Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1946 [PAGE 1072]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1946]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

1065

Bell Telephone Company offers the sum of $18,000 for this equipment, representing an original cost of about $50,000. When the change is made all telephone services will be consolidated, and the Illinois Bell Telephone Company will assume the responsibility of supplying all equipment and cable lines, the University to provide only for switchboard operators. Internal service will be automatic. Total annual costs estimated at $40,593 as against $25,750 at present, but without the necessity of further capital outlay. T h e Comptroller, who has participated in these discussions and studies, joins in the following recommendations: 1. T h a t the Comptroller and Secretary of the Board be authorized to execute a contract with the Illinois Bell Telephone Company for ( a ) the installation of an Illinois Bell Telephone Company P B X exchange to centralize all University telephone service on the Urbana campus, and ( b ) the sale of the present University-owned intercommunicating exchange and cable plant for the sum of $18,000. 2. That the Governor be requested to release $38,000 in the current State appropriation for telephone service extensions to cover ( a ) remodeling a room for the relocation of the exchange, and (b) labor for additions to and replacements of a cable plant for the new system. I concur in these recommendations and request approval. O n m o t i o n of M r . M c K e l v e y , t h e s e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s w e r e a d o p t e d . MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT FOR FIRE PROTECTION (11) F o r a number of years there has existed an unwritten understanding between the cities of Champaign and Urbana on the one hand and the University on the other hand, with respect to the scope of responsibility of each as to fire protection, including an understanding as to mutual aid. Recently the subject has been discussed at length by representatives of the Fire Departments of the two cities and representatives of the University. T h e Director of the Physical Plant Department now submits a proposed Mutual Aid Agreement for Fire P r o tection, which he believes will be satisfactory to both cities and which he requests have the approval of the University. T h e agreement has been submitted to the National Board of Fire Underwriters for its comments, and the suggestions received have been incorporated in the proposed agreement. A copy of the agreement is submitted herewith. It is supplemented by a map of the area covered by this protection in which responsibilities of the different fire departments are indicated. I recommend approval and authorization to the Comptroller and the Secretary of the Board to execute it on behalf of the University. O n m o t i o n of M r . M c K e l v e y , t h i s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n w a s a d o p t e d and the contract was authorized. CONDEMNATION OF PROPERTY IN CHICAGO FOR UNIVERSITY BY MEDICAL CENTER COMMISSION (12) The Director of the Physical Plant Department, the Legal Counsel, and the Comptroller have been discussing with the Medical Center Commission the service that the latter might render to the University in the acquisition of property in the neighborhood of the Chicago campus. The Commission operates under a special legislative act which gives it certain powers and advantages not possessed by the Board of Trustees when condemnation becomes necessary. T h e University would be called upon to reimburse the Commission for the purchase cost of any property acquired by the latter and turned over to the University for its uses. T h e officers mentioned, after consideration and discussion, recommend that the responsibility for negotiation for the purchase of property needed by the University be carried on by it and through its agents. If and when such negotiations reach a point where the property can not be secured at a reasonable price, the University should request the Medical Center Commission to condemn the property. T h e Commission is willing to proceed in this manner. T h e Director of the Physical Plant Department reports that it has been impossible to secure a reasonable price from the owner of the vacant property