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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-05-31BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE %W Meeting of May 31, 1989 A NOTES Present: Commissioners Cannon, Daley, Cox, Reeves, (Sprague excused); Supt. Dougherty, Asst. Supt. Fabbroni, City Engr. Gray. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. Agenda: 15. Farmers Market. 16. Cass Park Smoking near Pool. 17. Proposed Tree Ordinance. 18. West Hill Master Plan. 19. Curb -side Swap Day. The following were additions to the 1. TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ON EAST SENECA STREET The BPW discussed a memo from Sean Killeen concerning bus traffic on East Seneca Street. Supt. Dougherty noted that he was unaware of any established policy banning buses from this street. Discussion followed concerning Transit Manager Carpenter's reply to Alderperson Killeen. Commissioner Reeves asked if historical signs should be posted. Supt. Dougherty noted that this situation arises sporadically and that Transit Manager Carpenter speaks to the agencies involved. The BPW felt that this was adequate and no further action is to be taken. 2. SCIENCE CENTER PROPOSAL FOR OLD SEWER PLANT Supt. Dougherty noted that all property in this area that the DPW no longer needs should be put up for sale. It was noted that the size of this property is about 5 acres. Supt. Dougherty further noted that the DPW would need additional property or additions to existing buildings in another area to compensate for the loss of this property. Supt. Dougherty hopes to have more information and preliminary sketches shortly. Commissioner Daley noted that he would like to have compatibility in this area. Supt. Dougherty noted that this is a valuable piece of property. Discussion followed about what Planning and Development were doing and that at one time this was a possible choice for the Farmers Market. Commissioner Cox noted that he would support putting this property back on the tax rolls and not split up the property. Supt. Dougherty will report back to the BPW when more information is available. Page 1 Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole May 31, 1989 Page 2 3. FIRE STATION #9 AS A POLLING PLACE Commissioner Reeves noted the memo received from Fire Commissioner Gary Moravec to Alderperson Killeen about Alderperson Killeen's request to continue using Fire Station #9 as a polling place. Commissioner Reeves asked how this originated. Supt. Dougherty noted that the renovations to the Fire Station will be going on during the election time frame. It was noted that the contractor is McGuire and Bennett. Commissioner Cannon felt that moving the polling place would be more difficult and thought that the contractor should be asked to accommodate this request. Commissioner Daley concurred - he felt that the elections are very important, and that the contractor should allow time for this. Supt. Dougherty asked if efforts were made to find another place. Commissioner Daley said yes, but it is very difficult to find a semi - public place that is wheelchair accessible. Discussion followed. It was noted that this polling place would be needed for both the primary - September 12, and the regular election - November 7. City Engr. Gray noted that during the course of any contract, there is a lot of give and take requests, and suggested looking at other places in Collegetown. Commissioner Reeves asked if it was the BPW's responsibility to find new polling places, which it isn't. Commissioner Cox suggested asking Cornell University to use the Performing Arts Center. Staff will speak with the contractor regarding their work schedule, and report back to the BPW. 4. REQUEST FOR HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE AT 320 CENTER STREET The BPW received a request from Mr. Leroy S. Reed asking for the designation of a handicapped parking space at 320 Center Street, in front of his residence. It was noted this would be a non - metered space. It was also noted that past requests of this kind have been granted. Supt. Dougherty felt the BPW should first find out if there is any other parking available in this area. Discussion followed. The BPW decided to first request from the Building Department the availability of off - street parking in the area, and to ask Mr. Reed's doctor if his disability is permanent. 5. TOWN OF ITHACA WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS Commissioner Reeves received a copy of the Water and Sewer improvements the Town of Ithaca plans to do. Staff has not seen this report yet. It was noted that the BPW needs to approve the Town of Ithaca as lead agency for these improvements. The BPW will discuss these improvements after staff has reviewed it, but agreed to approve the Town of Ithaca as lead agency. Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole May 31, 1989 Page 3 6. PIPELINE RIGHT -OF -WAY THROUGH CITY WATERSHED - CNG TRANSMISSIONS It was noted that CNG Transmissions would like to run a pipeline through the City watershed and Supt. Dougherty did not think they could without the BPW's concurrence. Supt. Dougherty had already dealt with NYSEG for their right -of -way, and noted that where CNG would like to put the pipeline is next to an electrical transmission line. Discussion followed on CNG's proposal, and how they would use 30 ft. on NYSEG's power -line right -of -way, and 20 ft. on a cleared right -of -way. It was noted that CNG will pay the City $4,300 for this right -of -way. Discussion followed about the length of this pipeline, and how it may affect Six Mile Creek. The BPW decided to turn this over to the City Attorney to first verify proper procedures before rendering any decision. 7. REPORTS: A. GIAC POOL PLAN Supt. Dougherty noted that he has met with Planning and Development Director Van Cort to begin discussions on this. B. COMMUNITY GARDENS WATER SERVICE City Engr. Gray noted that Common Council wanted the water turned back on and meter was started on May 23rd. Discussion followed about the old bills for this service. Commissioner Reeves asked for a report on this service at the next COW meeting. 