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HomeMy Public PortalAbout04-16-1998 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA,APRIL 16,1998 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond,Indiana,met at 5 p.m.Thursday,April 16„ 1998,in the Board of Works Room in the Municipal Building. Chairperson Robert Goodwin presided, with Robin Henry,Bruce Metzger and Assistant City Attorney Steve Rabe in attendance.The following business was conducted: APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the April 9, 1998 meeting,were approved on a motion by Metzger,second by Henry and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT Claims for payment submitted by the City Controller's office were read by Henry who noted they totaled $92,818.79 and moved to approve,second by Metzger and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Chairperson Goodwin stated that the Board had conducted the hearings regarding Firefighter Tim Thomas, and has arrived at a decision.Henry read a prepared statement into the minutes,which was as follows: "The Chief has requested that Mr.Thomas's employment with RFD be terminated.We have found that Mr. Thomas engaged in intentional conduct that resulted in an admission of theft from the Kmart store.We 111 believe that theft,be it of items of great value or of a small value as in this case,is intrinsically morally wrong.The immoral nature of the act is not lessened by the value of the items that Mr.Thomas took.The disparity in value of the goods taken and the punishment given is not of our creation,but rather of his. "The Board has heard and discussed the compelling testimony from Mr.Thomas regarding his emotional state over the past several months. Clearly,Mr.Thomas has battled depression and alcoholism.He has,we believe,taken a proper course in accepting responsibility for his actions and seeking treatment.However, his own comments at the hearing indicate that no guarantee can be made,beyond his own strong belief,that a similar incident may not occur in the future.He also admitted that this was not an isolated incident."She stated that based upon the findings the Board of Works finds that Thomas should be terminated effective midnight April 16, 1998. In response to an invitation from Chairperson Goodwin to make a motion,Henry moved"that the Board uphold the recommendations of the Fire Chief and terminate the employment of Thomas as of midnight April 16, 1998,for the reasons set forth in the statement of proceedings,findings of facts and conclusions of law and order thereon and that said documents be adopted by this Board and made a part of the minutes of this meeting."Chairperson Goodwin seconded the motion. Metzger commented that the findings of the Board were not unanimous,adding that he could not support termination.He said he believed that if certain extenuating circumstances were presented the Board should consider other alternatives other than termination and he added that he believed those circumstances were presented by Thomas.He said,however,that he is in agreement that the primary consideration is the safety of the public,but he thinks the Board could have addressed those concerns and kept the firefighter on the department.He said he would have imposed some severe consequences,citing Thomas's good record and the fact he is well respected by his colleagues,both of which make him redeemable.He added that he respected the opinions of his fellow Board members in reaching their decision. .\ Board of Works Minutes Cont'd April 16, 1998 Page 2 Chairperson Goodwin stated there had been a motion and a second and asked for a vote.Henry and Chairperson Goodwin voted in favor of termination and Metzger voted against.The motion was carried with two voting in favor and one against.. CHANGE ORDERS A. City Engineer Bob Wiwi brought before the Board Change Order No.2 in regard to the uptown project which is the Parking Garage.As the project proceeded,he said, a water problem was found and because of that the contractor was asked to prepare a proposal to fix the area by grouting so the water will not be coming down into the waiting area from above. He said he had given an estimate of $1,895 and Wiwi said he felt that is a reasonable amount to do the work,which includes caulking replacement,crack repair and concrete patching.He recommended the Board approve the Change Order,stating the funds are available to do the work.Henry moved to approve,second by Metzger and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. B. Wiwi also brought before the Board Change Order No.6,explaining it is also in regard to the uptown redevelopment project.He said there is one street light pole in a location that poses a traffic hazard when parking a car and the contractor was asked to give an estimate on the cost of removing the pole.He