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HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-28-1972 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS & SAFETY OF THE CITY OR RICHMOND, INDIANA, SEPTEMBER 28, 1972 The Board of Public Works & Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met in regular session September 28, 1972 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. in the Board of Works room of the Municipal Building in said City. Mr. Judge presided with Mr. Benner and Miss Wynegar present. The following business was had to-wit: Miss Wynegar moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, seconded by Mr. Benner and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Mrs . Breese and Mrs . Adelsperger appeared again before the Board on the matter of having volunteer mothers to help children across South 20th and "E" Street from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. .City Attorney Jane Wynegar stated this comes under the Agency Law and the City would be liable. Captain Scott Loper was questioned on the possi- bility of a stop sign at this crossing. He stated at this time he would have to say there was no possibility of impeding traffic. City Attorney Jane Wynegar stated at this time she would have to say no. She stated a clearer program should be presented to the Board. Chief Strahan also requested a positive schedule be presented to the Board. This matter was taken under advisement by the Board. Mr. Ronald Moore, 3490 Dorothy Lane, presented the following letter to the Board: September 28, 1972 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: My name is Mrs. Ronald Moore, I live at 3490 Dorothy Lane. Thank you for allowing me to discuss with you a problem of major con- cern to many Richmond residents living on Henley Road and Backmeyer Road; in the Hale Terrace additon; and also the Ravinia Park area. This pertains to the lack of safety precautions for our children walking or riding their bicycles to and from Charles and Test Jr. High Schools . The majority of children in Ravinia Park congreagte at South "B" Street, then proceed south on Henley Road to Reeveston. The majority of the children in Hale Terrace walk ov er to 33rd Street, then west on Backmeyer Road and north on Henley to Reeveston. Of course, the children residing on both Backmeyer and Henley travel the same route. You probably are already aware that these two main throughfares are very narrow, hilly and extremely busy. The cars often drive at excessive speeds in this area. There are no walkways wide enough on either street to keep the children from walking or riding directly on the•highways. Also, there is.no safety measure for the children getting across Backmeyer and Henley Roads--with the exception of one stop sign on Backmeyer just before you reach the stop sign. It is almost impossible for some cars to stop safely if there are children on bicycles crossing at that time. In fact, you can not see the stop sign until you are less than 50 yards from it. There is also a hill on Henley Road traveling north just before you reach Backmeyer. It is very hard to observe children crossing until it is too late. There are no stop signs , nor school cross warnings on Henley Road from Main Street to Wernle Road. We ourselves were almost. hit there Sunday as we were coming out of one driveway while petitioning. At South "B" Street and Henley there is dense schrubbery at the corner which makes it difficult for the children in the area to observe the traffic coming from -the south. To the north of them there is another hill on Henley which makes it difficult for the cars traveling south to see the children in time. These cars are not even aware that South "B" Street enters Henley until they are approximately 50 yards away. I have in my possession a petition signed by 216 very concerned adults living in these previously mentioned areas . This represents 85% of those living on both Henley and Backmeyer Roads . They are requesting safe walkways and bicycle ways from 33rd Street on Backmeyer to Henley Road; also, from Dorothy Lane at Henley (several children living on Toddsbury, Geraldine and the first addition of Dorothy Lane travel down Dorothy to Henley) to South "B" Street. This represents 89 children going to Charles School . There is also a considerable number going to Test School . Board of Works Minutes September 28, 1972 Page ,2 (Moore letter continued.) We also have a petition signed by 126 concerned people living on Backmeyer and Henley, also Hale Terrace residents requesting a crossguard at the corner of Henley and Backmeyer Roads to direct traffic during the time the children travel to and from school . Yesterday we mothers took a count of the number of cars traveling on Henley and Backmeyer Roads . This was during• the hours of 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. There was a total of 364 cars. We also have a letter from Mr. Spears , the principal of Charles School , stating his feelings on the matter. Another point---the Hale Terrace addition is growing and more people with young children are moving into this area. There are already many pre- schoolers which will be involved within the next few years. To summarize---why do we want the crossguard and safe walkways? 1 . The streets are narrow, and very hilly. 2. The traffic is heavy and getting worse with the shopping centers expanding; and also a new housing development is being added on Henley Road to the south. 3. The speed of the cars is excessive with inadequate stop signs ; the speed limits are not maintained; nor are there any school cautions . 4. The majority of the laws go right to the street. 