8. STREET LIGHT AT SUNRISE ROAD AND TAYLOR PLACE Supt. Dougherty noted that he has not heard from NYSEG yet on providing more lights in the area. City Engr. Gray noted that staff is working on a figure to determine which would be cheaper, buying or renting the pole. This will be discussed at the next COW meeting. 9. ALL -WAY STOP SIGNS CONTINUING DISCUSSION Commissioner Reeves noted that the BPW had previously decided to review all -way stops in the City to determine if they are still effective and necessary at various intersections. Commissioner Daley noted that the BPW reviewed the three most obvious and decided to remove one. The BPW decided to put this item on hold as there are no apparent unnecessary all -way stops to review at this time. 10. PRIVATIZATION Staff is still working on the pros and cons report for the BPW and will discuss at the next COW meeting. Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole May 31, 1989 Page 4 11. REVIEW OF APPEAL PROCESS FOR RECYCLING VIOLATIONS Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted that he would like to put on the recycling form the procedure for appealing a violation. He felt the current method is very systematic. Commissioner Daley felt the process is too easy, and that the number of warning violations should be shortened. Discussion followed about the fines. It was noted that this cannot be court enforced, it is a special ticket. If the ticket is not paid it becomes a lien against the property. Discussion followed about the summer changeover of tenants, and how there should be a way to differentiate between tenants. The BPW decided to leave the appeal process unstated on the ticket, give each person a clean slate each September 1 - throw away records on previous violations, and shorten the amount of violations a persons gets - two warnings, third is a fine. It was noted a press release would be done concerning this. 12. FARMERS MARKET Commissioner Daley noted that at the Third Street site many vendors are using makeshift roofing, and that there is no consistency and many gaps. He further noted that this looks quite similar to the site on Taughannock Blvd., which the BPW had asked the Farmers Market not to allow. He asked Commissioner Reeves to write a letter to the Farmers Market concerning this. Commissioner Reeves will contact the Farmers Market after she receives a reference to this problem from old BPW notes from staff. 13. USE OF CITY PARK LANDS CONTINUING DISCUSSION Commissioner Reeves reviewed past correspondence concerning this item. She noted that in the Board of Public Works Rules and Regulations, all problems in parks seem to be covered, i.e. noise, dogs, vendors, etc. Discussion followed. Further discussion followed on leasing of City property and licenses. Supt. Dougherty noted that staff would like to establish a minimum charge on encroachments, say $25.00. Commissioner Daley would like a copy of the licenses issued yearly, which staff will provide. The BPW decided to ask Alderperson Booth to come to the next COW meeting to discuss this topic further. 14. SIDEWALK PROCEDURES Commissioner Reeves noted that this topic has been on the agenda for some time. She noted two suggestions the BPW had come up with; establishing a sidewalk crew, and maintaining a schedule in which this crew would repair sidewalks in the summer and clean in the winter. Commissioner Daley requested money for this in the 1990 budget. Supt. Dougherty noted that this money would have to include vehicles and equipment, as well as personnel. Discussion followed. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni will work on this idea and report back to the BPW. Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole May 31, 1989 Page 5 15. DEWITT PARK SKATEBOARDING Supt. Dougherty reviewed the Dewitt Park deed and the correspondence between the First Presbyterian Church and the City. He noted that this has always tried to be maintained as a quiet, green space in the center of town, and that skateboarding is not keeping with this idea. Commissioner Reeves noted that the Assistant City Attorney was working on an opinion on this problem. Discussion followed about a resolution passed by the BPW on September 28, 1988 banning skateboarding in Dewitt Park. The BPW decided to pass another one banning skateboarding in Dewitt Park. 16. CASS PARK POOL Supt. Dougherty noted that the Mayor from Theresa Vander Horn, asking that Cass Park pool. Commissioner Reeves available and how this pertained to It was noted that this ordinance doe the BPW decided to inform Ms. Vander does not cover the area she is concerne d 17. TREE ORDINANCE had sent him a copy of a letter no smoking be permitted by the asked if there were receptacles the City -wide smoking ordinance. s not cover open -air spaces, and Horn that the smoking ordinance about. Commissioner Reeves asked the BPW if they were aware of this. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted that he tried to build in provisions but the Charter and Ordinance committee did not go along with it. It was noted that this draft ordinance is good, but Supt. Dougherty felt the wording was a little off. Discussion followed. The BPW decided to suggest that the wording in question be changed to "after consultation with the Board of Public Works and the Shade Tree Advisory Council ", and sent this back to Charter and Ordinance. 18. WEST HILL MASTER PLAN It was noted that this plan needed the BPW's approval. Supt. Dougherty felt this plan was making a mistake by not providing through- traffic on streets. He felt that there would be a burden placed on Hook Place, and that this street was not capable on handling this. Discussion followed about the proposed streets and street system. The BPW decided to discuss this master plan further at the next COW meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary