Board of Public Works & Safety

REGULAR MEETING – May 6, 2020 ZOOM MEETING The Board of Public Works, and Safety of the City of Michigan City, Indiana met in regular session on Wednesday afternoon, May 6, 2020, at the hour of 2:30 p.m., local time, hosted by “ZOOM” and streamed live on “My Michigan City” Facebook page. The meeting was called to order by President Harris, who presided. Noted present: Keith Harris, Virginia Keating, Duane Parry (3) Absent: (0) A QUORUM WAS NOTED PRESENT. Also noted in attendance: Amber Lapaich, Corporate Counsel Kaleb Goodwin, IT Gale Neulieb, City Clerk Dawn Debald, Deputy Clerk Kristina Zawacki, Assistant Deputy Clerk APPROVAL OF MINUTES President Harris asked if there were any corrections to the minutes from the Regular Meeting of April 6, 2020. Vice-President Keating made the motion to approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting of April 6, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mayor Parry and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Harris, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. REMOVAL OF STOP SIGNS/PLACEMENT OF SIGNS-Jeff Wright, City Engineer, is requesting approval to remove various stop signs along Pine and Washington Streets and replace with “cross traffic does not stop” signs. President Harris addressed the Board stating he has seen some “cross traffic does not stop” signs put in place; advising one was located at 9th and Pine; questioning how this was done when it has not been approved by the Board. Yolla Espar, Espar & Espar Holding, 501 Pine Street addressed the Board stating that cars were going at least forty (40) MPH down Pine Street when she noticed the stop sign was taken down; advising this is the busiest street in the North part of town; explaining that she thought there are rules and regulations before someone removes signs; further stating there was an accident that occurred when the signs were taken down and then put back up; further advising in 2015 the City did a study on the importance of the stop signs on Pine and Washington Streets to improve speeds and safety on the busy streets. Mayor Parry responded to Ms. Espar stating that he would like to give background of the stop signs being taken down; advising the stop signs were put in place as a reminder for two way directional streets; explaining that he never received feedback saying how great the stop signs are, just how inconvenient they are; further stating he spoke with Jeff Wright, City Engineer and Skyler York, Planning Director about taking down some of the stop signs for traffic flow and lowering the speed limit due to this being a busy area for business with a fair amount of foot traffic; further advising that Mr. Wright had spoken to Jeff Loniewski, Traffic Division and they looked at what intersections would be okay without the stop signs and proceeded to remove them; further explaining that he knows that it should had been brought to the Board of Public Works meeting first, but they got ahead of themselves; continuing to explain that he believes the accident occurred due to the stop sign being taken out by a plow truck the night before the accident; stating if the Board wants to keep the stop signs then they will stay as is; but if they are removed he would like to lower the speed limit for the safety of the City; advising this will also provide better traffic flow and control. Michael Riley, Michael V. Riley and Associates, 501 Pine Street addressed the Board stating that if the Board of Public Works and Safety plans on taking down all the stop signs then they should eliminate the parking in front of the buildings on Pine Street so that you can see clearly all the way down the street; advising this will eliminate any possibility of accidents if you are pulling out of the parking lots in those locations. Patrick Reynolds, President, Ott/Haverstock and Lyn Haverstock CEO, Ott/Haverstock addressed the Board stating on the corner of 5th and Washington St. it is a unique intersection with all the businesses in the Uptown Arts District; advising it is very difficult sometimes to let traffic out from their parking lot during funeral processions; explaining between the liquor store and the Horizon Bank ATM, they are both open 7 days a week and there is a significant amount of traffic in the area; further stating there is also a lot of traffic coming off the lake; further advising that if the stop signs are removed it would be very detrimental for pedestrians as well as visitors to the funeral home and Horizon Bank. Chris Willoughby, Braje, Nelson and Janes, 126 E. 5th Street, addressed the Board stating that he believes if the Board of Works and Safety decides to remove the stop signs, it will pose a danger to pedestrians and bikers; advising the City has done a great job of growing events and helping the pedestrian traffic get to the businesses; explaining that maybe no stop signs is something everyone will eventually get used to, but based on daily observations we are going to have people trying to run across the street and this is an inconvenience; further stating that we can’t be too cautious with having multiple stop signs. Regular Meeting – May 6, 2020 Page 2 Councilmen Don Przybylinski addressed the Board stating that he timed his commute from 11th Street to Highway 12; advising he hit 2 stop lights and 4-5 stop signs and it only took him 3 minutes; advising the City spent 3 million dollars as part of the study in the downtown area a few years back; explaining this is where the 2 way traffic flow came about; the reason being that people will crisscross Franklin Street area and drive up and down Franklin Street making the stores more visible to the visitors that come to Michigan City; explaining from a