Board of Park Commissioners

City of Hobart Board of Park Commissioners Minutes Special Meeting July 24th , 2017 Call to Order: Mr. Allen called the meeting to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Mandon took roll call and the following Commissioners were present: Mr. Allen, Mr. Wengel, Mrs. Sills, and Mrs. Galka. Also present were the City Attorney Mr. DeBonis, Park Board Secretary Ms. Mandon and Park Superintendent Mr. Mitchell. Old Business: The contract awarding of the Lake George Wall and Walkway Project and Resolution 2017-08 determining the lowest responsible bidder were discussed. Mr. Allen stated that the board did not receive the plans before the July 10th meeting and he regrets voting to approve the project. He stated that the project should not go forward and asked the board to reject the proposal. He has public safety concerns. Mrs. Galka asked what concerns he has and Mr. Allen said one is the removal of the 42” fence that was put there for a reason. Mr. Allen met with the Fire Chief and he did not give an answer on public safety but he asked “why was the fence put there”? Mrs. Galka asked about clarification on flood prevention. Mr. Dammarell addressed the board. He stated that all necessary permits were received. Mr. Dammarell discussed the sandbagging of the scuppers as flood control. Mr. Allen asked how the Army Corp of Engineers permitting was contacted and Mr. Dammarell stated that they do not require any type of permitting. Mr. Allen shared the plan with three different people including a Plan Commission member, Mr. Stuart Allen. Mr. Allen had another concern regarding the weight of the sheet pile wall and the vertical stability. Mr. Allen did not realize that the prior board did not actively participate in the design process and he thinks the plan needs to go back to the drawing board. Mr. Dammarell explained that Mr. Stuart Allen looked over the design and found that 4 scuppers needed to be added to a flat area in the walkway. Mr. Mitchell said that the design meetings did start with the department heads and they are aware that this project is needed as soon as possible. Mrs. Sills stated that she has confidence in BF & S and they have done quality work in the city. She also has confidence in Mr. Dammarell and Mr. Gralik. Mrs. Sills said that the project should go on. Mr. DeBonis read an email that he wrote in reply to Mr. Allen’s concerns. Mr. DeBonis read that there are only 60 days from July 19th to hold a public bid in Indiana before they award or reject it. Mr. Allen brought up concerns and BF & S answered them and altered the plan. Mr. Allen asked for the project to be pushed back and delayed. Mr. DeBonis read the entire email that the project will not be complete in the construction season and a rebid drives the bid pricing up. Mr. DeBonis read the email and said the condition is deteriorating continuously. If there are credible evidence that the plans are unlawful or unsafe, you could delay it but where he sits there are not any. Mr. Allen said he still cannot support the wall project and the other departments were not consulted. Mr. DeBonis said he spoke with Police Chief Zormier and he said there is no safety concern and the fence may inhibit a rescue from the water. There used to not be any type of barrier and he used to fish from there. Mr. DeBonis said the Fire Chief said he is not responsible for an opinion on this matter. The Fire Chief said a wall is not less safe than a fence. Mr. DeBonis respectfully suggested that the board approves the resolution. Mr. Gralik spoke on the topic of downstream communities being impacted. The Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission showed the lack of our impact downstream. It actually could be causing problems by containing water and not releasing. Mr. Gralik did look into the calculations and said BF & S did answer the questions requested. Mr. Gralik said we do need to fix the ADA issues in the park as soon as possible. Some discussion ensued. Mr. Schwuchow addressed the board in regards to the safety design and build of the Lakefront Project. He said that the safety of the community is paramount as this is a dangerous situation during flooding. Some discussion ensued. Mr. Allen said OSHA should be consulted in regards to the 42” safety fence, and Mr. DeBonis said this is not a workplace and OSHA does not apply to this project. The Mayor wanted to commend the board and all that were there with interest and concern with this project. The lower height of the design was a concern at first but as a time went on, he looked at the designs and other community examples. Every day is a concern with safety as it sits now. It is very important that this project goes forward; the walkway is the biggest concern. If there needs to be further discussion on the wall but the Mayor said that to reject this project would be a travesty, the concern would be missing the construction season. He commends the public and the board for the concern and comments. Mrs. Galka said her concern is flood control and sandbagging. Mr. Mitchell stated that they have a plan already to sandbag as long as he is Superintendent. Some discussion ensued. Mrs. Galka asked how far into construction can we wait to decide the wall portion of the project. Mr. Gralik said at least 30 days. Mr. Bob Allen approached the board in regards to the project. He stated that it is not just a safety railing, it is an architectural feature. Mrs. Springer addressed the board in regards to being older and using the wall as a comfort and reassurance. Mr. Allen stated that he is still not convinced. Mr. Stuart Allen approached the board in regards to sandbagging with the National Guard. Some discussion ensued. Mrs. Sills made a motion to approve Resolution 2017-08, seconded by Mrs. Galka. Mrs. Galka made a motion to amend Resolution 2017-08 to allow the Park Board to reconsider the wall and requested information regarding the various design possibilities from the engineers before the project is ready to construct the wall prior to the next meeting on August 14th. Mr. DeBonis restated the motion to amend the resolution with the provision: that there be a delay in the construction of the wall the board until the board has had a chance to review the wall design. Mrs. Galka affirmed that his statement is her intention for the amending motion. The motion to amend the resolution was seconded by Mrs. Sills. A voice vote was taken. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Mr. Allen called for the vote on the original motion to approve the Amended Resolution 2017-08. A voice vote was taken. 3 Ayes: Mrs. Sills, Mrs. Galka, Mr. Wengel / 1 Nay: Mr. Allen. The motion passes. (3-1) Mrs. Sills asked if there would be options offered by the next Park Board Meeting. Mr. Dammarell said yes they would have the options before that. Adjournment: Mrs. Sills made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Wengel. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________