Board of Public Works & Safety

REGULAR ZOOM MEETING – January 18, 2022 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Michigan City, Indiana, met in REGULAR SESSION on Tuesday morning, January 18, 2022, at the hour of 8:30 a.m., hosted by “Zoom” and streaming live on “My Michigan City” Facebook page. The meeting was called to order by President, Virginia Keating, who presided. Noted present in person: Virginia Keating, Michael Vinson, and Mayor Parry (3), Absent: None (0). A QUORUM WAS NOTED PRESENT. Also noted in attendance: Kaleb Goodwin I.T. Webmaster Jeff Wright, City Engineer Captain Jeff Loniewski, M.C.P.D. Traffic Division Gale Neulieb, City Clerk Dawn Debald, Deputy Clerk ELECTION OF OFFICERS President and Vice-President Vice-President Keating asked if there were any nominations for President of the Board of Works. Mayor Parry made the motion to appoint Virginia Keating as President of the Board of Public Works and Safety. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Vinson and carried as follows: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members Keating, Vinson, and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. President Keating asked if there were any nominations for Vice-President of the Board of Works. Mayor Parry made the motion to appoint Michael Vinson as Vice-President of the Board of Public Works and Safety. The motion was seconded by President Keating and carried as follows: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members Keating, Vinson, and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Parry moved to approve the minutes of the Regular “Zoom” meeting of January 4, 2022; seconded by Vice-President Vinson. The minutes were approved by the following vote: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members, Keating, Vinson, and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. INSURANCE POLICY RENEWAL - Charles Keene, General Insurance Services is requesting approval for the City of Michigan City, along with the Sanitary District, for Worker’s Compensation Insurance and the Worker’s Compensation Buffer Layer Excess Insurance, Policy term 01/15/2022-01/15/2023 Charles Keene, General Insurance Services, addressed the Board explaining his request; stating the workers compensation insurance is $164,979.00 and the Buffer Layer Excess Insurance is $58,843.00 policy from January 15, 2022 to January 15, 2023. President Keating asked if there were any questions, there was no response. Mayor Parry made the motion to approve the request by Charles Keene General Insurance Services for the City of Michigan City, along with the Sanitary District, for Worker’s Compensation Insurance and the Worker’s Compensation Buffer Layer Excess Insurance, Policy term 01/15/2022- 01/15/2023. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Vinson and carried as follows: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members Keating, Vinson, and Parry (3). NAYS: None (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 Vinson and carried as follows: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members Keating, Vinson, and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. Regular Zoom Meeting – January 18, 2022 Page 2 PAYROLL DOCKET December 30, 2021 City Payroll $ 633,059.62 PAYROLL DOCKET December 31, 2021 City Pension $ 208,710.42 Mayor Parry made the motion to approve the payroll dockets for December 30, 2021 and December 31, 2021. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Vinson and carried as follows: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members Keating, Vinson, and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. PAYROLL DOCKET January 14, 2022 City Payroll $ Payroll Claims were not received in time to place them on the January 18, 2022, agenda CLAIMS DOCKET January 18, 2022 Municipal Claims $ 1,898,115.49 CDBG $ 25,704.02 Health & Life $ 337,527.66 Workers COMP $ 46,916.56 Total Claims - $ 2,308,263.73 Mayor Parry made the motion to approve the claims docket for January 18, 2022. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Vinson and carried as follows: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members Keating, Vinson, and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. UNFINISHED BUSINESS President Keating stated there are no items on the pending items/unfinished business list that need to be discussed at today’s meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS President Keating asked if there were any public comments. John Kirk, ESP Construction Manager for the Double Track Project, stated that Dave Merkel, Larson Daniel Construction is here to speak about the project. Dave Merkel, Larson Daniel stated that they are asking for the temporary closure of 11th Street for westbound traffic during the week of January 31, 2022, for public safety concerns while removing the Station House on 11th Street, advising they will use barricades and there will also be a NICTD flagger at the corner of Pine and 11th Street. President Keating asked if there were any questions or comments. Mayor Parry stated that the brick behind the terracotta panels is unstable and he has asked for a lane closure to be put into place immediately. Mr. Merkel stated that workers are currently removing any loose brick. Regular Zoom Meeting – January 18, 2022 Page 3 Discussion ensued between Mayor Parry and Mr. Merkel regarding the closure of 11th Street and westbound traffic. President Keating asked Jeff Wright, City Engineer if he wanted to weigh in on this matter. Mr. Wright explained we do need an exact plan of action and it needs to be done safely. Discussion further ensued between President Keating and Mr. Wright. President Keating asked Mr. Wright if he is asking for a meeting Mr. Wright stated that it can be a meeting; advising before a meeting takes place, we need a plan of the site in question before we start closing lanes on 11th