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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-26-98 Public Works & Property Vacation Qtommittuu Z*port: Public Works and Property Vacation Committee IT0 fait tommOtt Council of Ott eitt of f out j :10: The October 26, 1998 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 4:40 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, Kelly, Varner, Coleman, Pfeifer, Ujdak,Hosinski and Sniadecki; Carl Littrell, Paul Fujawa, Juliann M. Michalak, Lewis Powell,James Voll, Bruce Bancroft, Lillian Buti, Bruce Wood, William Hostetler, Gloria Wolvos, Todd Zeiger, Julia Deslauriers, Michele Gelfman, Linda Fritschner, Rita Kopczynski, Sharon Myers, John Oxian, John T. Phair, Gene Forshthe, James Duxbury, Ray Vanett, Sr., Martha Pieszak, Mary Stanley, James Houghton, Nancy Coiro, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Varner noted that the first item on the agenda was to reveiw Bill No. 69- 98 which addresses an alley vacation near West Sample. It had been continued by the Petitioner from the Council meeting of October 26th. Juliann M.Michalak made the presentation. She stated that she filed for the vacation in light of the excessive speeding of traffic through the alley. She added that she would like to limit the damage currently done to property which she believes is caused by vehicles and heavy equipment going through the alley. Mrs. Michalak provided a copy of a Quit-Claim Deed to the Committee (copy attached) which addresses property affected by the proposed vacation. The deed was signed by Krista J. Patrick, James P. Hargreaves and herself. Mrs. Michalak also presented a petition signed by Ricardo Partida, Dominja Patida, Eddie Knight and Donna Wexah who do not oppose the proposed vacation. Mr. Paul Fajawa, a professional licensed engineer stated that he had examined the property at 840 Webster. He stated that he found bricks to be in a weakened condition which he believes is being caused by the traffic in the alley. Mr. Carl Littrell of the City's Engineering Department spoke against the proposed vacation. He noted that it is a 12'alley rather than the typical 14'alley. Dr. Varner asked Mr. Littrell if he had been of the quit-claim aware o t e uit claim deed and the petition supporting the vacation. Mr. q P Ply g Littrell stated that those documents appear adequately address the concerns raised by the Board of Public Works. Council Member Udjak stated that he has worked with the Petitioner, Mrs. Michalak. He noted that in light of the concerns raised by the Board of Public Works in their unfavorable recommendation to the Council,that he apprised Mrs.Mrs. Michalak of these concerns. It appears that all concerns have been addressed. He added that the son of the owner of parcel#2599 called him regarding the proposal. Council Member Hosinski stated that the Bill had been continued in light of potential ingress and egress concerns regarding two (2) garages.•H a be li eves that those concerns have been properly addressed and would support the Bill. • Public Works and Property Vacation Committee October 26, 1998 Page 2 1 . Following discussion, Council Member Aranowski made a motion, seconded by Council Member Udjak that Bill No. 69-98 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 79-98 which would vacate 27th Street from the i1 south right-of-way of East McKinley Avenue to the north right-of way of East Colfax avenue for a distance of 700'. Dr. Varner noted that Lillian Buti, President of the Walnut Grove Mutual Housing Corporation had requested that Bill No. 79-98 be continued from the October 26th Council meeting Mrs. Buti then made the presentation. She noted that she would be presenting a 13-page petition signed by residents in the area in favor of the proposed vacation. She stated that the petition represents 51% of the residents of Walnut Grove. She then al presented a map (copy attached) which detailed emergency snow routes, no stop and no parking posted speed limit mit si n s and no truck zones. Mr. James Duxberry then supplemented Mrs. Buti's presentation. He noted that he had lived in the area for 39 years and that he was a member of h Y the Board for Walunt Grove Mutual Housing Corporation. He reviewed examples of vandalism of homes and vehicles in the area. He further noted that fire and emergency vehicles seldom use the proposed area to be vacated. He believes that the City of South Bend should address areas of security especially since most of the members of Walnut Grove are 70 years or older. Ray Vanett, Sr. a member of the Board for Walnut Grove Mutual Housing Corporation 11' spoke in favor of the proposed vacation. He noted that there are seven (7) other ways to Jefferson if this vacation would be approved. i Mr. Carl Littrell of the City's Engineering Department spoke against the proposed vacation. He noted that the Board of Public Works gave an unfavorable recommendation. He noted that 27th Street is one of three ways from 20th to Jefferson. He further noted that 27th Street and its curbs are designed to limit speeding. He added that Eddy and Logan are the only truck routes in the area. He further noted that there have been five (5) accidents on McKinley which is under the state's control. He believes that emergency access is necessary via 27th Street. He concluded that the street is a right-of-way which is needed for public access. He added that the City would be willing to look into traffic calming devices and other diversions from this neighborhood in an attempt to look at the traffic { problems in the area. In rebuttal,Mrs. Buti noted that she had lived in the area for 47 years. She stated that 27th Street has not been used as an emergency route. She added that the McKinley intersection is in deplorable condition and that there are no speed limit signs posted on 27th whereas there are on 26th Street. Under the Committee portion, Council Member Pfeifer stated that she would like to ask questions of a representative of the South Bend Fire Department. She stated that she is concerned about the safety of the entire area. She also voiced concern in light of the fact that the area does not presently have a District Council Member since John Broden has ' resigned. Public Works and Property Vacation Committee October 26, 1998 Page 3 Council Member Udjak was advised that both the east and west side of 27th Street are owned by the Walnut Grove Mutual Housing Corporation. Mrs. Buti noted that they are a not-for-profit corporation and would not do anything to jeopardize that status. Council Member Aranowski stated that he also has several questions for the South Bend Fire Department regarding this area. Following further discussion, Council Member Aranowski made a motion, seconded by Council Member Udjak that Bill No. 79-98 be sent to the Council without recommendation. The motion passed. Council President Coleman stated that he would call the Fire Department to see if a representative could be at the 7 p.m. meeting. Under miscellaneous business, Dr. Varner noted that he had provided notice regarding the $ 6,245,000 the South Bend Redevelopment Authority Lease Rental Revenue Refunding Bonds of 1998 (Blackthorn Golf Course Project) (copy attached). Also under miscellaneous business the Council Attorney noted that each Council Member should have two (2) letters regarding Bill No. 77-98 being continued to the November 9, 1998. She noted that Mr. Urbanski had telephoned her and stressed that he would not continue Bill No.77-98 beyond the November date. There being no further business to come before the Committee,the meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member David Varner Chairperson,Public Works and Property Vacation Committee Attachments 1 •