5. Most of the mothers drive the youngsters to school even on nice days primarily because of the lack of safety precautions . An option to this would be bussing these children --- which would be the safest method; however, we realize the cost of something like this. We also feel that the cost of safe walkways and a crossguard is relatively inexpensive when it is compared to the life of one child -- which could be one of 89 children now going to Charles School . On the front page of last Thursday's edition of the Graphic there was a map showing the proposed bikeways for pleasure throughout the area. At this time we feel the walkways and bikeways for the children's safety going to and from school are much more important than the pleasure bikeways . However, we also see the importance of these too. We appreciate very much your immediate attention to this critical problem. Thank you very much for the time you have given me today. Peg Moore Mrs. Moore also read the following letter from George Spears , Principal of. Charles School : September 22, 1972 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: This is to support the efforts of Charles School patrons who live on Backmeyer and Henley Road in Ravinia Park, and the Hale Terrace area, as they seek to provide maximum safety for their children as they walk to and from Charles School . These areas are no longer optional attendance zones and these pupils must attend Charles School . Bus transportation is not provided by the school corporation. The project seems worthy of favorable action in view of the ever increasing traffic load carried by these two streets; no sidewalks are provided, and many children are involved. This office will co-operate in any way possible to support this project. Sincerely, /s/ George A Spear, Principal Charles School Board of Works Minutes _ September 28, 1972 Page 3 Mr. Benner suggested the possiblity of bringing this matter before the school board. Mr. Judge recommended this be taken under advisement to give the Traffic Division time to study this matter. The Clerk presented proof of publication for bids for the construction of a storm sewer on Straightline Pike. - City Attorney Wynegar examined the proof of publication and found it to be correct. Mr. Judge moved the Board accept the proof of publication, seconded by Mr. Benner, and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. The following bids were opened: DeBolt, Inc. , $16,958.50; Delucio & Sons , $16,750.70. The bid was awarded to Delucio & Sons. American Towel & Linen Co. 1018 South "E" Street, requested two yellow zone spaces be removed for a loading and unloading zone, located at the northwest corner of,South llth & "E" Street. Captain Scott Loper stated he saw no problem in granting this request with the one stipulation that the trucks stop turning onto llth Street and going the wrong way. Mr. Benner moved to approve the request, seconded by Mr. Judge and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. A curb cut request was .made by Yarn and Yardage located at 208 National Road West. Thomas Milligan, local attorney, presented a map showing where the curb cut was requested for ingress and egress. City Engineer, David Benner, moved for approval of the curb cut, seconded by Miss Wynegar and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Chief Strahan recommended that Robert Harold Nickoli be appointed a Probationary Patrolman on the Richmond Police Department, Mr. Nickoli having passed all test and requirements . Mr. Judge moved the Board approve the promotion, seconded by Mr. Benner and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Chief Strahan requested a transfer of funds within the Police Department budget for a total of $2,800.00. Mr. Judge recommended the Clerk prepare a resolution for $800.00 and an ordinance for $2,000.00 for Council 's consideration, seconded by Mr. Benner, and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Rescheduling of the "Spirit March" for Dennis Junior High School at 3:00 Wednesday October 18, 1972 was presented to the Board. Mr. Judge moved the Board approve the request, seconded by Mr. Benner and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Trick or Treat night was scheduled for Monday, October 30, 1972 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The bid for the storm sewer on West Main Street from Northwest 20th to Northwest 24th Street was awarded to Kain Lakes Gravel in the amount of $16,446.55. City Attorney, Jane Wynegar read the following statement: The Board of Public Works and Safety would like to announce the opening of 21 positions as minutemen to serve Richmond, Indiana. Although the firemen who will be laid off January 1 , 1973 during a reorganization of the fire department will be given first priority in recruitment, we are encouraging city employees and city residents between the ages of 21 and 35 to apply. Applications forms are now available in the office of Mr. Jerald J. Judge, President of the Board of Works and in the No. 1 Fire Station, in the office of Fire Chief Berry. Training procedures will begin October 1 with a quadron of seven men to be trained at a time. Each prospective minuteman will receive instructions in a compact unit course, divided into four hour units. Minutemen will receive $700.00 a year and the program is intended especially for persons who have other full-time jobs in Richmond, Indiana. Although minutemen will not- assume-their posts until January 1 , 1973, minutemen will be reimbursed for time spent in training around the beginning;of October 1 and January 1 , 1973. Minutemen will be equipped with firefighter's apparel and alarm equip- ment. Fire Chief William Berry stated this was the same training program as for Probationary Firemen. Mr. Judge stated that insurance, etc. was being investigated by his office and the hiring will be done by the Board of Works . Fire Chief Berry presented the following training program: (See attached sheet.) Board of Works Minutes September 28, 1972 Page 4 Mr. Judge stated that the following contract was approved at the September 21 , 1972 meeting: A contract to install approximately 241 lineal feet of curb and gutter at $2.40 per lineal foot, and approximately 500 lineal feet of sidewalk, five feet wide at $.55 per square foot, on South 13th Street and J Streets. The streets surrounds the proposed Medlar Addition Section II , Julius Gerken, Contractor. There being no further business on motion duly made, seconded and passed, the meeting was adjourned. Jerald J . Judge, President ATTEST: Virginia Cook, Acting Clerk of the Board