Board of Public Works & Safety

REGULAR MEETING – May , The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Michigan City, Indiana, met in REGULAR SESSION on Monday morning, May 15, 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 Vice-President Richard Murphy, who presided. Noted present: Richard Murphy and Virginia Keating (2) Absent: Steve Janus A QUORUM WAS NOTED PRESENT. Also noted in attendance: Amber Lapaich, City Attorney Asst. Chief Tim Richardson, M.C.P.D. Jim Michaels, Sanitary District Russ Hatfield, Code Enforcement Sue Downs, Code Enforcement Kalon Kubik, Mayor’s Office Aaron Borngrabber, Planning Department Skyler York, Planning Department Charles “Spike” Peller, City Engineer Darren Kaplan, M.C.P.D. Traffic Shelley Dunleavy, Personnel Director Michael Kuss, Sanitary District Gale Neulieb, City Clerk Kim Sliwa, Deputy City Clerk APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice-President Murphy asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of the Regular meeting of May 1, 2017. 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 Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: None ( ). Motion Carries. OPENING OF BIDS – Professional Digital Audio Visual System for the Fire Station Administration Building Gale Neulieb, City Clerk addressed that Board stating no bids were received. Vice-President Murphy asked if there was anyone present who wished to submit a bid at this time, there was no response. Virginia Keating made the motion to close the acceptance of bids for the Professional Digital Audio Visual System for the Fire Station Administration Building. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: None ( ). Motion Carries. Regular Meeting – May 15, 2017 Page 2 AWARDING OF BIDS – One ( ) Tandem Dump Truck for Central Services Corporate Counsel Amber Lapaich addressed the Board stating two (2) bids were received at the last meeting; Pozzo Truck Center Inc. is the lowest and most responsive bidder in the amount of $199,402.00; advising Mr. Zondor with Central Services, Mr. Deuitch with Human Rights and herself have reviewed the bids and the recommendation is to award to Pozzo Truck Center Inc. Virginia Keating made that motion to award the One (1) Tandem Dump truck for Central Services to Pozzo Truck Center Inc. being the lowest most responsive bidder in the amount of $199,402.00. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: None ( ). Motion Carries. AWARDING OF BIDS – Fire Station 8 & : Pavement Replacement Project Corporate Counsel Amber Lapaich addressed the Board stating she and Charles “Spike” Peller, City Engineer, the project engineer have reviewed the bids and the recommendation is to award the bid, specifically the Base Bid, Alternate 1 and Alternate 3 to Walsh & Kelly, Inc., who is the lowest and most responsive bidder in the amount of $336,416.50. Virginia Keating made the motion to award the bid for Fire Station 3 & 4 Pavement Replacement Project to Walsh & Kelly, Inc. who is the lowest most responsive bidder for the Base Bid, Alternate 1 and Alternate 3 in the amount of $336,416.50. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: None ( ). Motion Carries. REQUEST FOR TRAFFIC STUDY – Ryan Ebbesen, Carter Road, is requesting a traffic study at all intersections on Washington Park Boulevard and Lake Hills Road The following request was received in the City Clerk’s Office on April 19, 2017 by Ryan Ebbesen: The petition requests that the Board of Public Works and Safety do what they do best and determine if Stop Signs, Slow signs, or Children at Play signs are appropriate and where the best placement of these signs will be to effectively slow traffic and keep our children safe on Washington Park Boulevard and Lake Hills Road. Ryan Ebbesen, 210 Carter Road addressed the Board about concerns with the speed of the traffic on Washington Park Boulevard and Lake Hills Road; advising stop signs are not being requested at every intersection or speed bumps but there is only one (1) speed limit sign and he would like some type of signage to be present to slow down traffic. Andy Swan, 421 Lake Hills Road addressed the Board with concerns about the intersection of Childers Lane and Washington Park Boulevard; inquiring whether sidewalks were going to be installed along Lake Hills Road. Vice-President Murphy explained that Washington Park Boulevard is a result of the Community Crossing Grant that the City was awarded; advising an answer can be provided as to where Lake Hills Road improvements may stand. Charles “Spike” Peller, City Engineer addressed the Board explaining there is a stop sign available for at least one of the streets mentioned in the request; advising there is a yield sign at Carter Road and recommending replacing that yield sign with a stop sign; Mr. Peller read the report from Lt. Loniewski with the M.C.P.D. Traffic Division regarding the limited Regular Meeting – May 15, 2017 Page 3 number of traffic accidents in this area, Mr. Peller feels that there is not significant problems in this area that would necessitate the installation of additional stop signs or traffic signals; Mr. Peller gave his reasons about Slow Children Present signage stating it has been found those signs are sometimes counterproductive; Mr. Peller stated as part of the Community Crossings Grant the city is resurfacing a number of roads and the government states that if the road is resurfaced, the existing sidewalk has to be brought up to ADA compliance. Vice-President Murphy stated that based on the Mayor’s comments, the Board would like to ask the City Engineer and the Street Department to look at the concerns expressed by the residents and come back with recommendations at the next meeting. Kevin Ebbesen, 210 Carter Road; Tamara Macharaschwili, 436 Washington Park Boulevard; Colleen