Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-04-05(W BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Meeting of April 5, 1989 NOTES Present: Commissioners Cannon, Cox, Daley, Reeves, Stone, (Sprague excused); Council Liaison Nichols, Supt. Dougherty, Asst. Supt. Fabbroni, City Engr. Gray. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following were additions to the Agenda: 8. Community Gardens Water Bill. 9. Washington Park Signs. 10. Parking Meters on Albany Street. The following was a deletion to the Agenda: 6. Stewart Park 1989 Season. 1. PARKING FOR FIREFIGHTERS AT DRYDEN ROAD PARKING GARAGE Fire Chief Ed Olmstead was present for discussion. He requested three items for the paid firefighters: 1) that the current Fire Department employee parking permits be valid in the Dryden Road Parking Garage, 2) these parking permits also be valid at metered spaces in the 300 block of College Avenue and, 3) that two parking spaces be designated on the street for the exclusive use of the Fire Department. Chief Olmstead relayed the fact that this was a result of contract negotiations. It was noted that two spaces were required but there could be a potential for four short -term spaces due to the changeover of shifts. Commissioner Reeves wondered if the BPW could issue the same City employee parking permits to the Fire Department like the employees at City Hall have. Chief Olmstead noted that presently there is a permit system in effect. Commissioner Reeves noted the request from the Post Office asking the BPW to reserve spaces, and that spaces cannot be designated in parking garages for anyone's use. It was noted that the current firefighters permit is a decal and it has a perpetual life, that is it is valid as long as the person is employed by the Fire Department. Discussion followed. City Engr. Gray questioned the reserved DPW spaces in the garages. Supt. Dougherty noted that these spaces are valid because they are for the garage's operation. Discussion followed about validating the current stickers in the parking garage. The BPW decided to support a resolution to validate these permits in the Dryden Road Parking Garage, but could not support the on- street parking request. 2. HUDSON STREET RECONSTRUCTION DISCUSSION (W City Engr. Gray reviewed the Hudson Street public information meeting of April 4, 1989. He discussed "Y" intersections, noting that drivers like this type of intersection, but designers hate it. Commissioner Daley noted that most of the residents' concerns were of an enforcement nature. Discussion followed about the 30' pavement width. Commissioner Cox asked about the installation of sidewalks. It was noted that the residents had already assumed that they would be installed. Discussion followed about the area between Grandview Avenue to Coddington Road - it was noted that the pavement width will be 36' in this area, and that there was not money in the project budget to install sidewalks here. It was noted that trees will be installed and that the idea was to give people an impression that they are entering the City. Discussion followed about lowering the bank. Supt. Dougherty noted that this project may be split up this year or delayed altogether until next year. 3. ITHACA AMATEUR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION 1989 CONTRACT DISCUSSION Supt. Dougherty told the BPW that he is in the process of negotiating a contract with the IASA. He noted that they would like to have the same type of agreement with the same price as last year. It was noted that the method of payment was completely changed last year - based on a per game, per field charge. It was also noted that fewer teams are participating this year. Discussion followed. The BPW supported Supt. Dougherty's plan with IASA to negotiate the same type of contract as last year. 4. PROGRESS REPORT ON REPAIRS AT GREEN STREET RAMP Commissioner Reeves asked for an update of these repairs. City Engr. Gray noted that this project has fallen behind because of other priorities. He noted that the repairs that need to be done are similar to the construction defects in the Seneca Street Garage. He further noted that a decision needs to be made about the more extensive repairs that need to be done. City Engr. Gray noted that physically the garage is not in bad shape. Discussion followed about safety, and the large parking lanes in this garage. City Engr. Gray noted that this will be a project for next year and will be discussed again at budget time. 5. UPDATE ON ENCROACHMENT REQUEST AT 132 UNIVERSITY AVENUE City Engr. Gray noted that this is still at the City Attorney's stage, and there is no further update. 6. REQUEST FOR STREET LIGHT AT SUNRISE ROAD AND TAYLOR PLACE A request was received to install a street light at Sunrise Road and Taylor Place. Supt. Dougherty was not sure it this was part of a subdivision. He noted that state utilities have to underground - no poles on a developed road. Supt. Dougherty noted that the best way to do this is to put a bunch of street lights in at the same time. Discussion followed. The BPW asked staff to find out costs and to report back at the next COW meeting. 7. COMMUNITY GARDENS City Engr. Gray relayed the background of this problem - a water meter was installed last year at the Gardens, and now there is a $800 bill, and he doesn't know whom to charge. It was noted that this group was not aware that they would have to pay for water. City Engr. Gray noted that the Planning and Development Director wanted to schedule a meeting with this group to discuss this. Discussion followed. Commissioner Daley felt that the water service should be reinstalled, and that Common Council should be asked about this bill. Discussion followed. City Engr. Gray noted that other groups use City water for free through agreements made with the City. The BPW was very interested in this issue, and asked for more information on this. The BPW decided to prepare a resolution directing the reinstallation of the water service to the Gardens, and also asking Common Council for direction as to whom should pay for this water bill. Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary