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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 Annual Report - Public Works & Property Vacation l*".r 2004 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS AND PROPERTY VACATION COMMITTEE OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL Pursuant to § 2-10 of the South Bend Municipal Code, the following 2004 Annual Report of the Public Works and Property Committee is filed which highlights activities of this calendar year. Duties: The Public Works and Property Vacation Committee is charged with "overseeing the various activities performed by the Building Department, the Department of Public Works and related public works and property vacation issues"pursuant to § 2-10 (i) 8) of the South Bend Municipal Code (Emphasis added). Members: There are four (4) Council Members on this Committee, namely: Council Member Kirsits who serves as Vice-Chairperson, Council Member Pfeifer, Council Member Coleman, and myself as Chairperson. Meetings: This year the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee held twenty(20) Committee meetings throughout the year. Highlighted Activities: The primary activity of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was to review proposed vacations of public property which is governed by Chapter 18, Article 5 of the South Bend Municipal Code entitled "Procedures for Vacation of Public Ways and Public Places", as well as governing state law. As the Council is aware, Indiana Code § 36-7-3-13, provides for the following criteria when reviewing a proposed vacation request: 1. Whether the vacation would hinder the growth or orderly development of the unit or neighborhood in which it is located or to which it is contiguous; 2. Whether the vacation would make access to the lands of the aggrieved person by means of public way difficult or inconvenient; 3. Whether the vacation would not hinder the public's access to a church, school, or other public building or place; and 4. Whether the vacation would hinder the use of a public way by the neighborhood in which it is located or to which it is contiguous. A series of joint committee meetings were also held with the Personnel and Finance Committee to review the proposed ordinance which addressed various budget, salary, purchasing and proposed appropriations including capital needs throughout last year. 2004 Public Works and Property Vacation Committee Annual Report Page 2 At the June 28, 2004 Public Works and Property Vacation Committee meeting Jason Durr of the Engineering Department presented a power-point presentation on the "Construction Site Runoff Erosion Control and Illicit Discharge Control Storm Water Ordinances". The South Bend Common Council subsequently passed Ordinance No. 9542-04 on November 11, 2004 creating a new Article 12 to Chapter 17 of the South Bend Municipal Code establishing regulations of non- stormwater discharges; as well as Ordinance No. 9542-04 at that same Council meeting which established storm water discharge regulations as well as the control of erosion and sediment. At that same June 28th meeting Ray Garbaciak, General Manager of the Indiana Market Area for Waste Management made a presentation to the committee entitled "City of South Bend and Waste Management Public-Private RFI", with handouts on that presentation being available in the Office of the City Clerk. At the June 28, 2004 Public Works and Property Vacation Committee discussion also took place on the concerns raised with regard to the procedures used when awarding the furniture contracts for the police and fire departments; and Council Member Pfeifer's concerns with regard to whether prison industry products are considered by the city. At the September 13, 2004 Public Works and Property Vacation Committee the Committee reviewed in detail Bill No. 49-04 which would update the city's building codes and fees. It would also keep the city in compliance with Ordinance No. 8412-93 which established the Consolidated Building Department. This Bill was subsequently passed by the Council as Ordinance No. 9528-04. Like some of the other Standing Committees of the South Bend Common Council, an ongoing challenge of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee is to attract citizen members who have the interest and time to serve on this committee. Respectfully submitted, Council Member David Varner,Chairperson Public Works and Property Vacation Committee ®{ jCe January 7, 2005 Filed jn Cje��'S cc: Mayor Stephen J. Luecke JAS } 0 2005 The South Bend Common Council The Office of the City Clerk JOHN VOORDE crr cum,SO.BEND, N.