Lane, 721 Washington Park Boulevard; Herman Smith, Lake Hills Road; Felicia Johnson, 446 Washington Park Boulevard; Curtis Sheppard, 469 Washington Park Boulevard; Justin Post, 231 Fogarty Street; Tim Gonsorick, 108 Timm Court all addressed the Board regarding their safety concerns with speeding traffic along Washington Park Boulevard and Lake Hills Road. Assistant Police Chief Tim Richardson, M.C.P.D. addressed the Board stating he is familiar with the area and would suggest a stop sign in the area of Carter Road which is the half way point; advising he would like to talk with the residents first; further suggesting something needs to be done to slow traffic down like additional speed limit signage. Vice-President Murphy made the motion to refer the concerns of this request to the City Team to coordinate and offer a remedy to address the issue and report back at the June 5, 2017 meeting. The motion was seconded by Virginia Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: None ( ). Motion Carries. REQUEST FOR VENDOR LICENSE – Jack Elia, Blue Chip Casino, is requesting a Mobile Food Vendor License Jamie Morford, Compliance Manager for Blue Chip Casino LLC addressed the Board asking for approval for the Mobile Food Vendor License for the truck to operate in non-city sponsor events. Virginia Keating made the motion to approve the Mobile Food Vendor License request for Blue Chip Casino, LLC. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: None ( ). Motion Carries. REQUEST FOR STREET CLOSURE – Janet Bloch, Lubeznik Center for the Arts is requesting the closure of Washington Street North of nd Street for the Lubeznik Art and Artisan Festival for the weekend of August A – , Janet Bloch, Lubeznik Center for the Arts addressed the Board explained they are attempting to have the festival solely on the Lubeznik Center grounds; asking for approval. Tim Hass, Haas & Associates addressed the Board stating he is assisting the Lubeznik Center with the traffic plan; advising the closure is for Washington Street north of 2nd Street; advising Ms. Bloch has spoken to the owners of 100 Washington and they are in favor and have no objections; Mr. Haas stated in addition they would like the curve on southbound Franklin Street to get off onto westbound 2nd Street be closed as well but only as a temporary closure for a few hours on two (2) different days, this allows for the artists to park and unload their vehicles and load them at the end of the day; further advising another request involves the sidewalk along the curve area starting at approximately the Lubeznik Regular Meeting – May 15, 2017 Page 4 Center’s north property line going along the west side of Franklin Street then south along the curve and west along 2nd Street all the way to Washington Street; advising there will be signage with arrows pointing to show where to cross at the closures. Janet Block advised the Board there were some volunteer crossing guards last year; advising the neighbors are aware of the event; further advising the Lubeznik Center has parking permission from Lighthouse Mall and Blue Chip Casino with a trolley that will be cost free; Ms. Block stated that Emergency Management will be assisting this year with the crossing guard duties. Skylar York, Assistant City Planner addressed the Board stating with the new traffic configuration he believes this plan will work out fine. Discussion ensued between Janet Block and Assistant Police Chief Tim Richardson regarding whether there will be a tent erected, parking issues and sidewalk closures due to the old police station not being available for parking asking where people will park. Tim Haas addressed the Board regarding his concerns about the sidewalk closure stating this was because of the booth setup along the sidewalk, the booths will face the sidewalk He suggested that better signage might be an option directing foot traffic to walk down the right of way that goes into the DNR building (Water Street). Virginia Keating made the motion to approve the request for the Lubeznik Center for the Arts for the closure on August 18 – 20, 2017 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm of Washington Street incorporated the description as provided to the Board with the stipulation that there be signage directing pedestrians along Water Street so that pedestrian traffic is a little safer. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: None ( ). Motion Carries. DEMOLITION UPDATE – John Blosky/Steven Travis, Amereco Engineering will provide an update for the demolition of - Franklin Street The following request was received in the City Clerk’s Office on May 3, 2017 by John Blosky/Steven Travis: Provide an update to the Board regarding the progress of the Environmental Remediation and Demolition project. Steven Travis, Amereco Engineering addressed the Board with an update advising Green Demolition was awarded the project; further advising the timeline is for three (3) weeks, within this time the building will be torn down, the site will be back filled and seeded; Mr. Travis advised Green Demolition will be working Saturdays and Sundays. Skyler York, Assistant City Planner addressed the Board stating the business owners have been notified. REQUEST TO SOLICIT BIDS – Charles “Spike” Peller, City Engineer is requesting to solicit bids for the Flexible Sidewalk Project Charles “Spike” Peller, City Engineer addressed the Board explaining the city has a lot of trees in the parkways along the streets; advising this would replace the existing plastic and rubber sidewalks; asking for approval. Regular Meeting – May 15, 2017 Page 5 Virginia Keating made the motion to approve the request to solicit bids for the 2017 Flexible Sidewalk Project. