08-09-04 Public Works & Proeprty Vacation

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Committee Report Public Works and Property Vacation Committee Following discussion, Council Member Pfeifer made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits that Bill No. 43-04 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Dr. Varner then called for a presentation on Bill No. 44-04 which is a request to vacate High Street from the east right-of-way to the end of the street and cul-de-sac which is a part of High Industrial Park Subdivision. Dr. Varner noted that the Board of Public Works sent the Bill to the Council with a favorable recommendation. Gregory A. Kil of Kil Architecture Planning with offices at 1126 Lincolnway East in South Bend made the presentation. He noted that the South Bend Parks and Recreation is requesting the vacation in order to provide a more developable site for its new maintenance facility. He noted that he and Howard Park Maintenance Superintendent Mike Dyszkiewicz would be available for questions. Council Member Kirsits made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa that Bill No. 44-04 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Under miscellaneous business,Building Commissioner Don Fozo stated that last year during the budget hearings he noted that fee increases may be necessary. He noted that he will be filing a bill to increase fees,noting that construction is down this year. Minimum charges for mechanical will be $20, an increase of$5.00; and additional increases will be requested such as raising the annual registration fee form $75 to $100. He has met with the St. Joe Valley Trades who are on board with the recommendations. Council Member Kirsits inquired on the fees would compare to those in Elkhart and LaPorte counties. Mr. Fozo stated he did not know how they compare to those counties but knows that they will be below those charged in Michigan. Mr. Fozo noted that all mechanical and electrical are licensed and that all building trades are required to be registered. Dr. Varner noted that such regulations create liability but also responsibility. Mr. Fozo stated that water heaters are the most dangerous items in the home and that his department does a visual inspection only. Currently his department is running at a deficit. Mr. Fozo also noted that he is the Co-Chairperson of United Way and encouraged contributions to be made by the end of this month. Under miscellaneous business,Council Member Pfeifer noted that she asked Andy Laurent of the Division of Economic Development and Marco Mariani of the Division of Community Development to provide an update on LaSalle Park/Beck's Lake. They provided five (5)copies of a multiple page handout entitled"Electronic Mail Message from Dan Chesterton,IDEM,August 5,2004 to Council Member Pfeifer(copy attached). They noted that in June of 2003 IDEM conducted various soil samples which looked for concentrations of lead, Public Works and Property Vacation Committee Meeting of August 9,2004 Page 2