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REGULAR MEETING September 11, 2017
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis asked, In terms of more of those quiet zones being on the west side
<br /> of town—that has been a concern that people have addressed with me in a variety of messages—
<br /> is that the money that you're talking about, looking to establish more from our city limits here on
<br /> Mayflower all the way into those areas? There are two (2) different tracks over there on that side,
<br /> because there are a variety of tracks we have—of course, you can't get across without passing
<br /> the train over there. So, what's your thoughts regarding that, because I believe most of that is
<br /> more on the east side instead of the west side. Could you share?
<br /> Mayor Buttigieg responded, That's right. The zones that we're hearing about right now are
<br /> mainly on the east side, so we're hearing from community members—who are hearing from you
<br /> and other Councilmembers—the interest in making sure that there are other areas close to the
<br /> tracks, including on the west side,that can get the same measures that will lead to the quiet
<br /> zones. So, that's what we hope to be able to develop using the line item that we're requesting in
<br /> the budget for 2018.
<br /> Councilmember Davis asked, So, in the original request, was there ever any attempt to get your
<br /> knowledge to look at the west side quiet zones at all? Were they just not there at the beginning?
<br /> What was the establishment and why was it only on the east side? Do you have any idea?
<br /> Mayor Buttigieg responded,Not having been present for the 2005 conversation, it's difficult for
<br /> me to understand which areas were prioritized and why. What I will say is that this is an issue
<br /> that we're talking about now, but I know that Council President Scott and you and others have
<br /> brought it up over the years, and so we know that there's interest in extending it and making it
<br /> available in both parts of the City.
<br /> Councilmember Davis responded, Okay, I appreciate your concern. Thank you.
<br /> Councilmember Scott stated, Reading this, I dropped the ball on this in 2013. You and I talked
<br /> about it, but I've seen all the documents and, yes, it seems, looking at Mishawaka, they
<br /> repeatedly filed their reapplications for the process. I think we did miss it all on everything on
<br /> the west side, but it went back even prior to 2005, I believe. We need to look at that. Talking to
<br /> Eric Horvath, as well, on the subject matter on the west side: it is a concern. We have Norfolk
<br /> Southern, we have Grand Trunk, and there are sixteen(16)trains a day on Grand Trunk; there's
<br /> ninety (90) on Norfolk Southern. I think I would like to see—and I'm willing to talk to you guys
<br /> another time—about upping that budget allocation, because I don't believe...I know it will likely
<br /> be in the budget, but that $120,000 isn't really going to cover that. Quality of life is a big issue. I
<br /> would like to see something of a little more concerted effort in 2018 toward improvements on, at
<br /> least,Norfolk Southern lines, and some of those connections. But I appreciate the update. It has
<br /> been kind of confusing to citizens out there, and we are getting a lot of calls on it.
<br /> Councilmember Broden asked, May I ask: when we are approved, what will that timeframe be
<br /> for it? Will it be three (3) years and then we can expect to reapply? Or is ten(10)? Five (5)?
<br /> Mayor Buttigieg responded, I don't know the answer to that. We will find out.
<br /> Councilmember Scott asked Later this week Mayor? The follow-up on an questions left to
<br /> > Y p any
<br /> Mayor Buttigieg responded, Yes, we'll try to get that, yes, by the end of the week. And,
<br /> obviously, the moment we have any actual news from the FRA, we will be communicating that
<br /> fully.
<br /> The Council thanked Mayor Buttigieg for his report.
<br /> Mayor Buttigieg stated, Sorry. While I'm up here, I feel like it would probably be a mistake if I
<br /> didn't say something about the other train-related issue that's commanding a lot of attention. I
<br /> want to acknowledge that I know that the Council is going to take this up this evening, in a
<br /> resolution on that topic, and express the Administration's commitment to working with the
<br /> Council and working with neighbors in the Ardmore area. We take their concerns seriously,
<br /> whether they live, strictly speaking, within the City limits or not, and we want to make sure that
<br /> anyone who's affected by any move that's made, it is heard and is treated fairly.
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