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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-02-15BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Meeting of February 15, 1989 NOTES Present: Commissioners Cannon, Cox, Reeves, Sprague; Council Liaison Nichols, Asst. Supt. Fabbroni, City Engr. Gray. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following were additions to the Agenda: 6. SJS Proposal Endorsement. 7. Cass Park Second Hockey Rink. 1. HUDSON STREET IMPROVEMENTS DISCUSSION Assistant Civil Engineer Tom West was present for discussion. City Engr. Gray noted that a public information meeting was held on February 8th and they were on a tight schedule since they would like to start work this spring. City Engr. Gray requested the approval from the BPW regarding the general scope of work. He noted the most important item was the pavement width - he recommends a 30' width. Discussion followed about other street widths. It was noted that the feedback from the public information meeting was that improving this street (and the curve in question) would encourage speeding. Discussion followed about this curve; it would be super- elevated. The BPW heard comments from the public in attendance. Don Miller, a Hudson Street resident, felt that widening the street would encourage speeders. Marie Connett Porceddu did not feel the curve should be widened, she felt the main concern was to regulate speed. Alderperson Cummings felt the street should be no wider than 30', for the sake of the trees. She also felt the sidewalks should be extended and installed in accordance with this project. Alderperson Cummings felt that some sort of mechanical means, such as rumble strips, could discourage speeders. Alderperson Lytel felt the installation of sidewalks from the South Hill school to Grandview on the west side would make the streets safer. He also noted that construction will place a lot of traffic on other streets, and that the Empire State Games will bring in more traffic. Diane Miller compared the streets coming down from Cornell University with this, noting that they should have more stop signs because of all the student traffic. Commissioner Reeves assured the public that the BPW had a copy of the petition from the residents residing closest to the curve. The BPW noted that another public information meeting is scheduled for early March, and decided to accept staff's recommendation concerning the 30' street width. 2. CITY STREET LIGHTS Discussion followed on NYSEG's proposed change of the City's street lights. The BPW was presented the three options from NYSEG and staff's recommendation was for Option X61. Discussion followed about the color of these lights. Discussion followed about the energy savings to NYSEG. It was noted that this would be a great savings to the City. It was decided to direct staff to come up with some more exact figures on this proposal and to review again at the next COW meeting. 3. ITHACA TRANSIT RIDERSHIP SURVEY Transit Manager Bernie Carpenter was present to discuss the possibility of having an entire transit study done. He said that he met with three people from Cornell University and told them what he wanted to accomplish. Bernie noted that he would like this survey to start the second week of April. All input would be put into a database this summer. Bernie would like this study to include other transportation services, i.e. Tomtran, Northeast Transit. Bernie estimated the cost to be about $3,000 and 600 person hours. The BPW encouraged Transit Mgr. Carpenter to proceed with this survey. 4. SELLMAN WOOLLEN MEMORIAL Council Liaison Nichols noted that a fund drive has started for this memorial, and asked the BPW to prepare a resolution supporting this drive. 5. COLLEGETOWN CLEAN -UP Alderperson Killeen was present for discussion. The discussion centered on the trash pick -up and it was noted that trash is at the curb every day because it is picked up every day. Alderperson Killeen suggested that perhaps the City is doing too much and it is not being appreciated. Commissioner Reeves asked Alderperson Killeen what he would like to do now that he has all the information he requested concerning Collegetown pick -up, etc. Alderperson Killeen felt that the proposal should come from the BPW. Alderperson Killeen suggested reducing the number of workers they City has in Collegetown, and having the merchants put in some money to hire Challenge Industries workers to work every day in Collegetown. It was decided to direct staff to prepare some suggestions for the BPW's consideration, and to further this discussion with Alderperson Killeen. 6. TREE REPLACEMENT ON THE COMMONS Asst. Supt. Fabbroni said that several storms have damaged some of the trees on the Commons and that some have to completely removed. He noted that he would like to have these damaged trees replaced, and is looking for funding. He mentioned that he has spoke with the Centennial Committee concerning funding this project, but they felt this should a taxed item. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted the urgency involved in replacing these trees. He said that funding would probably come from a budget ammendment. Commissioner Cannon asked if the Shade Tree Advisory Committee was aware of the choice of trees, which they are. Discussion followed. The BPW encouraged Asst. Supt. Fabbroni to go ahead with this. 7. SJS PROPOSAL ENDORSEMENT Asst. Supt. Fabbroni said that the SJS Committee was seeking the approval of the BPW to extend the services of the Waste Water Treatment Plant to include a district call "Monkey Run Sewer District ". Discussion followed about this not being in the service area. City Engr. Gray noted that this would be an extension to the Dryden service. Commissioner Cox noted that he would be abstaining from any vote on this resolution. Discussion followed on capacity sizes. It was decided to discuss this further after reviewing a map from Asst. Supt. Fabbroni. 8. CASS PARK SECOND HOCKEY RINK Asst. Supt. Fabbroni showed the BPW a map of the proposed new hockey rink. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:10 p.m. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary