Board of Public Works & Safety

REGULAR ZOOM MEETING – May 17, 2021 The Board of Public Works, and Safety of the City of Michigan City, Indiana met in regular session on Monday morning, May 17, 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 and Mayor Duane Parry (3). A QUORUM WAS NOTED PRESENT. Also noted in attendance: Amber Lapaich, Corporate Counsel Steve Forker, M.C.P.D. Jeff Wright, City Engineer Kaleb Goodwin, I.T. Webmaster Gale Neulieb, City Clerk Dawn Debald, Deputy Clerk APPROVAL OF MINUTES President White asked if there were any corrections to the minutes from the Special “Zoom” meeting of April 28, 2021 and the Regular “Zoom” Meeting of May 3, 2021. Mayor Parry moved to approve the minutes of the Special “Zoom” meeting of April 28, 2021 and the Regular “Zoom” meeting of May 3, 2021; seconded by Vice-President Keating. President White stated the Board of Public Works and Safety will now be doing roll call votes on each item that is approved. The minutes were approved by the following vote: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members White, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. REQUEST FOR SOLICITATION OF BIDS/APPROVAL OF BID PACKET – Jeff Wright, City Engineer, is requesting approval to solicit bids for the 2021 Cleveland Avenue – Kieffer Road (CR400) to U.S. Highway 20 Jeff Wright, City Engineer addressed the Board explaining the project; stating the estimate for the project is 1.4 million dollars; advising he is ready to go out and solicit bids. Corporate Counsel, Amber Lapaich-Stalbrink advised she has reviewed the documents, and everything is in order. Vice-President Keating made the motion to approve the solicitation of bids and approval of the bid packet for the 2021 Cleveland Avenue – Kieffer Road (CR400) to U.S. Highway 20. The motion was seconded by Mayor Parry. The request was approved by the following vote: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members White, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. REQUEST FOR STREET CLOSURE – Steve Gropp, South Shore Freight, is requesting approval to close Roeske Avenue at South Shore freight crossing for railroad renewal to replace track and roadway surface; starting on Tuesday, June 1-4, 2021 from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Steve Gropp, Assistant Road Master, South Shore Railroad, addressed the Board stating the Roeske Avenue crossing is old and worn out so they are asking for street closure to remove and replace the road surface and track. Discussion ensued between President White and Mr. Gropp regarding if South Shore has been in contract with GAF about the work that they will be doing. Mr. Gropp stated yes, South Shore has been in contact with GAF and they are in agreement with the proposals. Steve Forker, M.C.P.D. advised that he had spoken to Captain Jeff Loniewski, M.C.P.D. Traffic Division (who was not in attendance at the meeting) and he recommends approval of this project. Mayor Parry made a motion to approve the request by Steve Gropp, South Shore Freight to close Roeske Avenue at South Shore Freight crossing for railroad renewal to replace the track and roadway surface; starting on Tuesday, June 1-4, 2021 from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Keating. The request was approved by the following vote: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members White, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. Regular Zoom Meeting – May 17, 2021 Page 2 REQUEST FOR SIGNAGE – Councilman Bryant Dabney, representing James Calvin, 401 Grace Street is requesting “no parking” signs to be placed along Grace Street near his home. Councilman Dabney addressed the Board stating the intersection itself is busy and loitered; advising that people park on both sides of the street and it is hard to get through on Grace Street; advising they are hoping with the addition of the “no parking” signs, they can clear the congestion in that area. Steve Forker, M.C.P.D. addressed the Board stating that he spoke with Captain Jeff Loniewski, M.C.P.D. Traffic Division regarding this issue and Captain Loniewski agrees with Councilman Dabney that this area is heavily loitered; explaining the residents of this area have off street parking; recommending approval of this request. Discussion ensued between Mayor Parry and Councilman Dabney regarding if the “no parking” signs are going to be on one side of the street. Councilman Dabney stated, yes that is correct; on the immediate side of the Mr. Calvin’s residence; asking the M.C.P.D. to start enforcing “no parking” along Grace Street once the signs are installed. Discussion ensued between Jeff Wright, City Engineer and Councilman Dabney regarding if the request for “no parking” signs is the entire block of Grace or just thirty feet from the intersection. Councilman Dabney stated the first thirty to fifty feet of the immediate property line of Mr. Calvin. President White made the motion to approve the installation of “no parking” signs adjacent to 401 Grace Street on the Grace Street side of the street along the property line of the home. The motion was seconded by Mayor Parry. The request was approved by the following vote: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members White, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. REQUEST FOR STREET CLOSURE – Sharon Dunn, 116 Louisiana Avenue is requesting street closure on Louisiana Avenue from Lakeshore Drive intersection going north to the intersection of Colfax Avenue for a Family Reunion Block party on Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. Sharon Dunn, 116 Louisiana Avenue addressed the Board explaining her request; stating that she has obtained her Certificate of Insurance and sent it to the Clerk’s Office. Steve Forker, M.C.P.D. advised that he spoke to Captain Jeff Loniewski, M.C.P.D. Traffic Division and from the Police Department’s standpoint they have been trying to get away from blocking off blocks for private parties; advising Captain Loniewski would like this request referred to the Board for their recommendation. Discussion ensued between Vice-President Keating, Mayor Parry and Ms. Dunn regarding if there is an alternative route that traffic can take when entering and leaving the area. Ms. Dunn explained various routes that can be taken. Discussion continued between Mayor Parry and Ms. Dunn regarding the hours of the reunion. Ms. Dunn stated the reunion will be starting at 9:00 a.m. and should be wrapped up between 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. Discussion further continued between President White and Officer Forker regarding the Runnin for Prestin 5K-10K run/walk that is happening on the same day between 7:45-9:30 a.m. and the half hour overlap from 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. for both events. Discussion further ensued between Vice-President Keating and Officer Forker regarding if M.C.P.D. looked into the alternative routes and parking for the event. Officer Forker stated the alternative routes are acceptable; advising at that time of year, there should not be a lot of traffic in the area; explaining that M.C.P.D. has no issues with the request. President White made the motion to approve the request by Sharon Dunn for street closure on Louisiana Avenue from Lakeshore Drive intersection going north to the intersection of Colfax Avenue for a Family Reunion block party on Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Keating. The request was approved by the following vote: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members White, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. REQUEST FOR 5K/10K WALK-RUN- Christine Kiser, 6666 W. Michael Place, Runnin for Prestin is requesting approval for the annual 5K/10K walk-run to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research on Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 7:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Christine Kiser, 6666 W. Michael Place addressed the Board stating this is the 9th annual Runnin for Prestin event; advising there are no changes to the course from previous years; explaining they will be using volunteers for road management and participant safety. Steve Forker, M.C.P.D. advised that Captain Jeff Loniewski, M.C.P.D. Traffic Division recommends approval of this event. Regular Zoom Meeting – May 17, 2021 Page 3 Vice-President Keating stated this has been a long-standing event and she has no issues or concerns with it. Corporate Counsel, Amber Lapaich-Stalbrink stated we will need their Certificate of Insurance no later than thirty days prior to the event. President White made the motion to approve the request by Christine Kiser for the 9th Annual 5K/10K Runnin for Prestin walk/run to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research on Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 7:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.; subject to the receipt of the Certificate of Insurance no later than thirty days prior to the event. The motion was seconded by Mayor Parry. The request was approved by the following vote: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members White, Keating and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. Mayor Parry addressed the Board stating he was summoned to a Police Pension Board meeting which he is the President and needs to leave the Board of Works meeting at this time. FARMER’S MARKET AGREEMENT- Dee Haddad, Farmer’s Market Manager, is requesting approval of the Farmer’s Market agreement between the City of Michigan City, Indiana and Sarah Tristano – JuJu’s Aguas Frescas Corporate Counsel, Amber Lapaich-Stalbrink stated she reviewed the paperwork and it is good to go. Dee Haddad, Farmer’s Market Manager addressed the Board giving a background on the two vendors for which she is seeking approval. President White made the motion to approve the Farmer’s Market agreement between the City of Michigan City, Indiana and Sarah Tristano- JuJu’s Aguas Frescas. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Keating. The request was approved by the following vote: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members White and Keating (2). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. FARMER’S MARKET AGREEMENT- Dee Haddad, Farmer’s Market Manager, is requesting approval of the Farmer’s Market agreement between the City of Michigan City, Indiana and Vida Kluko – Encounter, LLC. President White made the motion to approve the Farmer’s Market agreement between the City of Michigan City, Indiana and Vida Kluko- Encounter, LLC. The motion was seconded by Vice- President Keating. The request was approved by the following vote: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members White and Keating (2). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. CLAIMS AND PAYROLL President White 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: Board of Public Works and Safety members White and Keating (2). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. CLAIMS DOCKET May 17, 2021 Municipal Claims $ 1,218,421.20 CDBG $ 34,027.73 Health Life $ 268,511.02 Workers Comp. $ 32,932.64 Ohio Street project oper FD $ 1,400.00 Total Claims - $ 1,555,292.59 Allowance of claims as set forth in the Register of Claims as follows: PAYROLL DOCKET May 7, 2021 City Payroll Total: $525,192.70 President White made the motion to approve the payroll dockets for April May 7, 2021. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Keating and carried as follows: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members White and Keating (2). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. Regular Zoom Meeting – May 17, 2021 Page 4 UNFINISHED BUSINESS President White stated the first item on the pending item/unfinished business list is Paul Przybylinski, a concern over old hanging poles/wires that belong to NIPSCO or Comcast that need to be removed from City right-of-way President White asked if Jeff Wright, City Engineer had any new information regarding this matter. Mr. Wright addressed the Board stating he did speak to Comcast and they indicated that they transferred over 500 lines to NIPSCO lines; however, they didn’t state how many poles were removed; explaining an email was sent out to the Council, the Board of Works, the Mayor and everyone that was wanting poles removed within the City to provide addresses and locations of the poles; advising he didn’t hear anything back from anyone; commenting that in the email that was sent out, he stated that it was his intention on the 7th of May to inform Comcast they are in the clear and there are no other locations that need to be addressed; recommending this item be removed from the pending items/unfinished business list. President White made a motion to remove the matter regarding old hanging poles/wires that belong to NIPSCO and Comcast that are in the City right-of-ways from the pending items/unfinished business list. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Keating. The request was approved by the following vote: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members White and Keating (2). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. President White stated the next item on the pending items/unfinished business list is Councilman Don Przybylinski requested that signage (rough crossings) signs be placed at Ohio Street and Tilden Avenue CSX crossings President White stated that he received and email from Shong Smith, Director M.C. Central Services indicating the signs have been posted at both locations; explaining at the last meeting, it was discussed that communication would be sent to CSX from the Mayor asking them to kindly take care of the repairs that are desperately needed at both crossings; stating he would like this to stay on the pending items/unfinished business list as a reminder that we need an update on how the communications are going. Jeff Wright, City Engineer addressed the Board stating an email was sent out to all involved with telephone and crossing numbers for CSX; advising the railroads are good at keeping up with their tracks, they are just slow. PUBLIC COMMENTS President White asked if there was anyone from the public who wished to speak; there was no response. BOARD COMMENTS President White asked if there are any Board comments; President White stated there was a Town Hall meeting on gun violence that was held on May 13, 2021 at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church; advising he attended the workshop and was impressed; it was very productive and well done; explaining we need to have conversations like this and hopefully they will bring change to our communities going forward. 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 9:14 a.m. President White made the motion to Adjourn. The motion was seconded by Vice- President Keating. AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members White and Keating (2). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. _________________________________________ Gale A. Neulieb, City Clerk