HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-07-05BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Meeting of July 5, 1989
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Cox, Daley, Reeves, Sprague, (Cannon excused);
Council Liaison Nichols, Acting Supt. Fabbroni.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
The following were additions to the Agenda:
10. Request to use Stewart Park.
11. IAWWTF Expansion Proposal.
12. Farmers Market Bus Service.
13. Parking Regulations Enforcement Officer Status.
The following were deletions to the Agenda:
7. Sidewalk Procedures Review.
8. License Fees Review.
9. Stop Sign at Mitchell and State Streets.
1. DOWNTOWN PARKING STUDY RESULTS
Deputy Planning Director Paul Mazzarella was present to give a brief
report on this study. He noted that the City hired Rich and
Associates to undertake this study. He further noted that a survey
was done in the downtown area, mainly in March and April. This
survey was to help reveal the turnover of cars in on- street spaces,
level of violations, and time of day parking demands. Paul noted
that downtown businesses were surveyed, as well as pedestrians. He
noted that a preliminary report was received, and that his department
felt the results were a little off -base. Paul noted that this was
a very sketchy preview, and that a first report was due in three
to four weeks. The BPW asked if this preview showed any surprises.
Paul noted that one of the main concerns was the abuse of metered
parking; people were unaware that it is illegal to feed the meters
all day. Paul further noted that this study will probably indicate
the need to build more parking structures, and to eliminate long
term parking in the garages, and building another structure away
from the business district for all day parkers. Discussion followed.
Paul noted that the BPW will receive a full report when it is
available. It was also noted that the Commons Advisory Board was not
involved in this study.
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2. WEST HILL MASTER PLAN
(W Commissioner Reeves asked the BPW if they were ready to issue a
statement concerning the West Hill Master Plan. She noted that the
past concerns by the BPW were the traffic patterns and lack of
through traffic streets. Commissioner Sprague asked if provisions
were made to open other streets if the traffic is too much on the
main artery. Deputy Planning Director Mazzarella felt that as
situations develop, this plan should be looked at and adjusted.
Discussion followed on the endorsement of this plan, and the sequence
in which it should be done. Paul noted that a complete environmental
review needed to be done before endorsing, and then he would like
to have the Planning Board, Common Council, and the BPW endorse this
plan. He further noted that the recommendation is for the Planning
Board to be the lead agency. The BPW felt that their main concern
was the traffic pattern, while staff was . concerned about
subdivisions, water and sewer connections, and the agreement with
the Town of Ithaca. Council Liaison Nichols asked if there is a
commitment from the Town Board. Commissioner Daley noted that there
is a letter from the Town Board agreeing to cooperate with the plan.
It was also noted that the County planners have been involved in
this plan. Discussion followed. The BPW will continue to look at
their concerns with this master plan, but will wait until the
environmental review is done before endorsing this plan.
3. REVIEW OF DPW OPERATIONS REPORT
Acting Supt. Fabbroni reviewed former Supt. Dougherty's report and
outline. He noted that almost every department in the City had a
storage problem. He noted that this report was for a central
warehouse, although he did not like the layout of it. Acting Supt.
Fabbroni noted that he asked his staff to send him a report of their
storage needs. Commissioner Reeves noted that this report is in
conjunction with the Old Sewer Plant disposition, as the DPW uses
this for storage. Acting Supt. Fabbroni asked the BPW their initial
reaction to this report. Commissioner Reeves felt that this could
be discussed in two weeks, after staff's storage needs are determined
and agreed upon. Commissioner Daley felt that other locations should
be suggested if the Old Sewer Plant was not to be used. Commissioner
Sprague liked the concept of consolidation of DPW functions.
Discussion followed about the DPW employees and how they might feel
about this consolidation. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted that in the
present situation many functions are duplicated by Water and Sewer
and Streets and Facilities, and that the public is sometimes shifted
between the two buildings. Discussion followed about the Director
of Water and Sewer being under the City Engineer. Acting Supt.
