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HomeMy Public PortalAbout08-27-1987 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA, AUGUST 27,1987 1 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met in regular session August 27, 1987 2 at the hour of 9:00 A.M. in the Municipal Building in said City. Ms. Silberstein presided with Mr. Brown and Mr. 3 Willis in attendance. Absent: None. The following business was had to-wit: 4 5 RECEIVE BIDS FOR PAVING OF SOUTH G STREET EASTWARD TO DEADEND • 6 7 Ms. Silberstein requested Proof of Publication of the paving of South G Street. Having examined the Proof of 8 Publication, the Board found it to be in order. Mr. Willis moved to accept and file the Proof of Publication, 9 seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 10 11 Ms. Silberstein requested all bids be received. Having received all bids, Mr. Brown moved to close the bidding, 12 seconded by Mr.Willis and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 13 14 Purchasing Director, Rita Stout.informed the Board they would like to award the bid at this meeting if there were 15 no unusual circumstances involved and Ms. Silberstein stated the item could be left open on the agenda for later 16 action. The following bids were received: 17 18 1. Stone Valley Paving. The bid was on the proper form, signed, notarized and accompanied by a bid 19 bond. The total bid was in the amount of 46,240.69. 20 21 2. Contractors United, Inc. The bid was on the proper form, signed, notarized and accompanied by a 22 bid bond. The total bid was in the amount of 45,193.09. 23 24 Mr.Willis moved to refer the bids to the Purchasing Director and the Public Works Department for evaluation and 25 recommendation later in the meeting, seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was 26 carried. 27 28 UNSAFE BUILDING HEARING 111 29 30 414 North 18th Street 31 32 Ms. Silberstein delayed the Unsafe Building Hearing until the end of the Agenda due to the absence of Mr. 33 Bronston. 34 35 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 13.1987 36 37 Mr. Brown moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as prepared, seconded by Mr. Willis and on 38 unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 39 40 APPROVAL OF CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT 41 42 Mr. Brown moved to approve claims for payment in the amount of 600,070.24 seconded by Mr. Willis and on 43 unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 44 45 PUBLIC REQUESTS AND COMMENTS 46 47 Residential Handicapped Parking Request 48 49 1720 North B Street 50 51 The request of Karen Boyd of 1720 North B Street for a residential handicapped parking space was presented to 52 the Board. Ms. Boyd has Permit No.55777 with an expiration date of August, 1991. 53 54 Captain Williams stated the request meets the guidelines. 55 56 Mr. Brown moved to approve the request for a residential handicapped parking space at 1720 North B Street, 57 seconded by Mr.Willis and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 58 59 DEPARTMENT REQUESTS AND COMMENTS 60 61 FIRE DEPARTMENT 62 63 Approval of Hiring of Probationary Firefighter-Robert Abner 64 65 The following memo was presented to the Board: C' Board of Works Minutes Cont'd August 27 1987 Page 2 1 It is the recommendation of this office that Robert Abner be hired as a probationary firefighter effective 2 August 27, 1987. Robert has successfully completed the physical agility test as well as all medical and 3 psychological tests as required. 4 5 /s/ Don Atkins, Asst. Chief 6 7 Ms. Silberstein noted the Fire Pension Board has approved Mr.Abner. 8 9 Mr. Willis moved to approve the hiring of Robert Abner as a Probationary Firefighter, effective August 27, 1987, 10 seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 11 12 Ms. Silberstein welcomed Mr. Abner to the Department and requested his indulgence until Mayor Waltermann 13 could be in attendance to administer the Oath. 14 15 LAW OFFICE 16 17 Revised Agreement between City and Township for Purchase of Fire Equipment 18 19 Mr. Barden explained that he has not yet received a signed copy of the revised agreement from the Township. 20 He said the agreement was only changed to allow for annual modification so as not to legally bind future 21 administrations of the City of Township and this was done per recommendation of the State Board of Accounts. 22 23 Mr. Barden suggested the Board tentatively approve the revised agreement subject to receiving a signed copy 24 from the Township. 25 26 Mr.Brown moved to approve the Agreement between the City and Wayne Township through its Township Trustee 27 as revised and to execute the revised agreement upon receipt of executed copy from the Township, seconded 28 by Mr.Willis and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 29 30 Sale of Property on NW 11th Street 31 32 Mr. Barden recommended to the Board that they award the sale to the lone bidder, Mr. Robert Lichtenfels, and 33 accept his offer of 100.00. Mr. Barden said that was probably the value of the property and it would only be of 34 value to an adjacent property owner such as Mr. Lichtenfels. 35 36 Mr. Barden requested the Board to accept the offer and to execute the Quit Claim Deed. 37 38 Ms. Silberstein commented that this was a very small parcel of land to sell, but there was still substantial work 39 involved in the sale on the part of city employees. She said she would like to see the cost of the preparation 40 recouped. 