Loading...
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. Page 1 of 4 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 Page 2 of 4 (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. Page 3 of 4 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 Page 4 of 4