03-28-77 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 28, 1977 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Council President Parent made a motion to recess, seconded by Council Member Dombrowski. The motion carried, with Council Member Taylor opposing. The meeting was recessed at 9:15 p.m., and reconvened at 9:28 p.m. Council Member Kopczynski made a motion to remove Program AR -2 from the bill, reducing the total grant to $43,394, seconded by Council Member Dombrowski. The motion passed on a roll call vote of six ayes (Council Members Taylor, Kopczynski, Adams, Dombrowski, Horvath and Parent) and three nays (Council Members Serge, Szymkowiak, and Miller). Council Member Adams made a motion to re- commend this bill to the Council favorable, as amended, seconded by Council Member Kopczynski. The motion carried, with Council Member Serge opposing. BILL NO. 34 -77 A BILL APPROPRIATING $5,000.00 FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT FUND, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC PARK 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 bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Carl Stevens of the Park Department, made the pre- sentation for the bill. He said this money would be used to purchase trees and material to plant trees in the Northwest Neighborhood area. He said trees will be planted in the tree lawn area, and if the area is too narrow the tree can be planted on private property. He said the Park De- partment would not do the planting. He said the person who wants trees must dig the hole, plant the tree and maintain the tree. He said the Park Department would transport the trees to the planting sites and give assistance and advice on the planting and maintenance. He said such a tree planting program could enhance the environment of our city and help beautify the neighborhoo� Council Member Miller asked what type of trees would be planted in the tree lawns. Mr. Stevens said maple, tulip, ash and gum. Council Member Serge indicated he thought the Park Department should plant the trees. Mr. Stevens said they were going to supply detailed instructions. Counc� Member Serge asked the cost of an average tree. Mr. Stevens said approximately $20 per tree. Mr, Ray Nemeth, assistant superintendent of the Park Department, indicated they would furnish a tract( with an auger in different areas. Mrs. Linda Lorencz, representative of the Northwest Neighborho( Association, indicated they were h ndling the instructions and would have people to assist with the planting if the homeowner is unable to do the work. She said they were coordinating the program. Council Member Dombrowski indicated this group has very good organization and they would do the planning without any problem. Council President Parent commended the Northwest homeowners and said he would like to have a program like this for the Fourth District. He made a motion to recom- mend this to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Serge. Council Member Taylor in- dicated that he thought this was a good program, but there were other problems in the City and there should be priorities set. Council Member Adams asked if there would be a bid presentation on the trees. Mr. Nemeth said they were going to contact the various nurseries in the area to see where they could get the best price. Council Member Szymkowiak indicated he had been asking the Park Department to trim trees and he thought this should -be done first. The motion carried, with Council Members Szymkowiak and Taylor opposing. BILL NO. 35 -77 A BILL AMENDING CHAPTER 14.5, ENTITLED "PROPERTY ", AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS TO SELL PRO- PERTY VALUED AT LESS THAN FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS (4000) AT A PRIVATE SALE, AND PROVIDING FOR ONE APPRAISAL OF PROPERTIES TO BE SOLD. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Thomas Brunner, City Attorney, made the presentation for the bill. He indicated that the purpose of the bill was to expedite the sale of City -owned property before competitive bidding would be required and reducing the appraisals to only one. He said the requirement that we have an independent appraiser may not be a statute. He said we have a person working for the City who is qualified to appraise property. He said he would sug- gest eliminating the necessity of an independent appraiser. He asked that the matter be con- tinued for two weeks so he could caucus with the Council on this question. Council President Parent made a motion to continue this matter until April 13, 1977, seconded by Council Member Taylor. Council Member Adams read part of her committee's report: "Delete in its entirety SECTION III, and amend Section IV (e) to read as follows: Unless otherwise specifically authoriz by resolution of the Common Council, any property valued by the Board at one thousand dollars (1,000.00) or more shall be sold by competitive bidding as follows:" She said that perhaps Mr. Brunner could meet._ - with her committee so they could discuss this further. The motion carried. BILL NO. 36 -77 A BILL APPROPRIATING $45,000.00 FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND, FOR INSTALLATION OF LIGHTS UNDER THE WESTERN AVENUE- WALNUT STREET RAILROAD VIADUCT, 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 bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Patrick McMahon, Director of Public Works, made the presentation for the bill. He said this will enable the City, through the Department of Public Works, to install high - pressure solium vapor lighting under the Walnut Street - Western Avenue Viaduct. He said the installation of these facilities will serve to correct an unsafe condition which currently exists for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Council Member Kopczynski made a motion to recommend this bill to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Dombrowski. Council Member Miller asked how many lights they were installing. Mr. McMahon showed a drawing of the intersection which indicated ten lights. Council Member Miller said he would like to see this done at Sample and Fellows. The motion carried. There being no made a motion carried. ATTEST: CITY CLERK further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, Council Member Taylor to rise and report to the Council, seconded by Council Member Dombrowski. The motif ATTEST: CHAIRMAN