Board of Public Works and Safety

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY CITY OF HOBART, LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA October 4, 2017 Call to Order/Pledge to the Flag: Mr. Snedecor called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for the victims of the attack in Las Vegas. Roll Call: The following members were present: Mr. Lain, Mr. Ehrhardt and Mr. Snedecor. Also present: 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 September 20, 2017 as presented. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Correspondence: Update on Streetscape Project: Brandon Towle, BF&S, distributed a status update to the Board. Utility work has been completed including sanitary and water services. The roadway subgrade was cut and approximately 8 of the 18 inches of stone subbase have been installed. This partial installation has allowed for the installation of concrete curb. Foundations for the light and pedestrian crossing signals have also been completed. Grimmer will continue adding stone to the subbase in preparation for asphalt. Grimmer will also be removing the old sidewalks and preparing grade for the new. Hawk Enterprises will be on site tomorrow to install remaining conduit, cable and handholes for the street lighting and traffic signals. Next week, Rieth Riley will be back on site pouring the sidewalks. Once complete the remaining work will consist of brick pavers, lights/signals, asphalt and striping. A date for switching to the next phase and opening the intersection of 3rd and Center has not yet been determined but it is anticipated to be during the week of October 23rd. Attorney DeBonis arrives. 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: Mr. Snedecor asked the Board to consider adding: Consideration of Use of Easement: Villa del Sol, 200 Main St. and to continue the Update: Unsafe Building re: 212 S. Colorado St. until the October 18th meeting as Mr. Peco was called to work and is unable to attend the meeting tonight. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to approve the agenda as amended. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Unfinished Business: Update: Unsafe Building: Peter Peco and Attorney Paul Psomadelis re: 212 S. Colorado St.: Mike Hannigan: Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, seconded by Mr. Lain, to continue this item to the October 18, 2017 Board of Works meeting. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Continued: Unsafe Building: Karl and Kathleen Ann Luken, re: 131 Center St: Mr. Hannigan, Building Official, said he is waiting for direction from the City Attorney as to obtaining quotes for demolition. He believes that the owner is in discussion with a possible buyer. Mr. Mendoza, City Planner, said that an investor is in negotiations with the bank and property owner at this time and if acquisition takes place they would have a structural engineer look at the building. Motion by Mr. Lain, Board of Works Minutes: October 4, 2017 1 seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to continue this item until the November 1, 2017 meeting of the Board of Works with an update from Mr. Mendoza at the October 18th meeting. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Review: Property Maintenance/Use Issue: Karene Orsini and Ignacio Cotto, re: 940 Lake St.: Sgt. Russo: Ms. Orsini and Mr. Cotto were not present. Sgt. Russo stated that some issues still exist; he believes that Mr. Cotto is operating a business at the home repairing and rehabbing vehicles. He recommends fining the homeowner and having him appear before the Board at the next meeting. Motion by Mr. Snedecor, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to fine the home owner $500.00 due at the end of business on November 15, 2017 and order them to appear before the Board of Works with full compliance at the October 18, 2017 meeting. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Sgt. Russo will contact the owners. Execution of Transfer of Ownership: Water Main Extension re: 61st Ave. Phase 3: Jake Dammerell was present. There was discussion about a previous motion made at the June 21, 2017 Board of Works meeting which authorizes the Mayor to execute the transfer once the paperwork is complete. Mr. Dammerell said they are still waiting for “as-builts” from Indiana American Water and he is requesting that the Mayor sign the document for the water company before all of the paperwork is complete so that residents may begin to tap into the water main. Discussion regarding recoupment was held. Mr. Dammerell said that there is a list of existing residents from which any recoupment will be waived. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to rescind the Board’s prior action and authorize the Mayor to execute the transfer of ownership. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to waive and release the City’s right to recoupment from the residents on 61st Ave. and their successors who now have access to the water main. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) New Business: Consideration of Use of Easement: Villa del Sol Restaurant, 200 Main St.: Sergio Gutierrez was present. An aerial picture and map of the property were distributed. Mr. Snedecor stated this easement is needed for state excise requirements for the outdoor dining area. Mr. Gutierrez is requesting 4’x 70’ to be fenced in with a parking buffer in place. Mr. Eharhardt said it is his understanding that there is a zero lot line and the request is for a 4’ encroachment on City property. Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, seconded by Mr. Lain, to grant Mr. Gutierrez’s company which owns the property a license for the use of the strip of City owned property for the purpose of erecting a passage way and fence, and that the license will be revocable only on any discontinuance of the use of the property for this purpose, and the City Attorney will provide an instrument to document this agreement. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Attorney DeBonis noted the owner may begin use of the property while waiting for the instrument to be completed. Announcements: Nikki Lopez thanked the Mayor and Board for allowing her to go to the seminar in New Orleans and she gave a brief overview of the conference. She also stated that Voyager Canoes will be at Pavese Park and grades 3-10 will be able to spend the day canoeing during the coming weeks. Mr. Snedecor said that the Park Department has installed a camera system at Festival Park which has cut down on vandalism. Chief Kerr said October is Fire Prevention Month and the department has booked schools and daycares for demonstration programs. Project Lifesaver equipment has arrived, which is a monitoring system for Alzheimer patients that may wander away from their homes by use of a tracking bracelet that has a transmitter which aids in finding patients. The Dive Team has recently attended an extensive training session in South Bend. Board of Works Minutes: October 4, 2017 2 Phil Gralik, City Engineer, and Police Chief Zormier have worked together to help improve traffic on County Line Rd. on weekends during the orchard season. Mr. Hannigan, Building Official, updated the Board on the 5 houses that had demolition orders. As of today NIPSCO has turned off the gas and Boyd Construction can begin the demo at 919 W. 7th Place. The other houses are still waiting on the utilities to be turned off. Mr. Snedecor asked if there was anyone who wished to address the Board and there was no further response. Adjournment: Motion by Mr. Lain, to adjourn the meeting. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. ______________________ ____________________________ SECRETARY PRESIDING OFFICER Board of Works Minutes: October 4, 2017 3