HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-00 Public Works & Property Vacation ( ommitta *port:
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The April 10,2000 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was
called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 4:00 p.m. In the Council
Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, Pfeifer,Kelley,King,
Varner, Ujdak, Coleman,Kirsits and White;Jennifer J. Mielke,Terry Bland of the ioltthj
Zribun*,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Council Member Varner noted that the purpose of the meeting was to review two(2)Bills
namely: Bill No. 31-00 which vacates various alleys near Van Buren Street,Allen Street,Harrison
Avenue,and Lindsey Street;and Bill No. 32-00 which would vacate various alleys near Lincoln
Way West, Cottage Grove Avenue,Lindsey Street, Scott Street,and Leland Avenue. Dr. Varner
noted that both Bills received favorable recommendations from the Board of Public Works(copies
of the April 10, 2000 meeting minutes attached).
Jennifer J.Mielke,a Planner with the Community&Economic Development Department
made the presentation. She noted that since 1991,the Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc.
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(NNN,Inc.)has planned to reduce the number of east-west alleys in the First District. The Board
of Public Works closed the alleys in question so that federal funds could be used to improve curbs
in the area and then the alleys would be vacated. Since 1998 the NNN,Inc. Has been responsible
for outreach to all of the affected property owners with regard to notification of their
recommendations. In 1999 all of the affected alley beds were removed and replaced with sod and
new curbs were constructed. The construction in Zones A &B has been completed and all of the
listed alleys are requested to be vacated in order to provide additional open space and yards and to
help eliminate drug traffic in these high density residential areas. Zone A has five(5) alleys and
Zone B has eight(8)alleys. Lee Cotton and Todd Zeiger were a part of this overall project.
Council Member Aranowski,the District Council Member for the area noted that this has
been an ongoing program for the past three(3) years which would be for the betterment of the
affected neighborhoods. It is hoped that Zone C would be completed this year.
Council Member King inquired as to why the project took three(3)years. It was noted that
since NNN,Inc. Did the outreach and since many individuals were involved that it took
considerably longer than anticipated,but that Zone C should be completed yet this year.
Following discussion, Council Member Aranowski made a motion, seconded by Council
Member King,that Bill Nos. 31-00 and 32-00 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion
passed.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Dr. Varner adjourned the
meeting at 4:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member David Varner,Chairperson
Public Works and Property Vacation Committee
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Attachments