Board of Public Works & Safety

REGULAR HYBRID/ ZOOM MEETING – May 15, 2023 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Michigan City, Indiana, met in REGULAR SESSION on Monday, May 15, 2023, at 8:30 a.m., hosted by “Hybrid/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: Amber Lapaich Stalbrink, Corporate Counsel Andrew White, Alco TV Chris Yagelski, Mayor’s Administrator Terry Greetham, Special Events Director Eric Williams, Assistant Events Coordinator Kyle Petter, Associate Planner Christine Vanderburg, Code Enforcement Officer Brian Wright, MCPD Traffic Skyler York, City Planner Yvonne Hoffmaster, Controller Janet Beutner, Promise Scholarship Director Cranston Harris, Central Maintenance Superintendent Andrew Matanic, IT Director Gale Neulieb, City Clerk Amanda Pickens, Assistant Deputy Clerk. APPROVAL OF MINUTES President Keating asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of the Regular “Hybrid/Zoom” meeting of May 1, 2023, there was no response. Vice President Vinson made a motion to approve the minutes as read of the Regular “Hybrid/Zoom” meeting of May 1, 2023; seconded by Mayor Parry and was approved by the following vote: AYES: Board members, Mayor, Vinson, and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. President Keating read the following item on the agenda. SPONSOR AGREEMENT - Terry Greetham, Special Events Director is requesting approval of the 2023 Singing Sands Sponsorship agreements between the City of Michigan City and following sponsors listed below • Michigan City Port Authority ($5,000) • Barker Mansion ($6,000) • Comcast- Greater Chicago Region ($6,000) • Sunset Grille ($2,000) Terry Greetham Special Events Director, addressed the board stating the sponsorships are part of the Community challenge which brings the total sponsorships to $47,000.00. President Keating asked if there were any comments from the public, there was no response. President Keating asked if the board had any questions or comments, there was no response. Vice President Vinson made a motion to approve 2023 Singing Sands Sponsorship agreements between the City of Michigan City and following sponsors listed below Michigan City Port Authority ($5,000), Barker Mansion ($6,000), Comcast- Greater Chicago Region ($6,000), Sunset Grille ($2,000)., second by Mayor Parry and the motion Regular Hybrid/Zoom Meeting – May 15, 2023 Page 2 carried by the following vote: AYES: BOW members Mayor, Vinson, and Keating (3) NAYS (0) Motion carries. President Keating read the following request on the agenda. PROFESSIONAL AGREEMENT REQUEST - A Professional Artistic Service agreement between Neil Kienitz and the City of Michigan City for his services creating and designing a painting for the 2023 Singing Sands Festival being completed by June, 1, 2023 in the amount of $8,000.00 Terry Greetham Special Events Director, addressed the board stating Neil Kienitz is a popular local artist who creates South Shore line posters, he will be creating a poster commemorating the Singing Sands Sculpting Festival. This is a great promotional opportunity, and the City will receive 930 prints and will sell those as souvenirs at events throughout the year. President Keating stated funding is in the place for this purchase. President Keating asked if there were any comments from the public, there was no response. President Keating asked if the board had any questions or comments, there was no response. Vice President Vinson made a motion to approve the Professional Artistic Service agreement between Neil Kienitz and the City of Michigan City for his services creating and designing a painting for the 2023 Singing Sands Festival being completed by June, 1, 2023 in the amount of $8,000.00; second by Mayor Parry and the motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BOW members Mayor, Vinson, and Keating (3) NAYS (0) Motion carries. President Keating read the following item on the agenda. SPONSOR AGREEMENT - Agreement between the Board of Public Works and Safety and Horizon Bank for their Sponsorship for the 2023” Oktoberfest ” being held on September 1 st through 4th, 2023, at Washington Park (Sponsorship of $2,500). Terry Greetham Special Events Director, addressed the board stating Horizon Bank is a new sponsor this year. President Keating asked if there were any comments from the public, there was no response. President Keating asked if the board had any questions or comments, there was no response. Vice President made a motion to approve the Agreement between the Board of Public Works and Safety and Horizon Bank for their Sponsorship for the 2023” Oktoberfest” being held on September 1st thru 4th, 2023, at Washington Park (Sponsorship of $2,500)., second by Mayor Parry and the motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BOW members Mayor, Vinson, and Keating (3) NAYS (0) Motion carries. President Keating read the following item on the agenda. REQUEST FOR STREET CLOSURE – Kevin, NICTD, is requesting the closure of Pleasant Avenue (this is not part of the double track project) to replace railroad tracks and ties, asphalt surface to also be replaced starting on Monday, June 5, 2023, 6:30 a.m.