REGULAR MEETING JUNE 26, 1972
<br />COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED)
<br />ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TRANSFERRING FUNDS WITHIN THE FIRE
<br />DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard thereon. Fire Chief Jack Bland made a presenta-
<br />tion for the ordinance. He said that there is a very serious problem within the Department
<br />regarding the condition of the apparatus. The need is for fire pumpers. They have had a series
<br />of mechanical mishaps and problems. The snorkel was out of service for a time due to an acci-
<br />dent. In March it was necessary to borrow a pumper from Notre Dame to satisfy fire requirements
<br />at Station Three, an area with four hospitals and several nursing homes and schools. There has
<br />been a dilution of our fire fighting capabilities over a period of several years. Under a
<br />lease - purchase agreement we can get the needed apparatus as quickly as possible at the current
<br />market price. For three years in: °a row, 1965, 1966, and 1967, no pumpers were purchased. The
<br />cost is continually rising. The cost of a pumper in 1961 was $27,000 and the cost in 1971 was
<br />$46,000. A lease - purchase plan will provide a logical replacement program for the Department.
<br />Mrs. Janet Allen asked Chief Bland if this money was being transferred from the $83,500 motor
<br />equipment item in the budget and Chief Bland replied that it was. Miss Guthrie commended Chief
<br />Bland on an excellent report and said that, in view of the time element involved in the delivery
<br />of such equipment, the Council should consider immediately ordering two trucks. Councilman
<br />Kopczynski asked Chief Bland a number of questions about the replacement and repair of equipment,
<br />capacity of existing tankers, and operational accidents. Chief Bland said that disciplinary
<br />action is taken where there is willful negligence in the damaging of fire apparatus. He said
<br />that the Master Mechanic of the Fire Department works long hours, including week ends and nights,
<br />in an attempt to keep the equipment in running order. Councilman Miller asked City Attorney
<br />Sweeney if the Board of Public Works had recommended purchasing six pumpers. Mr. Sweeney said
<br />that this was the consensus of opinion at a staff meeting with the Mayor and Controller.
<br />Councilman Szymkowiak asked Chief Bland if they had investigated the best possible way to finance
<br />these pumpers at the best interest rate. Chief Bland replied that they advertise for competitive
<br />bids. Councilman Miller made -a motion to amend the ordinance to read in Section Q -52 "two (2)
<br />pieces of firefighting apparatus over a period not to exceed two (2) years ". Councilman Taylor
<br />seconded the motion. The motion was defeated by a vote of two ayes (Councilmen Miller and Taylor
<br />seven nays (Councilmen Serge, Szymkowiak, Parent, Kopczynski, Horvath, Newburn and Nemeth).
<br />Councilman Nemeth questioned the wording of the ordinance to appropriate $60,000 for six years
<br />since this would be more than the amount needed. Attorney Sweeney said it was the intent of the
<br />ordinance to purchase six pieces of equipment in the next succeeding five years until the lease -
<br />purchase agreement is terminated. In effect, they would be transferring $60,000 this year and
<br />appropriating $60,000 a year for the next four years. Councilman Nemeth moved to amend the
<br />ordinance changing the number of pieces of equipment to be purchased to three and the number of
<br />years to three. Councilman Kopczynski seconded the motion to amend and it carried. Councilman
<br />Kopczynski moved that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, as amended, seconded by
<br />Councilman Szymkowiak, and carried.
<br />Chairman Newburn called for a five minute recess at 8:25 p.m. The regular meeting reconvened at
<br />8:35 p.m.
<br />ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $175,000.00 FROM THE LOCAL
<br />ROAD AND STREET FUND TO THE ACCOUNT "SERVICES CONTRACTUAL"
<br />WITHIN THE LOCAL ROAD AND STREET FUND.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard thereon. Mr. William Richardson, Director of
<br />Public Works, explained that this would cover the cost of 50% of the reconstruction of the Penn
<br />Central tracks on South Main Street. This is a part of the TOPICS program and is 50% federally
<br />funded. Under the downtown renewal program, Michigan and St. Joseph Streets will be one way
<br />north and Main Street one way south. The viaduct at Main Street between Bronson and South has
<br />only a 12 foot clearance. The new construction will provide 14' 6" clearance, reconstruction
<br />of pavement, new drainage, curbs, walks and traffic signals. Construction is to begin in July.
<br />Councilman Kopczynski asked Mr. Richardson why, if the TOPICS program is to help move traffic
<br />on arterial streets, the Sample - Walnut area is not considered. Mr. Richardson said that there
<br />is an over -all comprehensive plan, but that the area Councilman Kopczynski referred to involves
<br />large structures which would have to be moved and would involve relocating people. This area
<br />will be included in the long -range plans but there is nothing on paper today as a timetable.
<br />Councilman Horvath referred to the Olive- Sample Street crossing as a problem that has existed
<br />for over 25 years and nothing has been done about it. Mr. Richardson explained that TOPICS does
<br />not encompass projects like the Olive- Sample crossing. 90 families must be relocated in that
<br />project. Councilman Miller moved that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded
<br />by Councilman Taylor. Motion carried.
<br />ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $180,000.00 FROM THE LOCAL
<br />ROAD AND STREET FUND TO THE ACCOUNT "SERVICES CONTRACTUAL"
<br />WITHIN THE LOCAL ROAD AND STREET FUND.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard thereon. Mr. William Richardson, Director of
<br />Public Works, spoke for the ordinance. This ordinance covers reconstruction of Main Street from
<br />Chippewa to Bronson and Chippewa from Main to Michigan Streets. This would involve a new inter-
<br />section at Chippewa and Michigan, and the widening of Main Street. $30,000 for this project
<br />would come from the cumulative capital improvement fund. Mr. Roman Kowalski, 802 Birchwood,
<br />asked Mr. Richardson where South Bend's share of this project cost would come from. Mr. Richard-
<br />son said that the Local Road and Street Fund is the 7th and 8th cent tax on gasoline which is
<br />allocated to the cities on a pro -rated basis. We have $1,200,000 in this account but must
<br />apply for the funds for each project. The other portion of this ordinance deals with preliminary
<br />engineering for Ironwood Drive and Ireland Road. The overall cost of this project is $2,500,000
<br />and it is being forced on us by the construction of the Scottsdale Mall. If the city will show
<br />intent to reconstruct Ironwood, the state will reconsider an interchange with the bypass at
<br />Ironwood Road. U. S. 31 is the only road north and south through the city. Ironwood is the only
<br />other road running north in the city. When final plans, specifications and right -of -way data are
<br />available, the Board of Public Works will hold a pbblic hearing so that the citizens of South
<br />Bend can have input in this project. Councilman Kopczynski asked Mr. Richardson if the Board of
<br />Works hearing would be held at a time when the public would be able to attend. Mr. Richardson
<br />said he could guarantee it would be an evening meeting. Councilman Parent made a motion that the
<br />ordinance go to,--the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Szymkowiak. Motion carried.
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