Board of Public Works & Safety

REGULAR ZOOM MEETING – January 4, 2021 pThe Board of Public Works, and Safety of the City of Michigan City, Indiana met in regular session on Monday morning, January 4, 2021, at the hour of 8:30 a.m., local time, hosted by “ZOOM” and streamed live on “My Michigan City” Facebook page. The meeting was called to order by President, Andrew White, who presided. Noted present: Andrew White, Virginia Keating, Mayor Duane Parry (3) Absent: (0) A QUORUM WAS NOTED PRESENT. Also noted in attendance: Amber Lapaich, Corporate Counsel Kaleb Goodwin, IT/Web Designer Jeff Wright, City Engineer Skyler York, Planning Director Gale Neulieb, City Clerk Kristina Zawacki, Assistant Deputy Clerk ELECTION OF OFFICERS Mayor Parry made the motion to nominate Andrew White for President. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS Keating and Parry (2). NAYS: (0). ABSTAINED: White (1). Motion Carries. Mayor Parry made the motion to nominate Virginia Keating for Vice-President. The motion was seconded by President White and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS White and Parry (2). NAYS: (0). ABSTAINED: Keating (1). Motion Carries. APPROVAL OF MINUTES President White moved the minutes of the Regular “Zoom” meeting of December 21, 2020 be approved as printed. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Keating. The motion carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS White, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. APPROVAL TO POST NOMINATIONS Joe Zerbes, Vice-President, Michigan City Firefighter’s Association Local #475 is requesting approval to post nominations at each Fire Station for the Fire Merit Commission starting January 4, 2021 – Monday, January 18, 2021 Mayor Parry made the motion to approve the request by Joe Zerbes, Vice-President, Michigan City Firefighter’s Association Local #475 to post nominations at each Fire Station for the Fire Merit Commission starting January 4, 2021 – January 18, 2021; and submit nominations in writing to the Clerk’s Office. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Keating. The motion carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS White, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. CLAIMS AND PAYROLL Mayor Parry 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 Keating and carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS White, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. CLAIMS DOCKET January 4, 2021 Municipal Claims $2,704,756.99 CDBG $45,108.24 Health & Life $702,820.99 Workman’s Comp $10,600.00 Total Claims $3,463,286.22 Allowance of claims as set forth in the Register of Claims as follows: Regular Zoom Meeting – January 4, 2021 Page 2 PAYROLL DOCKET December 18, 2020 City Payroll Total: $1,148,860.28 UNFINISHED BUSINESS- President White stated the first item on the Pending Items List is a request from Paul Przybylinski concerning unused old hanging poles/wires that belong to NIPSCO/Comcast that need to be removed from City right-of-way Jeff Wright, City Engineer, stated that he has sent a couple of letters to Comcast and NIPSCO about redundant wires and poles and has not received a response back from either company; advising he spoke to the Mayor about this issue and has done everything he can do explaining someone with more pull needs to address this matter. Discussion ensued between Vice-President Keating and Mr. Wright regarding if he has a list of the poles and who owns them. Mr. Wright stated he does not have a definitive list. Mr. Wright stated he agrees with Councilman Paul Przybylinski, that the poles do need to be addressed and taken care of; advising if they do not get taken care of then the issue is just going to get worse. Mayor Parry asked Mr. Wright if he had phone numbers for the companies. Mr. Wright stated that he did. Mayor Parry continued that he would make phone calls to the companies to get this sped up and taken care of. President White stated the next item on the Pending Items List is a request from James Taylor, requesting roadway access on Huron Avenue and would also like a streetlight installed Jeff Wright, City Engineer, addressed this request stating that he did not have any new information, explaining to develop this property requires utilities, both Water and Sanitation; advising he believes that the City has no issues creating an access road depending on available funds; further stating this wouldn’t be until April and May; further advising the developer needs to look into costs of installing the utilities and if it is in their budget; further stating the City needs a commitment up until they install their utilities before they spend money on building the road; stating Mr. Taylor needs to contact the Sanitary and Water District; advising the City does have an interest in developing that section of road. Mayor Parry made the motion to amend this request and revisit this item on the first Board of Works meeting in April, which is Monday, April 5, 2021. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Keating. The motion carried as follows: AYES: MEMBERS White, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: (0). Motion Carries. President White stated the next item on the Pending Items List is a request from Cora Cambridge, 220 Gladys Street, is requesting NIPSCO to switch the pole around in front of 227 for the light to hang over the street and not on the private property President White stated this item was approved at the December 21, 2020 meeting and will stay on the pending items/unfinished business list until it is completed. President White stated the next item on the Pending Items List is a request from Pamela Utterback, representing Shoreland Hills Property Owners Association, 203 Maplewood Trail, is requesting paving in the Shoreland Hills Subdivision President White stated that the Board will revisit this request at the first meeting in March, which is Monday, March 1, 2021, due to the City not having the funds to re-pave the area at this time. President White stated the next item on the Pending Items List is a request from John Chalikian, 609 Franklin street-No access to property and drainage issues President White stated that this item stays on the pending items/unfinished business list until the first meeting in March, which is Monday, March 1, 2020 due to the City not having the funds in the budget at this time. President White stated the next item on the Pending Items List is a request from Don Przybylinski, 215 Gardena Street-for the City to have an audit done on the ADA accessible crossings Jeff Wright, City Engineer, addressed the concern over the ADA accessible crossing advising the City has a maintenance contract with Midwest Electric and he directed them to proceed with an audit along Franklin Street from US 20 up to 2nd Street; explaining as they proceed with the audit, they were ordered to make repairs; stating he received a phone call from Mr. Don Przybylinski explaining that he was wanting a city-wide audit; continuing to explain he did not want to authorize Midwest Electric to audit the whole city until we have a better understanding about how much it is going to cost when we receive an estimate from them. Regular Zoom Meeting – January 4, 2021 Page 3 President White stated that this matter will stay on the unfinished business list and be readdressed as more information becomes available. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. BOARD COMMENTS There were no Board comments ADJOURNMENT The presiding officer inquired whether there was anything else to be considered by the Board at this time and, there being none, asked for a motion to ADJOURN the meeting at approximately 8:48 a.m. Vice-President Keating made the motion to Adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mayor Parry. _________________________________________ Gale A. Neulieb, City Clerk