HomeMy Public PortalAbout12-14-1995 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE
CITY OF RICHMOND. INDIANA. DECEMBER 14. 1995
1 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met at 9 a.m.Thursday, December 14,
2 1995, in the Municipal Building in said City. Vice Chairperson Jan Hibner presided with Earnest Jarvis in
3 attendance. Chairperson Dennis W.Grimes was absent.The following business was had to-wit:
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5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 7.1995
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7 The minutes of the December 7, 1995 meeting were approved on a motion by Jarvis, second by Hibner and
8 carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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10 CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT "' '_-`
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12 Claims for payment submitted by the City Controller's office included$71,506.46, $535,569.01 and $10,753.96,
13 all for miscellaneous items. Also submitted was a claim for$125,000 as a repayment to the Sanitary District;
14 $60,000 for health insurance claims; and $8,000 for the prescription card claims. Vice Chairperson Hibner
15 moved to approve the claims,second by Jarvis and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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17 REQUESTS
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19 A. Requests for handicapped parking spaces made by Perry Jones on North 17th Street, Ronald Davis
20 on South 8th Street, Pauline Smith on North 8th Street and Helen Billheimer on South J Street were
21 read by Vice Chairperson Hibner who noted that Traffic Safety Division had made a stipulation on the
22 request made by Smith. They stated that the sign needs to be located in the first parking space on
23 North 8th Street north of North C Street. Vice Chairperson Hibner moved to approve all four requests
24 with that stipulation,second by Jarvis and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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26 B. City Attorney Thomas Milligan advised the Board that the Firefighters Collective Bargaining
27 Agreement had been signed by Jerry Purcell, Tom Shook and Tim Clark, representing the Richmond
28 Fire Department, with Ron Cross acting as attorney for the City. He stated that the agreement will be
29 signed by the Mayor after the Board takes its action and recommended the Board's approval. Vice
30 Chairperson Hibner explained the agreement called for a 41/2 percent increase for the period between
31 January 1, 1996, through December 31, 1996, and an additional 4 percent through the following year.
32 She noted the retiree insurance benefits which gives a$2,000 allowance for eligible retirees as defined
33 as those individuals who retire after January 1, 1996. She moved to enter into the two-year contract,
34 second by Jarvis and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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36 C.Jarvis stated that in answer to a request by Carpenter Mfg.for additional storage space,the City had
37 agreed to rent, on a month-to-month basis, the old police garage on Garden Avenue that has been
38 empty for some time.Jarvis said there is 7,800 square feet in the building and the City is charging 50
39 cents per square foot which amounts to a storage fee of$325 per month. He said Carpenter has signed
40 the agreement and is ready to move its things today and he recommended approval.Jarvis so moved,
41 second by Vice Chairperson Hibner and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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43 D. A letter from Major John Farmer of the Richmond Police Department was read by Jarvis who noted
44 that it concerned the security agreement between the Richmond Housing Authority and R.P.D. Major
45 Farmer said the agreement makes a provision for foot patrols at the sights controlled by the Housing
46 Authority. Milligan explained that it is a continuation of services and the Housing Authority actually pays
47 the City for the officers who are off their duty shifts. He added that the Housing Authority is a
48 not-for-profit entity and is part of the federal government. He said the City is compensated in full for the
49 added salary paid to the officers who volunteer to do this. Major Farmer said there is a change which
50 calls for the Housing Authority to provide an office space in the Northwood complex area to allow the
51 residents in that area the opportunity to contact the officer there in the complex and advise the officer of
52 any problems. He said the change was made to increase the quality of the service to the residents.
53 Milligan noted that the other change is the increase of the hourly rate, noting that officers are on an
54 assigned basis made by the operation major. He also noted that the old contract specified the hours to
55 be worked and this one removes those hours and allows flexibility to respond to the activity in the area.
56 The units involved are Northwood, Southwood and Westwood. Jarvis moved to enter into the
57 agreement, second by.Vice Chairperson Hibner and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice
58 vote.
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60 E.Vice Chairperson Hibner brought before the Board an interlocal agreement between the City_and the._;
61 Wayne County Weights and Measures, noting that the Wayne County Commissioners had alrear!y
62 signed it.She said the agreement provides for weights and measures service by the City inspector who
63 will be assigned to both Wayne County and the City until all the routine functions of weights and
64 measures have been accomplished. She said the City will be paid $10,000 by the County for those
65 services and moved to enter into the agreement, second by Jarvis and the motion was carried on a
unanimous voice vote.
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Board of Works Minutes Cont'd
December 14, 1995
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1 F. A request made by Faith-Trinity United Methodist Church, 2900 West Main Street, on behalf of its
2 live Nativity scene was read by Jarvis who noted that the annual event is scheduled to take place from
3 6 to 8:30 p.m. December 17 and December 18. The request was for help with controlling the traffic,
4 Jarvis said. He read a letter from Captain Chambers of the Traffic Safety Division who stated that the
5 cones should not block the vehicles wanting to make left turns and that having an on-duty officer did not
6 look too favorable at this time.Captain Chambers suggested they use off duty police or sheriff's officers
7 and that volunteers not attempt to direct the traffic. Jarvis so moved, second by Vice Chairperson
8 Hibner and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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10 CONTRACTS
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12 A.Award Bids
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14 1.Jarvis stated that the awarding of the fuel and gasoline contract for 1996 will be held until next
15 week.
