Board of Public Works & Safety

REGULAR MEETING – January 3, 2017 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Michigan City, Indiana, met in REGULAR SESSION on Tuesday morning, January 3, 2017 at the hour of 8:30 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, Richard Murphy and Virginia Keating (3) A QUORUM WAS NOTED PRESENT. Also noted in attendance: Amber Lapaich, City Attorney Lt. Jeff Loniewski, M.C.P.D. Traffic Russ Hatfield, Code Enforcement Sue Downs, Code Enforcement Craig Phillips, City Planner Skylar York, Assistant City Planner Aaron Borngraber, Associate City Planner Charles “Spike” Peller, City Engineer Kalon Kubik, Administrator Gale Neulieb, City Clerk Jennifer Clouse, City Clerk Secretary ELECTION OF OFFICERS Virginia Keating made the motion to nominate Steve Janus for President and Richard Murphy for Vice-President. The motion was seconded by Richard Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Murphy and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. APPROVAL OF MINUTES President Janus asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of the Regular meeting of December 19, 2016 Virginia Keating made the motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Murphy and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. REQUEST FOR STREET CLOSURE – Chris Kiser is requesting street closure for the Annual Runnin’ for Prestin’ and All Children 5K/10K on Saturday, September 16, 2017 The following request was received in the City Clerk’s Office on December 21, 2016 by Chris Kiser: 5K/10K to start & finish @ Washington Park road closures would be minimal & manned by volunteer police & fire personnel. Proceeds to benefit pediatric cancer research at Riley’s Children’s Hospital. Regular Meeting – January 3, 2017 Page 2 Chris Kiser, 6666 W. Michael Place, Michigan City addressed the Board explaining this is an annual event that benefits pediatric cancer; street closures would be minimal and manned by volunteer police and fire personnel; asking for approval. Lt. Jeff Loniewski, M.C.P.D. Traffic Division addressed the Board stating this is one of the few events that is staffed by off duty officers therefore there is no overtime expense for the department; recommending approval. Virginia Keating made the motion to approve the request for the street closure for Runnin’ for Prestin’ to be held on September 16, 2017 contingent on the receipt of Liability Insurance naming the City as an additional insurer. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Murphy and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. REQUEST FOR STREET CLOSURE – The Main Street Association is requesting the closure of Franklin Street between 6th and 8th Streets and 7th Street ½ block both east & west (to alleyway) for the 3rd Annual Shelf Ice Brew Fest on Saturday, February 18, 2017 The following request was received in the City Clerk’s Office on December 27, 2016 by Johnny Stimley: The Main Street Association will once again have their 3 rd Annual Shelf Ice Brew Fest on February 18, 2017. We request the street closure from 8th to 6th Street down Franklin and on 7th to each alleyway. The closure would be from 5pm on Friday the 17th (to set up tents, tables, etc.) to Sunday the 19th till 12:00 noon. We will provide the Clerk’s Office with Liquor Liability Insurance and we have notified all the businesses in the downtown area already. Justin Post, Board Member of the Michigan City Main Street Association and the chair of the Shelf Ice Brew Fest committee addressed the Board explaining this is the same event as last year with the exception of one additional tent; Mr. Post has contacted the M.C.P.D. and Sgt. Ken Drake will be helping with security at the event; once there is approval from the Board, Mr. Post will provide the City Clerk’s Office with proof of insurance later in the week; asking for approval. Lt. Jeff Loniewski, M.C.P.D. Traffic Division addressed the Board stating this event does not require any overtime from the police department, it is staffed by off duty officers that are paid by Main Street Association; recommending approval. Corporate Counsel Amber Lapaich added that in addition to the General Liability Insurance, Liquor Liability is needed as well with the City being named as an additional insured. Vice-President Murphy commented that this event was a tremendously well organized, well executed event; Main Street Association does a great job working with all the City Departments to make it enjoyable for everyone. President Janus confirmed he did hear from one of the downtown merchants that they were notified of the event. Vice-President Murphy made the motion to allow for the closure of Franklin Street between 6th and 8th Streets and 7th Street ½ block east & west (to alleyway) for the 3rd Annual Shelf Ice Brew Fest on Saturday, February 18, 2017 contingent on the receipt Liquor and General Liability Insurance. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Murphy and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. Regular Meeting – January 3, 2017 Page 3 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL Vice-President Murphy 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, Murphy 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 7 12/22/2016 $397,371.00 1 of 3 12/29/2016 $211,967.17 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: Page Date Amount 1 of 3 01/03/2017 $189,654.81 1 of 1 01/04/2017 $12,068.94 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Demolitions Russ Hatfield, Code Enforcement Officer, addressed the Board stating he has received more documentation and title work on two (2) more properties he has been working on; at January 17, 2017 meeting Mr. Hatfield will have the Notice to Bidders ready to present to the Board for approval. 1123 W. 8th Street Russ Hatfield, Code Enforcement Officer, addressed the Board stating at the January 17, 2017 meeting he will have the Notice to Bidders ready to present to the Board for approval. 508 Holiday Street, 201 Vail Street, 207 Vail Street Russ Hatfield, Code Enforcement Officer, updated the Board that the owner has pulled permits and has started working on the properties; Mr. Hatfield added that progress is being made. Corporate Counsel Amber Lapaich addressed the Board that at the November 21, 2016 meeting the Board continued the Demolition Hearing until the January 3, 2017 meeting; the Board can make a motion to continue the hearing another 30 days if they wished. Regular Meeting – January 3, 2017 Page 4 Russ Hatfield, Code Enforcement Officer, asked that the Board continue the hearing for another 30 days. Virginia Keating made the motion to continue the matter of 508 Holiday Street, 201 Vail Street, and 207 Vail Street on the Unfinished Business list till the February 6, 2017 meeting. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS: Janus, Murphy and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. Purchase of City Owned Property next to 703 Nahas Street Corporate Counsel Amber Lapaich addressed the Board asking this be continued for one more meeting; one department did respond stating the City did own two other lots in this area and would it be possible for the City to develop in this area; Counsel Lapaich would like to talk to the City Planner farther about this request. Virginia Keating made the motion to continue the matter of the purchase of city owned property next to 703 Nahas Street till the next meeting on January 17, 2017 at 8:30 am. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Murphy and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. Snow Route Signage throughout the City Charles “Spike” Peller, City Engineer addressed the Board stating he is working with Craig Phillips, City Planner and Brad Minnick, Primera Engineering regarding what was done and what was not done during the Two-Way Street Conversion; Mr. Peller will report back at the January 17, 2017 meeting. Virginia Keating made the motion to continue the matter concerning the Snow Route Signage throughout the City till the next meeting on January 17, 2017. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Murphy and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. PUBLIC COMMENT Semi-Truck Signage on Larkspur Lane Councilman Don Przybylinski addressed the Board regarding the “Local Deliveries Only” Signage on Larkspur Lane that was approved at the December 19, 2016 meeting; Councilman Przybylinski asked that this request be revisited recommending the signage read “No Semi Trucks Allowed”. Craig Phillips, City Planner addressed the Board stating he had noticed in other cities the signage for no truck traffic states “ No Through Trucks”; Mr. Phillips will discuss this with the City Engineer and report back at the January 17, 2017 meeting. Councilman Don Przybylinski addressed the Board stating he does appreciate Mr. Phillip looking at other signage in other communities, believing the recommendation of “No Through Trucks” would be appropriate. Charles “Spike” Peller, City Engineer addressed the Board that he agrees with Mr. Phillips recommendation. Regular Meeting – January 3, 2017 Page 5 Vice-President Murphy made the motion to amend the last motion for truck signage on Larkspur Lane from “Local Deliveries Only” to read “No Through Trucks” with the final design to be determined by the Planning Department for recommendation at the January 17, 2017 meeting. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Murphy and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. BOARD COMMENTS STREET CLOSURE Vice-President Murphy addressed the Board regarding a brief street closing for the video trailer to promote the Shelf Ice Brew Fest; the closure would be at 7th and Franklin Street; asking for approval pending details. President Janus stated that once all the information was together a Special Meeting could be called. 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 8:55 am). Virginia Keating made the motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Vice- President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Janus, Murphy and Keating (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. _________________________________________ Gale A. Neulieb, City Clerk