safety point he believes that removing the stop signs and reducing the speed would not make a difference; drivers are still going to increase speed regardless of the lower speed limit; further stating that we want the downtown area to be pedestrian friendly and by taking down the stop signs this will not happen; further advising that he talked to the Michigan City Police department and you don’t want to take down the stop signs because the people that travel these areas get used to having a stop sign and it this would cause more confusion; further explaining the stop signs were put in a couple years ago due to recommendations that accidents were happening at certain intersections in the downtown area more so than other intersections; advising the accidents stopped after the stop signs were put in. President Harris asked the Board to table this for the time being so they can take more time to look at this. Vice-President Keating made a motion to table this matter for at least sixty (60) days. The motion was seconded by Mayor Parry and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Harris, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. TEMPORARY PARKING SIGNS- Skyler York, Planning Director, is requesting approval to provide temporary fifteen (15) minute parking signs at various locations within the downtown area for businesses and restaurants that are utilizing curbside service Vice-President Keating addressed the Board stating that she has a concern about the fifteen (15) minute parking and how this will be enforced; advising there is no way the Michigan City Police can enforce it. Mayor Parry addressed the Board stating that he was the one who came up with this idea for the many downtown businesses; explaining an example is that Horizon Bank’s employees use the diagonal parking spaces that are meant for the surrounding businesses that are trying to grow; advising we need these businesses for the future of Michigan City. Discussion ensued between Vice-President Virginia Keating, President Harris, Mayor Parry and Corporate Counsel, Amber Lapaich regarding the parking spaces being temporary parking spaces and what the duration for the signs will be. President Harris stated that Captain Loniewski was not opposed to the fifteen (15) minute parking signs as long as there was an end date; advising that Mayor Parry’s request seemed permanent. Mayor Parry replied that he did not intend for his request to be permanent, he intended for the temporary parking to last as long at COVID-19 required curb side pick-up per the Governor. Counsel Lapaich stated that as of May 11th the Governor stated that restaurants can be open at 50% capacity; advising the requirement was that they close curb side pickup only. Mayor Parry then withdrew his request due to the new requirements starting on May 11, 2020. Vice-President Keating made the motion to deny the request for the temporary fifteen (15) minute parking signs. The motion was seconded by President Harris and carries as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Harris, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. VENDOR LICENSE- Ron Landtroop “A Slice of Heaven” is requesting the renewal of his Mobile Food Vendor license (six (6) months) to be located at Brandt’s Old Fashion Feed and Pet Store located at 309 Michigan Boulevard Mayor Parry addressed the Board stating that he had spoken to Mr. Landtroop and there was a delay in getting his vendor license permit renewed because of an infraction in scheduling the Board of Public Works meeting. Mayor Parry made the motion to approve the request by Ron Landtroop, A Slice of Heaven to renew his mobile vendor license for six (6) months; located at Brandt’s Old Fashion Feed and Pet Store located at 309 Michigan Boulevard. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Harris, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. CLAIMS AND PAYROLL 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: CLAIMS DOCKET Municipal Claims $456, 730.87 Medical Trust Claims $277,506.28 Worker’s Comp $10,040.40 Health Life $21,853.22 Total Claims $766,130.77 Vice-President 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. The motion was seconded by Mayor Parry and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Harris, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. Regular Meeting – May 6, 2020 Page 3 PAYROLL DOCKET April 24, 2020 City Payroll Total: $527.247.99 Mayor Parry made the motion to approve the Payroll Claims as presented. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Harris, Keating, and Parry (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. May 1, 2020 City Pension Total: $234,611.46 Vice-President Keating made the motion to approve the City Pension total as presented. The motion was seconded by Mayor Parry and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Harris, Keating, and Parry (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. BOARD COMMENTS President Harris asked if there were any Board comments. Vice-President Keating wanted to thank everyone who participated in the discussion of the traffic sign removal; stating there were many comments made and she appreciates that and so did the Board. Mayor Parry agreed with Ms. Keating on how everyone handled themselves. ADJOURNMENT President Harris stated as there were no other items on the agenda to be considered by the Board at this time, declared the meeting ADJOURNED (approximately 3:25 p.m.). Vice President Virginia Keating made the motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mayor Parry and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Harris, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. _________________________________________ Gale A. Neulieb, City Clerk