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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-28-04 Public Works & Property Vacation t t Public Works and Property Vacation Committee The June 28,2004 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member David Varner at 3:05 pm in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter,Pfeifer,Kelly,Puzzello,Varner, Kuspa, and White; City Clerk John Voorde,Public Works Director Gary Gilot,Doug Marsh, Jason Dunn, City Engineer Carl Littrell,Jack Dillon,Community&Economic Development Executive Director Sharon Kendall,Ray Garbaciak,Mr. Lindley, Terry Bland of the c_S'out/z L End adu z,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Dr. Varner noted that a quorum of the Committee does not exist in light of the absence of Council Members Coleman and Kirsits,however the Committee would meet to receive information. He further noted that in light of the fact that City Controller Rick 011ett was out of town,that the Information and Technology Committee scheduled for 3:40 pm would not take place and would be rescheduled to July 12th. As a result the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee could meet until 4:10 pm today. Dr. Varner stated that the committee would begin by being updated on environmental mandates. Public Works Director Gary Gilot noted that the relocation of Juniper Road will have some effects on the city. He then introduced Doug Marsh who made a presentation. Mr. Marsh of DLZ then presented a map of the area near the University of Notre Dame(copy attached). He noted that soon the Common Council would be receiving information on a request to vacate from Barnes&Thornburg on behalf of the University. The Council Attorney noted that she received a courtesy copy of the ordinance and provided copies of it to the Council. The vacation would permit Edison Road to be realigned with the properties affected being owned by the University of Notre Dame and Indiana University. The realignment would go through the Notre Dame woods. The purposes of the relocation proposal is to solve the pedestrian unfriendly situation currently in place. It is hoped that the relocation would spur development along Eddy of commercial and mixed use types. The Redevelopment Commission approved the overall plan last December and the NNRO is in favor of the development. Mr. Marsh stated that the relocation would also create a foreground for the Center for Performing Arts building which will have five performing venues. He noted that the University owns most of the homes in the area. In response to a question from Council Member Pfeifer whether there would be homes on the market,Mr. Marsh stated that South Bend Heritage is the leasing agency for the NNRO. There are thirty(30)properties involved which will have investments of$90,000 to$120,000 each. t t Public Works and Property Vacation Committee Dr. Varner noted that the seven(7)new homes which have been constructed primarily for faculty of the University are"lovely". Mr. Marsh stated that the investment has spurred other homes to be resided and has brought new vitality to the area. Mr. Gilot stated that the project has been a model community effort with many of the meetings taking place at Perley School. He noted that there was good attendance and good dialogue. Council Member Kelly noted that the project has been handled extremely well. Council Member Pfeifer inquired about the status of the Robinson Center. Mr. Marsh stated that they have outgrown the current building and that the University of Notre Dame is committed to having the Robinson Center for a long time. Dr. Varner thanked Mr. Marsh for his update. Jason Dun of the Engineering Depat tment then presented a powerpoint presentation on the "Construction Site Runoff Erosion Control and Illicit Discharge Control Storm Water Ordinances"and provided a handout of the presentation(copy attached). He noted that the deadline to have the ordinances in place is November 5,2003. He noted that communities that are not covered by MS4 will be covered by Rule 5 with regard to storm water and erosion control. Mr. Lindley of Lawson-Fisher noted that Granger is included under the regulations. Council Member Pfeifer noted that approximately a year ago the Council was advised that some of the regulations may not apply. Mr. Gilot stated that these regulations are mandatory. He then provided a one-page handout entitled"Sewage Works Revenue Bonds 2004—Time Schedule"which has been prepared by Barnes and Thornburg(copy attached). He noted that the 24%rate increase last year carries out the principles addressed and that a new rate increase will not be necessary now. Dr. Varner noted that the funding was originally$22 million with some of that being interest free. Mr. Gilot stated that that was correct that$24 million was from the state's revolving loan fund. The court rejected the original ordinance because of a technicality and there were 4 months of a rebate involved Dr. Varner then noted that at an earlier committee meeting there was some interest to receive information from private entities on container services and waste pick-up programs. Mr. Ray Garbaciak,General Manager of the Indiana Market Area for Waste Management then provided a handout to the committee entitled"City of South Bend and Waste Management Public Works and Property Vacation Committee Page 2 Public Works and Property Vacation Committee Public-Private Partnership RFI"(copy attached). He noted that there are approximately 35,000 households involved. An investment of$3.8 million for trucks and containers is being considered by the city. He then summarized much of the information in his brochure highlighting that Waste Management is an industry leader who instituted"Service Machine" where missed pick-ups have been reduced to 1 in 1,000,with an emphasis on safety. Waste Management is involved in many community