41 42 Mr. Barden stated there was not much preparation cost except the legal advertisements. 43 44 Ms. Silberstein stated there was also labor costs involved for surveying, etc and she would like to see those 45 costs payed up front. 46 47 Mr. Barden said they could possibly include administrative costs in the future. 48 49 Ms. Silberstein commented that in private sales, the purchaser pays preparation costs. 50 51 Mr. Brown moved to accept the offer of Mr. Robert Lichtenfels to purchase property on NW 11th and Indiana 52 Avenue in the amount of$100.00 and to execute the Quit Claim Deed. 53 54 Update on Reeveston Easements 55 56 Mr. Barden informed the Board they were in the process of wrapping up securing the utility easements in the 57 Reeveston Area and have set September 20, 1987 to close out the project. He said some of the residents of the 58 are need to take some initiative and get paper work back or get their questions answered. 59 60 Ms. Silberstein reminded the Board these are general utility easements, not just for the use of cable. 61 She added it was time the project was wrapped up and persons made up their minds. 62 63 ADMINISTER OATH TO ROBERT ABNER 64 65 Mayor Waltermann administered the Oath to Mr. Robert Abner to become a probationary firefighter. Mr.Abner Board of Works Minutes Cont'd August 27,1987 Page 3 1 was introduced to the Board and their congratulations were extended. 2 3 BOARD OF WORKS MISCELLANEOUS 4 5 Resolve to Fire Grievances No.4 and 5-1987 6 7 Ms. Silberstein read the following resolves to Grievances No. 4 and 5-1987 as filed by members of Firefighters 8 Local 1408, Inc. 9 10 Grievance No. 4-1987 11 12 The Board of Public Works and Safety received evidence and heard testimony concerning this 13 grievance on August 11, 1987. 14 15 The Board has determined that hiring procedures were initiated and have progressed in good faith in a 16 timely manner. Any delays experienced in completing the procedure have not been been intentional on 17 the art of the City but have be gn due to circumstances inherent in the selection process beyond that 18 City's control. The Board will not lower hiring standards or waive their application in order to meet 19 targeted hiring deadlines, which insure that the hiring process is promptly initiated and actively pursued 20 in good faith. 21 22 Mr. Brown moved to adopt and execute the Resolve to Grievance No. 4-1987, seconded by Mr. Willis and on 23 unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 24 25 Grievance No.5-1987 26 27 The Board of Public Works and Safety received evidence and heard testimony concerning this 28 grievance on August 11, 1987. 29 30 The Board has determined that the sole position of Training Officer should be filled by use of the 31 contractual promotion procedure. This position has been the subject of an evaluation process which 32 was conducted in the absence of an incumbent so that the position itself, rather than an incumbent, 33 would be the focus of the evaluation. This evaluation was undertaken in response to stated concern 34 regarding training programs and opportunities and their implementation on the Department. 35 36 The process has resulted in a revised position description which is to be distributed to interested 37 personnel upon request or upon bid. As part of the ongoing assessment of the need for and utilization f 38 the sole position of Training Officer, the Board will require daily logs to be submitted to the Chief and 39 forwarded to the Board listing the Training Officer's daily activities and time spent on each activity. 40 This log is to be kept and submitted for an initial period of three months, after which a re-evaluation of 41 this requirement will be made by the Chief,the Board and the incumbent. 42 43 Mr. Willis moved to adopt and execute the Resolve to Grievance No. 5-1987, seconded by Mr. Brown and on 44 unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 45 46 Termination of Parking Lot Lease-West End Federal Savings Bank 47 48 Off Street Parking Manager, Mary Merchanthouse reported to the Board that the preliminary plans have been 49 completed for the redesign of the parking lot south of the Elder Beerman store to allow West End to proceed with 50 the termination of the lease with the City of Richmond for a portion of the lot. She said plans include the closing 51 of the curb cut onto the service drive and to make a single entrance and exit on 6th Street to make ingress and 52 egress safer. Ms. Merchanthouse stated that construction would be starting around the middle of September 53 and will be completed by the end of October. 54 55 Ms. Silberstein asked if there were more considerations that should be included in the response to West End and 56 it was decided that the final date for completion would be November 30,1987 and a prorating of fees paid on the 57 lease should be included. 58 59 UNSAFE BUILDING HEARING 60 61 414 North 18th Street 62 63 Ms. Silberstein opened an Unsafe Building Hearing on property located at 414 North 18th Street pursuant to an 64 Order issued on July 29, 1987 to Hudson's Inc. of 412 South 4th Street, Richmond, Indiana. The Order stated 65 the following action would be accomplished within thirty days of receipt of the Order: (1) Securing of unsafe Board of Works Minutes Cont'd August 27, 1987 Page 4 1 building within ten days and (2) repair of unsafe building within 30 days. 2 3 Ms. Silberstein requested Proof of Notification of the Hearing and was presented a signed return receipt and a 4 Publisher's Claim for a legal advertisement. 