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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