Board of Public Works and Safety

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY CITY OF HOBART, LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA November 1, 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. Roll Call: The following members were present: Mr. Lain, Mr. Ehrhardt, and Mr. 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 18, 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. All of the sidewalk and ramps have been completed for Phase III. Brick pavers were installed along with the tree grates, light poles and signals. The asphalt intermediate and surface was both laid along with striping. The phase concluded and reopened to traffic on Monday. Phase IV has begun and the intersection of 4th and Center St. closed yesterday. We allowed Indiana American Water to get a head start on Phase IV so they are currently installing the remaining water main in the intersection of 4th and Center. Surveyors were on site today laying out the storm and sanitary sewer. This sewer work is scheduled to begin tomorrow. We intend to install all utilities, concrete curb and asphalt this year. The sidewalk and remaining work will be dependent on weather. The tree planting will be done in the spring. Tim Kingsland updated the Board regarding the City Hall Parking Lot. The City received a grant from IDEM and NIRPC to renovate the parking lot and install green infrastructure, which will include a rain garden and native plantings. Work on the parking lot renovation has been proceeding as scheduled and the parking lot should be opened sometime next week to the public, weather permitting. 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 add the discussion for advertising and Bid Solicitation for garbage truck to the agenda, and to remove Mr. Georgo’s request for review of the 1214 E. Hickey St. decision. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to approve the agenda with the addition and to contact Mr. Georgo of the Board’s decision to remove further discussion from the agenda. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Unfinished Business: Continued: Unsafe Building: Peter Peco and Attorney Paul Psomadelis re: 212 S. Colorado St.: Mike Hannigan: Mr. Peco was present and said that he was unaware of the meeting on October 18th. He stated that he has sold the property “as is” and should close on or before November 24, 2017. Attorney DeBonis reviewed the sale agreement and said it is a valid contract and the conditions have been accepted by the buyer. Mr. Null was present from the City Building Dept. and said that the sale of the property is the most appropriate plan of action and the house is still condemned. There was discussion about setting this item over for review and Mr. Peco said he would not be available after November 28, 2017 but his realtor may be able to attend the first meeting in December. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to Board of Works Minutes: November 1, 2017 1 have Mr. Peco provide proof of final sale by December 6, 2017, at that time the Board may consider removing the $250 fine. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Update: Unsafe Building: Karl and Kathleen Ann Luken, re: 131 Center St: Mr. Snedecor said that the City had received 6 bids to demolish the property. Mr. Mendoza, City Planner, was not present but provided an update about the interested investor of the property. As of today the investor has not yet heard from the mortgage company and expressed frustration at their failure to follow-up with them or to respond to the City’s notifications. Despite not owning the property, they have requested their contractor to secure the roof and one window of the house for the winter. There was discussion about tearing the building down and that not being beneficial to the City. Attorney DeBonis reviewed the quotes for demolition and said the quotes are good for 60 days from the opening. He recommended that the Board defer the award of demolition until the last meeting in December. Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, seconded by Mr. Lain, to defer consideration of an award of demolition until the December 20, 2017 meeting of the Board of Works. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Order to Appear: Property Maintenance/Use Issue: Karene Orsini and Ignacio Cotto, re: 940 Lake St.: Sgt. Russo: Sgt. Russo was present and said that the property is in full compliance and recommended that the fine be reduced to an amount decided by the Board. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrahrdt, to accept compliance and reduce the $500 fine previously imposed to $100 to be paid by December 1, 2017 and remove this item from the agenda. All aye motion carried. (3-0) New Business: Request for Security Light in Alleyway: for safety purposes, Lori Justak, 726 Water St.: Ms. Justak was not present. Mr. Dubach, Public Works Supt., recommends if the owner wants a light installed, it should be at her own expense. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to deny the homeowner’s request for the City to place a security light in the alleyway. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Discussion: Review Parkway Maintenance and Lending Library at, 1214 E. Hickey Street: Michael Georgos, 1217 E. Hickey Street: Removed at agenda approval. Request to Plant Tree on City Easement: Jen Woronecki-Ellis, 2833 W. 38th Pl.: Ms. Woronecki-Ellis was present and requested approval to plant 2 City approved trees in the easement at her home. Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, seconded by Mr. Lain, to approve the request as presented. All aye, motion carried. (3- 0) Consideration of Supplemental Agreement No. 1: 3rd Street Bridge Project, Jake Dammarell, BF&S: Mr. Dammarell was present. He explained that the change is needed to cover expenses for hydraulic bridge modeling, and apply for permits through the Indiana DNR, Lake County Drainage Board, Army Corps of Engineers, and Indiana Department of Environmental Management, and to perform additional laboratory testing and perform Right-of-Way services for a maximum of 4 parcels; which increases the contract amount by $64,844 from $228,780 to $293,624. Motion by Mr. Snedecor, seconded by Mr. Lain, to approve Supplemental Agreement No. 1 as presented. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Discussion: Approval of Bid and advertisement of Specs for the purchase of new garbage truck: Mr. Snedecor stated that he has been working with the City Attorney and Public Works Supt. to come up with Specifications for the purchase of a garbage truck. Currently 2 trucks from the fleet are down and the need is urgent. Discussion was held about the timing and need for swift action which may require a special meeting to be called. Motion by Mr. Lain, seconded by Mr. Ehrhardt, to issue specs and advertise for bids for a garbage truck. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Board of Works Minutes: November 1, 2017 2 Announcements: Mayor Snedecor commended all departments involved in the Pumpkins in the Park event. Nikki Lopez said it was a fun event with smaller crowds than previous years due to the cold weather, but everyone had a great time. Mr. Ehrhardt commended all involved with the lakefront projects. Mayor Snedecor stated that there was an accident at a City construction site today. He asked that we please keep Boyd Construction and the families involved in our prayers. Mr. Snedecor asked if there was anyone who wished to address the Board and there was no further response. Adjournment: Motion by Mr. Ehrhardt, to adjourn the meeting. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) The meeting adjourned at 4:28 p.m. ______________________ ____________________________ SECRETARY PRESIDING OFFICER Board of Works Minutes: November 1, 2017 3