06-10-13 Public Works & Property Vacation

Home Browse Search

PUBLIC WORKS & PROPERTY VACATION JUNE 10, 2013 3:30 P.M. Committee Members Present: Oliver Davis, Valerie Schey, Dr. David Varner (3:45), Gavin Ferlic Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White, Derek Dieter Others Present: Eric Horvath, Mike Schmuhl, Matt Wilson, Jason Taylor, Judy Fox, Vicky Miles, Chuck Bulot, Ann -Carol Nash, Kathy Cekanski - Farrand Agenda: - 2 "d Sub Bill No. 18 -13 Water Table Update New Energy Update Farm Workers - Lafayette Falls Public Works and Property Vacation Committee Chairman Oliver Davis call this committee to order with three of four members present. The fourth, Dr. Varner, arrived at 3:45. Four items were listed on the agenda. The first was consideration of sub bill 18 -13 which requires a soil and water table review as a part of the review process. Council attorney Kathy Cekanski - Farrand asked for a continuance of the bill until the meeting of June 24. She explained much progress had been made drafting the bill working in collaboration with the City Building Department and the City Legal Department. However "fine tuning" was necessary. Chuck Bulot head of the Building Department agreed, stating the requested delay would result in a better bill. On a motion by Valerie Schey seconded by Gavin Ferlic and supported by all the bill was continued until June 24, 2013. The second item on the agenda was an update from the City's Director of Public Works, Eric Horvath dealing with the water table fluctuations in the New Energy area. Eric reported that water wells placed by city to draw down the water table were now being tested. A hydrologist was on site to evaluate the effectiveness of the wells. So far the results look promising. He also reported ongoing operating costs of running the pumps was being discussed with nearby residents. Judy Fox, an attorney from Notre Dame Law representing the residents on a pro bono basis said talks with homeowners' insurance companies to recover damages were ongoing. The third agenda item was supposed to be an update from Jesusa Rivera on the farm workers come to the area mostly during harvesting season. Last year some housing problems arose that prompted Oliver Davis to get out in front of the issue. Oliver's concerns are for the safety, health and well -being of the workers while in the city. Jesusa was in Washington D.C. and unable to make the presentation. Oliver did report he has been trying to stay on top the issue. He learned the workers would be housed in private homes this year as opposed to one central location. Oliver pledged to continue to monitor and share information with the Council as it becomes available. The last item on the agenda was billed preliminary discussion of problems in the Lafayette Falls area. Oliver Davis and David Varner initiated this update in response to a growing number of complaints and frustrations expressed by the residents in the area. These complaints focus primarily on uncompleted or improper work committed to by Weiss Builders. Three handouts accompany these minutes which