HomeMy Public PortalAbout04-03-1969 Page 20
BOARD OF WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE CITY
OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, APRIL 3, 1969
The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana,
met in regular session in the Municipal Bldg. April 3, 1969, at the
hour of 9:00 a.m. Mr. Cecere presiding with the following members
present: Mr. Howell, City Controller, and Mr. Jacobs, City Engineer.
The following buisiness was had to-wit:
Mr. Howell moved that the minutes of the previous meeting be approved,
seconded by Mr. Jacobs and on unanimous voice vote, the motion was carried,
Fire Chief Donavon C. Johnson appeared to ask the Board to accept the.
resignation of Harvey Noble, effective April 7, 1969. Captain Noble
has served on the Richmond Fire Department since 1945 and is eliligible
for retirement. The Pension Board has already approved his pension.
Mr. Jacobs wanted the Board to express its appreciation for Mr. Noble's
years of service. Mr. Howell moved that the Board accept the resignation,
seconded by Mr. Jacobs and on unanimous voice vote, the motion was carried.
Chief Johnson recommended that Dale Knarzer be promotoed to the rank of
Captain, effective April 7, 1969. Mr. Howell moved the Board approve the
recommendation, seconded by Mr. Jacobs and on unanimous voice vote, the
motion was carried.
Chief Johnson recommended that Larry Heathcoe be promoted to the rank of
engineer effective April 7,. 1969. Mr. Howell moved for approval of the
recommendation, seconded by Mr. Jacobs and on unanimous voice vote, the
motion was carried.
Chief Johnson recommended that Joseph Pierce, having successfully completed
his one year probationary period, be advanced to regular fireman, effective
April 1, 1969. Mr. Howell moved for approval of recommendation, seconded
by Mr. Jacobs and on unanimous voice vote, the motion was carried.
Chief Johnson asked the Board to approve a transfer of funds within the
Fire Department Budget of $4306.04 from M-28 Other Equipment to M-26 Motor
Equipment, to pay for two trucks bought by the Department. Mr. Howell
moved that the request be approved and that a transfer resolution be pre-
pared for Council, seconded by Mr. Jacobs and on unanimous voice, the motion
was carried.
Chief Johnson brought up a request from Councilman : E. C. Henn for the
hydrants in Hale Terrace. Mr. Jacobs moved that the request be referred,
to the Fire Department for study and that Chief Johnson bring a report to
the next meeting, seconded by Mr. Howell and on unanimous voice vote, the
motion was carried.
Chief Johnson presented the following Fire Prevention Bureau report:
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU -
MARCH MONTHLY REPORT
Total inspections & re-inspections 556
Orders issued 42
Compliances 44
On Tuesday, March 25, 1969, the Fire Prevention Bureau showed a film
(In Case of Fire) and gave a talk on fire safety for school children at
Highland School. There were 457 people in attendance.
On Saturday, March 29, 1969, the Fire Prevention Bureau gave a talk and
showed three films to the Neighborhodd Mothers Club. There were 15
adults and 32 children in attendance. The films were:
"Our Obligation"
"In Case of Fire"
"Patty Learns About Fire"
On- Monday, March 31, 1969, the Fire Prevention Bureau showed training
films to fire-fighters on Bulk Tank Fires and Ladder Raising. A training
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talk was also given.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Fred Klotz, Fire Marshall
Fire Prevention Bureau
Richmond, Indiana
Captain Walter Stout of the Traffic Division presented a report on a sur-
vey he had conducted by order of the Board, concerning the removal of the
" NO PARKING LOADING ZONE" restriction on the West side of the 400 blcok of
North 9th St. The request was made by Mr. Paul Elliott, owner of Phares
Variety Store, 833 N. "E" St. Some of the other property owners in the
area favored restricted parking, others didn't care. Captain Stout recom-
mended that if parking is to be permitted it should be two hour parking,
except from North "E" St. south to the first cement brige support beyond the
fire hydrant, where there should be no parking anytime. Parking should be
forbidden at certain hours to allow for street cleaning. Mr. Jacobs moved
that the loading zone area be left as it is but that parking be restricted
to two hours on the east side of the 400 block of North 9th St. Mr. Howell
seconded and on unanimous voice vote, the motion was carried.
Mr. James Bonner appeared for the Onyx Lodge requesting permission to hold
a parade on June 10 at 6p.m. , beginning on South 12th Street, following Main
Street to the Courthouse. The Lodge is host to the State convention on
June 7-11 and an annual parade is usually held. Captain Stout had no objec-
tion. Mr. Howell moved the request be approved, seconded by Mr. Jacobs and
on unanimous voice vote, the motion was carried.
