No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-NPS-2009-06-10NEIGHBORHOOD AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Minutes Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Committee members present: J.R. Clairborne, Robin Korherr, Syvante Myrick, Nancy Schuler, Joel Zumoff Staff and others present: Mayor Peterson, Marcia Fort, Donna Este - Green, Sgt. Wright Nancy Schuler, Chair, opened the meeting at 7:30 PM and welcomed all. Fay Goukakis addressed the Committee and stated that she has been a cyclist since 1982 and shared her concerns related to the newly marked bike lane on East Green Street. She feels that it is very unsafe and would hope that the issue would be referred to BPAC Robin Korherr in responding to public comment gave a history of the planned routes thru the city. The most direct east - west and north -south routes were considered in the planning. John Graves from the South Hill Neighborhood Association addressed the committee during Neighborhood Reports. He discussed the toxic vapors coming from NCR, Therm, Borg Warner thru the sewer system. West of Aurora has been tested but not East of Aurora. He stressed that he hoped that the situation would be addressed. He ended his report by saying that he is prepared to put a sign in his yard "Therm Test my Home ". Susan Brown from the Belle Sherman/Bryant Park Neighborhood Association reported that she had put a query on the list serve asking for issues of concern and had received 17 responses within a short period of time. The three areas were cars, trucks, traffic. Concerns regarding the stop signs at Mitchell and Cornell Streets and Mitchell and Elmwood and enforcement of School Speed Limit was stated. The removal of a No Trucks sign at E. State and Cornell was noted. Concerns about the area being a parking lot for Cornell was expressed. Martha Frommelt from Bryant Park also address the Committee. She talked about Code Enforcement and properties that are "owner occupied" by the owner of the property's college student son or daughter. Trash issues a concern. Some positive areas were importance of a police presence, enforcement of the noise ordinance, the parking permit system, and the partnership between the City and CU for the end of the school year activities. Martha also talked about development issues and the importance of a mixed use in Collegetown year round. page 2 6/10/09 minutes Marcia Fort, director of GIAC reported on the Safe Community Project. The first meeting was held last March. The goal was to take a proactive role against violence in the community. The group has been meeting monthly and scheduling activities to keep the community safe. The one organization not represented at the table has been the Ithaca City School District. (A suggestion about a conference call to work together) The Project message is toward prevention. Accountability - intervention information. Taking a strong stance against violence in the community is the main goal. Marcia also shared that there are 300 jobs for 14 -25 year olds available this summer. GIAC building update information: They have been working with the City Clerk's Office. Should be out of the building by the end of August for a year hopefully returning July 2010. Marcia said that all the programs have relocation sites: After school at BJM, Teens at Northside, Senior Breakfast at Southside. Bids will be opened next week. Markles Flats th Joint meeting in the BJM auditorium on Thursday, June 18 from 5:45 -6:45 PM. Plans of renovation and update year two. Topics are Bond project Coal tar. th Basketball League opens on June 19 at 5:30 at Wood Street. Marcia extended a thanks to all who assisted in making this happen. Sgt. Wright reported on the Special Unit Detail This was the fourth full year. He stated that this is a liveable goal. There has been a change in response. The Unit has taken a pro- active response. Enforcement - reasonable range - if generates a complaint. Violations 313 charges fines Overtime $45,000. (Stronger assessment - respond to ticket) Eruv Discussion Rabbi Jason Leib, Cornell Hillel addressed the committee requesting the city to establish an Eruv (virtual fence) delineating public domain to "private domain ". Plastic coverings would be attached to utility poles and wires. Town of Ithaca and Village of Cayuga Heights had passed resolutions. The committee agreed to forward this to the City Attorney's office for further study. Meeting adjourned....