- Friday, June 16, 2023, 5:00 p.m . Alex Christmas Assistant Engineer NICTD, addressed the board asking for a 2-week closure but would like to finish up quickly and get the barricades down for a regular rehab project. Corporal Brian Wright, MCPD Traffic, recommends approval and will re-route traffic to Grace Street and Carroll Avenue. President Keating asked if there were any comments from the public, Regular Hybrid/Zoom Meeting – May 15, 2023 Page 3 Rodney McCormick 617 Union Street, asked the board to look into having NICTD cleaning up the train line with cutting grass and cleaning up the garbage. President Keating asked if the board had any questions or comments Mayor Parry stated he will go directly to NICTD Chesterton office and speak with the director regarding this matter. Vice President Vinson asked Mr. Christmas if for smaller intersections if one guardrail instead of two is possible. Mr. Christmas responded this is not his area and that’s a question for the “Double Track” team as the warning devices and gates will not be touched during this repair. Vice President made a motion to approve the closure of Pleasant Avenue (this is not part of the double track project) to replace railroad tracks and ties, asphalt surface to also be replaced starting on Monday, June 5, 2023, 6:30 a.m.- Friday, June 16, 2023, 5:00 p.m.., second by Mayor Parry and the motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BOW members Mayor, Vinson, and Keating (3) NAYS (0) Motion carries. President Keating read the following item on the agenda. SECOND AMENDMENT APPROVAL – Second Amendment to 2022-2024 Contract between the City of Michigan City, Indiana & The Fraternal Order of Police Dunes Lodge #75. Attorney Lapaich -Stalbrink stated the Council has already approved the amendments to the contracts for both Fire and Police. This will be coming out of the 2023 Public Safety LIT money will be utilized with a onetime bonus of $7,000.00 for Police and $6,500.00 for Fire, also for purpose of 2023 the tiers beneath first class will get a bump in pay to encourage recruitment for new hires; for 2024 wage increase to all the FOP a $7,000.00 and for Fire would be $6,500.00. President Keating asked if there were any comments from the public, Paul Przybylinski, 2nd Ward Councilman, stated this does raise the standard for current employees and would like to implement the new employment agreement for new hires. Rodney McCormick 617 Union Street, stated this has been a long time coming and hoping this will help get us back on track to have 90 police officers. President Keating asked if the board had any questions or comments, there was no response. Vice President made a motion to approve the Second Amendment to 2022-2024 Contract between the City of Michigan City, Indiana & The Fraternal Order of Police Dunes Lodge #75., second by Mayor Parry and the motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BOW members Mayor, Vinson, and Keating (3) NAYS (0) Motion carries. President Keating read the following item on the agenda. AMENDMENT APPROVAL – Amendment to 2022-2024 Contract between the City of Michigan City, Indiana & The Michigan City Firefighters Local #475. President Keating stated Attorney Lapaich Stalbrink has already addressed everything regarding to this contract. President Keating asked if there were any comments from the public, there was no response President Keating asked if the board had any questions or comments, there was no response. Vice President Vinson made a motion to approve the Amendment to 2022-2024 Contract between the City if Michigan City, Indiana & The Michigan City Firefighters Local #475., Regular Hybrid/Zoom Meeting – May 15, 2023 Page 4 second by President Keating and the motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BOW members Mayor, Vinson, and Keating (3) NAYS (0) Motion carries. President Keating read the following item on the agenda. REQUEST TO SOLICITE QUOTES – Andrew Matanic, IT Director , is requesting permission to solicit quotes for replacement cameras at Central Services and Central Maintenance Departments. Andrew Matanic, IT Director, addressed the board stating he is here to receive permission to solicit