HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-05-03BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Meeting of May 3, 1989
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Cannon, Cox, Daley, Reeves, Sprague; City Engr. Gray.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
The following were additions to the Agenda:
12. 200 South Tioga Street Abandonment of Storm Sewer.
13. Sidewalk Repairs Discussion.
The following were deletions to the Agenda:
7. Report on street light at Sunrise Road and Taylor Place.
9. Dewitt Park Skateboarding.
10. Reconstruction of Elm Street Discussion.
11. Use of City Park Lands discussion.
1. RECYCLING VIOLATIONS AT 117 STEWART AVENUE
Mr. Gerard Cox of 117 Stewart Avenue, was present to appeal two
recycling violations. Mr. Cox explained the background for these two
violations - the newspaper found in the trash was grease stained. Mr.
Cox verified that he had received previous citations, but felt that
the last two were in error. Mr. Cox asked for these two violations
to be expunged, and felt the BPW should print a statement on the
recycling citations /bills explaining the appeal process. Discussion
followed. Commissioner Daley agreed that an appeal process needs to
be established. He noted that the same degree of notice is given to
both the one time offenders as well as the habitual offenders.
Commissioner Daley also felt that a beginning and end date mechanism
needed to be developed so that current tenants are not held responsible
for the previous tenants' violations. Commissioner Cox felt that these
two recycling violations should be expunged and that an appeal process
needed to be established and the BPW agreed.
2. HUDSON STREET CURVE AND REQUEST FOR STOPLIGHT
Commissioner Reeves noted that she has received phone calls from a
Hudson Street resident inquiring about the upper curve on Hudson Street
and their desire for a stoplight at the intersection of Hudson Street
and Coddington Road. Commissioner Reeves asked the BPW what they would
like to support. City Engr. Gray noted that the curve design is in
the process of being finalized, and that it is designed at 30 m.p.h.
with a few slight adjustments. Commissioner Cox noted that he would
like to look at the drawings on the curve, and did not support a
stoplight. Discussion followed. Commissioner Daley asked about
electrical work - City Engr. Gray noted that traffic signals are fed
from above, and that no electrical service would have to be installed
now even if the BPW wanted to install a stoplight in the future. City
Engr. Gray also noted that he expects the drawings to be at 95% in
one month. Commissioner Cox suggested that the BPW review the final
drawings, plan an early fall meeting (to allow enough time for possible
condemning of property) , and deny the request for a stoplight, and
the BPW agreed.
3. SIDEWALK PROGRAM
A public hearing for sidewalk repairs has been scheduled for May 10,
1989. Tom West and Lynne Gifford from the Engineering Office were
present for discussion. Commissioner Reeves gave the BPW a brief
background on this - the BPW had decided last year to review and update
the sidewalk repair procedures. Commissioner Daley noted Tom's
proposal last year; to have a small DPW crew to repair sidewalks in
the summer and shovel them in the winter. Lynne explained the
hand -outs and procedures to the BPW. She noted that 110 -130 sidewalk
notices have been sent out this year. She also noted the criteria
for condemning a sidewalk. Lynne noted that there is approximately
$55,000 in the sidewalk budget, but that there is 5 times more than
that in sidewalk repairs. Lynne noted that the assessment penalty
is now 25 %. Lynne further noted that the property owner can patch
or replace the sidewalk, or can attend the public hearing to contest
or request a time extension. She noted that separate notices have
been sent out for tree damage. One new development is that a list
of City approved sidewalk contractors are sent out. Commissioner
Cox noted that the majority of property in the target area is owned
by Cornell University. Lynne noted that she has a verbal agreement
with them and that they will require a time extension. Commissioner
Sprague asked if this program solves the liability problems the City
has had, which it doesn't. City Engr. Gray noted that the City
contract is out to bid and that there will probably be a lot of
requests for extensions. The BPW noted that the public hearing is
scheduled for their next BPW meeting.
4. ALL -WAY STOP SIGNS - REVIEW OF TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT
The BPW briefly reviewed the Traffic Engineer's report on the three
all -way stop signs previously discussed. The BPW decided to keep the
all -way stops at the intersections of Geneva and Clinton Streets, and
Court and Geneva Streets. The BPW did not feel that the all -way stop
at Utica and Lewis Streets was needed and decided to have it removed.
A letter and copy of this traffic report will be sent to the
alderpersons in that ward.
5. WATER AND SEWER HOOK -UPS
Commissioner Daley discussed the billing procedure for water and sewer
hook -ups, noting that past practice has been to estimate costs and
the City ends up subsidizing the rest. Commissioner Daley suggested
abandoning this schedule and billing for actual costs. The BPW decided
to prepare a resolution supporting this idea.
6. REQUEST FOR CANOPY AT THE ALADDIN RESTAURANT
City Engr. Gray noted that initially he and the Supt. felt this request
could not be granted, but after checking the Municipal Code, the
request proved to be pretty straight forward. It was noted that the
Design and Review Board has already approved this request, and that
it is handled by the Building Department.
7. COMMUNITY GARDENS WATER BILL
It was noted that the representatives of the Community Gardens will
go to B &A, and B &A will make a decision on this water bill. Some
possibilities being considered are expunging the bill for 1988 and
possibly 1989, and establishing an allowance for water use and having
the Community Gardens pay the difference.
8. NYSEG LIGHTING CONVERSION
It was noted that NYSEG has responded to this and that the City will
not be able to specify the manufacturer of the light bulbs. Discussion
followed about the Central Business District and possibly rearranging
the downtown conversion. The BPW instructed the City Engr. to work
out the details with NYSEG.
The BPW went into Executive Session at 5:30 p.m.
Notes by
Lisa Cornell
Administrative Secretary