Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-00 Public Works & Property Vacation Committer ort: VOW 'Works antr 1Propertv t atatiou Qtommitt* The September 25,2000 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 4:15 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski,Kelly, King, Ujdak, Pfeifer, Varner, Coleman, White and Kirsits; Carl Littrell, Terry Bland of the gPOUth Zributte and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Varner noted that a letter dated September 20, 2000 (copy attached) was received from Stephen D. Rudisell,an Urban Planner with The Abonmarche Group requesting that Bill No. 64-00 requesting an alley vacation be withdrawn. The Council Attorney noted that a motion to strike the Bill from the agenda this evening would be in order in light of that request. Dr. Varner then called for the presentation of Bill No. 83-00 which is a request to vacate the first east/west alley north of Dunham Street. Dr. Varner noted that the Bill received a favorable recommendation from the Board of Public Works as represented in their letter of September 25, 2000(copy attached). A presenter was not in attendance. Following discussion, council Member Aranowski made a motion seconded by Council Member Ujdak that Bill No. 83-00 be sent to Council without recommendation. Council Member King questioned the overall notification and understanding of the process by the affected property owners in light of the difficulties he has been experiencing with alleys near Napolean. Carl Littrell stated that Bill No. 83-00 is not as complex and difficult as the alleys in Council Member King's district. Mr. Littrell stated that the request in question resulted from a walk through the neighborhood with the neighbors, Mayor Luecke and Mr. Gilot. He stated that there is no necessity for this alley, however he did not know if the other two (2) neighbors not listed on the petition understand the consequences of a vacation of the alley. Council Member King noted that several considerations have been set forth in the Board of Public Works letter of September 25th and that they should be discussed with the property owners. Council Member King then requested that the Bill should be continued so that proper discussion of the conditions could take place. Council Members Aranowski and Ujdak withdrew their motions. The Council Attorney stated that there are a growing number of vacations where conditions have not been satisfied by the petitioners when added by the Council in amendments to proposed vacation ordinances. The Council Attorney suggested that a brochure be developed on the vacation process by the Division of Engineering, since that entity prepares all maps which accompany any proposed vacations. Currently the City Clerk's Office provides forms of proposed ordinances as well as the vacation application along with directions as a part of the process. Discussion by the Committee with regard to proper notification to the affected property owners of all conditions recommended by the Board and/or Council, as well as an understanding of the vacation process and its consequences needs to be developed. Notification of any conditions recommended by the Board of Public Works have been sent to the Council on the same day that a proposed ordinance comes before the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee and the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee September 25, 2000 Page 2 Council . The Committee concluded that the process should be improved. Following further discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Council Member Aranowski that Bill No. 83-00 be continued until the October 9,2000 meeting of the Council and that every effort be made to contact the petitioners with regard to the recommendations from the Board of Public Works. The motion passed. Dr. Varner noted that he has listed for discussion the growing concerns that he has with regard to street light outages. He stated that approximately a year and one half ago he raised this topic in Committee which resulted in a letter being sent. That process resulted in some limited positive results. Dr. Varner stated that the list of street outages go back to July of this year with 194 outages listed currently. He stated that the delay in addressing these concerns is unacceptable. Dr. Varner then provided a street light outage handout listing the amount of money on a monthly basis which has been credited by AEP to the City for 1999 and 2000 through September 25th. He stated he and the rest of the Council have experienced far more frustration than the $ 18,000 of credited to the City. He further noted that Tim Banta position has been eliminated and that despite a local contact the overall AEP operation is out of Fort Wayne. tha Pe P Mr. Littrell stated that he deals with Tom Steinke of AEP to service the lights. The City tariff to AEP for a flat lighting pays 60 000 as a monthly ta g g rate, and receives a credit after a light l�Y Y n being out for two(2) days and being reported to AEP. Dr. Varner stated that anticipated expectations of AEP to address outages is not good enough since a public safety issue has been created in many neighborhoods as a result of these outages. He stated if the City needs to contact the Robert Henry corporation which has a contract to service underground connections, then that should be done also. He added that perhaps the City should consider replacing light bulbs since we have the equipment to service traffic lights. Council Member Aranowski agreed that public safety is now at issue. He cited the Keller Park South area noting that an entire neighborhood is out. He further noted that beat officers have stated that light outages foster crime. Council President Pfeifer noted that there is a significant difference when AEP took over the operations. Council Member Kirsits stated that better service from AEP is indeed necessary. He noted that he believes that whole grinds may be out since often times three or four blocks are out when making a fire service run. Dr. Varner suggested that a threshold for service must be established. He recommended that the Council Attorney be authorized to review the AEP contract. There was no objection raised to Dr. Varner's suggestion. He further suggested that she update him and the Committee and then perhaps have a joint Committee meeting with the Utilities Committee and AEP officials. Council Member Kirsits, Chairperson of the Utilities Committee agreed to call a joint Committee meeting with Dr. Varner once he received the report from the Council Attorney. • Under unfinished business, Dr. Varner ri9te4 that he asked the Council Attorney to draft Public Works and Property Vacation Committee September 25, 2000 Page 3 Resolution No. 00-106 supporting the continued and enhanced economic revitalization and promotion of Scottsdale Mall as the retail center of the City (copy attached). It is set for public hearing under"Special Business"this evening. He noted that he has been in contact with Attorney Tim Hernley about the measure who will be here this evening. He hoped that the City would support Scottsdale Mall like it had recently done for Bosch. Council Member Coleman noted that the City has a long history of supporting Scottsdale Mall by adopting two(2) ten year real property tax abatements in 1992 and 1993. Dr. Varner urged the Committee to support the proposed resolution and any other action that they could take to positively impact Scottsdale Mall. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Dr. Varner adjourned the Committee meeting at 4:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member David Varner, Chairperson Public Works and Property Vacation Committee KCF:kmf Attachments •