07-28-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 28 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) ORDINANCE (CONTINUED) VARIOUS PUBLIC PARKS PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PARKS. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. James Seitz, Director of the Department of Public Parks, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that three contracts would be let for Pier Park which would include: installation of benches and concrete paving for the upper plaza area, a foot bridge to Powerhouse, timber steps and walk, a boardwalk south of the Colfax Bridge, gabion revetment for errosion protection, floating docks, a park sign, a concrete seal wall topsoil and seeding and planting and electrical wiring. He stated that $75,000 was available for reimbursement from the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation on the project. Councilman Nemeth wondered if bicyclists could go through the entire park. Mr. Dan Lawson of Lawson and Associates indicated that the development of the path included consideration for bike traffic and the handicapped. He stated that the bikes would have to be carried about eight steps and a handicapped person would ha` to come down on the other side. Councilman Nemeth referred to the alternate ramp to Colfax. He wondered if this would be constructed. He felt it would be good to have the access. Mr. Lawson indicated that this was the number one priority in the alternates. Councilman Nemeth wondered how many alternates were included. Mr. Lawson indicated that one of the alternates not listed was a walkway on the ground amidst the rock garden rather than a timber walkway at the end of the Bicentennial Park. Councilman Serge made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $112,250 FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT FUND, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that the funding would be used for the curb relocation on the north side of Westmoor from Sheridan to Bendix, reconstruction of the retaining walls for the Walnut Street approaches to the Grand Trunk and Western and the Pen Central tracks, curb and sidewalk at the Bowman Cemetery site, and new curb for two blocks of Huro Street. Councilman Kopczynski wondered about the starting and completion dates for the various projects. Mr. Farrand indicated that the projects would be started almost immediately and hopefully completion would be in fall. Councilman Kopczynski referred to the Maple and Lathrop intersection project. Mr. Farrand indicated that the project was essentially completed. He stated that there were timing problems and change orders which resulted in the delay. Councilman Taylor made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $20,250.00 FROM THE LOCAL ROAD AND STREETS FUND, AND $2,250.00 FROM THE CUMULATIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TO PROJECT R & S 73, RECONSTRUCTION OF THE INTERSECTION OF ELWOOD AVENUE AND PORTAGE AVENUE. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, made the presentation for the ordinance. He indicated that the improvements for the intersection provided for increased radii and some widening on Elwood. He indicated that signalization was not included. Councilman Miller wondered how much had been expended on engineer costs to the Murphy Construction Company for the intersection. Mr. Farrand indicated that the intersection was an old design and was not done by Murphy. Councilman Miller wondered how much ha been appropriated to Murphy, at which time, Chairman Newburn asked for a point of order. Councilman Miller made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Council President Parent. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $38,700.00 FROM THE LOCAL ROAD AND STREETS FUND, AND $4,300.00 FROM THE CUMULATIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TO PROJECT R & S 72, CONSTRUCTION OF DONMOYER AVENUE FROM MAIN STREET TO MICHIGAN STREET. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department o Public Works, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that the ordinance would pro- vide for the extension of Donmoyer Street from its present terminus at Michigan Street westward to Main Street. He stated that traffic restrictions have been placed on Donmoyer to enable its use as a collector street. He felt the connection would provide some relief to businesses fronting on Michigan Street and would reduce the considerable volume of traffic which utilized the alley that lies in the path of the proposed construction. Mr. Frank Slaby, 725 South Dundee, felt this would create a traffic problem onto Michigan Street from Main. He mentioned the school crossing within a few hundred feet. Mr. Farrand indicated that the project did not include traffic lights; howeve he felt they might be warranted and the conduit would be provided in case installation was necessa in the future. Mr. Slaby encouraged a further look at the project. Councilman Taylor wondered if there were school crossing guards at the Monroe School, and Mr. Slaby indicated that there were. Councilman Serge made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded b Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. Y