5 6 The Clerk administered the Oath to give testimony to Mr.Dennis Bronston, Code Enforcement Officer. 7 8 Mr. Bronston informed the Board that the building was a two story frame structure , unsecured,a rear stairway in 9 need of repair, interior vandalized and a lack of maintenance. He said the electrical system also needs updated, 10 the plumbing is ripped from the walls and there is an open cistern at the rear of the property along with a weed 11 problem. 12 13 Mr. Bronston showed pictures of the premises to the Board. 14 15 Mr. Bronston stated he has contacted Hudson, Inc. to get the property secured and also talked wit the First 16 National Bank. He said neither party currently claims ownership and there is a hearing set for September 3, 1987 17 regarding mortgage foreclosures on Hudson, Inc. Mr. Bronston added that the nearness to the adjacent 18 property leaves a threat to that property if it remains unsecured. 19 20 Mr.Willis asked how long it has been vacant and Mr. Bronston stated at least one year. 21 22 Ms. Silberstein commented that there is a danger of arson and further vandalism if the building remains 23 unsecured. 24 25 Mr. Brown asked where the Board stood in the court proceedings and Mr. Barden said he was not inclined to 26 delay the proceedings with the foreclosure impending. He recommended if the Board affirmed an order to wreck, 27 he would file it in court and the City can start to demolish the dwelling. 28 29 Ms.Silberstein reminded Mr. Barden the Order was to repair and secure, not wreck the premises. 30 31 Mr. Barden felt they could have a problem with a repair order to get it accomplished prior to foreclosure. 32 33 Mr.Willis indicated the City can certainly control the weed problem. 34 35 Mr. Barden said he can enter the repair order in Court. He said there had been a transfer of the property from 36 Hudson to the First National Bank and back to Hudson and First National and the City have asked the Courts to 37 determine who is responsible for utilities, etc. He-said if all of Hudson's properties are sold, it would only covet 38 one-third of the total debt owed and there are liens filed against the property that are first priority. 39 40 Ms. Silberstein gave opportunity for the owner of record to speak. 41 42 There was no owner of record or other interested party in attendance. 43 44 Mr. Brown asked if a repair schedule had been submitted and Mr. Bronston said no. 45 46 Mr. Barden said if the Board affirms the Order, he can enjoin the order in the court action an let the court decide 47 who has the responsibility to bring the building to code. 48 49 Ms. Silberstein said she would like to see immediate action on securing the premises. 50 51 Mr. Barden said he could file a lien on the securing and argue that the City has priority. 52 53 Mr.Willis inquired as to the leverage on the property without enough equity. 54 55 Mr. Barden said the proceedings would be cleaner if the property would be demolished. 56 57 Mr.Willis commented that there are two parties dodging their responsibilities of clean up and repair. 58 59 Mr.Willis said he felt the financial burden would eventually mandate the demolition. 60 61 Ms. Silberstein asked why the Order was for repair and not wrecking and Mr. Bronston stated it was his opinion 62 that it was economically feasible to repair without the cost of liens taken into consideration. He said his main 63 concern was it was unsecured and allowed opportunity for vandalism. 64 65 Mr.Willis spoke of the need for a low interest loan for repairs and Mr. Bronston said the City has that type of Board of Works Minutes Cont'd August 27, 1987 Page 5 1 program available through the Planning Office. 2 3 Ms. Silberstein recommended the Board affirm the Order as stated which will give the City the opportunity to 4 secure the property and file the Order in Court. 5 6 Mr. Willis moved to affirm the Order on Unsafe Premises located at 414 North 18th Street for the securing of the 7 the building within ten days of receipt of the order and for repair of the unsafe building within thirty days of receipt 8 of the Order,seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 9 10 Mr. Brown commented he would like to see the premises secured as soon as possible. 11 12 AWARD PAVING BIDS 13 14 Ms. Stout recommended the Board award the bid for the paving of South G Street to Contractors United, Inc. at 15 45,193.09 as the lowest and best bid. She said there was 1,047.60 difference in the two bids received. 16 17 Mr. Willis explained this project would include the removal of existing pavement and reconstruction of an old 18 concrete street. He said they would not pave the cul-de-sac since it would cause the curbs to be filled up. 19 20 Mr. Willis moved to award the bid for the paving of South G Street from South 23rd eastward to the dead end to 21 Contractor's United, Inc. at 45,103.09 as the lowest and best bid, secon"ded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous 22 voice vote the motion was carried. 23 24 ADJOURNMENT 25 26 There being no further business, on a motion duly made, seconded and passed the meeting was adjourned. 27 28 111 29 Susan Silberstein, President 30 31 32 33 ATTEST: 34 Mary Merchanthouse,City Clerk 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65