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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-20-57 Council Special Meeting MinutesSPECIAL MEETING MAY 20, 1957 Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South. Bend, Indiana, met in Special Session in the Council Chamber on Monday, May 20, 1957, at 8 :07 P.M., C.D.S.T., with all members present except Councilman Hahn. CALL FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA We, the undersigned members of the Common Council, hereby call a Special Meeting of the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, to convene at the Council Chamber at the City Hall at 8:00 P M., on the 20th day of May, 1957, for the purpose of considering the following: LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE DETOUR OF INTER -CITY TRUCKS DURING THE CONSTRUCTION AND RE- CONSTRUCTION OF SAMPLE STREET Dated this 16th day of May, 1957. /s/ Joseph T. Kroll /s/ George W. Carr /s/ Julius B. Christman, Jr. /s/ Stanley C. Korpal /s/ Chester Muszynski /s/ Walter C. Erler, Sr. /s/ Walter G. Glass ATTEST: /s/ Albert Tellson /s/ Freda G. Noble City Clerk The Within Call came to hand this 16th day of May, 1957, which I served by reading the same to each Councilman, upon the des gnated' date, as follows: George W. Carr Albert Tellson Copy left at Hahn's residence (Sgt. Jankowski) Chester Muszynski Joyce Kroll (sister) Walter C. Erler, Sr. Carol Korpal-(daughter) Mrs. W. Glass was contacted Mrs. Mary "Ii. Christman (wife) Or by leaving a certified copy thereof at the last and usual place of residence of such members as I was unable to find, as follows: William Hahn, 422 Parkovash /s/ Louis M. Jankowski, S.B.P.D. Member of the South Bend Police Department Councilman Kroll made a motion that the Special Call be accepted and placed on file. Councilman Muszynski seconded the motion. Motion carried. ROLL CALL -- PRESENT- Councilmen Korpal, Carr, Tellson, Christman, Kroll, Glass, Erler and Muszynski. ABSENT - Mr. Hahn. CC3MMUNICATION CITY OF SOUTH BEND INDIANA Ernest H. Miller "r. Traffic Engineer The Honorable Common Council City of South Bend, Indiana Gentlemen: May 20, 1957 For your consideration and information, I pass on to you various facts uncovered by this office in connect with the detour route for inter -city trucks proposed by the City of South Bend and the route proposed by certain trucking concerns. The detour route proposed by the City of South Bend would route inter -city trucks formerly using Sample Street, south on the Mayflower Road (State Route 123) from the intersection of Western Avenue and Mayflower Road to Liberty Highway (State Route 23), thence northeasterly to Olive Street, thence north to the trucking terminals. Trucks heading west from the terminals would travel in the opposite direction over the same route. The detour route proposed by certain trucking concerns would route inter -city trucks formerly using Sample Street, east on Western Avenue, (State Route 2) from the intersection of Western Avenue and Mayflower Road to Olive SPECIAL MEETING MAY 20, 1957 Boulevard, thence south on Olive Boulevard to the trucking terminals. Trucks heading west from the terminals would travel in the opposite direction over the same route. It is important to keep in mind that the trucks in question, which number approximately 200 daily, are trucks that formerly used Sample Street and therefore did not use Western Avenue (State Route 2) or Olive Boulevard before Sample Street was closed and will not use Western and Olive after Sample Street is opened. With the welfare and safety of the general public to be considered, the question therefore, is , which route is best suited to handle the additional truck load as a result of the closing of Sample Street. The following facts, in my opinion, very definitely answer that question: ACCIDENT DATA During the year 1956 on the route proposed by the City of South Bend, which route covers a total of 7 miles, 30 traffic accidents occurred, for a total of 4.3 accidents per mile. During the year 1956, on the route proposed by the trucking concerns, which route covers a total of 2.6 miles, 124 traffic accidents occurred for a total of 47.7 accidents per mile. During the past 10 years, 19.47 to 1956 inclusive, on the route proposed by the City of South Bend, ,8 fatal accidents occurred. During the past 10 years, 1947 to 1956 inclusive, on the route proposed by the trucking concerns, 16 fatal traffic accidents occurred. TRAFFIC VOLUME On the ronte-proposed by the City'of South Bend, vehicular volume couts taken during the month of May, 1957, showed the following: On Mayflower Road (State Route 123) near Sample Street the average vehicular volume per hour was 225. On Liberty Highway (State Route 23) mid =way between Mayflower Road and Olive Street, the average vehicular volume per hour was 175. On Olive Street near Indiana Avenue, the average vehicular volume per hour was 102 On the route proposed by the trucking concerns, vehicular volume counts taken during the month of May 1957 and during the same hours as the counts on the route proposed by the City, showed the following: On Western Avenue (State Route 2) near Falcon Street, the average vehicular volume per hour was 921 On Olive Boulevard near Ford Street, the average vehicular volume per hour was 279 SPEED. DELAY AND TRAVEL TIME STUDIES In an effort to determine average speed, delay and total travel time on the two routes in question, actual trips during normal periods of the day were made. The following average results were obtained On the route proposed by the City of South Bend, the average speed in traveling the route, with origin at Western and Mayflow& and destination at Olive and Sample, was 36 miles per hour. The total number of stops in traveling this route was 2 and the total time of delay was 11 seconds. The