Street. Gale Neulieb, City Clerk, stated that the Clerk’s office sent out a map of what is taking place and she can resend it. Mr. Wright stated that he would like the map from the Clerk’s Office, and he also needs traffic control plans from Mr. Merkel or Mr. Kirk. President Keating asked if there were any additional questions or comments. Vice-President Vinson asked if we are talking about closing the lane with detour signs for traffic westbound to go around the blocks other than flaggers making a two-way pass on the eastbound lanes. Discussion ensued between Vice-President Vinson and Mr. Wright regarding if flaggers are needed or if the lane will be closed over night; if so then this would have to be a road closure or lane closure setup with a detour. Mayor Parry made the motion to approve the temporary closure of 11th Street to westbound traffic during the week of January 31, 2022, for public safety concerns while removing the Station House on 11th Street, with barricades and a NICTD flagger at the corner of Pine and 11th Street; pending the review and approval of the plan of action by Jeff Wright, City Engineer. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Vinson and carried as follows: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members Keating, Vinson, and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. REQUEST FOR SIGNAGE – Councilman Don Przybylinski, 215 Gardena Street, is asking that INDOT is notified regarding missing Traffic Island markers showing where the beginning of the concrete curbs are located; concerns from the public that on Franklin Street in the Arts District vehicular traffic is going the wrong way on that street; concerns from the public about ADA compliant truncated domes. Councilman Don Przybylinski addressed the Board with concerns from the public regarding their tires blown out on Highway 12 as they came over the bridge by Blue Chip Casino where there are traffic islands; INDOT puts markers up to show where the beginning of the concrete curbs are located; on Wabash Street to Washington Street two (2) of those markers are missing; Pine Street to Washington Street there are three (3) markers are missing; Michigan Boulevard over the bridge to Blue Chip Casino Drive five (5) markers are missing; and Blue Chip Casino Drive to Cook Drive two (2) markers are missing; asking that this matter be placed on the pending items list and notify INDOT to get these markers fixed not only at the places mentioned, but also check the south end of Michigan City on Highway 421 and Highway 20; asking that INDOT survey these those traffic islands and get them repaired. Councilman Przybylinski addressed the Board with concerns from business owners on Franklin Street in the Arts District vehicular traffic going the wrong way; explaining the City Engineer can go look and see if there are “One Way” street signs on every corner; stating the lane markings from 11th Street going all the way down to the Michigan City Library needs to be restriped. Councilman Przybylinski addressed the Board with concerns regarding sidewalks downtown; advising at on the corners at the intersections need to have marked ADA truncated domes for sight impaired individuals making them ADA compliant downtown. President Keating asked Councilman Don Przybylinski if he could provide a list of the markers to the City Clerk’s Office. Councilman Przybylinski agreed to provide a list of the markers to the City Clerk’s Office. Mayor Parry asked Mr. Wright about the ADA requirements. Discussion ensued between Mayor Parry and Mr. Wright regarding the ADA requirements. Mayor Parry made the motion to place Councilman Przybylinski request for the markers on US Highway 12, the matter concerning the wrong way drivers down in the Arts District on Franklin Street, and the ADA compliant crossings downtown on the pending/unfinished business list until next meeting on February 7, 2022. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Vinson and carried as follows: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members Keating, Vinson, and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. BOARD COMMENTS President Keating asked if there are any Board comments. Vice-President Vinson addressed the Board thanking the Mayor and President Keating for the opportunity to serve the public. Regular Zoom Meeting – January 18, 2022 Page 4 President Keating stated that a couple citizens had complained about a dumpster that is in the traffic lane just south of 11th Street on Washington Street. Jeff Wright, City Engineer stated that the individuals with the dumpster applied for a dumpster permit which is valid for 30 days; they applied for this permit three (3) times and it was approved three (3) times. Discussion ensued between President Keating and Mr. Wright regarding when the permit expires and will the permit be renewed. Mr. Wright explained that the current permit will expire in a couple days and that he will not approve another permit. President Keating asked if there are any other questions or comments; there was no response. Mayor Parry made the motion to not renew the dumpster permit that is south of 11th Street on Washington Street. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Vinson and carried as follows: AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members Keating, Vinson, and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. President Keating stated this matter will be placed on the pending items/unfinished business list to be revisited at the February 7, 2022 meeting. 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 9:07 a.m. Mayor Parry made the motion to Adjourn. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Vinson. AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members Keating, Vinson, and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. _________________________________________ Gale A. Neulieb, City Clerk