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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-03-15BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Meeting of March 15, 1989 NOTES Present: Commissioners Cannon, Cox, Daley, Reeves, Sprague, Stone; Council Liaison Nichols, Supt. Dougherty, Asst. Supt. Fabbroni, City Engr. Gray. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following were additions to the Agenda: 9. Simeons Outdoor Dining Permit. 10. Encroachment Request at 205 West Court Street. Commissioner Reeves read letter of appreciation from Belle Sherman PTA to BPW and staff. 1. PARKING REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM Police Chief McEwen was present for discussion. He noted that he had already met with Supt. Dougherty to try and understand the background for this new position. He noted that his department handles all kinds of parking complaints and felt that this person would do better under his supervision. Chief McEwen further noted that this person would strictly be a traffic enforcement person - not a police officer. Commissioner Daley asked about the specific use of this person - Chief McEwen said that this person would not do things they were not hired to do. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted that Supt. Dougherty is in favor of this person being under the supervision of the police department. City Engr. Gray noted that the original request was for two people, and that Supt. Dougherty suggested starting with one person and seeing how it goes. Council Liaison Nichols asked if a vehicle would be needed if this was under the police department. Chief McEwen noted he had adequate cars and radios, and he would probably leave the car marked. He further noted that this person would be trained by the police department. Commissioner Cox asked if this person would enforce odd /even parking. Discussion followed about what parking violations would be enforced. Commissioner Daley asked that this person try to enforce all parking violations, not just odd /even. Council Liaison Nichols asked if this person would be covered by the PBA. Chief McEwen did not think so, but this should be checked out with the Personnel Department. Commissioner Daley suggested preparing a resolution to endorse this concept to put the "Parking Regulations Enforcement Program" under the supervision of the Police Chief. The BPW agreed, and Commissioner Cannon noted that in the start -up phase he would like to see statistics of tickets written, i.e. what kind, how many. Chief McEwen encouraged the BPW to relay any traffic complaints they receive to him. 2. HUDSON STREET CITIZENS CONCERNS Commissioner Reeves noted the letters she had received from residents on Hudson Street. City Engr. Gray handed out a project update. He noted that they are two weeks behind schedule because the consultant did not allow for "talking" time. City Engr. Gray noted the budget was still okay, and noted the next public meeting - April 4th at 7:00 p.m. - South Hill School. City Engr. Gray addressed some of the residents' concerns. He noted the existence of a school crossing guard and that the traffic statistics don't warrant a traffic signal. However, since the road is being torn up a conduit may be installed. Commissioner Stone was concerned about the high banks at Oak Hill Manor - it causes a visibility problem. Installation of sidewalks on the west side might reduce this problem. Commissioner Reeves asked if an estimate for sidewalk installation is known. City Engr. Gray responded that a figure of $30,000 was estimated, but did not include the bank work. Commissioner Stone asked what the pedestrian travel consists of i.e. children, students, etc. City Engr. Gray continued - he noted he would not like to see Hudson Street changed from a through street. He noted the installation of traffic devices would defeat the purpose of Hudson Street being an arterial street. Commissioner Cannon noted that most of the complaints he has heard were about speeding. Supt. Dougherty noted that before East State Street and Cliff Street were done, many people were concerned about them becoming raceways, which did not happen. Supt. Dougherty commented that the area above the curve could allow parking on both sides. Discussion followed about installation of rumble strips. Alderperson Lytel supported the installation of rumble strips. City Engr. Gray felt that they were a last resort method. Commissioner Cannon sympathized with the residents' concerns - but acknowledged that this could be installed later. He further noted that other neighborhoods would want these and noted that the Police Chief asked to be told of any traffic problems encountered. Discussion followed. City Engr. Gray noted that in the past few years there have been very few accidents at the curve. This issue will be discussed again at the next COW meeting. 3. CITY STREET LIGHT DISCUSSION Peter Netter from NYSEG, as well as members of the Commons Advisory Board, were present for discussion. Commissioner Cox brought samples of lighting - one 400 watt mercury vapor and one 250 watt high pressure sodium. Discussion began about the conversion of all the lights. Commissioner Cannon felt the quality of the lights in pedestrian areas should be different. Discussion followed about the lights in Collegetown, which are metal halide, and which Commissioner Cannon felt were pleasing. It was noted that these lights in Collegetown were an experiment. Discussion followed about the present Commons lighting. It was noted that the lights at the end of the Commons cannot be changed since they are already high pressure sodium and are used for street lighting. Mr. Netter further noted that these two types of lights (mercury vapor and high pressure sodium) should not be mixed. Discussion followed on the samples of lights. Commissioner Cox noted that there are different manufacturers of high pressure sodium lights and each one is different. It was noted that the City would not have a choice of what manufacturer and that the lighting would not be consistent with the rest of the City. Commissioner Cox asked when was the last time the Commons was relamped. It was noted that (bw lights are changed only when needed, and Commissioner Cox felt that may be why there area so many lighting concerns there. Discussion followed about exempting the Commons and Collegetown from this conversion. Commissioner Daley felt that a public meeting should be held to discuss this. It was noted that high pressure sodium is a more efficient light. Commissioner Cannon asked for a proposed figure and tariff savings before a decision is made. The BPW will discuss this issue again at a future COW meeting. 4. SIMEONS OUTDOOR DINING PERMIT The BPW reviewed the paperwork for this permit. They noted there were no problems last year, and everything is the same as last year. The BPW approved this permit for outdoor dining at Simeons. 5. ENCROACHMENT REQUEST AT 205 WEST COURT STREET The BPW reviewed this encroachment request, and noted that the bay window at this address encroaches on the City right -of -way. After discussing the bank at this address, the BPW decided to approve this request following the standard encroachment procedures. 6. ROUTE 13 LIGHTING - NYSEG The BPW received a letter dated February 23, 1989 from NYSEG concerning the street lights on Route 13. It was noted that there have not been any major complaints about this, and that the City had some lights reinstalled. After reviewing this proposal, the BPW decided to endorse it. 7. REPORT ON JOHNNY'S HOT TRUCK Supt. Dougherty gave an update on this topic. He told the BPW that a meeting had been held with the owners of the hot truck, Cornell University and the City. A new location had to be decided on for this truck - either go back to original location or a parking lot at Cornell. It was noted that the City cemetary was not an alternative, as Cornell representatives wanted. Supt. Dougherty noted that the signs that Cornell had put up have been changed, and NYSEG could change poles for the electricity, and he felt it should go back to where it was. Meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary