10/22/07 Public Works and Property Vacation

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Public Works and Property Vacation Committee 2007 South Bend Common Council The October 22, 2007 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 3:41 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Kelly, Rouse, Varner, Kirsits, White, and Puzzello; Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Interim City Controller John Murphy, City Engineer Carl Littrell, Michael Divita, Bernie Feeney, Don Napoli, Assistant City Attorney Shawn Peterson, Martha Lewis, Mrs. Kopola, City Clerk John Voorde, Michael Floren, Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council Attorney. Dr. Varner noted that the Committee members include Council Members Pfeifer, Dieter, Kelly and himself and that J. Edward Talley is the Citizen Member. Dr. Varner then called for a presentation on Bill No. 68-07 requesting a vacation of a portion of the first north/south alley lying west of Miami Street extending from Ewing Avenue north to the 1St east-west ally east-west alley lying north of Ewing in the Oak Park Fourth Addition to the City of South Bend. Bill No. 68-07: Request to Vacate Ist N/S Alley West of Miami Street in Oak Park Fourth Addition for the Virginia M. Tutt Branch Library: J. Bernard Feeney of Lang, Feeney & Associates, Inc. with offices located at 715 South Michigan Street in downtown South Bend made the formal presentation. Mr. Feeney provided a site map of the area in question (copy attached) and noted that Mr. Donald J. Napoli was also present for the presentation. Mr. Feeney stated that the Tutt Branch Library will have a $1.3 million expansion. He added that in working with the City's Department of Public Works the petitioner has agreed to the easement access of 20' for Miami and 24' for Ewing. City Engineer Carl Littrell stated that with the access easements as depicted on the site map and as described by Mr. Feeney that the Department of Public Works is in favor of the proposed vacation. Michael Divita of the Division of Community Development spoke in favor of the Bill. Mr. Donald J. Napoli, Executive Director of the St. Joseph County Public Libraries noted that the Tutt Library Branch expansion is important to the community and the neighborhood. He stated that the vacation will help make this area safer for the library patrons and the surrounding neighbors.