HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1980-03-27 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS T)
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 7 : 30 P.M. March 27 , 1980
PRESENT :
Mayor - Bordoni
Aldermen (10) - Banfield, Boothroyd, Boronkay , Dennis , Gutenberger ,
Holman , Nichols , Saccucci , Schuler, Slattery
OTHERS PRESENT :
Asst . City Controller - Spano
Asst . to Supt. of Public Works - Dougherty
Dep. Fire Chief - Tuckerman
Transit Supervisor - Carpenter
City Clerk - Rundle
ABSENT :
City Attorney - Shapiro
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE :
Mayor Bordoni led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American flag.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Purchase of Transit Bus
Mayor Bordoni reported that the city has been reviewing the types of
buses- -whether we would buy a school bus converted at a lower price ,
but with some problems , or whether we would buy a regular transit bus .
He said that discussion at the hearing would center around that topic ,
the issue at Question being whether or not this bus will or will not
have a hydraulic lift on it for handicapped persons .
Mayor Bordoni then asked if any of the council had comments which they
wished to make .
Alderman Gutenberger, Chairman , Budget and Administration Committee of
i -the Council , commented that $11 , 000 represents the difference between
buying a bus with hydraulic lift versus a bus without it. The committee
felt that the $11 , 000 might be more effectively spent in the community
and serve more people by different uses than just what is required by
the law. The committee ' s recommendation is not strictly a dollars and
cents recommendation- -the dollars would be the same , but the use would
be different .
Alderman Nichols reported that the Planning Board, the previous Tuesday
evening at a meeting, raised many questions . The point was made that
the federal legislation requires the city to provide transportation
for the handicapped to the places they want to go . The Board would
like to know what routes and places would be served. It is estimated
that each trip with the lift on the bus will cost $ 34 . 00 extra; there-
fore they wish to establish which routes will be used so that money will
not be wasted on routes not used by the handicapped.
Alderman Dennis presented two questions : what type of uses the committee
were talking about ; and is there a better way to spend the money and
still satisfy the requirements?"
Alfred Leonardo , 104 Third St . , commented that the regular transit bus
with lift would serve very few members of the handicapped. They need
door-to-door service . He cited Gadabout as an example- -the people are
helped on and off the bus , which service the regular transit bus driver
could not give the handicapped.
Anna Wardel , 104 Third St . , commented that except for Gadabout she
would not be able to leave her house--to go to Church , the Senior
Citizens , et . Alderman Holman asked Mrs . Wardel if her comments meant
that Gadabout , or a similar service , would be a better service for her
than a wheelchair lift on a transit bus . Mrs . Wardel said it would.
Alderman Boronkay asked for an explanation of what the wheelchair lift
can do and how it operates . Transit supervisor Carpenter explained
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that on this particular bus , the type of lift suitable for this type
of bus requires the driver to go to the area of the lift to operate
it from within the bus , leaving the bus controls vacant .
Robert Holdsworth, 6 Cornell Walk, commented that lifts have been
tested with the result of 18 ,000 cycles without breakdown , and asked
why the city can' t look into these kinds of lifts which cost less and
have been proven to be more efficient .
Mr. Dougherty, Asst . to the Supt . of Public Works , informed the hearin-$-°°°`°
that the cost would be the same ; however, the city could not buy a bu
for more than a year from the other companies .
Mayor Bordoni explained that a problem the city is having now is that
it is short a back-up bus , and that is what necessitates purchasing a
bus at this time . The sooner we get it the better off our transit
system is going to be. It is because of that that the Department of
Public Works was allowed to look for a bus they could purchase , order
immediately , and have it on hand in a reasonable amount of time .
Alderman Schuler asked Planner Sieverding to explain the federal legis-
lation in brief, which he did.
Alderman Nichols commented that if a regulation of the federal govern-
ment is unsuitable to our community in that it is very hilly , and if
the majority of people would prefer some other way of going around
than on the public bus , she believes that the U. S. government will hear
and give us a remedy so that we can provide the transportation that is
needed in Ithaca, New York.
The following persons addressed the Council , speaking in favor of
hydraulic wheelchair lift on the bus to be purchased:
Robert Holdsworth 6 Cornell Walk
Leslie Lampert Cedar Lane
Jerry Haroldson 10 Fairview Square
Marie Petti 406 Elmwood Avenue
The following persons addressed the Council , speaking in favor of an
alternate system (for example : Gadabout) :
Bruce Watkins 110 Warwick Place
Alfred Leonardo 104 Third Street
Anna Wardel 104 Third Street
Steve Fellows 641 Snyder Hill Road
Dennis Benton 800 S. Plain Street
Jean Benton 800 S. Plain Street
The following persons addressed the Council on issues of a broader
nature , i. e. , change of meeting date , accessibility of meeting place
to handicapped, accessibility of voting places , the either or Else
nature of question of bus vs . alternative , equality, etc. :
Ann Hinnen 114 Texas Lane
Mary Kurr 324 Sienna Drive
Charles Anthony Pecosta Central Fire Station
Gary Muldoon Railroad Avenue , Freeville
Janet Kirzek 128 Peruville Road
Alderman Gutenberger asked Judith Willis , Gadabout Coordinator, for
opinion concerning expansion of the service to cover weekends and she
said it would have to be presented to the entire Advisory Council be-
cause it is operated by volunteers and she was not at liberty to give
an answer offhand.
Resolution
By Alderman Gutenberger: Seconded by Alderman Nichols
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Common Council reaffirms its previous decision
to purchase the bus ordered without an electric lift for wheelchair
users , and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the sum of $11 ,000 be allocated in the
1980 final budget to meet the transportation needs of the handicapped. I
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Discussion followed on the floor.
The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put
to a vote on roll call , which resulted as follows :
Schuler Aye Holman Aye
Banfield Nay Boronkay Aye
Nichols Aye Gutenberger Aye
Slattery Aye Saccucci Aye
Dennis Nay Boothroyd Absent
Ayes (7)
Nays (2)
Absent (1) - Boothroyd
Carried
Resolution
By Alderman Nichols : Seconded by Alderman Gutenberger
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Common Council directs its Planning and
( ; Development Committee to work closely with the Planning and Develop-
ment Department to continue work on the transition plan and the
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opening and availability of all public facilities to all citizens .
Resolution
By Alderman Dennis : Seconded by Alderman Holman
RESOLVED, That the above matter be referred to the Planning and
Development Committee .
Carried Unanimously
Resolution
By Alderman Dennis : Seconded by Alderman Saccucci
RESOLVED, That the Planning and Development Committee investigate
the availability of handicapped accessible sites for Common Council
meetings and that they make that recommendation to the Common Council .
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
Carried Unanimously
Alderman Boothroyd arrived at the meeting at 9 : 30 p .m.
Resolution
By Alderman Holman : Seconded by Alderman Schuler
RESOLVED, That the regular meeting of the Common Council , Wednesday ,
April 2 , 1980 , be held in the Central Fire Station , and that one
meeting only.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows :
Ayes (7) - Saccucci , Banfield, Schuler, Boothroyd, Holman , Boronkay ,
Slattery
Nays (3) - Dennis , Gutenberger, Nichols
Carried
Resolution to Close Public Hearing
By Alderman Banfield: Seconde y Alderman Slattery
RESOLVED, That this public hearing be closed.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT :
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9 : 35 p .m.
PosUpliA. Run le , City ClerT Raymond Bor oni , Jr. , Mayor
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