HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-10-13 Public Works & Property VacationPUBLIC WORKS & PROPERTY VACATION JUNE 10, 2013 3:30 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Oliver Davis, Valerie Schey, Dr. David Varner (3:45), Gavin Ferlic
Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White, Derek Dieter
Others Present: Eric Horvath, Mike Schmuhl, Matt Wilson, Jason Taylor, Judy Fox, Vicky Miles,
Chuck Bulot, Ann -Carol Nash, Kathy Cekanski - Farrand
Agenda: - 2 "d Sub Bill No. 18 -13 Water Table
Update New Energy
Update Farm Workers
- Lafayette Falls
Public Works and Property Vacation Committee Chairman Oliver Davis call this committee to order with
three of four members present. The fourth, Dr. Varner, arrived at 3:45.
Four items were listed on the agenda. The first was consideration of sub bill 18 -13 which requires a soil
and water table review as a part of the review process. Council attorney Kathy Cekanski - Farrand asked
for a continuance of the bill until the meeting of June 24. She explained much progress had been made
drafting the bill working in collaboration with the City Building Department and the City Legal
Department. However "fine tuning" was necessary. Chuck Bulot head of the Building Department
agreed, stating the requested delay would result in a better bill. On a motion by Valerie Schey seconded
by Gavin Ferlic and supported by all the bill was continued until June 24, 2013.
The second item on the agenda was an update from the City's Director of Public Works, Eric Horvath
dealing with the water table fluctuations in the New Energy area. Eric reported that water wells placed
by city to draw down the water table were now being tested. A hydrologist was on site to evaluate the
effectiveness of the wells. So far the results look promising. He also reported ongoing operating costs
of running the pumps was being discussed with nearby residents. Judy Fox, an attorney from Notre
Dame Law representing the residents on a pro bono basis said talks with homeowners' insurance
companies to recover damages were ongoing.
The third agenda item was supposed to be an update from Jesusa Rivera on the farm workers come to
the area mostly during harvesting season. Last year some housing problems arose that prompted Oliver
Davis to get out in front of the issue. Oliver's concerns are for the safety, health and well -being of the
workers while in the city. Jesusa was in Washington D.C. and unable to make the presentation. Oliver
did report he has been trying to stay on top the issue. He learned the workers would be housed in
private homes this year as opposed to one central location. Oliver pledged to continue to monitor and
share information with the Council as it becomes available.
The last item on the agenda was billed preliminary discussion of problems in the Lafayette Falls area.
Oliver Davis and David Varner initiated this update in response to a growing number of complaints and
frustrations expressed by the residents in the area. These complaints focus primarily on uncompleted or
improper work committed to by Weiss Builders. Three handouts accompany these minutes which
characterize the serious nature of the complaints. Lafayette Falls is an uncompleted development of
about 200 homes built by Weiss Co., who has not been responsive to the homeowners. Matt Wilson of
6440 Armstrong Drive made the first presentation from one of the handouts. He described the all but
defunct Homeowners Association alluding to misappropriation of funds and unresponsiveness of the
builder regarding unfinished work and misuse of funds. Another handout provided by Vickey Miles
pretty much covers the same Weiss litany of sins. The last handout is from Director of Public Works Eric
Horvath which purports to ongoing conservations with the builder intended to get commitments to a
timetable for necessary repairs.
Eric Horvath said starts in the subdivision were never dedicated to the city. Oliver wondered if liability
issues were present for the city. He said legal clarity was needed.
Karen White asked about abatement issues here and liability issues for the city as well.
Oliver Davis asked the Council Attorney to look into the liability issues and whether the homeowners
association still exists in the eyes of the Secretary of State.
With that Oliver adjourned at 4:11 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Oliver Deis
ublic Works & Property Vacation