total travel time was 11 minutes and 40 seconds. On the route proposed by the trucking concerns, the average speed in traveling the route, with origin at Westerr and Mayflower and destination at Olive and Sample, was 16.4 miles per hour. The total number -of stops in traveling this route was 6 and the total time of delay was 3 minutes and 10 seconds The total travel time was 9 minutes and 30 seconds. From the facts as outlined the following conclusions can be drawn: More than 11 times as many traffic accidents per mile occurred during 1956, on the route proposed by the truck- ing concerns as occurred on the route proposed by the City of South Bend. Nearly 6 times as many fatal accidents per mile occurred, during the past 10 years, on the route proposed by truckers as occurred on the route proposed by the City of South Bend. In all instances traffic volumes are higher on the streets covering the route proposed by the City of South The result of heavier volumes and congested conditions on the route proposed by the trucking concerns is re- flected in the speed, delay, number of necessary stops and over all time necessary to travel.the entire route. For example; The average speed in traveling the route proposed by the trucking concerns was 16.4 miles per hour as compared to 36 miles per hour over the route proposed by the City of South Bend. The total number of stops and time of delay on the route proposed by the trucking concerns was 6 stops with 3 minutes and 10 seconds delay as compared to 2 stops with 11 seconds of delay on the route proposed by the City of South Bend. The total time difference between the two routes, in spite of the fact that the route proposed by the City of South Bend is 4.4 miles further, was only 2 minutes and 10 seconds longer. Based on the facts as outlined, I strongly recommend the adoption of the route proposed by the City of South Bend. Yours very truly, /a/ Ernest H. Miller EHM /f Ernest H. Miller, Traffic Engineer Councilman Muszynski made a motion that the communication be accepted and placed on file. Councilman Kroll seconded the motion. Motion carried. d/ ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 80, 81 and 82 OF CHAPTER 29 OF GENERAL ORDINANCE NO. 3709 The Ordinance was given first reading by title and second reading in full. Councilman Glass made a motion that the Ordinance be set for public hearing on June 10, 1957. There was no second to the motion. Motion lost. Councilman Kroll made a motion that the Council call a special meeting for June 3, 1957, at which time public hearing be had on the Ordinance. Councilman Muszynski seconded the motion. Motion carried. T?V(ZnT iTTTOM RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND WHEREAS, due to the reconstruction work being done on Sample Street in the City of South Bend, Indiana, and WHEREAS, trucks are large users of said street, and WHEREAS, it has been necessary for said trucks to use other routes, and WHEREAS, many streets in the City of South Bend are incapable of withstanding the constant use of said trucks, and WHEREAS, many of the streets of the City of South Bend are not on the designated truck routes set up by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, and WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Common Council to see that traffic is expedited and that traffic is re -rout with due regard for the welfare of pedestrians, and r WHEREAS, the condition so exists that the re- routing must be effected immediately, and WHEREAS, the Common Council through its statutory power has the right to pass all ordinances, orders and resolutions to regulate the use of streets and alleys by vehicles, and to designate the kind of vehicles that may not be used on said streets and alleys; and WHEREAS, the Common Council with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction may by ordinance or resolution prohibit the operation of vehicles upon streets and highways or impose restrictions as to the use of such streets and highways by certain vehicles; and WHEREAS, the Common Council by ordinance or resolution may prohibit the operation of trucks on designated streets or highways. IT IS, THEREFORE, RESOLVED: That the following route for inter -city trucks during the time Sample Street in the City of South Bend is under construction shall be as follows: All east -bound trucks formerly using West Sample Street between Mayflower Road and Olive Street to approach their terminals, shall now enter the City of South Bend at the intersections of South Olive Street and West Ewing Street. All west - bound trucks formerly using West Sample Street between Mayflower Road and Olive Street to leave"Ithe City of'South Bend, shall now depart from the City at the intersections of South Olive Street and West Ewing Street. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED: That the route hereinabove set out shall not prevent these trucks from using scheduled inter -city truck routes as presently exist, which shall include Chapin Street from Western Avenue to Prairie Avenue in the City. of South Bend. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED: That either of said routes as set out above be alternative routes due to the re- routing caused by the construction work being done on Sample Street. