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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 p '6u^rtYTll!�'+"T^%^-'=•n-.,r. �s�-*...n-�.. . ...,. . ._ ;.►wnr+�r-.r.+-.• ....._;.....�.,.w,.....-.. .........,..-..�..,..- ......_.........,.....,_.. �90' - 2- March 27 , 1980 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 - 3- March 27 , 1404 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 Sr 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 i"