04-14-08 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 14, 2008 A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. There was no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this Resolution. Ms. Dru Wrasse and Ms. Jan Ivkovich thanked the Council for this honor. They stated that they are truly hard working, disciplined and dedicated students who have brought the highest honors to themselves. They commended their parents, family members and friends for providing support and encouragement to the students. Councilmember Varner made a motion to adopt this Resolution by acclamation. Councilmember Kirsits seconded the motion which carried. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES GARY GILOT – PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE ON CITY STREETS Mr. Gilot advised that they are patching potholes daily at a level of effort well above normal years. Mr. Gilot noted that the City of South Bend is clearly not alone as Mishawaka, the County and INDOT face similar challenges. He stated that they are doing the annual driving the streets and doing measurements and object condition rating of all the streets to prioritize the 2008 Comprehensive Pavement Rehabilitation (CPR) Program for streets. Mr. Gilot stated that they continue to objectively determine those that most need repair and the appropriate methodology to balance the desire to have lasting repairs while stretching the budget to help the most neighborhoods within the resources available. This assessment will be completed by the end of April. Mr. Gilot stated to keep in mind in any given year the goal with a sustainable resource plan is to address the worst 5% of the streets so they might have an average return interval of overlays of 20 years on 500 miles of streets less than 20 years on major streets and more than 20 years on low volume residential streets. Mr. Gilot recapped the level of effort and expenditure targeted to pothole patching this year so far from January 7, 2008 to April 3, 2008. The cost of patching material used almost $60,000. Cost of wages of patching crews of $121,000, about 7,000 man-hours. $76,000 to operate trucks, hot boxes and other patching equipment. All for a total cost of more than $257,000 up dramatically from recent years and there is still a lot of work to do. Mr. Gilot noted that Street Commissioner Sam Hensley is planning a more pilot paving using a mix design that is growing in popularity in Europe. He stated that they hope for increased durability out of a product mix that will allow them to stretch resources to help resurface more streets in need. Mr. Gilot advised that many more streets will see crack sealing, infrared spot repairs, or inlays of asphalt to extend street service life. Mr. Gilot noted that the priority road patching focus for the next week is downtown and major streets. He further advised that to report a large road hazard pothole deeper than 4 inches and large than 1 square foot on any major high traffic volume street call the Street Department and they will add it to their priority work list. Mr. Gilot stated that when they have the main streets fixed with hot mix asphalt patch, they will move into the more minor residential street patching. He thanked the Council and the residents of the City of South Bend for their patience. RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 7:50 p.m. Councilmember White made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Dieter, Chairperson, Committee of the Whole, presiding. Councilmember Dieter explained the procedures to be followed for tonight’s meeting in accordance with Article 1, Section 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Councilmember Dieter stated that a brochure may be found on the railing in the Council Chambers explaining those procedures. 6