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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-26-87 Residential Neighborhoods Minnow Erpurt RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE Ohl tie tdummun Qlounrtl of tip (Mg of*until Thad: The August 26, 1987 meeting of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee was called to order by its Chairman, Councilman Tom Zakrzewski, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included: Councilmen Braboy, Zakrzewski, Beck , and Voorde ; Captain Ed Friend , Marva Leonard , Mike Meeks, Patricia DeClercq, Jim Wensits and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilman Zakrzewski noted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the truck route ordinance currently in effect for the City of South Bend. Captain Ed Friend of the South Bend Police Department noted that there was an announcement in January of this year that the City of South Bend would begin enforcing its new truck ordinance. Actual enforcement began in February. Since then, 120 warning citations have been issued as well as 17 moving citations which require a court appearance. In addition, he speculated that approximately 1 ,000 personal contacts have been made by the Police Department. That number cannot be specifically verified as such contacts are not recorded. He emphasized that the overall goal from his perspective was to have the proper focus remain on courtesy , good public relations and education. Mr. John Vleaminck, a resident at 213 North Ironwood Drive noted that there are constant violators on Ironwood. In particular, Osco trucks appear to be in constant violation of the ordinance. He noted that Ironwood is wearing out and passed out pictures of various portions of the street (copy attached). He believes that in many instances the road is hollow and recalled an incident under Mayor Voorde's administration where a street sweeper was engulfed in a hollow portion of a street. He also questioned the posting of Ironwood and stated his belief that additional signage was necessary. He stated that if something is not done soon, he would circulate a petition. Councilman Beck, who has been in contact with Mr. Vleaminck., questioned the procedure as to why copies of the warning tickets are not sent directly to the company. Marva Leonard of the City Attorney's office noted that the warning only goes to the driver and not to the company for which the driver is employed. Marva Leonard also indicated that often times trucks are not on the truck routes since they are in the process of delivering. She indicated that we must know exactly what the driver is doing and his overall destination is before a citation can be issued . Councilman Beck noted that she voted for the truck route ordinance because she wanted trucks off Ironwood. She believes the street is being used too often for short cuts. FREE PR[ro GOSCMY PUSLHHIHG GO • Residential Neighborhoods Committee Minutes/August 26 , 1987 Page 2 Mr. Meeks, the Traffic Engineer, noted that over 200 "no truck" signs have been posted since the ordinance came into effect. Marva Leonard indicated that signage prior to the passage of the ordinance was confusing and that they have made a logical attempt to post "no truck" signage throughout the City . Councilman Braboy noted that Osco trucks have been ruining curbs and lawns in order to turn onto Portage Avenue. She believes that common sense must be used. It was noted that often times, trucks from Town & Country must then go to the Osco location on Ironwood. Councilman Beck and Captain Friend disagreed with regard to the interpretation of why a truck involved with a recent fatality at Ironwood and McKinley was not issued a warning ticket. Councilman Voorde noted that once Logan is improved, it could hopefully be considered for addition to the truck route ordinance. Mr. Meeks noted that the City must cooperate with Mishawaka in that regard since Logan is half in their jurisdiction. Mr. Vleaminc noted that at least three (3) cars have been demolished while parked on Ironwood . Mr. John Nicodemus, a driver for Morrison Enterprises Company, noted that he received a ticket yesterday at Jefferson and Greenlawn. He stated his belief that half of the citations or warnings issued under the truck route ordinance were probably written within the past twenty-four (24) hours. Captain Friend disagreed with those statistics. Mr. Nicodemus questioned the length and how it was measured. He stated that his particular panel truck is not noisy and is relatively light compared to large trucks. He further stated that he would be subject to an $80.00 fine on yesterday's citation if found in violation. He indicated that he must make time stops which means that he must have a product in a store at a particular time. He believes that the Council and the City administration must review the truck route ordinance as it is very burdensome for local vendors. Councilman Beck noted that she would prefer that Logan and not Ironwood be added to the truck route list. Mr. Nicodemus also noted that when he was cited yesterday, 15-20 other semi-tractor trailers were behind him due to the detour at Logan Street. He did not understand why he was specifically singled out by the police officer. He also questioned why buses were exempted under the ordinance. Following much discussion, Councilman Zakrzewski suggested that the Engineering Department and the Legal Department get together Residential Neighborhoods Committee Minutes/August 26 , 1987 Page 3 with regard to a review of all the specific routes. He noted that this was necessary as , in some instances , we must seek the cooperation of Mishawaka or the County. Mandy Bujecker of Mayflower Road and Cindy Kollar noted that they were representing a large number of Mayflower residents. They indicated that most of the truckers do have alternative routes but drive Mayflower. She indicated that the by-pass could be used and that there is grave concern with regard the safety of school children at the nearby Holy Family School. It was indicated that the road is extremely cracked and that the houses shake due to the noise during the gearing down process. Several examples were cited on Sample and Mayflower Roads. Mrs. Kollar noted that her daughter woke at approximately 3:00 a.m. last night due to the truck noise and was afraid that a truck would be driving through her bedroom. Councilman Voorde noted that he had previously been in contact with Mrs. Bujecker and that she had contacted both State and County officials. She noted that the particular portion of the highway is no longer under the State highway system and had documents showing its release by the State in 1979. She also indicated that she had been in contact with both the County Engineer and the City Engineer and was awaiting updates from them. Councilman Voorde questioned whether the by-pass proposal was feasible. Councilman Zakrzewski noted that he was still awaiting a response from County officials after having been contacted by the residents. Captain Friend noted that the City must delicately balance the needs between the truck industries and the residents. He believes the Police Department is basically caught in the middle as both parties must have proper represenation of their rights . He specifically questioned how the trucks coming off Sample would be routed. He did note, however, that the traffic division would begin investigating the problems of noise, gearing down and speeding this very evening. He further stated that reckless driving could be a possibility and that he would specifically look at the problem times between 3: 30 a. m. and 5 :00 a.m. Mrs. Marge Kelly, a resident on Ironwood , also noted that her lawn has been destroyed by trucks who have gone over the curb through her yard and stopped when striking trees . Councilman Braboy noted that she had several questions and concerns with regard to enforcement. She noted that on College Street, in particular, heavy trucks coming off Olive are going over curbs and yard areas. In particular , Osco trucks have been violators in the past. She also indicated problems between Washington & West Washington and Brookfield & Western with regard to beer trucks going over yards and curbs. Residential Neighborhoods Committe Minutes/August 26 , 1987 Page 4 Following further discussion, it was recommended that Mr. Meeks of the City Engineering Department and the City Attorney's office review the current truck routes listed in the ordinance, contact the necessary County or State officials , and report back to the Residential Neighborhoods Committee at a meeting to be set for the afternoon of Monday , September 14 , 1987 . There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Councilman Thomas Zakrzewski , Chairman