involvement projects which are listed in the handout plus Habitat for Humanity and Toys for Tots. They provide disaster relief support similar to NIPSCO and I&M. They could provide 64 and 96 gallon containers with an emphasis on education since"one shoe does not fit all". They have 530 districts operating throughout the United States. They could also purchase any trucks which the city may have. They anticipate that there would be 7-8 routes which could be tracked with the recycling routes. In response to a question Mr. Garbaciak stated that when comparing similar service levels their rates are"right in line". He stated that they should expect nothing less from a city service or a private service which would be addressed in the RFD's. In response to a question from Council Member Coleman,Mr. Garbaciak stated that they serve 63,000 households in Indianapolis and 75,000 households in St. Joseph County. Dr. Varner noted that one of the city's concerns was the high amount of workers compensation claims in the city's environmental pick-up program. Mr. Gilot stated that it was one of the highest however it has been reduced over the past four(4)years. In response to a question from Council Member Pfeifer,Mr. Garbaciak stated that he could guarantee eligibility for current city employees,noting the CDL licenses require strict drug regulations. He noted that such guarantees have been put in place in other communities. Dr. Varner asked if salaries are comparable. Mr. Garbaciak stated that they pay$15.00 per hour plus incentives where an individual can earn over$17.00 per hour. Incentive programs include respect of truck maintenance as well as a missed pick-up incentive. Dr. Varner then asked Mr. Dillon about the city's current hourly rates. Mr. Dillon stated the city currently pays$13.00 per hour. Dr. Varner noted that more discussion on this topic is necessary and thanked Mr. Garbaciak for the information. Mr. Gilot acknowledged that Waste Management is the largest company in this area in the world. He noted that he was familiar with BFI and Borden Waste Away when he worked in Elkhart. He noted that when he joined the city team in South Bend that he challenged Jack Dillon to be more efficient and that his bureau has made great strides. He believes that there should be a great financial advantage if everyone is to go to a new system. He noted that he is Public Works and Property Vacation Committee Page 3 Public Works and Property Vacation Committee familiar with selective privatization and the city must weigh whether it is worth the turmoil. He questioned whether community events would have service. Jack Dillon questioned whether their rates would be stable. He also noted that there are eight(8) clean-up crew members and one(1)foreman in Code Enforcement paid by the city rates. He then showed pictures to the committee and questioned if those situations would be addressed (trash in a tree lawn and boat). He voiced concern about the loss of control where now all a Council Member has to do is make a call. In response to a question from City Clerk John Voorde,Mr. Dillon noted that he currently has nineteen(19)hourly employees in solid waste and three(3)supervisors,plus the eight(8) employees in Code Enforcement. Dr. Varner noted that he never stated that the city's current service is not good,he thought however that the city should compare and see what others have to offer. Council Member Pnzzello inquired about white goods. Mr. Dillon stated that Waste Management picks up white goods but believes there is a fee. Council Member Coleman noted that in a freely automated system,white goods may come into question. Mr. Dillon stated that in the 2004 capital budget there was one for one automated truck which will be delivered in July. Training will then take place. 6,000 containers will also be delivered for new subdivisions in the north and west. Letters will be sent once customers are identified. Council Member Puzzello asked that a copy of the letter be sent to the Council and Mr. Dillon stated that he would. Under miscellaneous business,Council Member Dieter inquired about the police and fire department furnishings. Mr. Gilot stated that a contract was awarded today by the Board of Public Works. DLZ and Zimmerman recommended that the contract be awarded which utilized the US Communities Program and.GSA prices. The contract for installation was$83,000. He stated that they would prefer local contracts however the savings could be 10-15%. He added that the Legal Department reviewed this and found it to be acceptable. All contracts involved totaled$3/4 million. City Clerk John Voorde inquired whether the electronic bidding process could have been used. Mr. Gilot noted that the new law takes effect on July 1st and there may be potential savings for such products. Public Works and Property Vacation Committee-June 28,2004 Page 4 Public Works and Property Vacation Committee Council Member Pfeifer inquired whether any of the prison industry products are used. Mr. Littrell stated that he was unaware but that they may be on the federal list. She noted that their office equipment is excellent. Council Member Pfeifer asked about a timeline on waste pickup discussions. Dr. Varner stated that they need information to compare and agreed that follow-up discussions are necessary. Council Member Coleman suggested that perhaps the Utilities Committee should oversee future discussions. Dr. Varner stated that he would talk with Council Member Kirsits and keep the Council updated. He also noted that Council Member Coleman joined the meeting in session. There being no further business to come before the Committee,Dr. Varner adjourned the meeting at 4:11 pm. Respectfully submitted, Council Member David Varner, Chairperson Public Works and Property Vacation Committee KCF:kmf Attachments Public Works and Property Vacation Committee-June 28,2004 Page 5