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17 2.The towing rotation contract for 1996 and 1997 was brought to the Board by Jarvis who explained
18 that Christopher Auto Repair had asked to be dropped off the list temporarily, leaving five companies
19 in the rotation.They include H &H Wrecker Service,Owens Towing, Pardo's Service, Stamps" Inn
20 and Steele's Wrecker.Jarvis moved to enter into the contract,second by Vice Chairperson Hibner -=---
21 and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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23 3. Vice Chairperson Hibner noted that three firms had submitted proposals for doing the Industrial
24 Development Grant audit. She explained that the City had received a grant award of$150,000 through
25 the Indiana Department of Commerce to assist Transilwrap-in its expansion and the state requires an
26 independent certified public accountant audit before it releases the final 20 percent of the grant award.
27 Vice Chairperson Hibner said proposals had been received from Fennimore & Associates for$2,850,
28 Geo.S.Olive Co. $2,390 and Brady,Ware&Schoenfeld for$1,500.She noted that all three firms meet
29 the audit requirements and referred to a letter from Clay Miller, grants administrator in the Department
30 of Finance, recommending Brady, Ware & Schoenfeld:as the lowest bidder with the work to be
31 completed by January 30, 1996. She so moved, second by Jarvis and the motion was carried on a
32 unanimous voice vote.
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34 OTHER MATTERS
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36 A. In announcing the residential parking permit hearing, Vice Chairperson Hibner explained that on
37 October 19, 1995 a request had been received by the Board for a parking permit area on South West E
38 from South West 3rd to South West 4th Street and South West 3rd from South West D Street to South
39 West E Street.She noted that the Board has met all the requirements, including the notification sent by
40 the City Clerk's office to all the residents in that area.
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42 Appearing before the Board was Mary Baldwin of 412 South West 3rd Street who was against issuing
43 the permits, saying it was not a good idea because there are not:that many high school students
44 parking in her area.
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46 Also speaking against the issue was Pat Tucker of 429 South West 3rd Street who stated that she was
47 uncertain as to what it was all about Vice Chairperson Hibner explained that some residents, 17 in all,
48 had signed a petition requesting the Board of Works assign a residential parking permit area to that
49 area. She added that what it means is that the homeowners will need to get a$3 permit from the City
50 Clerk's office to park there from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m: Monday through Friday, which keeps the high
51 school students or anyone else from.parking.there.' Vice Chairperson Hibner said the sticker is a
52 permanent one,but if the homeowner changes cars a new sticker can be issued.Tucker said she lives
53 in the middle of the block and has a handicapped sticker which means she has no parking problem but
54 she is concerned about the others who live in the area
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56 Marie Foreman,301 South West E Street,said three years ago when a petition was brought around for
57 this same thing she refused to sign it because she thought the youngsters should have a place to park.
58 However,she has noted since then,that there seems to be plenty of space in the high school parking lot
59 and she has had difficulty backing out of her driveway.because of parked cars. She is also concerned
60 about the litter which she attributed to the students.
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62 Melanie Falcone,418 South West 3rd Street, said she had no problem at her house but she knows that
63 South West E Street is bad, citing problems encountered by her daughter who catches a bus in that
64 area. She agreed that something needs to be done on South West E Street. William.Baldwin, 412
65 South West E Street,said he is against it because he has four vehicles.
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Board of Works Minutes Cont'd
December 14, 1995
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1 Vice Chairperson Hibner read a letter from Beverly Medford, 404 South West 3rd Street, noting that
2 she was unable to attend the meeting but she has a handicapped sign and license plate. She
3 suggested giving tickets to the students and possibly even giving tickets to their parents. She said there.
4 is enough parking available in the high school parking lot, adding that she is against the perinTts.
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6 Vice Chairperson Hibner said a decision is not required today, noting that the Board has 10 or 15 days
7 to decide. Captain Chambers said his main concern is that if this is made into a designated area it
8 means more manpower to control the larger area.Also, he said, his officers have found some residents
9 who don't even bother to get permits and don't understand when they get tickets. Vice Chairperson-
10 Hibner said she had visited the area and found nine cars on South West E and 19 on South West 3rd
11 Street, with most of these being in tl}e-corner area of South West 3rd and South West E. She also
12 noted there are 36 houses on the affected part of South West 3rd and 10 on South West E Street. She
13 suggested the request be taken under advisement. Jarvis commented that the Richmond Community
14 Schools system had not seen fit to enforce the parking in the parking lot east of the high school and
15 Hibner added that the Board had tried to work with the school but had received no cooperation.
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17 Police Chief Dennis Rice added his comments, stating that the parking enforcement officer can be
18 redirected to check that area the first thing in the morning when the students are going to school. He
19 also noted that Rick Thalls is the school liaison officer and would be able to help if needed as well as
20 the patrol officer who is assigned to that district.
