HomeMy Public PortalAbout05-03-1968 50
Bd. of Public Works and Safety Special Meeting 4-26-1968
The Board moved upon recommendation of Captain Stout of the Traffic Division that all
parking on South "A" Street on both sides of the street, from 3rd to 18th, will be pro-
hibitied. The Street Department will paint the lines on South "A" Street and it will be
3-lane traffic east. The Street Department was also ordered to remove the parking meter
posts.
There being no further business on motion duly made, seconded and carried, the meeting
adjourned. ,y Ito /n
�'y,n A�BC6 G,v��e:r',,�y
:;52 --� ,� /s/ Joseph Hoskins, President
Attest: /s/ Harold W. Ryan, City rk
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE
CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, MAY 3, 1968
The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met in regular
session in the City Hall, Friday, May 3, 1968, at the hour of 2:00 o'clock P.M.(EST).
Mr. Hoskins presiding with the following members being present: Mr. Cecere and Mr.
Cook. The following business was had to-wit:
Mr. Hoskins moved the Minutes stand as read, seconded by Mr. Cook and on unanimous
voice vote was carried.
Fire Chief Donavon Johnson presented the following resignation to the Board of Public
Works and Safety for action:
April 24, 1968
To: Board of Public Works
Gentlemen:
I respectfully request to be placed on retirement effective April 29, 1968, at
which time I will have completed 20 years, 3 months, and 29 days.
Respectfully,
/s/ Keith Burdsall
Captain Richmond Fire Dept.
The Board ordered :the Clerk to write a letter of appreciation to Mr. Keith Burdsall.
Police Chief Donald Strahan recommended to the Board' tha.t Gary Robert' Coning, age 21,
be appointed to the position of probationary patrolman on the Richmond Police Depart-
ment; appointment effective May 6, 1968. Mr. Cook moved this man be accepted, seconded
by Mr. Cecere and on unanimous voice vote was carried. Mr. Hoskins welcomed Mr. Coning
to the police force.
Captain Walter Stout of the Traffic Division asked the Board to eliminate the three
parking places on the north side of Main in the 700 block. Mr. Cecere moved this be
done, seconded by Mr. Cook and on unanimous voice vote was carried.
Captain Stout asked the Board for permission to put parking restriction back 50 feet
on the northwest corner of South 13th and "F" Street, 50 feet on the southwest corner
of South 13th and "F" Street, and 60 feet on the southeast corner of South 13th and "F"
Street. Mr. Cecere moved this be done, seconded by Mr. Cook and on unanimous voice vote
was carried.
Captain Stout also asked the Board's permission to remove the three remaining parking
places on west side of North 8th in the first block by the Y.M.C.A. Mr. Cecere
moved this be done, seconded by Mr. Cook and on unanimous voice vote was carried.
Captain Stout asked the Board' s permission for no-parking on the east side of the
street in the 100 block South 2nd from "A" to alley. Mr. Cecere moved this permission
be granted, seconded by Mr. Cook and on unanimous voice vote was carried.
Captain Stout asked the Board for permission for auxiliary police to ride in traffic
car on second-trick. Mr. Cecere stated that they tuld sign a waiver of responsibility
of the City or be covered by insurance before they ride in the police car, seconded by
Mr. Cook and on unanimous voice vote was carried.
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kline of 107 South 2nd Street appeared before. the Board to enter
their protest on the removal of parking on South 2nd Street as it would be detrimental
to their vacuum sweeper business.
/la
Bd. of Public Works and Safety Special Meeting 4-26-68
Mr. E. E. Linburg April 26, 1968
Richmond Gas Corporation
33 South 7th Street
Richmond, Indiana
Dear Sir:
Please be advised that the Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety, in a special meeting
held on Friday, April 26, 1968, decided that because of the fear and anxiety created by the
indiscriminate cutting of streets in the downtown area which strongly suggests gas leakage
throughout the area, there is a general concern which can only be alleviated by the
IIIcessation of the flow of gas into the downtown core area.
Therefore, pursuant to the authority of the Board of Public Works and Safety, the Richmond
Gas Corporation is hereby ordered to stop the flow of gas in the downtown area from 3ed
Street to 12th Street and from North "A" Street to South "A" Street.
If this order is not immediately complied with it will be necessary to petition the Public
Service Commission of the State of Indiana to order the cessation of the flow of natural gas
into this area. Your prompt compliance with this order will be beneficial to all concerned.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Jospeh E. Hoskins, President
Board of Public Works and Safet
Mayor Byron E. Klute made the following News Release:
News Release
Mayor Byron E. Klute
April 26, 1968
The primary concern of Richmond City Officials continues to be the safety and well-being
of the citizens of this community. Every effort is being made to prevent a repetition of
the disaster that struck Richmond on April 6, 1968.
City officials were responsible for initiating and coordinating efforts aimed at ascertaining
the cause of the explosion. We are responsible for protecting the area and the return to
order in this community. The city administration will not tolerate the continuation of a
situation that is alive with fear, rumors, and great anxiety.
Therefore, I am requesting the Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety to order the
Richmond Gas Corporation to stop the flow of natural gas into the downtown area until all
gas pipelines have been thoroughly inspected and those which are in a state of disrepair
replaced. Iaam also recommending to the Board of Public Works and Safety that all pipe-
lines in the designated redevelopment area be removed and replaced prior to the rebuilding
of the downtown area.
