HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-28-84 Residential Neighborhood aInmmt ntr Erport
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The March 28, 1984 meeting. of the Residential Neighborhooh Committee
was called to order at 7 : 00 p.m, in the Council informal meeting room by its
Chairman, Councilman Beverly D. Crone.
Persons in attendance included: Councilmen Puzzello, Zakrzewski,
Voorde,. Crone, Braboy, and Beck, Citizen Members Butch Morgan,and Tom
Wolfram, Craig Hartzer, John Leszczynski, Michael A. Vance, Kathy Barnard,
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, members of the news media, and the following members
of neighborhood organizations: Dick Scharf of Edgewater Place , Floyd Carter
of near westside, Dennis Moran of near westside, Genevieve Varga of near
westside, Stephen Eddy of near westside, Roman Piasecki of Lincoln Manor,
Sandra Sebelski of Keller Park, Nigel Hawman of Monroe Park, Ronald A.
Sebelski, Sr. of Keller Park, Dick Shafer of South Gateway Improvement Area,
Dick Kilbase of near northwest, George Divjak of Rum Village and Roger
Baele of Rum Village.
Councilman Crone began the meeting by introducing her Committee to
the public and passing out an adgenda (copy attached) .
She noted that there had been no budget provision for a spring
cleanup in 1984. She then called upon the City Engineer to outline the costs
of such a cleanup.
1.Spring Cleanup - Costs
Mr. Leszczynski noted that approximately $300,000 was spent on the
spring cleanup last year. The labor cost totalled a $117 ,000 , dumping and
hauling charges of $66, 000, and the remaining amounts attributed to equipment
costs. There are no administrative costs added to these figures .
1. (b) Spring Cleanup-Problems
Mr. Lezczynski stated that all departments except fire and police
were involved with the cleanup. The City did not hire any extra help and
therefore several essential services were delayed. There were several abuses
and the City underestimated the amount of trash involved. It took approximately
30-40 days to complete the project.
1 . (c)Spring Cleanup-Priorities
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Mr. Vance stated that the priorities for 1984 were set last summer
during the budgetary process. At the present time it would be next to
impossible to change priorities unless salaries would be eliminated, less
streets would be paved, or less fuel made available, There is. no money for
a City-wide cleanup ,in 1984.
1. (d) Spring Cleanup-Past Alternatives
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Kathy Barnard then described "loan a truck program" which began in
August of 1981. This permits the City to loan trucks and drivers to volunteer
groups. There are two trucks available with the possibility of others. In
1981 eight groups utilized the program, in 1982 12-14 groups, and in 1983
14-16 groups. This program could be used this year.
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1.:(e) Spring Cleanup-Comments
Roger Baele expressed that he had talked with representatives of the
near northwest, near northeast, South Gateway Improvement and the Rum Village _
Neighborhood Associaton. They believe that a spring cleanup is needed and
would like it to be a budgetary item ,for 1985. : It was a service which directly
assisted the neighborhoods.
Councilman Voorde suggested that the City Administration contact
Mishawaka and other cities to compare their-programs to -ours .
Councilman Puzzello questioned the policy of picking up large items.
It was noted that individuals on City trash pickup can 'have large items
removed for an extra charge. They-must call ahead and an estimate will be
given. It was suggested that this policy be better publicized.
Mr. Piasecki voice concern about how the City looks especially in
alleys. Mr. Barnard noted that the City does issue citations . Councilman Beck
agreed that litter and debris is a problem throughout the City. However,
many families are being faced with --a choice of paying for food or paying for
trash removal. Councilman Zakrzewski asked how long the process of enforcement
takes and was informed that the person is first cited, then a letter goes out,
then the property is cleaned by the City and individuals are billed for the
cleaning. I.f the person refuses to pay it, the legal department then pursues
collection through. Small Claims Court.
Councilman Crone noted that since there would not be a City wide
cleanup this year that it should be taken into consideration for 1985 and
that neighborhood groups should be involved. It was also suggested that
a letter be sent to all neighborhood groups and other organizations where
a neighborhood group may' not be organized to inform them of the loan-a-truck
program. A press release was also suggested. Better enforcement of local
laws was also stressed.
The representative from the Monroe Park area noted that there were
several problems involved with the loan-a-truck program which included:
the trucks were sent to early in the morning, the trucks leftat .noon, theamount
of trash. was under estimated, that front-end loaders were needed, the pile
areas remain dirty. It was suggested that 50 gallon cans be painted for spring
cleanup so that only outside debris would placed into them. , He also stressed
the need for flyers being sent to the residence .in advance and noted that
. businesses would print them if "courtsey of. . . . . . . . " was on the flyer.
The Council Attorney noted that the local ordinance requires weekly
pickup of trash.. Several individuals requested better enforcement of laws
already on the books. It was also suggested that advertising the removal of
large items on the water bills would help residents find out about this policy.
This suggestion was supported by Councilmen Braboy and Crone.
Several individuals noted that the budgetary figures used for the last
spring cleanup were not a good barometer because the City had stressed that this
was the last spring pick-up. It was also noted that this was the first time
the extra costs involved to travel to the Shively Road area were involved.
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Mr. Moran stated that the program needs to be de-centralized and
more involvement of neighborhood groups was needed. He stressed that . this
program has to be a budgeted item. Since snow removal is a budgeted item,
trash removal after the snow melts is just as big if not a greater problem.
The $200, 000 in the present Code Enforcement - cleanup program was then
explained. Another neighborhood representative suggested that the City again
approach the landfill operators to seek reduced rates for such a program.
Councilman Crone then directed the discussion to the solid waste
program.
Mr. Vance stated that the City is in .a deficit position. Mr.
Leszczynski that 30 days ago the City hired Ten-Ech to _study the entire
solid waste program. It would look at all private haulers as well as the
City' s program. A report would be on the Mayor' s desk within 30 days.. It was
a study which would look at different size containers, using bags only,
different size trucks, alley pickup versus street pickup, etc. It was aimed
at finding the best system at the cheapest cost. Several representatives ,
expressed concern that re-cycling efforts would not be addressed. in such a
study, but were advised that MACOG was studying the feasibility of waste
energy.
Mr. Baele then handed out his written concerns from the Rum Village
Neighborhood Association and read a handout into the record. (copy attached)
Councilman Crone suggested that another meeting of type be held
within 45 days so that the study could be reviewed. Councilman Voorde noted
that increased costs would probably be involved since increased costs has
always been a dis-incentive to change from the present program.
Mr. Carter expressed concern about trucks driving throughout the
City without tops over the garbage. He also noted that many trash cans
are destroyed needlessly. It was also noted that several City trucks do not
comply with the cover requirement, Councilman Beck complained that often
times the City pickup service treats you discourteously and that when you call
to voice your concern you are asked whether you would like to dis-continue
City service. She stressed that better cooperation would prove .helpful.
Mr. Morgan expressed the need for a City wide cleanup in 1985 and Mr. Vance
stated it would be considered. Mr. Vance also noted that approximately
15,000. City customers use the City pickup which is one-third of the population
and that between 30-40% of the budget is being subsidized by the Sewage Dept.
It was suggested that neighborhood groups start organizing for a
loan-a-truck program and contact should be made through the Code Enforcement
office. It was also suggested that the new Administrative Assistant to the
Mayor be utilized. Councilman Braboy suggested better enforcement of our laws,
a better mechanism to seek compliance, and that alleys should be addressed at
the next meeting.
Councilman Crone adjourned the meeting .at 8 :.40 p.m. stating that
another meeting would be called within 45 days.
Respectfully submitted,
Beverly D. Crone, Chairman