HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-26-02 Public Works and Property Vacation t
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The August 26,2002 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to
order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 4:10 p.m. in the Council Informal
Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Pfeifer, King, Varner, Kelly,
White, Coleman and Kirsits; Community & Economic Development Director Jon R. Hunt,
Director of the Division of Community Development Pam Meyer,Executive Director of the Morris
Performing Arts Center Dennis J. Andres, Ballroom Sales Operations Manager Mary Anne Bryant,
MEI Co-Chairperson Shirley Hamilton, City Engineer Carl Littrell, Attorney James A. Master,
Attorney Ken Cotter, Terry Bland of the *alai) sera( trtbUU , and Kathleen Cekanski-
Farrand, Council Attorney.
Council Member Varner noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Substitute Bill No.
40-02 which is a vacation request for various property by the River Park Branch Library. He
noted that the Petitioner by its attorney requested that this measure be continued on several
occasions in order to allow additional time to hold neighborhood meetings, to meet with the
Department of Public Works and to meet with Dr. Proudfit who has his office located in the
affected area.
Mr. James A. Masters, the attorney for the St. Joseph County Public Library made the
presentation. He noted that since the 1st reading on this Bill on May 28, 2002, he has been
working on this matter. He then showed various maps to the committee. He noted that the St.
Joseph County Public Library intends to expand the parking lot for the River Park Branch. The
vacation has been filed out of concern for the patrons who come to this branch library and for
persons using the parking lots. The vacation would eliminate vehicular traffic through the River
Park Branch Library parking lot. He noted that a neighborhood meeting was held at the library to
provide an opportunity for neighbors to hear the proposal. Dr. Proudfit has agreed to black off
and barricade the area which he had vacated back in 1987.
Mr. Ken Cotter, the attorney for Dr. Proudfit, stated that all of his clients concerns have been
addressed.
Mr. Littrell stated that he has met with the attorneys and believes that the substitute Bill sets for a
"good result"which the Department of Public Works would support.
Following discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Council Member
Kirsits,that Substitute Bill No. 40-02 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Under unfinished business, Council Member King stated that he asked Executive Director of the
Morris Performing Arts Center Dennis J. Andres, Ballroom Sales Operations Manager Mary Anne
Bryant, MEI Co-Chairperson Shirley Hamilton to briefly address the Council with regard to a
recent letter sent to the Council from Joseph Agostino.
Mr. Andres stated that he was appalled when he saw the letter and stated that it"contains lies". He
stated that Mr. Agostino was told that under no circumstances would there be an extension beyond
one(1) year of having separate office ticket operations.
Council Member King then requested for a chronology of events so that the Council would have a
Public Works and Property Vacation Committee
August 26, 2002
Page 2
better opportunity to understand all of the issues.
Mr. Andres stated that he and his staff have been aggressive to meet their goal for calendar year
2002 which was to have 120 events at the Morris Performing Arts Center. As of this week, 134
events have been scheduled. Mr. Andres noted that two (2) years ago he was hired as the
Executive Director following the reopening of the Morris in February of 2000 and its $14 millon
renovation. One of his first goals was to consolidate the box office into one operation, instead of
the three (3) separate offices. His directive was to expand and make available tickets via not only
the telephone and in person,but also via the internet.
The Broadway Theatre League (BTL) was offered the means, leasing operations, etc., and he
thought they had an agreement. They would permit BTL to sell their tickets in the same manner
they have for one (1) year; however thereafter all operations would be out of the box office with
rent being restructured based on ticket sales.
Mr. Andres noted that a meeting took place which had among others Council Members Coleman
and White in attendance, as well as Mayor Luecke and Deputy Attorney Jeff Jankowski. He stated
that BTL apparently in intent on trying to duplicate their efforts.
Co-Chairperson Shirley Hamilton noted that she has been co-chair for the past 45 years and that
they are committed to a unified box office operation, noting that they agreed to accommodate BTL
for only one(1) year.
Council Member Coleman noted that since the Parks Committee was not meeting today, that this
venue was the best available to update the Council on this issue.
Council President Kelly thanked everyone for the information, noting that the letter was an insult.
Dr. Varner requested that the Council be updated on any further developments in this area.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Dr. Varner adjourned the meeting
at 4:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member David Varner, Chairperson
Public Works and Property Vacation Committee
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