By Josh Woods Staff Writer
DUBOIS - DuBois City Council yesterday at its regular meeting voted to reject council bill No. 1874 that would have changed the speed limit on Hospital Avenue.
Assistant Solicitor Paula Cherry conducted a second reading of the bill that would have changed the speed limit from 25 mph to 15 mph between Main and Arminta Streets.
City Manager John "Herm" Suplizio said the change was requested by DuBois Regional Medical Center who wished to improve pedestrian safety.
At Thursday's work session, Suplizio reported Councilman Randy Schmidt contacted the state Department of Transportation about lowering the speed limit and found the change would require an expensive traffic study.
Suplizio said he called John Sutika at DRMC, who stated the hospital would like to install pedestrian crosswalks and signs at its expense.
Council approved DuBois Planning Commission's recommendation to convey and consolidate land from City of DuBois back to DRMC and a petition to vacate land. DRMC formally petitioned the city to vacate five portions of land that abut DRMC property. The portions are Wide Alley from Hospital to Grove Avenue, Wide Alley from Hospital to Miller Avenue, an unnamed 16-foot alley located between Hospital and Mundorf avenues, the portion of Hospital Avenue constructed over lots 10 and 30 on the J.J. Daly plan, and the portion of land known as lot 11 on the J.J. Daly plan. DRMC would be responsible for plowing, grass cutting, and the cleaning of all sidewalks located on the land conveyed.
In other business, Councilman Ed Walsh thanked DuBois Police Department for its apprehension of Dave Richards who failed to maintain his property on New Street. In addition, Walsh congratulated DuBois Little League and asked council to support its quest to host the state championships next year. Walsh said DuBois sent three teams to states this year and all of them did well.
"It brings a ton of money into the community," said Walsh. "The teams come in and spend money at restaurants and hotels, and our little league team has a shot at making states next year."
Suplizio confirmed DuBois police served a warrant on Richards at DuBois Flats, and he will appear before a magistrate today at 10 a.m.
Richards' property on the corner of Hamor and New Streets looks "absolutely horrible," said Suplizio.
In other business, council approved DuBois Historical Society's request to use City Park to host its fifth annual "Spirit of DuBois Lantern Walk" on Oct. 13. The tour is a fundraiser for the historical society and takes people on a tour of DuBois where costumed characters explain its history. The walk would begin at DuBois YMCA at 6 p.m. and continue every 15 minutes thereafter until 9 or 10 p.m. The tour includes City Park and the flats neighborhood and will focus on the flood of 1972.
The next meeting is Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. A work session is slated for Aug. 23 at 4 p.m.