Board of Public Works and Safety

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY CITY OF HOBART, LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA November 2, 2016 Call to Order/Pledge to the Flag: Mayor Snedecor called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call: The following members were present: Mr. Lain, Mr. Ehrhardt, and Mayor Snedecor. Also present: Attorney DeBonis, C-T Longer and Admin. Asst. C. Govert. Reading of Minutes: Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 19, 2016 as presented. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Correspondence: Update on 61st Ave. Project: Katie Lemon, BF&S: Katie distributed a status update to the Board. Multiple crews have been on site in preparation for the project’s completion. The footers for the limestone walls, precast median wall and gateway sign are nearly complete. LaPorte Construction poured the concrete bridge deck and approaches. Currently the bridge is the focus of the project as remaining road work is dependent on its completion. Approval of Register of Claims and Payroll Claims: Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, seconded by Mr. Lain, to accept and sign 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: Continued: Consideration of Proposal for Toter Lid Advertising: National Cart Marketing, LLC: Mr. Snedecor said that the company has been slow to respond and recommends it be removed from the agenda. Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, seconded by Mr. Lain, to remove this item from the agenda. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Review: Order to Comply: Remodeling without Permits or Inspections: Calumet Regional Trust 109, re: 670 N. County Line Rd.: Attorney Robert B. Golding Jr.: Attorney Golding was not present. Mr. Hannigan stated that he has received an email from Attorney Golding requesting a continuance of this matter because the contractor is out of town and unable to attend tonight. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to continue this matter to the November 16, 2016 Board of Works meeting. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Review: Order to Comply: Unsafe Building Code Violations: re: Walter Tomich, re: 1307 S. Lake Park Ave.: Attorney Jonathan Peterson: Attorney Peterson was present. He stated that the owner has hired contractors to bring the property into compliance and is requesting a continuance to allow the contractor time to complete the work. There was some discussion regarding unsafe living conditions and the fact that at this time there is no heat in the building with young children living there, and the need for inspections. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to set this matter over for review and complete compliance at the November 16, 2016 Board of Works meeting. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Review: Order to Comply: Richard Arnold, Tradewind Services, 5139 & 5131 E. 70th Place: Mr. Arnold was present. Mr. Gralik, City Engineer, discussed the open ditch in front of the properties on E. 70th Place. Mr. Gralik sent a sketch with piping and 4 inlets to 2 different contractors for quotes. Boyd Board of Works Minutes: November 2, 2016 1 Construction’s quote includes the piping at a cost of $31,700. Ellenberger’s quote is to restore the roadside ditch by adding a swale with sod and making it mow-able, at a cost of $15,500. Mr. Gralik recommends the Board restore the roadside swale and get the work done before winter. Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, seconded by Mr. Lain, to have the roadside swale restored by Ellenberger’s in the amount of $15,500. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Under Advisement re: Maintenance of Ridge Road from I-65 to Rt. 51: Thomas Silich, Hobart Township Trustee: Mr. Silich was present. A meeting was held with representatives from Hobart, Lake County, Lake Station, and New Chicago, to discuss road conditions on Ridge Road and some progress was made. Mayor Snedecor said currently we are working on removing the lighthouses from the medians, and reviewing landscaping to see what needs to stay and what needs to be removed. Mayor Snedecor thanked Mr. Silich for working with the various cities in order to improve conditions in this area. Mr. Silich said that today 2 dumpsters were dropped off by the viaduct. Lake County Work Release Program will be cleaning up in that area. Mr. Silich also asked that City Code Enforcement do inspections at the businesses in this corridor to make sure they are up to code. Communication will continue between the communities to improve the area. Review/Status Update: Hobart Square Detention Pond: Tim Kingsland, re: 6195 Marcella Blvd.: Mr. Gralik stated that he had spoken to Randy Ralls, Service Doctor, and a plan is in place to maintain the detention pond at this property. Mr. Gralik recommends that this matter be continued to the November 16, 2016 meeting for review. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to continue this matter to the November 16, 2016 Board of Works meeting for review. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Review/ Order to Appear/ Status Update: Randy Hall, re: Liberty Heights Subdivision Detention Ponds: Mr. Hall was not present. Mr. Kingsland said a certified letter had been sent to Mr. Hall but as of today he hasn’t received the receipt back. The letter gave Mr. Hall seven days to perform the required maintenance of the ponds and to appear at this meeting. There was some discussion as to who was responsible for the ponds and the establishment of a HOA. Mr. Kingsland said Mr. Hall is listed as the owner of the ponds and the current developer. Mr. Ehrhardt said that there will be resistance from current homeowners to establish a HOA with the ponds in the current condition. Several residents were in attendance and agreed with him. Attorney DeBonis said that the Agreement requires Mr. Hall to do some drainage work but does not require him to do anything with the ponds. He encourages the homeowners to establish an HOA and address the pond per the covenants. Mr. Huddlestun, Councilman 2nd District, said that this issue has been going back and forth for several months and feels it is not fair to drop it in the residents’ laps without help from Mr. Hall or the City. Several residents addressed the Council expressing their concerns. Mr. Snedecor suggested that a meeting take place on site with Mr. Hall, Staff, and the residents of Liberty Heights to come up with a plan. Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, seconded by Mr. Lain, to set up a meeting in Liberty Heights with Staff, Mr. Hall and residents and report back at the November 16, 2016 Board of Works meeting. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) New Business: Order to Comply: Property Maintenance issues: re: Steven and Wallace Whittler, 209 N. Wilson St., Steven Whittler was present. Sgt. Russo provided the Board with pictures that were taken the morning of November 2, 2016, showing the junk accumulation. He also stated that the roof of the house is not shingled and is only covered by tar paper. Little to no progress has been made since his first visit to the property. Mr. Whittler stated that all of the items on his property are for uncompleted projects. He agreed that the photos presented are accurate. Mr. Lain and Mr. Snedecor stated that the violations must be taken care of and Mr. Whittler agreed to work on it. Motion by Mr. Snedecor, seconded by Mr. Lain, to impose a $1,000.00 fine and set over for review for substantial compliance at the November 16, 2016 Board of Works meeting. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Board of Works Minutes: November 2, 2016 2 Consideration of Billing Service Agreement: AccuMed Billing, Inc. re: EMS Billing Services: Mr. Snedecor recommended approval of the Agreement. Motion by Mr. Snedecor, seconded by Mr. Lain, to approve the Billing Service Agreement with AccuMed Billing, Inc. as presented. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Request to Remove Overgrown Grass from Driveway area in Easement: Timothy Nelson, re: 701 E. 8th St.: Mr. Nelson was present. He is asking to remove the overgrown grass and fill it with concrete. Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, seconded by Mr. Lain, to grant permission to remove the overgrown grass and fill with concrete as requested. 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. Lain, to adjourn the meeting. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) The meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m. ______________________ ____________________________ SECRETARY PRESIDING OFFICER Board of Works Minutes: November 2, 2016 3