Board of Public Works & Safety

REGULAR MEETING – February 1, 2016 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Michigan City, Indiana, met in REGULAR SESSION on Monday morning, February 1, 2016 at the hour of 9:00 a.m., in the Council Chambers, in the City Hall Building, located at 100 East Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City Indiana – a regular meeting room of this Board. The meeting was called to order by President Steve Janus, who presided. Noted present: Steve Janus, Michael Palmer and Virginia Keating (3). A QUORUM WAS NOTED PRESENT. Also noted in attendance: Amber Lapaich, Corporate Counsel Russ Hatfield, Code Enforcement Officer Jessica Gage, Assistant City Planner Craig Phillips, City Planner Charles “Spike” Peller, City Engineer Randy Novak, M.C.F.D. Chief Sergeant Darren Kaplan, M.C.P.D. Traffic Division Shelley Dunleavy, Personnel Director Robert Zondor, Superintendent Central Services Liz Sonderby, Secretary Arber Himaj, Engineer Sanitary District Gale Neulieb, City Clerk Kim Sliwa, Deputy City Clerk APPROVAL OF MINUTES President Janus asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of the Regular meeting of January 19, 2016. Vice-President Palmer made the motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion carries. REQUEST FOR PARADE PERMIT – ANNUAL VETERANS DAY PARADE Keith Harris, representing Remembering Our Veterans, Inc., addressed the Board explaining this is their annual request for a parade permit; wanting to hold the parade on Saturday, November 5, 2016 running from 10th to 4th Street on Franklin Street with line up starting at 11:00 AM and the parade beginning at 12:00 PM. Mr. Harris stated he would provide the required proof of liability insurance 60 days before the event explaining the insurance provider will not give him a quote at this time. Vice-President Palmer asked that Mr. Harris notify the businesses along the parade route of the street closure. Regular Meeting – February 1, 2016 Page 2 Virginia Keating made the motion to approve the request for the parade permit for November 5, 2016 to run on Franklin Street from 10th Street to 4th Street with parade lineup beginning at 11:00 AM and the parade to being at 12:00 PM contingent on the presentation of the insurance and notification of the local businesses in the area. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Palmer and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. REQUEST FOR ROAD CLOSURE – ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE Vice-President Palmer stated this is an annual event and there have been no issues with this event in the past. Sergeant Darrin Kaplin, M.C.P.D. Traffic Division had no recommendations at this time. Vice-President Palmer made the motion to approve this event pending the proper insurance is received in the City Clerk’s office as well as local area businesses are notified of the street closure. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. REQUEST FOR ROAD CLOSURE – ANNUAL SHELF ICE BREW FEST President Janus asked if Ryan McGrath was present. There was no response. President Janus asked if there was any public comment. There was no response. President Janus asked if M.C.P.D Traffic had any comment. Sergeant Darrin Kaplin stated he does have a note that in the past there were two officers paid for by MainStreet Association and also a donation made to Emergency Management. Just to clarify, Emergency Management will shut down the roads and the two officers are there for security. Corporate Counsel Amber Lapaich suggested this be tabled; Mr. Phillips normally knows something about this event and he was not present. Fire Chief Randy Novak addressed the Board stating the Brewfest has been working with the Fire Marshall Kyle Kazmierczak very closely; there will be a few burning barrels out there to keep visitors warm and the Fire Department has this set up and approved. Vice-President Palmer made a motion to TABLED until the February 16, 2016 meeting and request a representative attend and explain further what is planned. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. REQUEST TO HOLD WALK – SAMARITAN CENTER ANNUAL SKEDADDLE 5K RUN/WALK Ylva Haddadin, representing Samaritan Counseling Centers, addressed the Board requesting approval for the annual Skedaddle 5K run/walk; the event will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016 starting at 9:00 AM; advising the route would be the same as in the past. Vice-President Palmer made a motion to approve the Annual Samaritan Skedaddle on Saturday, April 30, 2016 to begin at 9:00 AM; requesting that a map of the route be Regular Meeting – February 1, 2016 Page 3 received in the City Clerk’s Office as soon as possible. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. REQUEST TO HOLD RUN – MICHIGAN CITY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2017 Judy Kovalcik, representing the 2017 Michigan City High School Class addressed the Board stating the class officers have worked really hard to plan this run/walk; advising they are planning to use the old Tower Run route and the Park Department has approved this. Sergeant Darrin Kaplan, M.C.P.D Traffic Division, addressed the Board with suggestions for alternating the route so that traffic flow would not be interrupted. Judy Kovalcik stated she would be fine with any changes the M.C.P.D. Traffic Division made to the route. Virginia Keating made a motion to approve the request to allow the Michigan City High School Class of 2017 to hold a 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, April 23, 2016 beginning at 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM contingent on receipt of; new revised route to the City Clerk’s Office. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Palmer and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. RENEWAL OF VENDOR LICENSE – LULU’S LICKS FOOD TRUCK Norka Pando, Co-Owner of Lulu’s Licks Food Truck addressed the Board requesting renewal for Lulu’s Licks Food Truck mobile food vendor license for the year of 2016. Corporate Counsel Amber Lapaich addressed the Board stating Ms. McGrath did send a letter stating nothing has changed in her application; advising Ms. Pando she did need to get an updated Certificate of Liability and payment of the new annual fee. Discussion ensued between President Janus and Norka Pando about location and hours of operation. Norka Pando advised they would be at Lighthouse Mall on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and then at Burn Em Brewery located at 718 Freyer Rd. on Thursdays from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Virginia Keating made a motion to approve the renewal of the vendor license for Lulu’s Licks Food Truck for the year 2016 contingent upon receipt of agreement and liability of the second site being the Burn Em Brewery. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Palmer and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING – INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN John Espar, LaPorte County Prosecuting Attorney addressed the Board explaining this is to assign a member of the Michigan City Police Department to the newly formed La Porte County Internet Crimes Against Children Unit; advising this is a new specialized investigative and prosecutorial unit to address a specialized kind of crime. Mr. Espar explained how an adult goes about committing these crimes against children; advising this is a Federal Program Regular Meeting – February 1, 2016 Page 4 under which the Federal Government provides much of the training and software for the investigators and prosecutors allowing Federal, State and Local units to work together in a coordinated effort. Virginia Keating made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the LaPorte County Prosecuting Attorney and the Michigan City Board of Public Works and Safety to provide the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force one (1) police officer for the period January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Palmer and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. AGREEMENT BETWEEN MICHIGAN CITY BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY AND IU HEALTH FOR THE MICHIGAN CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT TO DISPENSE NARCAN Randy Novak, Michigan City Fire Chief addressed the Board stating this is an agreement with IU Health so that the EMT’s on the department can carry the drug Narcan and administer it to anyone who has a possible Heroin overdose; IU Health oversees the First Responders program for the county and that is why the agreement is with IU Health in La Porte; advising they would provide the drug as needed at no cost. Discussion ensued between Fire Chief Randy Novak and Prosecuting Attorney John Espar about every time the drug is dispensed a report must be filed in the Prosecuting Attorney’s office. Vice-President Palmer made a motion to sign the agreement to dispense Narcan for overdose patients in conjunction with IU La Porte Hospital. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. PERSONNEL – SHELLEY DUNLEAVEY – JOB DESCRIPTIONS Shelley Dunleavey, Personnel Director addressed the Board explaining the modifications to the job descriptions from various departments; advising that within the last year several positions have been eliminated from the budget which has prompted modifying and restructuring some departments. Mrs. Dunleavey stated these descriptions include the Airport, the Barker Mansion and City Forrester and Vector Control Officers advising these changes have been in effect since the beginning of 2016 and some since the end of June of 2015. Vice-President Palmer made a motion to approve the updated job descriptions for the Airport, Barker Mansion, City Forrester and Vector Control Departments as presented. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. NOTIFICATION OF RETIREMENT – POLICE OFFICER SCOTT MATZKE The following correspondence was received in the City Clerk’s Office on January 14, 2016: Dear Sir: I, Scott Matzke, herewith tender my retirement from the Michigan City Police Department, after having served 24 ½ years with the department. I respectfully request that my retirement be effective after the close of business on the 22nd day of January 2016. Officer Scott Matzke P.E. # 179 Regular Meeting – February 1, 2016 Page 5 President Janus thanked Officer Matzke for his years of service. NOTE: For informational purposes only. NOMINATIONS FOR THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR THE FIRE MERIT COMMISSION President Janus asked if there was anyone present that would like to make a nomination, there was one nomination currently by Mike Neulieb who is re-nominating David Gring. Fire Chief Randy Novak addressed the Board and nominated Patrick Vance for the Republican Candidate. Vice-President Palmer made a motion to close the nominations for the Republican Candidate for the Fire Merit Commission. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. Corporate Counsel Amber Lapaich addressed the Board stating that the City Clerk’s Office will now conduct a special election. Vice-President Palmer made a motion to set the election date as February 8, 2016 in the City Clerk’s Office from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.; with this being the only day the firefighters get to vote. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. Discussion ensued between Chief Novak and Corporate Counsel Amber Lapaich concerning who sends out the notice of the election; as well as proving the ballots and the lock box to place the ballots at the City Clerk’s Office. CLAIMS AND PAYROLL Vice-President Palmer moved that the claims set forth in the Register of Claims (in possession of the City Controller) and appearing in the Register be severally allowed and ordered paid and proper warrants for payment thereof hereby ordered issued in the stated amounts to person(s) and/or firm(s) as set forth, and payrolls approved. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion carries. The Board signed: Payroll items in Register of Claims for informational purposes (which Register is in the possession of the City Controller) as follows: Page Date Amount 1 of 6 01/08/2016 $390,222.40 Allowance of claims as set forth in the Register of Claims for the Board of Public Works and Safety and the Department of Redevelopment (which Register is in the possession of the City Controller) as follows: Regular Meeting – February 1, 2016 Page 6 Page Date Amount 1 of 4 01/28/2016 $509,074.56 1 of 1 01/28/2016 $1,387,844.21 1 of 1 02/03/2016 $7,752.09 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2 – 15 Minute Parking Signs at 218 W. 7th Street Craig Phillips, City Planner addressed the Board stating the Mayor has approved this to be continued as previously approved; however, when the business owner is gone for an extended period of time Central Services will get some covers and place them on the signs. Discussion ensued between Craig Phillips and Terry McGinnus about how to go about giving notice to Central Services when the business is closed and when to cover the signs. Vice-President Palmer made a motion to allow the 2 – 15 minutes Parking Signs to remain at 218 W. 7th Street, and Central Services to purchase covers for the signs to be implemented when the business is closed for an extended period. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. Pending Items – “Do Not Litter” Signage on Warnke Road Craig Phillips, City Planner, had no recommendation at this time. Pending Items – Intersection of Tryon Rd. and Hwy. 212 Charles “Spike” Peller, City Engineer, advised he has talked to the owner of the gas station at the corner of Tryon Rd. and Hwy. 212; however, what the owner indicated the problem to be is the vendor trucks that come to make deliveries are parking between the station and the highway. Mr. Peller has asked that the owner speak to these drivers and have them park in another location; advising if the Police Department sees one of these trucks in the right of way they might want to stop and communicate the concern; with regards to a signal, Mr. Peller stated he has received an email from INDOT stating they will conduct a comprehensive engineering investigation at this location that will include a 12 hour traffic count and an intensive review of crash reports. Vice-President Palmer made a motion that the Intersection of Tryon Rd. and Hwy 212 be removed from the Pending Items List. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. Demolitions President Janus addressed Russ Hatfield about the Demolitions that were ordered in the later part of 2015; asking if they had been completed. Russ Hatfield, Code Enforcement Officer, stated Barker Avenue is in process; 301 Dewey Street is almost complete; 414 E. 9th Street and 701 Union Street are complete; and 228 W. Coolspring Avenue is going to be started this week. Regular Meeting – February 1, 2016 Page 7 REQUEST FOR ROAD CLOSURE – SHELF ICE BREWFEST Virginia Keating made a motion to remove from the TABLE, the issue of request for road closure for the MainStreet Association. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Palmer and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. Discussion ensued between Vice-President Palmer and Ryan McGrath about needing a copy of a map of what would be closed, that the Board understands the concept that was last year but the Board needs to revisit what will be closed off and where items will be placed; asking if the local businesses have been contacted on all the streets that will be closed; the time the streets will be closed and the number of police officers and EMA volunteers needed. Mr. McGrath stated that even though there would be more people attending the event this year, he and Chief Swistek have agreed they were going to stick with the same number of officers as last year. Ryan Laughlin, MainStreet Association President, addressed the Board stating he would like to add that this has been discussed at the regular scheduled board meetings downtown with Haas and Associates for the last three meetings; adding these meeting are open to the public. President Janus asked if there was anyone from the public who wished to speak at this time. John Chalikan, 609 Franklin St. expressed his concerns about the closure of Franklin St. and the disruption it would cause to his business. Craig Phillips, City Planner addressed the Board with the specifics about the Shelf Ice BrewFest focusing on the area, time, and how the Police Chief stated this event was very well ran last year. Further Discussion ensued between the Board, Craig Phillips, and Ryan Laughlin about the street closure and the businesses that would be effected by this. Vice-President Palmer reminded Ryan McGrath that a map needs to be provided to the City Clerk’s Office; a letter stating Mr. McGrath is providing security for this event is needed, and finally to reiterate to the merchants the road closure and the reason why. Vice-President Palmer made a motion to allow Shelf Ice BrewFest to be held on February 20, 2016 as long as the merchants are notified of the road closure, a new map is needed in the City Clerk’s Office and a letter from Mr. McGrath stating he will provide security for this event. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. PUBLIC COMMENTS President Janus asked if there was anyone from the public who wished to speak at this time. John Chalikan, 609 Franklin Street addressed his concerns about the corner of 7th Street and Franklin Street where the old Walgreens Building once stood. Regular Meeting – February 1, 2016 Page 8 BOARD COMMENTS President Janus asked if there were any Board comments. Vice-President Palmer asked Charles “Spike” Peller about Wabash Street from Coolspring Avenue to Southwood Drive where there are no sidewalks and there is a lot of pedestrian traffic walking to Al’s Supermarket; Wabash Street is a narrow street to begin with, but could Mr. Peller at least look at this and at least try to get a sidewalk on one side of the street. ADJOURNMENT President Janus inquired whether there was anything else to be considered by the Board at this time and, there being none, declared the meeting ADJOURNED (approximately 9:55 am). Virginia Keating made the motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Vice- President Palmer and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Palmer and Keating (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. _________________________________________ Gale A. Neulieb, City Clerk