08-14-17 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING August 14, 2017 we really appreciate the times that you have guided us and helped us become successful in our ministry. South Bend—the school has lost a major piece of the puzzle, but now I pray that you relax and enjoy life more and continue to do the things that you do behind the scenes to make everybody better. So, Mt. Carmel—we really appreciate you. May God always bless you. None from the public wished to speak in opposition to this bill. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic made a motion to adopt Bill No. 17-28 by acclamation. Dr. David Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES Representing the City Administration: Suzanna Fritzberg, Deputy Chief of Staff RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 7:15 p.m. Councilmember Karen White made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember John Voorde seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic, Chairperson, presiding. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic explained the procedures to be followed for tonight's meeting in accordance with Article 1, Section 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code. PUBLIC HEARINGS BILL NO. 45-17 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE FIRST NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY WEST OF LAUREL STREET RUNNING SOUTH FROM JEFFERSON BLVD. TO FIRST EAST/WEST ALLEY, AND NORTH FROM JEFFERSON BLVD. TO FIRST EAST/WEST ALLEY Councilmember John Voorde, Chair of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee, reported that they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation. Karl Edmonson, 1102 West Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter of this bill. Mr. Edmonson presented to the Council and public images of the alleys he intends to have vacated. Mr. Edmonson stated, I think the main concern that anybody might have would be access to the neighborhood. As you can see here, Maple Street and Laurel Street kind of bookend the whole thing, and it's only six-hundred(600) feet to either of those streets. Three-hundred (300) feet to the west is another alley that will give you access to either of those east-west alleys. Mr. Edmonson presented to the Council and public additional images of the alleys in question. He stated, So, basically, to the left of the north-facing alley is where the park is, and we're basically trying to maintain pedestrian access and safety. Cars drive through these alleys rather quickly. We have a lot of kids who like to go into this park and play there. Mr. Edmonson stated that parents often tell their children to stop at the alley due to traffic and the lack of signs or signals near the alleys. He also stated that he has not, in sixteen(16) years, seen the City do anything he asked of it regarding maintenance of the alleys. Mr. Edmonson stated, Once we move our house over to the east, we are going to keep our garage in that space as a sort of maintenance shed for the park across the street. We are going to want to run water from our house across the alley, and just having that alley not be there would make that a lot easier. Mr. Edmonson explained that he planted twenty-two (22)trees and redid the sidewalk and the curb 3