quotes for Central Services and Central Maintenance as the cameras are over 22 years old, attempted to purchase last year but due to supply chain issues was unable, the Council has approved and funding for this is through ARPA. President Keating asked if there were any comments from the public, there was no response President Keating asked if the board had any questions or comments Mayor Parry stated this is much needed. Vice President Vinson made a motion to approve permission to solicit quotes for replacement cameras at Central Services and Central Maintenance Departments., second by Mayor Parry and the motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BOW members Mayor, Vinson, and Keating (3) NAYS (0) Motion carries. President Keating read the following item on the agenda. EMERGENCY REPAIRS - Cranston Harris, Central Maintenance Superintendent, is requesting approval for emergency repairs to the fuel pumps located at Central Maintenance from Northern Indiana Mechanical in the sum of $18,951.00 . Cranston Harris, Central Maintenance Superintendent, addressed the board stating several reasons for an emergency repair for the fuel pumps at Central Maintenance as they are not in compliance and will receive a $15,000 fine. He has reached out to companies as Northern Indiana Mechanical is the only company to respond with a quote of $18,951.00. Further conversation ensued between the board and Cranston regarding purchasing policy, the guidelines and what repairs need to be completed. Attorney Lapaich-Stalbrink asked to table this for review of the IDEM letter. President Keating asked if there were any comments from the public, there was no response. President Keating asked if the board had any questions or comments, there was no response. Mayor Parry made a motion to table the emergency repairs to the fuel pumps located at Central Maintenance from Northern Indiana Mechanical in the sum of $18,951.00 until the June 5, 2023, second by Vice President Vinson and the motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BOW members Mayor, Vinson, and Keating (3) NAYS (0) Motion carries. President Keating read the following item on the agenda. REQUEST FOR ROAD CLOSURE - Jasmyn Kelley, Stepping Stones Shelter, is requesting a street closer starting on Lakeshore Drive at Washington Park in front of the Zoo to Stop 9 to Nevada Street to Lake Avenue to Fogarty Street to Krueger Avenue to Marine Drive; to Fedders Drive ending in front of the Splash Pad on Sunday September 2, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. for a 5K walk/run to raise funds for the “Stepping Stones Shelter for Women ” Deb Barnack Director of the Stepping Stones Shelter, stated this is a fundraiser 5K walk / run to raise necessary funds for Stepping Stones Shelter. Regular Hybrid/Zoom Meeting – May 15, 2023 Page 5 Corporal Brian Wright, MCPD Traffic, stated there is no issue with this event, he will coordinate EMA volunteers and work with the Street Department to get barricades. Attorney Lapaich Stalbrink, stated we will need an updated Certificate of Insurance. Deb Barnack stated our renewal is happening this month and will provide it to the Clerk’s Office. City Clerk Gale Neulieb, stated she will also need to get approval from the Park Department. President Keating asked if there were any comments from the public, there was no response. President Keating asked if the board had any questions or comments, Vice President Vinson asked this run is on Labor Day weekend will this conflict with any special events going on? Terry Greetham addressed the board stating this will not interfere with the Oktoberfest as this event will be over before the fest opens for the day. Vice President Vinson made a motion to approve a street closer starting on Lakeshore Drive at Washington Park in front of the Zoo to Stop 9 to Nevada Street to Lake Avenue to Fogarty Street to Krueger Avenue to Marine Drive; to Fedders Drive ending in front of the Splash Pad on Sunday September 2, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. for a 5K walk/run to raise funds for the “Stepping Stones Shelter for Women” pending the Park Board approval and a updated COI., second by Mayor Parry and the motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BOW members Mayor, Vinson, and Keating (3) NAYS (0) Motion carries. President Keating read the following item on the agenda. FORMAL APPROVAL – Christine Vanderborg, Code Enforcement Officer is requesting to solicit demolition bids for the following properties . ● 925 W. 7Th Street – Owner Housing Opportunities ● 425 N. Woodland Avenue – Owner Consuelo Tolson ● 207 Hendricks Street – Owner City Ahmed Realtor LLC. Christine