HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-02-01BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Meeting of February 1, 1989
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Cannon, Reeves, Sprague; Council Liaison Nichols,
Supt. Dougherty, Asst. Supt. Fabbroni, City Engr. Gray. Commissioner
to -be Phil Cox was also in attendance.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
The following were additions to the Agenda:
7. Empire State Games.
8. Dryden Road Parking Garage Permit Request.
9. Hot Truck at 600 Block of Stewart Avenue.
10. Report on Hudson Street Preliminary Design.
11. Commons Advisory Board Update.
1. EMPIRE STATE GAMES
%or Discussion followed about Mayor Gutenberger's resolution allowing
the Empire State Games Local Organizing Committee to use Room 211
in City Hall during 1989 at no charge. Presently, the Ithaca
Centennial Office is located in this room and should be winding
down in the near future. The Mayor noted that Marcia Lynch will
probably be staying on and coordinating this event. After
discussing the small rental fee the City would receive if they were
to rent this office, the BPW decided that the promotional and
financial benefits the City would receive from the Empire State
Games would be far greater, and will formally vote on this
resolution at their next BPW meeting.
2. HOT TRUCK AT 600 BLOCK OF STEWART AVENUE
Benson Farb of 636 Stewart Avenue, told the BPW the problems he
has with the location of this truck. Mr. Farb stated that he has
not had any sleep because of the loud, drunken crowds that this
truck attracts. He asked the BPW to do something immediately to
move this vehicle - he suggested relocating it to the graveyard.
Mr. Farb noted the hours that this truck works: Friday, Saturday
- 11 pm to 5 am, Sunday - 6:30 pm to 2 am, Monday through Thursday
- 10:30 pm to 2:30 am. Mr. Farb also noted that the police have
been called to this location because of fights which have started.
Bob Terry, who owns property in this area, also felt this truck
should be moved. He said that Cornell has installed "no parking"
signs on this City street. Mr. Terry also said that the previous
location was not a problem. Discussion followed. It was noted
that the City Attorney is looking into this. Commissioner Reeves
asked Supt. Dougherty what could be done. Supt. Dougherty stated
that this truck has no public works permit, but possibly a police
department vendors permit. Supt. Dougherty said that he would
contact the police department after this meeting and ask them to
notify the owners of this truck that they are creating a problem
and ask them to move. Mr. Terry noted that he would like to be
kept informed of the City Attorney's findings.
3. ENCROACHMENT REQUEST AT 132 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
Assistant City Attorney Beers - Schnock said that she spoke with Tom
West in the Engineering Dept. concerning this request. From their
research, she stated that the steps were okay, but the wall is
definitely on City property, and she would need to study this
further. Discussion followed. It was noted that this request
originated because due to the sale of the property. Assistant City
Attorney Beers - Schnock stated that she will draw up an encroachment
agreement for the steps, and would report back to the BPW concerning
the wall.
4. SIDEWALK ASSESSMENTS
Assistant City Attorney Beers - Schnock relayed
BPW based on the City Charter Section 5.30.
should be prepared and notification should be
three times before a public hearing is held.
the BPW cannot authorize anything relative
make suggestions to Common Council.
5. NYSEG STREET LIGHT CHANGEOVER
her findings to the
She said that a map
in a local newspaper
She also noted that
to payments, but can
Discussion followed about letter from the City's Energy Commission
endorsing NYSEG's proposal to replace all existing mercury vapor
street lights with high pressure sodium luminaries. City Engr.
Gray noted that the Civil Engr. has done a study on this.
Discussion followed about the annual cost savings to the City and
the difference between the high and low pressure lights. The BPW
decided to wait for a report from the Civil Engr. before making
a decision.
Commisssioner Cannon referred some of the concerns the Commons
Advisory Board had concerning lighting on the Commons. He said
that they had already spoke to someone from NYSEG. He also said
that the lights under the pavilions are dirty and should be cleaned.
One suggestion they had was to get the merchants to leave their
window lights on. Supt. Dougherty noted that the lighting in the
walkways was tested and it did not come in lower than the normal
standards are.
6. ELMIRA ROAD SIDEWALKS
Alderperson Schlather was present for discussion. Discussion
started about the letter from Tallmadge Tires. Commissioner Cannon
stated that he feels there is a need for sidewalks. Commissioner
Sprague feels there is not. The origin of this request was
discussed. Supt. Dougherty noted that this has been discussed on
and off, and noted that the Planning Dept. had made the newly built
motel install sidewalks. Discussion followed about the liability
concerns the merchants have. Commissioner Cannon felt a pedestrian
study should be done. Supt. Dougherty asked what results of this
study would require the installation of sidewalks. Alderperson
Schlather noted that the merchants are unanimous in opposition to
the installation of sidewalks. Commissioner Cannon felt sidewalks
would make the area safer and asked about the bus stops. There
are no "regular" stops on the Elmira Road; the Transit drivers are
very accommodating to the passengers and drop them off wherever
they'd like. Council Liaison Nichols felt that in the long run
sidewalks would need to be provided. Discussion followed about
possible deals that could be made with the merchants, i.e. sale
of surplus land cheaply, to help offset the cost of installing
sidewalks. The BPW decided to instruct staff to conduct a
pedestrian study in the spring, and to further this discussion in
May or June when the results from this study are available.
7. COLLEGETOWN CLEAN -UP CONTINUING DISCUSSION
Alderperson Killeen was present to report to the BPW about the most
recent meeting held on this topic. He stated that Collegetown
merchants are skeptical and many boycotted this meeting because
they felt the City isn't doing what it should be doing. He said
that the merchants need to be convinced that the City is doing their
job in Collegetown. He also said that the Mayor was trying to point
out to the merchants all the activities that will be going on in
their area, i.e. Empire State Games. Supt. Dougherty stated that
street cleaning (in good weather) takes place on Sunday, Tuesday
and Thursday. The major problem with street sweeping is cars are
parked on both sides of the street, and the cleaner can't get close
enough to the curb. Commissioner Reeves questioned the parking
ordinances in Collegetown. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni said that trash
pick -up days for the business section are Tuesday and Friday; in
residential areas the days are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It
was noted that recycling days are the same as trash days.
Discussion followed. Alderperson Killeen noted that since the
construction of the parking garage, most of the merchants group
in Collegetown has dissipated. The concensus of the BPW was to
discuss the street cleaning /trash pick -up map and parking ordinances
in Collegetown at their next COW meeting.
c.— a
N
REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
Supt. Dougherty noted that extra financing was required for the
Quarry Street retaining wall and that the B &A Committee has approved
this funding, pending the approval of the BPW.
Supt. Dougherty also noted that the preliminary design for Hudson
Street has been received from the engineers, MacNeill Engrs., and
that a Public Information Meeting is scheduled for February 8, 1989
at 7:00 p.m. at the South Hill School.
Meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
Notes by
Lisa Cornell
Administrative Secretary