Captain Stout asked that Daurence Dawkins, parade Marshall, work out arrange-
ments with him.
Mr. Jacobs presented a curb cut request by the First Baptist Church, So. 17th
and "A" Sts. The request having been approved by the Traffic Divisionr:and the
Zoning Commissioner, Mr. Jacobs moved it be approved, seconded by Mr. Howell
and on unanimous voice vote, the motion was carried.
Mr. Ater of Ater' s Ambulance Service appeared to aske the City's help in
making the public aware of the fact that the service is not free except in
instances of automobile accidents, accidents on public street, or heart
attacks. He said that he had $1,400.00 outstanding from the period of October
1 through December 31, alone, and estimated that altogether he has over
$4,000 in outstanding bills. He would not object to people paying it off on
installments. Mr. Howell suggested the news media help in clearing up public
confusion regarding payment of the ambulance runs, they may find themselves
without ambulance service. Mr. Ater also brought up the problem of safety
for the ambulance exit.. A flasher signal has been installed, but he said
drivers disregard .it. He suggested that the City erect a sign "Caution--
Ambulance Exit". Chief Strahan said there had been trouble about accidents
when more than one ambulance would appear. Mr. Ater said he had taken care
of the problem. Mr. Cecere told Mr. Ater that the police department should
have an up-to-date list of all ambulance drivers and attendants in his employ.
Mr. Ater said he would compile such a list.
Mr. Alfred Birck, owner of the property at 1804 No. "F" St. appeared at the
request of the Board to show cause why he should not comly with the Building
Commissioner' s order of condemnation for the building. The house had been
condemned last August and no effort has been made to repair or to wreck the
structure. Mr. Birck said he wanted to repair the building, that it was too
good to be torn down, but that he has not been able to get out and that the
weather has been bad. Building Commissioner Ed Goins asked him whether or
not he has had an estimate on the cost of putting the building in such repair
that it would meet Housing Code requirements, and Mr. Birck said he had not.
Mr. Goins suggested that Mr. Birck get such an estimate within the next two
weeks so that he could decide either to tear the building down or to repair it.
Mr. Jacobs moved that the Board defer action on the matter for two weeks when
Mr. Birck would return with his decision, seconded by Mr. Howell and on unani-
mous voice vote, the motion was carried.
Mr. Henry Hobbs, owner.of the property at 411 So. 9th St. appeared at the
request of the Board to show why he should not carry out the Building
Commissioners order of condemnation which ordered the building to be wrecked
by September 23, 1968. Mr. Hobbs said he wanted to sell the building and
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had a buyer who was going to repair it. Mr. Cecere said that the City
could no longer allow the building to stand in tis present condition as
it is a safety hazard. Mr. Goins said the building would. have to be com-
pletely gutted, completely rewired,: the plumbing overhauled completely, and
he would estimate it would cost about $6,000 to bring the building up to
housing code standards. Mr. Cecere moved that the Board affirm the order
the Building Commissioner, directing that the building be wrecked and that
the Building Commissioner be ordered- to proceed forthwith to cause the
structures on the real estate to be wrecked and torn down, all pursuant to
the Statutes of the State of India a. Mr. Jacobs seconded and on unanimous
voice vote, the motion was carried. Mr. Cecere explained to Mr. Hobbs
that he can either wreck the building himself, or Alla-City would do it
and put a lien on the property and that the order on him or anyone who11/
buys the property. Mr. Hobbs wanted to know if a new buyer could remodel
the house and was told that he could if he came to the Board with his plans.
Mr. Jacobs explained that Mr. Raymond Knoll, attorney for the owners of the
property at 1217 So. "J" St. , had called him and told him that he was nego-
tiating with the Fire Department to have the building burnt down as a fire
exercise. Mr. Cecere moved that the Board affirm the Building Commissioners
order to wreck the building and remove the improvements of the premises.
Mr. Goins submitted the following report from the Bureau of Buildings:
Month No. of Dwellings Evaluation Total Permits Total Cost _
March 1969 7 $123,000.00 114 $908,015.00
March 1968 . 10 161,500.00 .123 368,338.00
February 1969 6 148,000.00 99
Total Permit Fees for March 1969 $ 725.00
Total Permit Fees for March 1968 $ 839.00
Total number of inspections made by this department in the month of March
1969. - 196.
Sincerely,
/s/ Claude E. Goins, Commissioner
Mr. Goins requested the Board's approval to send Building Inspector Philip
Houser to the Indiana Inspector's Association, Inc. , Spring School, to be
held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Motel, Indianapolis, April 21-23.
Mr. Jacobs moved the request be approved, seconded by Mr. Howell and on
unanimous voice vote, the motion was carried.
Mr. Howell reported that two bids from the Lansing Irrigation Co. , Inc.
Lansing, Michigan, had been received in his office March 28, for an auto-
matic irrigation system for the City Building grounds. Since the bids
arrived a day later than the advertised date, the Clerk was ordered to re-
turn the bids unopened, with an accompanying letter explaining the situa-
tion.
Mr. Jacobs moved that the Board sign the contract with Wolfcreek Garden
Center, Inc. , for the irrigation system at the price of $17,995. Mr.
Howell seconded and on unanimous voice vote, the motion was carried, .and
the contract was signed. '
Mayor Byron Klute gave ,a brief report of some of the progress since the ex-
plosion a year ago. The Redevelopment Commission designated a core area;
the Commission sold bonds; the City obtained approval from the State Highway
Dept. to close Main Street; the Redevelopment Commission applied for Federal
funds; the Engineering Department drew up the plans for rerouting Main St.
traffic on No. and So. "A" Streets; and the Redevelopment Commission bought
land for the downtown development.
Indirectly, as the result of the explosion, the Post Office found a site
for a new building and promised improved service to Richmond; the new No.
1 Fire Station has been located and ground broken for it so that the old
City Building can be torn down. The Mayor said the City's year efforts would
not have been possible without the cooperation of the Board of Works and
the various departments as well.as .the property owners of the immediate
disaster area. Now, he said, it is up to private enterpirse to take advan-
tage of the opportunities created by government.
Page 23
Mr. Cecere said that an accounting of the year's activities should be made
to the community. He said the Mayor had put forth unequaled effort coordi-
nating activities of the various agencies involved, such as the Board of
Works, the Redevelopment Commission; the various departments; the local
merchants; as well as Senators and Congressmen. He repeated that now the
City can do very little and further efforts must come from private enter-
prise to bring to fruition the groundwork which has been laid. Mr. Cecere
also mentioned as having beneficial results the efforts by the Engineer
to bring together for the first time all the utilities to cooperate and
the renovation of the gas utility as a result of the suit by the City
before the Public Service Commission.
Chief Strahan called the Board's attention to a newspaper report of the
anti-crime commission's selection of a state committee to allocate Federal
funds under the Safe Street Act. He said he did not know of anyone in
Richmond having been invited to attend. The State had been divided into
eight geographic districts for purposes of allocating the funds and
Richmond had never been notified of which district it is in. He said he
was trying to find more information. Mr. Cecere said he hoped the Chief
would get some answers to keep the Board informed.
Mr. Cecere questioned Chief Johnson on several installations of water which
had been ordered by the Board. The Chief said that water has been installed
at the Townhouse, across from Holthouse, and Ahaus Tool, and he is investi-
gating Hale Terrace the Mobile Home Park in the south end.
Mr. Howell reported that the following groups had visited the new City
building:
Rose City Kiwanis Club
Central Labor Council
Morning Optimist Club
League of Women Voters & AAUW
Citizens Advisary Commission
In addition to the groups several youth organizations have been conducted
on tours of the new facility, Scouting groups - 10; School Children - 3.
Mr. Howell suggested that the Board allow the Gilcrest building to be wrecked
by a salvager to save the wrecking charges. Mr. Cecere said bids could be
requested for demolition only, enabling salvagers to compete.
The Mayor asked that the sidewalks by the buildings burned in the explosion
be cleared. Mr. Nepote reported that the work had been contracted for and
would start Monday. Mr. Cecere said the sidewalk should be blocked off and
a pedestrian walkway created in the street. Chief Strahan said he would
work it out with the Street Dept.
Mr. Howell moved, the the Board approve a transfer of $135,000.00 from the
Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund and from the Cumulative Capital Improve-
ment Fund (cigarette tax) $30,000.00, to the Fire Station Building Fund for
the No. 1 Fire Station, for a fire alarm and communications system.
Mr. Howell moved, that the Board approve a transfer of funds of $70,268.70
from the Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund (cigarette`.tax) to the 1967
City Hall Fund to complete the erection and improvement of the Municipal
Building.
There being no further business on motion duly made, seconded and carried,
the meeting adjourned.
/s/ Andrew C. Cecere, President
4sLi 01-6-AXL-
Attest: /s/ Lotte Hoskins, City Clerk