11-12-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 12, 2012 WHEREAS, the South Bend City Administration has proposed that funding for the Curbs and Sidewalks Program for 2013 be increased from its current 2012 budgeted amount of $481,992 to $676,882; and WHEREAS, the proposed increase of $194,890 for next year’s Curbs and Sidewalks Program would represent an increase of 40.4% in funding, with COIT monies proposed to be transferred into the Motor Vehicle Highway (MVH) Fund; and WHEREAS, the documents provided to the Common Council provide that “Any residents who request new curbs and sidewalks and receive funding from Mayor and Council for alternate sources would have their work performed by independent contracts, which would support the livelihood of the contractors and keep the City curb and sidewalk program separate for paying residents.” WHEREAS, the cost of traditional curb and sidewalk replacement is based on a charge per linear foot of the property’s frontage for materials and would typically include the removal and replacement of the curb, sidewalk, and driveway approach; with an additional costs for removing and replacing trip hazard concrete repairs as well as costs for tree removal; and WHEREAS, the Division of Engineering in the Department of Public Works will oversee both the traditional curb and sidewalk program and any pilot program which may be attempted. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, as follows: Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend recommends that if any independent contractors are to be used as part of a curb and sidewalk program, that the City Administration and in particular the Division of Engineering in the Department of Public Works utilize minority-owned businesses (MBE) and women-owned business (WBE) to the full extent of the law. Section II. The Division of Engineering in the Department of Public Works is urged to provide regular updates on development and proposed and ongoing implementation of the curb and sidewalk programs through the Council’s Public Works and Property Vacation Committee. Section III. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and approval by the Mayor. nd s/Henry Davis, Jr., 2 District Council Member Councilmember Dr. David Varner, Chairperson, Public Works and Property Vacation Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and voted to send it to the full Council with a favorable consideration. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., made the presentation for this bill. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., stated that at the September 26, 2012 Personnel & Finance Committee meeting, a 46-page handout was provided addressing various questions and concerns raised by the Council Members during prior committee meetings held on the proposed 2013 civil city budget. He stated that on pages 34-35 of that handout addressed some of the information on a proposed curb and sidewalk program for next year. He stated that in light of the discussions we have had to date, this resolution urges the City Administration, and the Division of Engineering in particular, to use minority-owned businesses (MBE) and women-owned businesses (WBE) to the full extent of the law when work is to be performed by independent contractors. The proposed Resolution also calls for regular updates on the development and proposed implementation, and once the programs begin regular updates on the overall implementation throughout next year. Such updates are suggested to be given to the Council’s Public Works and Property Vacation Committee. He stated that with the emphasis which the Council has placed on minority and women-owned business outreach, he believes that this bill 14