HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-28-2024 Public Works & Property Vacation Meeting MinutesOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
BIANCA L. TIRADO, CITY CLERK
PUBLIC WORKS & PROPERTY VACATION
Committee Members Present:
Committee Members Absent:
Others Present:
Presenters:
Agenda:
MAY 28, 2024 5:45 P.M.
Sheila Niezgodski, Karen L. White, Sherry
Bolden-Simpson, Jason Piontek, Carl Littrell
Dr. Oliver Davis
Bianca L. Tirado, Elivet Quijada-Navarro,
Matthew Neal, Bob Palmer
Chris Dressel, Andrew Cunningham
Substitute Bill No. 20-24 -Amending
Ordinance No. Chapter 18, Article 5, of the
South Bend Municipal Code
Bill No. 22-24 -Alley Vacation 515 North
Hill Street
Members marked with an asterisk(*) are present digitally
Please note the attached link for the meeting recording:
https://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/browse.aspx?dbid=0&mediaid=382880
Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski called to order the Public Works and Property Vacation
Committee meeting at 5:45 p.m.
Substitute Bill No. 20-24 -Amending Ordinance No. Chapter 18, Article 5, of the South
Bend Municipal Code
Committee Vice Chair Karen L. White motioned to accept Substitute Bill No. 20-24, which was
seconded by Citizen Member Carl Littrell and carried by a vote of five (5) ayes.
Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Committee Vice Chair Karen L. White -Aye
Committee Member Dr. Oliver Davis -Absent Committee Member Sherry Bolden-Simpson -Aye
Citizen Member Jason Piontek -Aye Citizen Member Carl Littrell -Aye
Chris Dressel, Senior Planner, with offices on the 14th floor of the County-City Building, stated
that Substitute Bill No . 20-24 seeks to update and improve the current Right of Way (ROW)
vacation process. Proposed changes to the ROW vacation process include the addition of pre-
application review/consultation, updated language, a ninety (90) day expiration date for petition
requests following Board of Public Works reviews, and the establishment of evaluation criteria
which is to be set by the Board of Public Works. There will be a three hundred dollar ($300) fee
INTEGRITY I SERVICE I ACCESSIBILITY
Elivct Quijada-Nawurn
DEPL:TY/ D IRECTOR OF POLICY
Matthew Neal
DIRECTOR O F SPECI.\L PROJECTS
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CITY O F SO UTH BEND OFF ICE OF THE CLERK
for staff processing in addition to the existing one hundred and fifty dollar ($150) fee. Substitute
Bill No. 20-24 would also ensure post-filing verification, require the notification for the entirety
of the block containing the proposed vacation, require signatures from all adjacent property
owners, ensure staff attends the public hearing process, and require the notification of results to all
applicable City departments.
Committee Chair Niezgodski stated that Bill No . 20-24 will clarify the vacation process for
residents, asked committee members for comments.
Vice Chair Karen White asked if Bill No. 20-24 will reduce the number of staff.
Chris Dressel stated that the number of staff working on a vacation application could be up to eight
(8) people.
Committee Vice Chair White asked if a checklist for the vacation process will be made available
for petitioners to help clarify the necessary steps.
Chris Dressel stated that the petitioner will be helped throughout the vacation process to ensure
clarity.
Committee Chair iezgodski stated that a packet is currently kept in the City Clerk's Office
detailing the steps for the vacation process.
Clerk Bianca Tirado stated that the current packet will be updated as the process changes.
Committee Member Sherry Bolden-Simpson asked what the total cost will be for the petitioner.
Chris Dressel answered four hundred and fifty dollars ($450) in total. There is an existing one
hundred and fifty dollar ($150) publication fee, and the new process will be adding an additional
three hundred dollar ($300) processing fee.
Citizen Member Jason Piontek requested information regarding when the fees would be required.
Chris Dressel stated that the fee does not apply until the formal filing occurs.
Committee Chair Niezgodski held the public hearing, and nobody spoke.
Committee Vice Chair White motioned to send Substitute Bill No. 20-24 to the Committee of the
Whole with a favorable recommendation, which was seconded by Committee Member Bolden-
Simpson and carried by a vote of five (5) ayes.
Committee Chair Sheila iezgodski -Aye Committee Vice Chair Karen L. White -Aye
Committee Member Dr. Oliver Davis -Absent Committee Member Sherry Bolden-Simpson -Aye
Citizen Member Jason Piontek -Aye Citizen Member Carl Littrell -Aye
Bill No. 22-24-Alley Vacation 515 North Hill Street
Andrew Cunningham, Jones Petrie Rafinski, with offices at 325 South Lafayette Boulevard, South
Bend IN 46601 , stated that the proposed alley vacation will facilitate the construction of the
University of Notre Dame, Veldman Family Psychology Clinic. The facility will provide mental
health resources and a service-delivery center to the South Bend Community.
Citizen Member Carl Littrell asked if there had been cooperation regarding the Notre Dame trail?
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CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFF ICE OF THE CLERK
Andrew Cunningham stated that they have spoken with the engineering staff managing the project.
Committee Chair Niezgodski held the public hearing, and nobody spoke.
Committee Member Sherry Bolden-Simpson motioned to send Bill No. 22-24 to the Committee
of the Whole with a favorable recommendation, which was seconded by Committee Vice Chair
Karen L. White and carried by a vote of five (5) ayes.
Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Committee Vice Chair Karen L. White -Aye
Committee Member Dr. Oliver Davis -Absent Committee Member Sherry Bolden-Simpson -Aye
Citizen Member Jason Piontek -Aye Citizen Member Carl Littrell -Aye
Committee Chair Niezgodski adjourned the Public Works & Property Vacation Committee
meeting at 6: 13 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Niezgodski, Committee Chair
NOTICE FOR HEARING AND SIGHT IMPAIRED PERSONS
Auxiliary Aid or Olhcr Sen-ices ma~· be A,,ailahk 01,on Request at No Charge.
Please gi,·c Reasonable Ad,•ancc Request when Poss
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455 County-City Building 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. South Bend, Indiana 46601 p. 574.235.9221 f. 574.235.9173 www.southbendin.gov