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HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-10-1970 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, SEPTEMBER 10 , 1970 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond,. Indiana, met in regular session in the Municipal Building, of said City, September 10, 1970 at the hour of 9: 00 a .m. Mr . Cecere presiding with Mr . Howell present , The following business was had to-wit: 111 Mr . Howell moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, seconded by Mr . Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Traffic Captain Paul Martin reported that the traffic count does not warrant the signal at N . 12th and "F" Streets . He said he has not completed a count at "G" Street intersection . The Board asked him to complete his report within 30 days and report back and action would be taken on both traffic signals at the same time. Captain Martin said he would check into the parking situation at "H" and "I" Streets , between Boyer and Ridge and report to the Board, as per request from Councilman Hilligoss . Al Blankenbaker , representing the Richmond Industrial Center, complained about a break in the storm sewer at N . 13th and "E" Streets , the water coming through the foundations . Sani - tary Commissioner Ed Ross said he would look into it . Fire Chief William Berry reported that the Fire Prevention Bureau has won second place for its scrap book when it was entered in state-wide competition with the State Chiefs ' Ass ' n . The scrap book will be expanded and entered in National competition in October . Mr . Cecere congratulated Fire MarshalGreen and Captain Griffin on the fine work . Assistant Police Chief Major Doren recommended that James Everett be appointed Special Police with jurisdiction on the Earlham campus , all college-owned buildings and grounds within the City and the streets adjacent to the campus, effective September 10, 1970. Mr . Howell moved the Board approve the appointment, second- ed by Mr . Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried . Captain Martin recommended that right turns be permitted on RED after stopping at the following intersections: A. 16th and East Main Streets-east bound on Main Street B . Southwest 5th and National Road-west bound on National Rd. C . Northwest 5th and Peacock Rd. -south bound on Northwest 5th . D . 4th and East Main St . -west bound onto City Parking Lot . Mr . Howell moved the Board approve the Traffic Division recommen- dation, subject to State Highway approval where needed, seconded by Mr . Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried . Mr . Cecere congratulated the Police Department for making an arrest involving the sale of drugs . Mayor Klute stressed the fact that the cooperation of the public is needed to apprehend violators . Major Doren said that most of the time people will not reveal sources . Mr . Cecere said other law enforcements agencies , such as the prosecutor ' s office, could make people testify before grand juries . Park Superintendent Don McBride appeared to discuss the burning of trash in Glen Miller Park . _ Stanley Vigran, also requested to attend, was unable to be present . Mr . Cecere explained that the Park is not exempt from obeying the City Ordinance. Mr . McBride explained that there is only one trash truck and there is no place to take the trash on Sunday . He said a packer had been promised Board of Works Minutes September 10, 1970 Page 2 from the Sanitary District but the Park only had it on two week- ends . Mr . Cecere said that the Park ' s problem in relation to trash is no different from that of other citizens, and the burning must be stopped . He said everyone appreciates the clean conditions of the Park, but burning is not the answer . Sanitary Commissioner Ed Ross said there had been a misunderstanding and the packer should have been available. Mr . Cecere said that Mr . McBride should communicate with Mr . Ross in case the packer is not available in the future. Mr . Cecere reported that an offer has been made from J . & J . Marine & Sales for a strip of land owned by R . P . & L . on S . 9th Street, of $1 ,500 .00 . The land has been appraised . Mr . Cecere moved the Board take the offer under advisement, seconded by Mr . Howell and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried . Will Reller, representing the Richmond Gas Co. , representatives of the Water Co. and of John-Manville appeared to protest the contemplated use of explosives by contractors building a sanitary sewer on N . W. 2nd Street . The Board had during its last meeting given permission to use explosives where necessary, provided the contractor exhaust all other possibilities of digging the sewer . Representatives of the Engineering Construction Co. , contractors, said that they intend to take every precaution and would only use enough charges to loosen the rocks . They intend to leave the other burden, which would protect the area from flying rock . They said there are water and gas mains in the area, in fact, they said some of the lines would have to be relocated so as not to conflict with the sewer . They said that they did not think the blast would distrub pipelines six to eight feet away . Mr . Lord of the Water Co. said some of the Water Co. pipes are on the rock, although the practice is now to lay them in a bed of sand . Mr . Reller explained that the gas main which could be affected serves 5,000 people in the N . W. area of town and many industries, including John-Manville. He said the Engineering Construction Co. suggested they cut off the lines which might be subject to damage, however the line involved is an 8" and a 12" main . He explained that Johns-Manville depends on gas 24 hours a day and even a short interruption could result in a loss of money running into the millions . Perfect Circle and Wayne Works are also involved . It was also suggested that a Gas Company service man be in attendance to shut off gas in case of an emergency, but Mr . Reller explained that that would necessitate several crews of men . The pressure of an explosion could loosen or crack the joints or pipes . Mr . Reller reminded the Board that in its orig- inal motion granting permission to use explosives , it required that all other means of removing the rock be first explored, and he said that the work could be done with the means of a hole ram, although it would be more expensive and slower . He said it would be impossible to take out both gas mains at the same time. Mr . Lord said that in case-of damage the entire West side could be without water . Mr . Hutton, distribution engineer for the Gas Company said the work could be done without blasting. Mr . Thorpe of Johns-Manville explained that his company is the largest user of gas in the City . He said that if the gas were shut off for as long as one hour , .iJohns-Manville would have to shut down completely for from two to six months . The contractor showed his certificates of insurance, but Mr . Reller said that the insurance was for $1 million, whereas the possible damage could be much more severe . Mr . Cecere explained that the Board is not concerned with incon- veniencing anyone in order to build ithe sewer since the sewer is a necessary addition to the community, but he did not feel Board of Works Minutes September 10, 1970 Page, 3 that this is a matter of convenience but of safety . He said the issue is whether the Board feels it can jeopardize one or more industries through the possibility of human error . The contractor said that blasting is an accepted method of removing rick and if the Board does not accept it it will cost the taxpayers money . Mr . Cecere said that in case one of the mains is damaged the cost would be much more. He said the Board must make a judgement on the facts available, which are that there is a possibility of danger and that alternate ways are available beside the use of explosives . Mr . Cecere moved the Board does not allow the contractor to dynamite unless it can be done without damage to utility lines with appropriate guar - antees , or unless there is no other way the rock can be moved, seconded by Mr . Howell and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried . The contractor representative said that the job cannot be done at the price quoted without using explosives . Mr . Cecere told him that the rock was there at the time the bid was submitted and nothing was mentioned in the contract concerning blasting as a condition of the price . There being no further business, on motion duly made, seconded and passed, the meeting was adjourned . /s/ Andrew Cecere, President ATTEST: Lotte Hoskins , Clerk of the Board