03-12-01 Public Works & Property Vacation

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e ommitt u :port: Wain Works an41Drop rtv tination tommittitt The March 12, 2001 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 4:20 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, Pfeifer, King, Kelly, White, Varner, Ujdak, Coleman and Kirsits; Community and Economic Development Director Jon Hunt, Mayoral Assistant Fred Thon, City Engineer Carl Littrell, Bob Case, Citizen member Khadijah Muhammad, Dave Sasano, Greg Hudson and Jeff Hirsch of DI 7. Indiana, Inc., Public Works Director Gary Gilot,Assistant City Attorney Cheryl Greene,Attorney Bruce Bancroft,Terry Bland of the gvutii OWE IGrihunU,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Varner began the meeting with a note of thanks to the Public Works Department for providing proposed recommendations which address vacations of real property on a faster basis. Council Member Varner then noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 18-01 which is a request to vacate the first north/south alley east of Dale Avenue and other related alleys which are located in the South Fast Addition of the city. Greg Hudson and Jeffrey Hirsch of DLZ Indiana, Inc. Made the presentation on behalf of the Diocese of Ft. Wayne-South Bend Cathedral of Saint Matthew. They noted that their company was hired approximately a year ago to create a Campus Master Plan for the improvements of the Diocese of the Fort Wayne/South Bend St. Matthew Cathedral properties. The master plan will address among other things the renovation and development of the property along with improving the circulation of vehicles, improving parking, promote school expansion as they begin the 1st Phase of this project. Gary Gilot noted that his department has identified concerns with regard to the "T" alley. Mr. Hudson stated that he has been in contact with Environmental Services with regard to the trash pick-up needs and the other utilities and proposed that an area would be designated for an appropriate turning radius on the Diocese property. The Council Attorney stated that she would prepare the appropriate language to amend Bill No. 18- 01 with regard to the Petitioner's proposed remedy. Following discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits that Bill No. 18-01 as to be amended be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Substitute Bill No. 20-1 which is a request to vacate existing rights- { of-way, namely portions of Western Avenue and Columbia. Gary Gilot noted the implementation of the River Glen Expansion/Construction Project represents a positive South Bend/Crowe Chizek economic development partnership. It is proposed that the foundation,and steel work will be ordered this year as well as constructing the parking lot with the building construction taking place next year. He further noted that the substitute bill proposes a mechanism whereby the Board of Public Works would monitor the progress of the construction related to the redevelopment project and that the Board would be required to adopt a resolution with