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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-01-18BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Meeting of January 18, 1989 NOTES Present: Commissioners Cannon, Daley, Reeves and Sprague; Council Liaison Nichols, Supt. Dougherty, Asst. Supt. Fabbroni, City Engr. Gray. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following was an addition to the Agenda: 6. Golf Course Irrigation System Design. 1. REVIEW OF JOB SPECIFICATIONS FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS The major question is this discussion was the decision to reinstate the Professional Engineers (PE) license as a requirement for this position. It was noted that Mayor Gutenberger did not want the PE license as a requirement. Supt. Dougherty felt the PE requirement would give the City the type of qualified applicants with the proper background. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted that the salary offered for this position is good and will bring in a long pool of applicants. He also felt that a PE with management skills would be great for the City. Council Liaison Nichols noted that a PE is preferable and noted that the Mayor makes the ultimate selection of a candidate after given referrals from the search committee. After discussion with the Mayor, the BPW decided to advertise this position as "PE desirable" but not as a requirement. 2. DPW STUDY - REVIEW OF DRAFT PROPOSAL FROM COUNCIL LIAISON NICHOLS Discussion followed on the draft proposal that Council Liaison Nichols drafted. The time frame for the selection of a new superintendent was discussed. Discussion followed concerning Alderperson Killeen's memo suggesting a person from Cornell University being hired as the consultant. Council Liaison Nichols felt that there are three factors to consider a) does the BPW want to do study at all, b) do this study before new superintendent is hired or, c) do this study after the new superintendent is hired. Commissioner Cannon favored doing this study after the new superintendent is hired. Supt. Dougherty felt that when he retires he should walk away completely and let the new person run the department. Commissioner Reeves asked the BPW if they felt the study should be done. Council Liaison Nichols suggested the BPW ask one of the people mentioned in Alderperson Killeen's letter to come and talk to the BPW. The BPW decided to ask Alderperson Killeen and one of his suggested persons to speak with the BPW regarding this study. Council Liaison Nichols noted that the figures on his draft proposal were incorrect - they did not include water /sewer figures. 3. PARKING ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM Pete Malison was present for discussion. Discussion began describing the type of enforcement this person would do. It would be all non - metered areas. Pete felt that one person with a car would be able to handle the circuit. Council Liaison Nichols asked if the department had someone to do this now. It was noted that this person would have to have some kind of training. Commissioner Cannon felt that in the beginning of this program it would be a very full time job. Once the word gets out that two hour zones et al. are being ticketed, things would probably slack -off. City Engr. Gray asked if the concept behind this program was to assist or relieve the Police Department. Commissioner Cannon noted the boundaries between these two departments need to be delineated. Pete noted that the DPW would enforce during the day, and the police would do so at night. After more discussion, the BPW decided to prepare a resolution asking Common Council for the funds necessary for one person and one vehicle to get this program underway. 4. ENCROACHMENT REQUESTS A) 900 West State Street Supt. Dougherty explained why he felt the City should not enter into a long -range agreement with the owners of this property. He said that there is a possibility that the Route 96 relocation project would widen this portion of West Seneca Street. Discussion followed. The BPW decided to grant the owners of this property a renewable, revocable license. B) 132 University Avenue It was noted that the steps and wall are the items in question. It is uncertain whose wall it is and if the wall holds up the street or the street holds up the wall. The BPW decided to delay any action on this request until the City Engr. has looked at it. 5. WEST SIDE SIDEWALKS Asst. City Attorney Beers - Schnock was present for discussion. She noted that there is a difference in how the City assesses sidewalk owners - if improvement to a sidewalk is done it is reassessed, if it is construction and maintenance it is considered a special assessment. Discussion followed concerning the West Side sidewalks. Commissioner Reeves noted that the complaint was that the residents did not receive prior written notification of what the approximate cost would be to them. She also noted that the Mayor suggested either eliminating the interest or not charging them for the street trees. Discussion followed. Commissioner Reeves asked the BPW if they would like to to give the owners some relief due to the lack of notification. Commissioner Daley felt we could offer the owners the chance to renege on paying for the trees. The general concensus of the BPW was to charge interest on these sidewalk assessments and to give the owners the opportunity to purchase the tree. The BPW decided to wait to hear from the Asst. City Attorney before discussing this topic further. 6. GOLF COURSE IRRIGATION SYSTEM Supt. Dougherty noted there is money in the design fund and that he would like the BPW to request Common Council to release $1,500 to design an irrigation system for the Newman Gulf Course. He noted that this was already passed and that this irrigation system would use non - treated water. The BPW agreed to prepare a resolution asking Common Council to release $1,500 from the appropriate fund for the design of an irrigation system at the Newman Golf Course. REMINDERS Collegetown Clean -up Meeting scheduled for Monday, January 23rd at the Collegetown Motor Lodge at 5:30 p.m. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary