Board of Public Works and Safety

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY CITY OF HOBART, LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA August 5, 2015 Call to Order/Pledge to the Flag: Mayor 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. Assist. C. Govert. Reading of Minutes: Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 15, 2015, as presented. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Correspondence: Chief Zormier introduced the System to End Repeated Violence (SERV) Team. Det. Christopher Sipes will be the point person, assisted by 8 Corporals and patrol. HPD was awarded a $42,000 Grant to fund this team, which is renewable each year. Det. Sipes provided an overview of the program. 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. Ehrhardt, seconded by Mr. Lain, to approve the Agenda as presented. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Unfinished Business: Review: Order to Appear: Richard Williams, re: 1328 E. Cleveland Ave.: Mr. Williams was not in attendance. Mr. Hannigan noted that 3 certified letters were sent to 3 different addresses obtained by Sgt. Russo; only 1 was signed for and returned. Chief Zormier confirmed that the Kentland, Indiana address is the most current address. Mr. Hannigan noted that the owner of record is R. Williams, and the house is occupied. At this time Mr. Hannigan has not spoken to the residents renting the home. Attorney DeBonis said that the owner has received proper notice and the Board can proceed with action. Mr. Hannigan said that the chimney is still not repaired and there is some concern about the heating season. Motion by Mr. Snedecor, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to leave in the Building Department discretion as to the Unsafe Building Law, notice and vacating the property, with a status report at the September 16, 2015 Board of Works Meeting. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Tabled: Proposed Settlement: W. Brian Riley, re: Karen Boruff, 229 N. Ohio St.: Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to remove from the table. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Mr. Riley was not present. Mr. Wilford “Dutch” Holland, a family friend of Ms. Boruff, was in attendance. Mr. Holland has concerns and is asking for some waiver of lien costs. Mr. Riley is asking for a 50% reduction of fees owed to the City of Hobart. Mayor Snedecor stated that the total due is $8,062.51 of taxpayer’s dollars. Mr. Lain has concerns that the Board of Works doesn’t have the authority to waive fees for services rendered. Mr. Snedecor asked if she is willing to pay 50% up front perhaps then a payment plan could be put in place to pay the remaining balance, and asked if Ms. Boruff would be able to attend a meeting for further discussion. Motion by Mr. Snedecor, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to set over for Ms. Boruff to be present at the next Board of Works meeting on August 19, 2015. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) New Business: Consideration of Entertainment Contract for Summer Market: Buckdaddy, August 6, 2015: Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to approve the contract as presented. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Board of Works Minutes: August 5, 2015 Request for Guard Rail: Roy Richardson re: Hobart Church of the Nazarene, 1 W. Old Ridge Rd.: Mr. Scott Buhman, Assoc. Pastor of the Church, attended the meeting and stated that 3 reported accidents have occurred at this location damaging property and is requesting a guard rail or some form of protection to be placed in this area. Mr. Snedecor stated that he spoke to the City Engineer and that there are obstacles before reaching the building, also a guard rail would block the sign. Mr. Buhman said that the sign is no longer there as a result of the accident. The new sign has been designed to be seen above a guard rail. Mr. Snedecor asked if Mr. Buhman was in favor of Public Works Department doing a site visit to consider other options, maybe bollards. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to take under advisement, asking Public Works Department to offer a recommendation and review at the August 19, 2015 meeting. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Request for Removal of Dead Trees: Matthew Atherton re: 1 N. Wabash and 5 N. Wabash: Mr. Atherton was not in attendance. A site visit was conducted by the Public Works Department and the trees are in need of removal. However, Mr. Laco said that the trees in question are not currently on the list but will be added. Motion by Mr. Snedecor, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to grant petitioners request to remove the trees at the discretion of the City or Mr. Atherton can remove at his own expense. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Request for Approval: re: IAWC Agreement for 61st Ave. Phase 3 Project: Attorney DeBonis stated that the terms of the agreement are favorable to the City and he recommends approval. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to approve the IAWC Agreement as presented. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Announcements: Mr. Snedecor asked if there was anyone who wished to address the Board and there was no response. Adjournment: Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, to adjourn. All aye, motion carried. (3-0)The meeting adjourned at 4:58 p.m. ____________________________ ______________________________ SECRETARY PRESIDING OFFICER Board of Works Minutes: August 5, 2015