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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 Page 21 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 Page 22 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