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22 B.Jarvis commented that the Board had not been aware of the problem on the North 20th Street curve
23 until the recent media coverage. Captain Chambers had submitted a letter to the Board, Jarvis said,
24 after an investigation of the area by the Traffic Safety Division, stating that in the past five years only
25 one accident had been reported and that was the one November 30, 1995. He said after conducting
26 four traffic surveys it was found the average northbound speed was 31.295 m.p.h., adding that any
27 speed in excess of 37 m.p.h. is too fast.
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29 Captain Chambers further stated that earlier this year chevron arrows had been installedti!ony_;; :_>
30 curve which measures 509 feet. He also stated that an improvement would be to install a sign indicating
31 to northbound motorists just prior to Hawkins Road that the left lane must turn left and the installation
32 of a sign indicating that the road narrows just past the intersection. He added that he felt the installation
33 of guard rails or speed reduction actions be held pending further study of the traffic. Jarvis asked
34 Captain Chambers if his department had received any calls concerning vehicles running up onto the
35 property of residents in that area and Captain Chambers said he was not aware of any, but, in most
36 cases like this these things are not reported.
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38 Norma Jean Frady, 1908 North J Street, noted several incidents where vehicles had run into the yards
39 leaving tire marks. She said there is loose gravel on the street which also creates vehicle control
40 problems. She presented a petition containing 87 names of people concerned about the problem. Vice
41 Chairperson Hibner suggested that residents report any incident pertaining to the problems with the
42 curve so the City could have a record of what is happening in that area. Erica Frady, 1908 North J
43 Street said her bedroom is in the front of the house and when she hears the squeal of tires it frightens
44 her. She added that she feels a guard rail would protect her as well as others in the area. She added
45 that she feels the squealing tires is a good indication of the possible loss of control.
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47 Jarvis suggested the problem be taken under advisement until the Board members can visit the area
48 with the Traffic Safety Division as well as the Police Chief so they can take a good look at the area. He
49 added that the installation of a guard rail is a one time thing and cautioned that it is not an attractive
50 addition to a neighborhood. He suggested that it be placed on the agenda for next week and that
51 recommendations be made at that tiame.
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53 C.A letter requesting the removal of a loading zone at 183 Fort Wayne Avenue was read by Jarvis who
54 noted that this Board had approved that loading zone a year or two ago but it had proved to be more,,
55 harmful than good. The Carpet Brokers stated that several of their customers had received tickets f-
56 parking there and they felt they could do without the loading zone. Jarvis moved to remove the loading
57 zone sign,second by Vice Chairperson Hibner and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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111 59 D.Vice Chairperson Hibner reported that a request had been made by Fire Chief Jim Sticco to hold the
60 East Central Indiana Emergency Services School Extrication Class at Fire Station No.4 garage Friday
61 and Saturday,January 6 and January 7, 1996. She so moved, second by Jarvis and the motion was
62 carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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64 E.Jarvis said the Board had been advised by Leslie Ducey, president of the Street Tree Commission,
65 that the City had been praised for the work done in 1995 installing and maintaining the street trees. She
said she traveled to Indianapolis to accept an award from the Indiana Urban Forest Council designating
the Street Tree Commission the Outstanding Civic Group for 1995.
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Board of Works ;
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December14, 1995
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1 F. Bishop Francis Daniels,'spokesman for the Christian Men's Fellowship of Wayne County, stepped
2 forward with several members of the group and stated the reason for their visit was to recognize both
3 Mayor Roger Cornett and Police Chief Dennis Rice for their participation in the group. _4 •
5 James Stevens, President of the group, asked Mayor Cornett to step forward to receive a plaque in
6 recognition of his service to the citizens of this community. In response, Mayor Cornett said it had
7 been a big honor for him to have the privilege of living in a community with such a group which
8 endeavored to make life here better. Daniels presented a plaque to Chief Rice in recognition of his
9 many years of service. Chief Rice responded that is had been an honor to be a part of the group,- -
10 adding that Daniels has been a mentor of his for years as wells as a good friend. He said all members
11 of the group set an example for all of us to follow, noting they never let negatives control their lives. He
12 concluded by saying their friendship means a great deal to him.
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14 Stevens said he watches the Board of Works on WCTV and is aware of what is going on in the City. He
15 stated that he would give Mayor-elect Dennis Andrews an invitation to join the group and sit in on the16 meetings„adding that it is not a racial group but for all Christian men.
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18 G.Jarvis moved to accept the Richmond Police Department report for November 1995 into the record,
19 second by Vice Chairperson Hibner and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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21 PUBLIC COMMENTS
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23 Chief Rice commented that he is retiring the last week of February in 1996 but he willbe on vacation for the next
24 few weeks. He thanked the Board for its help over the past four years and praised Mayor Cornett for the things
25 he has done. Vice Chairperson Hibner responded that Chief Rice had made the Board's job easier because of
26 his support.
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28' ADJOURNMENT
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30 There being no further business, on a motion duly made seconded and passed and carried on a unanimous
31 voice vote,the meeting was adjourned.
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38 - Janet Hibner, Vice Chairperson
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44 ATTEST:
45 Norma Schroeder,City Clerk
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