Every effort will be made to rebuild not only the immediate area which was destroyed in the
April 6th explosion, but to rebuild the faith of the people of our community in the safety
of the core area.
Efforts to determine the cause of the disaster have been carried.. on unceasingly. Shortly
after the explosion, representatives of the State Fire Marshall's office and the Federal
Bureau of Investigation were at the scene taking down •statements from victims of the disaster
and from eyewitnesses.
The bomb squadron from Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, quickly determined that the
explosion was not caused by a bomb.
IIIMembers of the Richmond Fire Prevention Bureau and police detectives took statements,
pictures, and evidence that could be used to determine the cause. Many official agencies
helped to collect evidence.
On Monday and Tuesday, April 8 and 9, an official Board of Inquiry was formed to determine
the cause of the explosion. This board is still sifting and studying the evidence. It has
collected statements from a great many people, gathered evidence from all over Richmond,
and run down every lead.
Experts from outside the state have come to Richmond to examine what evidence we have
obtained and to help in the investigation. For example, Joe Kuchta of the Federal Bureau
of Mines, spent three days here, April 22 to 24, inspecting the damage and looking at the
evidence. Mr. Kuchta took pieces of evidence back to Washington with him for further study.
As soon as the official board of inquiry reports to County Prosecutor Wayne Tash and to the
Richmond Board of Public Works, the report will be made public. Until that time, the City
administration will do all it can to ensure the safety of our downtown area and to restore
the confidence of our citizens as to the safety of the core area.
5j.
Bd. of Public Works Minutes 5-3-68
Mrs. Katherine DeVito, owner of the laundry at North 19th and "E" Street, asked the
Board to remove the parking restrictions on the north side of "E" in the 1900 block.
The Board referred this to the Traffic Division for a restudy of the parking situation.
Mrs. Marie Spatuzi told the Board of a TV wire hooked to her chimney. Mr. Goins, Building
Inspector, was ordered by the Board to check this.
Mr. Elmer Toschlog, Street Commissioner, and Chief of Police Don Strahan told the Board
that the Gas Company was not keeping their holes filled up enough that they were digging.
Mr. Toschlog and Mr. Cook were ordered by the Board to get with the Gas Company and see
if they can work this out.
Mr. Ben Carnes of B & B Appliances asked permission of the Board to place a tent at 1017
East Main Street to sell out of while their store is being remodeled. Mr. Cecere stated
the Board would grant approval for two weeks pursuant to the Ordinance for Fire Zone No. 1,
fire proof tents, wiring, and fire extinguishers, seconded by Mr. Hoskins and on unanimous
voice vote was carried.
Mr. Charles Chance of 1117 North Drive, Berry Field, asked the Board for a fire hydrant
at the corner of North Drive and East Drive. He stated he thought this would be a good
time to install it as the Sanitary Department had Berry Field Streets torn up for sewers.
Mr. Cecere said this would be turned over to the Fire Department for investigation and
recommendation.
Mr. Harry Bangert, 59 South 23rd Street, asked the Board for improved and additional
lighting in the first block of South 23rd Street. The Board referred this to the light
plant for study.
The Board approved street lights to be installed from South 5th and "G" to South "Q" on
Liberty Pike and also on Peacock Road from llth to 18th.
City Engineer Donald Cook presented a petition to the Board for a driveway cut at 1408
No. W. 5th Street for Raper's new used car lot, seconded by Mr. Hoskins and on unanimous
voice vote was carried.
The name "Richmond Municipal Building" was approved by the Board as the name for the new
11/ City Building.
There being no further business on motion duly made, seconded and carried, the meeting
adjourned. ��� �_"'�AK"� 1�
:,5;;;;a2y-e : ✓ 4,�z.v�i' /s/ Joseph Hoskins, President
Attest: /s/ Harold W. Ryan, City Cle
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BOARD OF WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE
CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, MAY 9, 1968
The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met in regular session
in the City Hall, Thursday, May 9, 1968, at the hour of 9:00 o'clock A.M. (EST). Mr.
Hoskins presiding with the following members being present: Mr. Cecere and Mr. Cook. The
following business was had to-wit:
Mr. Hoskins moved the Minutes stand as read, seconded by Mr. Cook and on unanimous voice
vote was carried.
Battalion Chief Robert Demps, who was appearing for Chief Donavon Johnson due to illness,
recommended to the Board that Harvey Noble be promoted from fireman to the rank of Captain
effective May 13, 1968. Mr. Hoskins moved this recommendation be accepted, seconded by
Mr. Cecere and on unanimous voice vote was carried.
111 Chief of Police Donald Strahan asked permission of the Board to send seven officers-to the
next two sessions of Breathalizer School to be held at the Indiana University Medical Center,
Indianapolis, Indiana June 3-8 and June 10-15. Four officers would be sent the first week
and three the second week. Money has been provided in the budget for this school. Mr.
Hoskins moved this permission be granted, seconded by Mr. Cook and on unanimous voice vote
was carried.
Chief of Police Donald Strahan also asked permission to send three officers to Tear Gas
School June 10-11-12 at the Federal Laboratories, Ind. , Saltsburg, Pa. This would be for
the purpose of training in the use of tear gas. Money has been provided in the budget for
this school, also. Mr. Hoskins moved this permission be granted, seconded by Mr. Cook and
on unanimous voice vote was carried.