Fabbroni noted that this keeps the engineer in touch with the
operations, but is difficult to do. Commissioner Cox felt that this
discussion was premature as it is a major reorganization, and he
felt that this should wait until the new Supt. is on board.
Discussion followed about the appropriation of $10,000 in the budget
for a reorganization study. Discussion followed about the property
needed for this consolidation, and the City could acquire it. It
was noted that the City did make an offer on this property three
years ago and that the bid was not accepted. Commissioner Reeves
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(REVIEW OF DPW OPERATIONS REPORT) Continued.
was concerned about the Old Sewer Plant and the interested parties
that wanted it. She questioned if the BPW should say that this
property is not available. Discussion followed. The BPW decided
to encourage Acting Supt. Fabbroni to investigate and acquire this
property needed for the consolidation, and ask him to report at the
next COW meeting.
4. CHIEF OPERATOR AT THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT STATUS
Acting Supt. Fabbroni reviewed the information he had on this
position with the BPW. He noted that in May, 1988, Steve Baker the
Chief Operator resigned and Bob Simpson was given a temporary
appointment. In July, 1988, extensive advertising was done for this
position. In October, 1988 the exam was given and in February, 1989,
the eligible list was established. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted that
City Engr. Gray was sensitive to the fact that the City may want
to consider privatization for both the water filter plant and the
wastewater treatment plant, and felt this may effect the scope of
that position. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted that leaving this position
open is legal, however temporary appointments are illegal but Civil
Service has no provisions on how to handle this. He further noted
that the City Engr. could elaborate on this topic. Discussion
followed. The BPW noted a resolution on the Common Council Agenda
dealing with privatization, and that this may change the whole
subject. It was decided to discuss privatization first, and then
deal with the Chief Operator status.
S. PRIVATIZATION
Commissioner Reeves noted Council Liaison Nichols resolution for
the Common Council meeting concerning privatization, and asked the
BPW if they still wanted to continue investigating the possibility
of privatization. The BPW agreed that they still wanted to look
into this. Acting Supt. Fabbroni suggested that the BPW ask a
consultant who does this to explain the process, ask a CSEA
representative to be present to discuss Civil Service interests,
and get a representative from a municipality that uses privatization
for their input. It was noted that Poughkeepsie uses a private
contractor to operate their sewer plant. Discussion followed.
Commissioner Daley was concerned about the present employees. The
BPW decided to take staff's advice and contact the three individuals
above to try to determine if privatization would be right for the
City of Ithaca.
6. REQUEST FOR TWO OFF- STREET PARKING SPACES AT 100 FALL VIEW TERRACE
A request was received from Ms. Eleanor Beck and Kenneth Beck for
two off - street parking locations. Discussion followed on this
request and the map the Becks attached. The BPW could not determine
what they really wanted, and decided to ask the Becks to come to
the next COW meeting with their request.
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7. REQUEST TO USE STEWART PARK
A request was received from the Healthy Heart Program to use Stewart
Park Sept. 9 and 10, 1989. It was noted that John Doyle, Recreation
Supervisor, had turned this request down as no group may have
exclusive use of the entire park. Discussion followed, and it was
noted that they wanted the park reserved for both days, in case of
rain. After reviewing this request, the BPW agreed to back John's
recommendation and deny this group the use of Stewart Park.
8. IAWWTF EXPANSION PROPOSAL
The BPW received a copy of a letter to Mr.
and Wheler from the Town of Lansing Supervisor
Mayor, asking for a proposal to expand the
their sewage needs. Discussion followed, and
that this topic has been discussed before
hearing more in the future.
9. PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Gerald Hook at Stearns
and Village of Lansing
IAWWTF to accommodate
Commissioner Cox noted
and the BPW will be
The BPW will ask the Police Chief the status of this position.
Meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Notes by
Lisa Cornell
Administrative Secretary
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