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Public Works and Property Vacation Committee
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The July 26, 1999 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was
called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 3:50 p.m. in the
Council informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, Kelly, Sniadecki, Varner,
Pfeifer, Ujdak, and King; Citizen Member Khadijah Muhammad, Carl Littrell, Doug
Carpender,Lew Powell,Ron Milligan, Terry Bland and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Dr. Varner noted that the first item on the agenda was to receive an update on concrete
curbs and walks.
Carl Littrell provided a 2-page handout(copy attached)on concrete placement for June and
July through July 23rd. He noted that 81 properties have been completed through the
Good Neighbors Program.
Khadijah Muhammad inquired into the process. Mr. Littrell stated that there is a waiting
list for 1999 and that if is basically on a first come first serve basis.
Council Member King inquired into the procedure used where sidewalks are in poor repair
where they are not located near a neighborhood or partnership center and do not have the
financial means to address this concern. Mr.Littrell noted that the City is currently looking
into other ways of addressing such issues. He further noted that absentee landlords are a
continuing problem and a lien process was being researched by the Administration.
In response to a question raised by Council Member Aranowski,it was noted that both sod
and seed are used when repairing areas near the sidewalks and curbs.
Lewis Powell then reviewed a one-page handout addressing concrete pavement repairs
Phase I(copy attached).
Council Member Pfeifer noted that she has received several concerns regarding the lack of
wheel chair access at the corner of Colfax and St. Joe across from the Marriott. She also
voiced concern over access by the Twyckenham Bridge by the YMCA. Mr. Powell noted
that he has discussed this with Phil St. Clair. Mr. Littrell noted that preliminary quotes
were cost-prohibitive. Council Member Pfeifer also noted that there was no accessibility
by Karl King Towers to Howard Park for wheel chairs.
The Council Attorney also noted that there was no wheel chair accessibility on the
sidewalks to Leeper Park tennis courts or to Leeper Park coming from the elementary
school.
Mr. Littrell noted that as a part of the Good Neighbors Program that accessibility is
automatically made in residential areas at corners.
Under miscellaneous business, Council Member Sniadecki noted that he had received the
legal notice(copy attached) on the notice of adoption of a resolution by the Board of Water
Works for an elevated water tank at Adams Road near the intersection of Orange Road.
Public Works and Property Vacation Committee
July 26, 1999
Page 2
Mr. Ron Milligan stated that he was shocked when he read the legal advertisement and the
proposed condemnation procedures to acquire the property, especially since Jon Hunt had
stated that this would not take place. He noted that the Board of Water Works had
purchased other property for the water tower,but that the City never contacted the FAA for
a tower. The proposed site is approximately 7 1/2 miles from the downtown and 1/2 mile
from the Michigan state line. He noted that the Ameritech Drive location was approved by
turned down by the Redevelopment Commission. He again stressed that the area in
question is densely wooded and has wildlife which should be protected. He speculated
that the City of South Bend desires to expand beyond the bypass.
Council Member Sniadecki suggested that a joint meeting of the Utilities Committee and the
Public Works and Property Vacation Committee meeting be set for next Monday, August
2, 1999 at 4 p.m.,to discuss this matter further.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Sniadecki
adjourned the meeting at 4:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Rod Sniadecki
Vice-Chairperson
Public Works and Property Vacation Committee
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