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: None ( ). Motion Carries. AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES – Agreement between Michigan City Board of Public Works and Safety and Indiana Landmarks Corporate Counsel Amber Lapaich addressed the Board explaining this is the annual agreement to provide Professional Assistance and Advice to the Historic Review Board in the sum of $6,500.00 annually; asking for approval. Virginia Keating made the motion to approve the agreement between the Michigan City Board of Works and Safety and the Indiana Landmarks for Professional Services in the sum of $6,500.00 annually. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: None ( ). Motion Carries. DISCIPLINARY EXTENSION REQUEST – Randy Novak, Chief M.C.F.D. is requesting to extend the time to investigate a disciplinary issue till May 8 , Corporate Counsel Amber Lapaich addressed the Board stating this was for Informational Purposes Only; advising this is per the contract, the Board is to be notified. REQUEST TO SOLICIT BIDS – Charles Peller, City Engineer is requesting to solicit bids for the Pavement Marking Project (TABLED at the May , Regular Meeting) Virginia Keating made the motion to take the 2017 Pavement Marking Project off the TABLE. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: None ( ). Motion Carries. Charles “Spike” Peller, City Engineer addressed the Board explaining this would be to update the pavement markings throughout the city; asking for approval. Virginia Keating made the motion to approve the request to solicit bids for the 2017 Pavement Marking Project. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: None ( ). Motion Carries. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING – Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Michigan City through the Michigan City Police Department and the Michigan City Area Schools Food Service Department for the use of Cleveland Park for a Summer Food Service feeding site from June , to July A, Corporate Counsel Amber Lapaich addressed the Board explained the Michigan City Area School Food Service Department would like to use the park behind the Police Station as a staging area for the Summer Lunch Program for kids starting June 5, 2017 and ending July 28, 2017; advising nothing is required of the city; asking for approval. Assistant Chief Tim Richardson addressed the Board stating he thought it was exciting that people want to use the park behind the Police Station and is hoping to interact with the kids on certain days; advising it is in everyone’s best interest. Virginia Keating made the motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding and to give the Police Chief permission to execute the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Michigan City and the Michigan City Area School Food Service Department for the use of Regular Meeting – May 15, 2017 Page 6 Cleveland Park from June 5, 2017 to July 28, 2017 for the Summer Lunch Program. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: None ( ). Motion Carries. CLAIMS AND PAYROLL Virginia Keating 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 Vice-President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: None ( ). 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 of A 05/12/2017 $407,382.25 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 5 05/12/2017 $552,188.01 1 of 1 05/17/2017 $7,411.06 UNFINISHED BUSINESS th Closure of West Street for demolition of - Franklin Street Discussion ensued between Vice-President Murphy and Counsel Lapaich regarding the request being approved previously; advising there was a representative present from Green Demolition if there was any questions. Cook Street Russ Hatfield, Code Enforcement Officer addressed the Board explaining he has explained before this is a unique situation, but does have a few suggestions for Counsel Lapaich; hoping to get this in front of the Board for approval. Walker Street Russ Hatfield, Code Enforcement Officer addressed the Board stating he is working on this one right now; advising he wants to allow for time for the Boards review, publication and pre bid conference. Regular Meeting – May 15, 2017 Page 7 Street Light at H I Warnke Road Vice-President Murphy addressed the Board stating he has not had a chance to look at this area in the dark; advising he would like to leave this on the Pending Items List so he can look at this area and will make it a priority for the next meeting. Hero’s Hospitality Vendor License Skyler York, Assistant City Planner addressed the Board stating a meeting has been scheduled between himself and the owner of the business to figure out his locations; Mr. Munari did provide his proof of insurance; requesting this request remain on the Pending Items List for the next meeting and Mr. York will have a plan to present to the Board. PUBLIC COMMENT Vice-President Murphy asked if there were any Public comments at this time. Michael Kuss, General Manager Sanitary District gave an update on the re seeding of the grass along the Michigan Boulevard parkways; advising he received a quote from the contractor that is taking care of Michigan Boulevard and the quote was low enough that the Sanitary District will go ahead with the quote and pay for the expense. BOARD COMMENTS Vice-President Murphy asked if there were any Board comments at this time, there was no response. ADJOURNMENT Vice-President Murphy inquired whether there was anything else to be considered by the Board at this time and, there being none, declared the meeting ADJOURNED (approximately 9:25 am). Virginia Keating made the motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Vice- President Murphy and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Murphy and Keating ( ). NAYS: ( ). Motion Carries. _________________________________________ Gale A. Neulieb, City Clerk