said that figure is$1,595.Wiwi recommended approval,adding that there is money in the budget for this change order.Metzger moved to approve,second by Henry and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. BID OPENINGS A. Chairperson Goodwin said three bids had been received for the towing of City vehicles.He read the bid from Pardo's Service Inc. giving various quotes on different vehicles which included an auto,$25 for days and$35 for nights;pickup trucks,the same;small buses, Roseview,$45 for days and$55 for nights;single axle trucks and large buses,$65 for days and$75 for nights;tandem axle trucks,$85 for days and$95 for nights;fire trucks,axle lift only,$85 for days and$95 for nights;street sweepers,$45 for days and$55 for nights; sideloaders,$65 for days and$75 for nights;three cubic yard trash trucks,$85 for days and $95 for nights;combination street/cleaning machine$95 for days and$105 for nights;there were also quotes on extra charges. Henry read the bid from H&H Wrecker Service of Richmond,stating there were various bids for vehicles,special equipment and storage.Metzger read Stamper's Inc.bid,noting it did not contain a certificate of insurance as was in the other two bids.He said the different quotes were attached.Chairperson Goodwin said the bids would be given to Vicki Stevens, purchasing director,and would be brought back to a future meeting. B. Two bids were received for the awning for the parking garage,a public transportation facility. Henry read the bid from Stevens High Tech Interiros of Richmond which was for$5,380 and Metzger read the bid from Glassworks Inc.for$4,400.Chairperson Goodwin said the bids would be referred to Stevens and City Engineer Bob Wiwi for recommendation. C. Chairperson Goodwin said three bids had been received to provide an impound lot for the City.He read the bid from Pardo's for$7,509 for a three-year period with the cost of storage $10 per day,collectible from the owner or the insurer.The bid from H&H Wrecker Service was read by Henry who noted it was for$9,372 with storage$10 per day. 6 I Board of Works Minutes Cont'd April 16, 1998 Page 3 Metzger read the bid from Stamper's Wrecker Service,which was$30,000,payable in $10,000 installments over the three years,with storage at$8 per day.He also mentioned that no certificate of insurance accompanied this bid.Chairperson Goodwin said the bids would be referred to Stevens for recommendation and awarding at a later date. D. Chairperson Goodwin read into the record a memo to the Board of Works File regarding the executive sessions held in regard to the firefighter discipline.He said the sessions were held April 9 and April 14, 1998 to discuss personnel matters and certifying that no other subject matter was discussed and no final action was taken on any matter.He said this would be placed in the file. OTHER BUSINESS A. Wiwi said the Board has been requested by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)to approve their work that they plan on doing in preparation for the new Main Street Bridge that is going to be constructed between South A Street and the present location of Hardee's.This work,he said,consists of lowering approximately 1,000 feet of Sim Hodgin Parkway,the reconstruction of a short segment of Hub Etchison Parkway at the South West 15t Street intersection.He said the state is asking for approval from this Board to get on the City's right of way to do this work. Wiwi said this will be at no cost of the City and is the first phase of the total project.He added that this Board has approved the right of way agreement with them so they have acquired all the right of way to do this part of the project.However,he added,they have not acquired all the right of way for the entire project but they are getting very close to that point.He said they anticipate there will be a letting on June 11 of this year and when this work begins,Sim Hodgin Parkway will be closed between Hub Etchison and Bridge Avenue. In answer to a question by Metzger,Wiwi said INDOT will be lowering Sim Hodgin Parkway approximately 15 feet in some places to allow traffic to go underneath the new bridge.He added that this will be a major project and he will be glad to see it start.Metzger moved to approve the concurrence letter of April 6, 1998,second by Henry and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. B. Assistant City Attorney Steve Rabe introduced Tiffany Strider,a senior at Richmond High School,who is interested in going to law school.He said she is spending the day in the Law Department to get acquainted with how the law department operates. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business,on a motion duly made,seconded and passed,and carried on a unanimous voice vote,the meeting was adjourned. Robert Goodwin,Chairperson ATTEST: Norma Schroeder,City Clerk