HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-06-84 Public Works Qlunimttlrt itrpnrT
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On At (llnmmnn Commit of 1lir It of frrnth PUBLIC WORKS
The July 6 , 1984 meeting of the Public Works Committee was called
to order at 4 : 00 p.m. by its ' Chairman, Councilman Thomas Zakrzewski in the
Council informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included: Councilmen. Serge , Puzzello ,
Zakrzewski, Beck, Braboy, and Voorde , Charlie VanParis , Sean Watt , Kathleen
Cekanski-Farrand and members of the news media.
Councilman Zakrzewski noted that the purpose of the meeting was to
continue the discussion of the alley renovation program which was discussed
at the Committee meeting held on July 5th.
Sean Watt then passed out a revised memorandum dated July 6 , 1984
(copy attached) . He noted that in 1976 the Street Department had 98 full time
employees plus summer help , in 1977 there were 89 full time employees , in
1980 there were 66 full time employees , and in 1984 there are 72 employees.
He noted that certain environmental concerns would be addressed in a forthcoming
written memorandum.
He then reviewed the written handout . Under the improved alley
program a total of 6 graders would be used with one per district. This would
require two new graders to be purchased. It would be possible to purchase
one less grader which would bring the total cost down from $176 , 000 to
$131, 000 . He noted that the number of alleys per block per district has not
yet been broken. down. He also noted that both distributors would be replaced
in 1985 . - There is an hourly maintenance cost on the graders and distributors
of $20. 00 per hour. The key area is additional man-power.
Scarified material has been used in the alleys , however it tends to
set up faster. He noted that the City of Mishawaka' s "pay as you go program"
has had problems with regard to lack of drainage , low spots, and in some
instances the City has had to give money back to the homeowner.
Several committee members then brought various alleys to Mr. Watt' s
attention. Mr. VanParis suggested looking at his alley which has no holes and
consists of gravel, oil and clay, Mrs. Beck passed out pictures of a problem
alley where "mud holes" appear each time it rains , and Mr . Serge reported
that there was severe flooding in the 1300 block of College Street . Mr. Watt
noted that with regard to Councilman Beck' s problem, the garage is one and
one-half feet higher than the rest. He also noted that approximately 15
blocks per year have their gravel pulled off, the alley is lowered and then
the gravel is placed back.
Councilman Braboy noted that the most expensive item in the program
was for equipment. Various options of lease-purch ase agreements, bond issues ,
are all possible avenues to be used for the equipment . She requested looking
at the costs on an annual basis . She also noted that the 200 block of Ziebert
Court is a hard alley which has lasted for several years.
Mr. Watt noted that a quarter of a million dollars is projected' annuall:
for equipment costs for the Street Department . He noted that graders do not
get any winter use He is open to suggestions and noted that there are several
good alleys which do not need grading , but there are several others which need
to be cut down. He is in need of personnel to run the rollers since you have to
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roll the alley to get proper compaction. The: al ey program basically
is between May 15th through November, 1st due to the leaf pickup program in
the fall. It is estimated that there are 200 unimproved commercial alleys
and 200 heavily used residential alleys in bad condition. This amount
would not justify the City buying additional equipment and contracting the
work out may be a possibility.
It was further noted that $425, 000 is the average net cost of a
commercial alley which would be 445 sq. ft. , 4" pavement thickness, and would
have an average life of between 8-12 years. The average cost of a residential
alley would be $3 ,275 . 00 .
In response to Councilman Serge ' s request for a cost comparison
between slag and the material used now, it was noted that slag costs
approximately $6 . 50 a ton which is made up of sand and stone . It varies in
size but tends to be denser and stays where you put it . Limestone averages
$6. 50 a ton, and gravel averages $4. 00 to $4 . 50 per -ton. Asphalt is State
designed and cost $17 . 00 per ton. The City has been using "processed gravel"
which gives some of the bonding characteristics but is dustier than other
material. He again stressed the need for proper drainage and rolling. He noted
that between 8 and 10 alleys per day can be graded by a single grader.
Reviewing the annual figures it would costa total of $825 ,000 for the
commercial alleys and $655 , 000 for the residential alleys , plus a cost of
$215 , 000 for grading and oiling for a total of $1 , 695 ,000. 00 . $6 . 50 per
lineal foot is an average cost of constructing a resid.ental alley. The City
of Mishawaka is charging a material cost for the owner 's one-half of the
alley using two inches of asphalt and a single course material. Additionally
$150, 000 ,per year would have to be earmarked for maintenance.
Councilman Serge requested an experimental program of using slag ,
oil , and rolling. Mr. Watt noted that he has requested a new roller in the
1985 budget . He also. noted that an average easement is 14 ft . and that a
survey would locate property owner ' s lines . Spring brings out the worst of
the alleys and there have been substantially fewer _ complaints now that the
alley program is underway. Councilman Beck noted that when alleys are
a low priority it causes political repercussions. Mr. Watt noted that he will
continue to give the best service he can for the cost , however the City must
establish priorities in this area- Councilman Braboy noted that the alley
near Birdsell has not been repaired.
Basically there are 3 alternatives which must be further studied by the
City, namely :, (1) the City paying all costs , (2) the property owners paying
all costs , or (3) the re-establishing of the Barrett Law Program. Following .
further discussion by the Committee , it was recommended City Administration and
City Council continue discussion on the possibilities of improving the alley
program. The meeting was adjourned at 5 :35 p .m.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas Zakrzewski , Chairman