Board of Public Works and Safety

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY CITY OF HOBART, LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA JANUARY 7, 2015 Call to Order – Moment of Silence: Mr. Snedecor called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call: The following members were present: Mr. Lain, Mr. Ehrhardt and Mr. Snedecor. Also present Attorney DeBonis, Clerk-Treasurer Longer and Admin. Asst. Trish White. Reading of Minutes: Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to accept and approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 17, 2014 as presented. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Correspondence: Mrs. Longer presented the report related to Resolution 2014-13 as to encumbering funds from the 2014 budget for 2014 invoices at the end of the year. She noted that $343,279.00 was encumbered and rolled over from the 2014 Budget. Annual reports will be available in the middle of February. Mr. Snedecor stated the sledding hill at Veteran’s Park is completed and in use. The press announced they will be there at 1:00 Saturday to take photos. Mr. Fulton stated designated warming centers are set up at Fire Stations #1 and #4 around the clock. The MRC and Festival Park Community Center during the hours of operation also are open for warming centers as is the Lake County Public Library. Chief Zormier stated transportation arrangements would be made available for those in need of getting to a warming center by contacting the non-emergency police department number: 942-1125. Mr. Lain stated he has reviewed reports showing PCC building usage and utility costs, the Board noted that cost of operation is something that needs to be considered in the future when rental fees are taken into consideration. Mrs. Longer suggested the Board consider looking at an updated report in April once we get through the winter months and considering the new boilers installed late in 2014. Approval of Register of Claims and Payroll Claims: Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, seconded by Mr. Lain, to accept and approve the register of claims and payroll claims as presented. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Approval of Agenda: Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to approve the agenda as presented. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Unfinished Business Status review on Order to Comply: Estate of Fred and Betty Edstrom regarding 512 E. 4th Street: Attorney Koprcina was present on behalf of this property. Currently there is a Federal Tax lien against the property and he advised they are working with real estate companies to market this for sale. Mr. Hannigan stated that the code violations have been resolved the chimney has been removed and the building is secure. Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, seconded by Mr. Lain, to show the ordinance code violations are now in compliance and to remove this item from the agenda. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Board of Works Minutes: January 7, 2015 1 New Business Order to Comply: 1228 State Street: a/k/a: 402 E. 13th Street: Property owner Mr. Ramage was present. Mr. Hannigan stated he had sent notification in July 2014 to clean-up the property after a house fire and while the property lawn has been maintained this is a garage that was converted into a dwelling. Mr. Hannigan put a stop work order out as no permit was pulled to rehab the property, in addition there are two dwellings on one lot and the property has not been subdivided. Mr. Snedecor stated there have been several complaints on this property. Mr. Ramage stated that he would just have the structure demolished. Motion by Mr. Snedecor, seconded by Mr. Lain, to have a demolition contract in order to bring before this Board at their February 4th meeting. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Request for Sidewalk Waivers: Joseph Broadaway re: 1624 E. Cleveland Ave. (Lot 2, Trailhead Point) and 11 M. Hobart Rd. (Lit 1, Trailhead Point): Joseph Broadaway was present. Mr. Lewis stated the Plan Commission is in support of this request. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to approve both sidewalk waiver requests for 1-year or until such time as the City determines the sidewalks must be installed, whichever is longer, at the owner’s expense. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Request for Guardrails on two dead-end streets: Midwest Carpenters & Millwrights FCU re: 680 Union St.: The petitioner was not present. City Engineer Phil Gralik recommended a guardrail be installed at 38th Ave. and a post with reflectors be installed at 38th. Place. The Police Chief and Public Works Superintendent recommended the same from a safety standpoint. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to take the recommendations as stated and approve the installation of a guardrail at 38th Ave. and a post with reflectors at 38th Place. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Board of Works Appointment to Plan Commission for 2015: (1-year appointment): Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Snedecor, to appoint Mr. Ehrhardt to be the Board of Public Works and Safety Appointment to the Plan Commission for 2015. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Acceptance of Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statements for 2015: Annual Disclosure Statements for Mr. Claussen, Mrs. Longer and Mr. Snedecor were presented to the Board. Mrs. Longer stated these are annual disclosure statements same as in years past and upon acceptance will be filed with the State Board of Accounts and the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, seconded by Mr. Lain, to accept all three Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statements for 2015 as presented. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Announcement: Mr. Hannigan gave status updates on some homes: 6324 Ainsworth Road Boyd Construction is waiting for proof of disconnect on all utilities, once received it will be demolished. 114 E. Rand St. had fire damage over 2 years ago and the home has been tied up in probate, it now has permits and is being gutted and remodeled. 5900 Liverpool was sold in a tax sale and has been demolished. Board of Works Minutes: January 7, 2015 2  424 Softwood has been vacant and in need of clean up, the bank sent out a maintenance crew and the property has been cleaned up nicely. Mr. Snedecor asked if there was anyone who wished to address the Board and there was no response. Adjournment: Motion by Mr. Lain to adjourn. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) The meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m. ____________________________ ______________________________ SECRETARY PRESIDING OFFICER Board of Works Minutes: January 7, 2015 3