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED: That from and after the passage, enrollment, attestation and signature by the Clerk and presiding officer and approval by the Mayor this resolution shall become effective. /s/ Chester E. Muszynski Member of the Common Council Councilman Muszynski made a motion for adoption of the Resolution. Councilman Kroll seconded the motion. Councilman Glass objected to adoption of the resolution without hearing from persons interested who were present in the Council Chambers. After some discussion, Councilman Kroll made a motion that Mr. Robert Miller, attorney for the Truckers Association, be given an opportunity to speak. Councilman Glass seconded the motion. Motion carried. Proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to speak. Among the speakers were the following: Mr. Robert Miller, Attorney for the Truckers Association. Mr. F. R. Henrekin, Executive Director of the Committee of 100, who filed the following statement in writing: "I would like to make a statement to go into the record of these proceedings. "Our job is to attract new industry to this community. We always have enjoyed the maximum of cooperation from city government in trying to accomplish this task. I believe that all of you share with me an anxiety to bring new industry and business to provide more jobs for our people. "I do not think, gentlemen, you realize what you are doing to this cause. The trucking industry is one of our largest employers. The truckers provide approximately 10,532 jobs in St. Joseph County, with an annual payroll of more than forty -four (44) million dollars. Aside from the wages they pay, they pay tremendous taxes; they support our charities and our civic causes; they are good citizens. "In the past few weeks, we have seen the incredible situation wherein one of our leading industries has had to sue the city government for the right to do business in our community. We do not keep industry by harassing it or by making it economically impossible for it to operate. "What is even more important, our industries on the west side of South Bend are served by these truck freight SPECIAL MEETING MAY 202 1957 lines. 80% of the raw material and 75% of the finished products are carried to and from our west side industries by motor carrier. "Moreover, this truck service is one of the big selling points we have when we attempt to persuade an indus- trialist to locate a new plant here. It means that he can ship overnight to dozens of our midwestern metropolitan areas. "We, when we hurt the trucking industry, are hurting not only our other industries, but ourselves. Truck transportation is one of our real assets in attracting new industry. "This is an enormous burden you carry here tonight. If you solve this problem to satisfy a segment of the community, I hope you realize that you may damage many more than you satisfy. One trucking company leaving our commun- ity could throw a hundred men out of work. Already, damage has been done to South Bend's reputation in Indianapolis, in Denver, in Detroit, in Philadelphia that are some of the centers of the trucking industry. "I hope you will act with wisdom and good judgment tonight and that you will be able to solve this probl because it is one that profoundly affects the economy of the entire city of South Bend. F. R. Henrekin Executive Director COMMITTEE OF 100 Councilman Kroll filed with the Clerk petitions containing 457 signatures of residents of Olive, Meade, Kaley, Camden, Dundee, Liberty and Bendix Drive. Also Mr. Kroll filed a petition signed by members of the Parent Teachers Associa- tion of St. Adalberts Parish. These petitions are in support of the resolution. Mr. Homer Fitterling of the Truckers Association spoke as did Mr. Meilstrup of Mercury Motorways. Mr Ray Andrysiak., South Bend City Engineer, answered questions and stated terms of the contracts for construction work on SamplerStreet. He stated that the work should be completed according to schedule. Mr. Irving J. Smith, South Bend City Attorney, presented the following letter for filing. Honorable Edward F. Voorde Mayor, City of South Bend, South Bend, Indiana Dear Sir: STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA STATE HOUSE ANNEX INDIANAPOLIS, 9, INDIANA May 17, 1957 11 Reference is made to your request for permission to provide a detour for truck routes on State Highways in St. Joseph County while reconstructing the present routes in and near South Bend. All State Highways are public property and permission to route trucks onto these highways will not be necessary. If proper action is accomplished by the officials of the City, the State interposes no objections. Signs 2resignating the routing should be in conformance with the Uniform Manual of Traffic Control Devices and should be coordinated and approved by Mr. E. M. Davis, Assistant District Engineer of Traffic, at LaPorte, Indiana. Assuring you our every cooperation during this change, I am, CDM:wc Very truly yours, /s/ C. D. Miller C. D. Miller Engineer of Traffic and Planning Councilman Kroll reminded President Korpal that there was a motion and a second to the motion before the Council. President Korpal then asked the Clerk to read the roll call for the vote on the Resolution. Resolution adopted by a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Councilmen Korpal, Carr, Tellson, Kroll, Glass and Muszynski). 2 nays (Councilmen Christman and Erler). Councilman Walter C. Glass filed a Notice of Intention to Reconsider Cote, which is as follows: May 20, 1957 NOTICE OF INTENTION TO RECONSIDER VOTE TO THE COUNCILMEN OF COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND: You are hereby notified that the undersigned in accordance with Paragraph 18 of Section 27 of Chapter 2 of the "Municipal Code of South Bend, Indiana" (1949) does hereby intend to move, at the next regular meeting of this Council, for the reconsideration of the vote on the Resolution of this Council relating to re- routing of inter- city trucks caused by the construction work being done on Sample Street. /s/ Walter G. Glass Walter Glass, Councilman There being no further business before the Common Council, Councilman Muszynski made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Kroll seconded the motion. Motion carried and the Special Meeting of the Common Council of the City of South Bend adjourned at 9:58 P.M., C.D.S.T. ATTEST: e--) / f sident