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Session 1779 <br />April 3, 2000 <br /> <br />Gregory Rose, 1062 Colby, said that he had attended the Birchmont Neighborhood <br />Association meeting several weeks ago. The surrounding residents wanted the walkway <br />closed. Three signatures of the adjacent property owners were on the petition submitted to <br />the City. It is the adjacent property owners that would take over the responsibility for <br />maintaining the property. <br /> <br />Responding to Mr. Wagner, Mr. Rose said that the walkway is just a green area - there is <br />no concrete or holes or other dangerous situations. <br /> <br />Mr. Munkel wondered if it was not possible for the walkway to be closed without vacating <br />it. <br /> <br />Mr. Sharpe said he toured this area with the President of the neighborhood association. <br />They want it closed because youngsters are loitering through it. By Friday, Mr. Sharpe said <br />that he would talk to each of the four adjacent property owners and let the City know what <br />their actual views are. He would like Mr. OIlendorff to give him all information as to what <br />the City would be willing to do by Friday. Mr. OIlendorff said that, typically, the City does <br />not offer to take on any expense, such as fencing or fixing, etc. If the residents request <br />something like fencing, the City will usually do it as long as it is a minimal expense, just to <br />get out from under the obligation of maintaining it. <br /> <br />Mr. Schoomer said if we were to close this without relinquishing the ground, the City would <br />still be responsible for its upkeep and liability. He would support a measure to relinquish <br />this property, but he would also like assurances that the adjoining neighbors are willing to <br />assume responsibility. <br /> <br />Ms. Colquitt agrees with Mr. Schoomer. She wants to make sure that the adjoining <br />neighbors fully understand the implications of this vacation. <br /> <br />Mr. Lieberman stated that it did not matter who owns it, the initial problem of youth <br />loitering in this area will still occur, unless this area is completely closed off. Some action <br />has to be taken to literally close this area, either by the neighbors or the City. <br /> <br />Responding to Ms. Colquitt, Mr. Rose said that it was not heavily used by school children <br />going to and from school. <br /> <br />Mayor Adams stated that the Councilmember from that Ward would eventually express <br />Council's pleasure as to the action that needs to be taken with this matter. <br /> <br /> <br />