Vanderborg, Code Enforcement Officer is requesting to solicit bid, bids went out last week and were published in the Newspaper. Pre bid meeting will be Wednesday May 17, 2023 and Open of Bids will be June 5, 2023 meeting. President Keating asked if there were any comments from the public, Paul Przybylinski 1716 Washington Street, Why are we tearing down Housing Opportunities housing? Are they an LLC, a non for profit? Christine Vanderborg, stated Housing Opportunities is a community-based operation to help people with low income get into housing. In this case the LaPorte County tax assessor gave them this property, but this property was too far gone to do anything with it, the funding for the demo will be covered by the CDBG program. Further conversation between Paul Przybylinski, Christine Vanderborg, and the board regarding the CDBG program and the process of this demo. Rodney McCormick, 617 Union Street, this is a long time coming and let’s get it done. President Keating asked if there were any board comments, Mayor Parry stated the administration is not in charge of the CBDG as all he does is appoint, Housing opportunities owns a lot of properties in this community. Regular Hybrid/Zoom Meeting – May 15, 2023 Page 6 Vice President Vinson made a motion to approve the solicitation of demolition bids for the following properties ● 925 W. 7Th Street – Owner Housing Opportunities ● 425 N. Woodland Avenue – Owner Consuelo Tolson ● 207 Hendricks Street – Owner City Ahmed Realtor LLC. ., second by Mayor Parry and the motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BOW members Parry, Vinson, and Keating (3) NAYS (0) Motion carries. CLAIMS AND PAYROLL President Keating read the BOW Claim Docket for May 5, 2023: PAYROLL DOCKET May 5, 2023 City Payroll $ 681,840.87 CLAIMS DOCKET May 15, 2023 Municipal $1,533,300.05 Health & Life Ins. Fund $ 112,938.07 CDBG $ 95,631.23 Total Claims: $ 1,741,869.35 Vice President Vinson made a motion to approve the City Payroll Dockets and the Claims Docket in the amount of $1,741,869.35 second by Mayor Parry and carried as follows: AYES: BOW members Parry, Vinson, and Keating (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries. UNFINISHED BUSINESS President Keating stated there is no unfinished business. PUBLIC COMMENT President Keating stated that the City ’s Website has the forms and explains the requirements and procedures for being placed on the Board Agenda. The forms are also available from the Clerk ’s office. Also called attention to the Board ’s Resolution #2823 enacted on December 6, 2021 and reading in pertinent part that Public Comment is limited to three (3) minutes. All comments are addressed to the Board President not to the individual Board members. All comments must be germane to and within the mandate authority of this Board. President Keating asked if there were any public comments, Rodney McCormick 617 Union Street, stated a few meetings back the board approved a streetlight in the alleyway of Emily and Miller Street, asking what the status as this job has never been completed as this is a huge public safety concern: also stating his concern regarding Zorn and the property as these effects citizens in the area. Brad Minnick, Haas & Associates, stated he will look into the streetlight request, investigate with NIPSCO, and follow up at the June 5, 2023 meeting. Paul Przybylinski 2nd Ward Councilman, addressed the board stating that NICTD is pulling freight trains and blocking all intersections at the north end for more than 15 minutes, this is going to create a problem as emergency vehicles are unable to get through and need to get through as minutes add up very quickly in an emergency situation. Michael Walker 7556 W. 200 North, stated he is here on behalf of his mother who resides at 913 Greene Street, there is construction behind and in front of her residence she is elderly and takes care of a quadriplegic at no point in time can an ambulance or emergency vehicles get to her residences, this needs to be addressed and fixed immediately. Mayor Parry stated he had put a phone call into NICTD, he will go to Chesterton today in person to find out what the status is. Regular Hybrid/Zoom Meeting – May 15, 2023 Page 7 BOARD COMMENT President Keating asked if there were any Board comments, there was no response. 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 09:25 a.m. Vice President Vinson made the motion to Adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mayor Parry. AYES: Board of Public Works and Safety members Keating, Vinson, and Parry (3). NAYS: None (0). Motion Carries . _________________________________________ Gale A. Neulieb, City Clerk