-next
item (8/62), the bid is $6,914.00 and the estimate is $6,244.00. In
8/63 the bid is $7,827.00, and the cost estimate is $7,957.00. So
there is one under and two over the estimates.
The Chair asked if there were comments or questions.
Mr. Cira: How do we know how much work has!)been done on that cost
estimate in the last two weeks?
Mr. Wiggins: That's what they tell you, the story before was that
they had not received their new estimate manual. They ,have their
new manual now. They ran it back through on the basis of that new
manual, and this is where it is now. So, apparently, this is what
they were saying at the last meeting. They did not feel these were
out of the ball park; they are reasonably close if the manual had
been right.
Mr. Cira: I would like to see the cost estimate bid and maybe a
bid from B.W. Electric to see how much work there is in a comparison
o the two.
Mr. Schaller: The work
ti ns are. There is no
i.t is inspected through
Mr, Brownell: The only
estimate bases.
Mr. Cira: Why did we h,
qet that new manual?
is the same., they bid on what the specifica-
change on the specifications from the time
the award of the contract.
change here is that the new manual gave new
ave to make such a fuss two weeks ago to
M�. Brownell: They had asked for it, but they did not have it yet.
I just came i.n.
in
6. NEW BUSINESS (Continued):
d. Mr Wiggins moved the approval of the subject contracts. Motion
t wa lost for want of a second.
7. PROGRESS REPORTS
Mr. Br wnell indicated there were several matters on which he wished to
report, the first concerning the Philadelphia case. He asked if there
was anything on this from counsel. The Chair replied that he was under
the im ression the hearing has been concluded and the case is under
advise ent with the Judge "Mr. Patton and Mr. Chapleau, is that
correc ?"
Mr. Pa ton and Mr. Chapleau indicated this information is correct and
they h ve heard nothing further at this time.
C. Wayne Brownell then reported on the sale of the First Series 1977
Projec Notes as follows:
"T ese First Series 1977 Project Notes, in the amount of $4,150,000,
we a awarded to the low bidder; per our bid opening date of
Fe ruary 23, 1977, at 1:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, as follows:
Chemical Bank & Associates
20 Pine Street
New York, New York 10015
By: Chemical Bank
Coupon Paying Dept.
Jas. Waterman, Asst. Treas.
55 Water Street
New York, NY 10041
Zan interest rate of 2.82 %, with a Premium of $8.00 and maturity
a of: December 16, 1977.
Our Resolutuion No. 281 authorizes the sale, issuance and delivery
of Project Notes, and the execution of requisition agreements in
Pr Ject Indiana R -66.
Tha Notice of Sale of the Project Notes appeared in The Daily Bond
Bu er on February 8, 1977; and also in the South Bend Tribune on
Fe ruary 8, 1977. The Notes have been presented and have been
signed by the Mayor and submitted to the Regional Office in Chicago
as requested by the Office of the Regional Counsel, Region V,
Department of Housing and Urban Development."
3tea
PROGRESS
REPORTS --
PHILADELPHIA
CASE
FIRST
SERIES
1977
PROJECT
NOTES
7. PROGROSS REPORTS (Continued):
The other
bids received were: (Bid Amount:
$4,150,000.00)
Bidder's
Name & Address
Interest Rate
Premium
Morgar
Guaranty Trust Co. of New York
2.83%
$
282.00
Salomon
Brothers - Erlich -Bober Company
23 Wall
St., New York 10015
Continental
Bank of Chicago
2.84%
$
304.00
231 S
LaSalle St.
Chi ca
o, IL 60693
First
National Bank of Boston & Associates
2.87%
$
45.00
P. 0.
Box 3031
Boston,
Massachusetts 02107
Citibank,
N.A. & Associates
2.90%
$
265.00
New Y
rk , NY 10015
Unite
California Bank
2.90%
$
1.50
Bond lept.,
707 Wilshire Blvd.
Los A
geles, CA
Maili
g Address: Box 3666, Terminal Annex
Los Angeles, CA 90051
The Iridiana
National Bank
2.97%
$
72.00
One I diana Square
India apolis, IN 46266
Bankers Trust Company 3.00% $ 304.00
16 Wall Street
New York, NY 10015
Mr. Brownell indicated that everything is in order, per Mary Dangles of the
Chica td Office. The bonds have been shipped to the Chemical Bank in New
York will be there this morning (March 4, 1977).
Mr. Brownell continued with the report concerning the Department of Re- SALE OF
devel pment car that was left over when we reduced the staff by one member. AUTO
He st ted that we have arranged to transfer the car to another department
of thE City (Environmental Protection), and they are going to pay us the
agree(-upon inventory price.
On thE revenue - sharing money, $221,000, that the City is going to pay us, REVENUE
this Patter came before the City Council last Monday night (February 28, 1977)SHARING
and t e ordinance was approved by the City Council. HUD has already called $221,000
to seE about the money, and they are to be told by the Community Develop-
ment reople that it will not be available to us until the State Board of
Accou is have reviewed the matter.
7. PROGR(SS REPORTS (Continued):
Mr. Brownell further reported on the City Council meeting of February 28, CITY
concerning a zoning ordinance. The Area Plan people apparently had made a COUNCIL
mistake in the zoning ordinance and they had the (building) height in MEETING
Block 6 limited to two and one -half (2 1/2) stories. Of course, the 2 -28
elder y housing unit is to be twelve (12) stories, so they were trying
to ge that corrected. Some questions were asked of Mr. Brownell about
that, and they passed the amended ordinance also.
The final
progress report
given by Mr. Brownell was the
matter with
SETTLEMENT
Standard
Oil. When we built
Lincoln Way East and Monroe
Street some
OF AMOCO
years
ago (and closed the
old Lincoln Way), they had an
encroachment
ENCROACH -
on their
gasoline station
property owned by Standard Oil
Company, which
MENT
has now
changed its name
to American Oil Company.
Mr. Brownell: I am not sure whether they don't have another name now --
Amoco -- I have to get the name squared away with them. I went to
Detroit last Wednesday night and met with them on Thursday (two attorneys).
We reviewed this matter and they gave me their prints and I gave them
ours. I came home and met with Clyde Williams. I have prints from
Clyde Williams this morning, showing the piece of land that we en-
croached on, that belongs to the American Oil Company apparently. It
is in the street now, and it's a very narrow, thin strip. (Mr. Brownell
indicated the size and shape of the subject encroachment on a map.)
It is 782 square feet -- a sliver, then there is a larger piece of land
which is 2721 square feet which was in the street, which is not in the
streel any longer. This larger piece of land has been sodded and looks
just like their property. They have never petitioned to vacate it, and
we hole that we can get that petition drafted and get them to sign it,
and s gn our petition to dedicate this parcel into the street, so
that it will be a "swap" the land we are using now for the land we
are n t using. We hope that will settle it, if that is agreeable to
the C mmission. It seems to me that it's the sensible and reasonable
way t settle it if you are agreeable.
The Chair asked for a motion that Mr. Brownell and Legal Counsel be
autho ized to proceed to settle this matter by the exchange of real
estat .
Motior was made accordingly by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Cira, and
carri d.
When ihe question was put to Mr. Butler as to the adequacy of this
motion, he indicated that it would suffice.
The C air asked if there were further comments or questions by the
Membe s of the Commission.
Mr. Rc
to out
inson: Mr. Chairman, I have been giving just a quick thought
problem, and differences of opinion, while sitting at this
124
7. PROGROSS REPORTS (Continued):
table this morning. I wonder if it might not be in the best interest
of thE committee sitting here, for our secretary to keep a listing of
the contractors and the awards that are brought. to this table. I pre-
sume we are talking about a period not to exceed about six months for
the listing. It should be kept current, and we can see when these
contractors, who we think are . . . should we say, we think we are
getti g the business a little bit . . . we can see when they come back
to thE well to get a little more money on these bids that they have
made on these particular projects. Or, do you think this is unreasonable?
The C air indicated that it was not unreasonable and Mr. Schaller was
asked by Mr. Brownell if he could furnish that information to us. Mr.
Schaller stated that he would do so.
The C air then noted that in addition, it is necessary to tighten up
the i spection process which is being done, but to keep the inspection
down to the fine points which apparently we missed in previous months
and years. Apparently, they are doing a much better job, but we have
to ke p the pressure on to see that it is done correctly.
Mr. R binson: Because if this is the secret formula of various people
biddi g this work, and they think the answer is to bid a few hundred
dollars low, and then come back and get an extra all the time, maybe
we car curtail this activity in the future or at least this
practice.
Mr. Wiggins: It still leaves us hanging on this one though, doesn't it?
Ms. D rbeck: (In response to Mr. Nimtz's question regarding comments
from the press or others) . . . I wish to clarify what Mr. Robinson
wants to do. Does he want to have a list of the contract awards . .
or dos he want to have a comparison with the low bidders to see if
they later go over the high bid?
The C air: He wants a list of the contracts and the contractors that
are awarded these contracts, then the changes that are made before the
compl tion of the job.
Ms. D rbeck: You aren't going to compare it with the high bidder?
The C air: No, he wants to see if contractor "B" is coming back fre-
quent y for Change Orders or Contractor-"D", what the frequency
of ch nge is.
Mr. Wilggins: If these changes are well distributed, this is what he
wouldllike to know.
Mr.
inson: Or if this is a habit with them.
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7. PROGUSS REPORTS
Ms. D�rbeck: It would be interesting to find out if they often go
over he high bidder.
Mr. Wiggins: If this got to be a practice, this is the only way you
are g ing to find out.
Ms. D rbeck: Well then, I have my usual questions -- what activity
is there happening downtown . . . last week you said you had some
bites that were more than "nibbles."
The C air: Ms. Derbeck, I hope that they will invite you to this
meeti g -- there is a meeting on March 15 of the Downtown Council
and all interested parties, at the Indiana Club at 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
at which time questions will be asked by the Downtown Council and
inter sted people -of the Mayor, Dr. Wing, Mr. Brownell, and myself.
Any o her members of the Commission who desire may attend, and other
membe s of the administration will be there.
Ms. DE rbeck: Is this only for merchants?
The C air: This is a Chamber of Commerce meeting. We are not running
the meeting, you will have to . . .
Ms. D rbeck: They are answering questions about what . . . about
downtown development?
Mr. Wiggins: I think that is the basic thrust of the meeting.
The C air: The purpose of the meeting is to receive from groups who
are working on downtown projects, some kind of report about what is
happe ing downtown -- what the group is working on and what is the
futurE of our downtown -- and in which direction it is headed.
Ms. D rbeck: Oh well, we have heard of those meetings before ...
but I am asking you here if you have had any do you have any
live rospects to fill up the vacant land?
Mr. Wiggins: You're trying to scoop the meeting!
Laughter.
8. ADJOURNMENT ADJOURNMENT
There being no fu-ther business before the Commission, motion was made
for a journment at 10:42 a.m., by Mr. Wiggins, seconded by Mr.
Robin on, and carried.
(SEAL
nel 1, Exec. Dire — F. Jay .,imtz, President
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