Board of Public Works and Safety

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY CITY OF HOBART, LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA March 16, 2016 Call to Order/Pledge to the Flag: Mayor Snedecor called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call: The following members were present: Mr. Lain and Mr. Snedecor. Also present: Attorney DeBonis, C-T Longer and Admin. Asst. C. Govert. Absent: Mr. Ehrhardt Reading of Minutes: Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Snedecor, to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of March 2, 2016 as presented. All aye, motion carried. (2-0) Correspondence: Update on 61st Ave. Project: Brandon Towle, BF&S, distributed a status update to the Board. He said that G. E. Marshall is currently wrapping up the sanitary sewer on the north side of 61st Ave. between Arizona St. and Deep River Dr. LaPorte Construction has poured the southeast bridge footer. They have also backfilled the southwest abutment and wingwall. NIPSCO and Comcast have been relocating their lines underground between Wisconsin St. and SR 51. Approval of Register of Claims and Payroll Claims: Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Snedecor, to accept and sign the register of claims and payroll claims as presented. All aye, motion carried. (2-0) Approval of Agenda: Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Snedecor, to approve the agenda as presented. All aye, motion carried. (2-0) Unfinished Business: Review: Order to Comply: Andrew Batistatos, re: 315 W. Third St.: Mr. Batistatos was present. No progress has been made on the siding of the property and no permit has been pulled at this time. The garage has been removed. Mr. Hannigan presented pictures and it was decided that the cement pad can remain. There was some discussion of time and cost to the City in this matter. There was a question whether the owner can do the siding work himself or if he had to hire someone because it is rental property. Mr. Hannigan will discuss this further with Attorney DeBonis. Motion by Mr. Snedecor, seconded by Mr. Lain, to fine Mr. Batistatos $100.00 to cover costs incurred in this matter, to be paid by April 15, 2016. All aye, motion carried. (2-0) Mr. Hannigan will follow up with the siding issue. Review: Consideration of Bid received for Ambulance Purchase: Mr. Snedecor asked to continue this until the April 6, 2016 meeting. Mr. Scott noted that the bid will expire on April 18, 2016. New Business: Request to Dispose of City Property at Public Auction: Clerk-Treasurer Longer presented a preliminary list of retired equipment and vehicles the departments have requested to dispose of. If approved, the auction will be set for Friday, April 22, 2016. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Snedecor, to approve the request to dispose of City property at public auction and retain the services of an auctioneer to conduct same. All aye, motion carried. (2-0) Request Permission to Remove Tree on City Easement: Pamela Trcka, re: 851 Water St.: Mrs. Trcka was present and stated that she is willing to pay the cost to remove the tree. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Snedecor, to approve removal of the tree at the owner’s expense. All aye, motion carried. (2-0) Board of Works Minutes: March 16, 2016 1 Review of Crossing Guard Contract: Early Learning Center/George Earle School: Chief Zormier recommends approval of the contract for Linda DeSoto from 3/7/16-12/31/16. Motion by Mr. Snedecor, seconded by Mr. Lain, to approve the contract as presented. All aye, motion carried. (2-0) Orders to Comply/Notices to Abate: Cressmoor Trailer Park, re: 615 W. 37th Ave., Lots: 31, 36, 38, 39, 47, 48, 53, 56, 66, 70, 72, 73, 82, 101, 108, 111, 115, 124, 134, and 2 trailers at the south end of property: Mr. Klug was present. He stated that he is working with Doug Williamson, from the State Board of Health and a contractor to try to sell the park. Mr. Hannigan updated the number of vacant trailers to 21, 6 of which he recommended to be removed or demolished and lien the property. (# 36, 38, 39, 73, and 2 burned out trailers at the rear of the lot). Sgt. Russo did a follow up visit to the site today and provided a written update and reviewed the list. All of the trailers on his list are vacant and he recommends all of them be removed including the 2 burned out ones on the SW portion of the property. Mr. Klug stated that he does not own the abandoned trailers. Attorney DeBonis said that the abandoned trailers became Mr. Klug’s by operation of the law. If the city wishes to act, Attorney DeBonis said that notice has been given and the Board can take whatever steps necessary to remove the uninhabitable trailers and inspect other units to determine whether they are habitable. Once the work is completed, Mr. Klug will receive an invoice to be paid within 30 days, if not paid in that time the City will lien the property. Mr. Klug stated he is not able to maintain the park. Mr. Snedecor stated it is not fair that the City tax dollars should be used. Mr. Klug stated he understood but could not manage the clean-up. Motion by Mr. Snedecor, seconded by Mr. Lain, to authorize the Building Commission in conjunction with Sgt. Russo to coordinate and contract with an outside company to remove the vacant trailers, on lots 31, 36, 38, 39, 47, 48, 53, 56, 66, 70, 72, 73, 82, 101, 108, 111, 115, 124, 134, and the 2 at the rear of the property and to clean up the other areas as noted, to invoice Mr. Klug for the costs associated with the clean-up, the invoice to be paid within 30 days of presentation of the invoice and, if unpaid after 30 days, to lien the property. All aye, motion carried. (2-0) Attorney DeBonis recommended photo archive of each stage of removal. Announcements: 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 the meeting. All aye, motion carried. (2-0) The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. ______________________ _____________________ SECRETARY PRESIDING OFFICER Board of Works Minutes: March 16, 2016 2