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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-08-09BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Meeting of August 9, 1989 NOTES Present: Commissioners Cannon, Cox, Daley, Reeves, Sprague; Council Liaison Nichols, Acting Supt. Fabbroni, City Engr. Gray. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following were additions to the Agenda: 14. CNG Transmissions Pipeline. 15. Theta Chi Fraternity Expungement Request. 16. Synchronization of Stop Lights as a Capital Project. 1. UTICA AND LEWIS STREETS - ALL -WAY STOP REVIEW Alderpersons Hoffman and Peterson, as well as residents of the neighborhood were present for discussion. Commissioner Reeves noted the correspondence and petition received from the residents for the reinstatement of the all -way stop at Utica and Lewis Streets. Marilyn Moravec, of 412 Utica Street, expressed her desire for the reinstatement of this all -way stop, due to the number of children and daycare services in the area. Karen Clark, whose children attend one of these daycare services in the area, felt it was much safer when the all -way stop was in effect. Alderpersons Hoffman and Peterson echoed the same sentiments, and strongly supported the reinstatement of the all - way stop at Utica and Lewis Streets. Discussion followed about the other stops on Utica Streets, and it was noted that there were stops on every block. It was further noted that this stop has been in place for many years, and people have gotten used to it. Commissioner Sprague noted that he would support a resolution reinstating the all -way stop at Utica and Lewis Streets due to the number of daycare services in the area. Commissioners Cannon and Daley agreed with the reinstatement. Commissioner Cox felt that the reinstatement would further impede the traffic flow. Commissioner Reeves objected to the reinstatement due to the fact that she felt there were sufficient stops already on Utica Street, but noted that she was sympathetic to the neighborhood's concerns. However, the BPW agreed to support a resolution reinstating this, and Acting Supt. Fabbroni asked that sufficient justification be shown to reinstall this all -way stop. 4W 2. MITCHELL AND STATE STREETS REVIEW OF TRANSIT STOPS Transit System Manager Carpenter was present for discussion. Bernie suggested State and Eddy and College and Mitchell as the transit stops. He also noted that the buses required extra room at State and Eddy to load passengers. Discussion followed about the parking on State Street, and Council Liaison Nichols noted that it is difficult to channel traffic on State Street with cars parked on the street. The BPW will ask the Traffic Engineer to look into the parking on lower State Street. 3. FARMERS MARKET BUS SERVICE Commissioner Daley explained the situation - asked the feasibility of providing bus service to the Farmers Market at the Steamboat Landing site on Saturdays morning. Transit System Manager Carpenter noted that there is already bus service in that area - Bus #4, turns at Hancock and Third. He noted that the buses used to run down Route 13 to Third Street, but due to several request it was rerouted to cut into residential areas. Bernie further noted that it is costly to run a shuttle bus and that the present route takes it to within two blocks of the Farmers Market. Bernie noted that there was bus service to the old Farmers Market site on Taughannock Blvd., and this was unsuccessful due to the low ridership statistics. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted that there is discussion concerning a bikeway to be built along Route 13 from Willow Ave., along the outside of the fence in front of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, which may solve some of the problems of people walking along Route 13. Commissioner Daley will speak to the Farmers Market and encourage them to suggest incentives for providing this bus service. 4. COMMUNICATIONS COLLEGE AT ITHACA COLLEGE USE OF TROLLEY Transit System Manager Carpenter relayed a request from the Communications College at Ithaca College for use of a trolley bus for Sept. 15 - 17. He noted that the bus could be loaned from Elmira, and this would be used just on campus, and that they would require a driver. He further noted that the College will pay all costs, and asked the BPW to support this public relations gesture. The BPW agreed that this was a good idea and supported the request from the Communications College at Ithaca College. 5. ALLAN H. TREMAN STATE MARINA PARK IMPROVEMENTS (W Betsy Darlington, Conservation Advisory Council Chair, was present for discussion. She expressed concern over the Hogs Hole wetland, the road that is to be built, the birds, butterflies and other species that may not stay, and the trees %W that are to be taken out. She noted that she and Council Liaison Nichols have already met with Andy Mazzella, State Parks Regional Director, to try to work out a compromise. Discussion followed about the need for more slips and a picnic area in this park. Discussion followed about the Hogs Hole, and it was not determined it this was a designated wetland or not. It was noted that the Army Corps of Engineers should be consulted as they have jurisdiction of wetlands. Discussion followed about the transferring of the festival lands to the State Parks, and it was noted that a suitable compromise will be necessary if this land is to be turned over as Common Council will have to approve this transaction. Discussion followed on possible options for changing the proposed road. The BPW decided to encourage Common Council to seek compromises to this proposed improvement plan, and to seek input from the Army Corps of Engineers concerning the Hogs Hole. 6. ITHACA INDUSTRIAL PARK City Engr. Gray gave a brief summary on this project. He noted that Planning and Development Director Van Cort is trying to pull this project together since the grant money will be lost if it is not spent. However, additional funds are needed for this and Thys would like to use Water and Sewer funds to pay for this, and would like the BPW's approval in doing so. This will be discussed again in two weeks when Thys will be available. 7. WATER TREATMENT PLANT CHIEF OPERATOR STATUS REPORT City Engr. Gray noted that he has received the eligible list for this position and wants to schedule all three interviews on the same day. He is having difficulty locating one applicant, but hopes to have another report on this position in about three weeks. 8. CNG TRANSMISSIONS PIPELINE THROUGH CITY WATERSHED Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted that he has received another proposal from CNG Transmissions stating that they will install this pipeline on the existing NYSEG right -of -way, and asked the BPW to reconsider their original denial. Discussion followed about the original request and denial. Commissioner Daley felt that this company was still asking for additional City right -of- way. Acting Supt. Fabbroni will investigate this second proposal further and report back to the BPW at the next COW meeting. EM 9. THETA CHI FRATERNITY REQUEST FOR EXPUNGEMENT Commissioner Reeves gave the BPW the background concerning this request. The Building Dept. sent the notification letter to a contractor doing work on the building, not to the property owner. Therefore, the Fraternity does not feel that they should pay the bill for Department of Public Works services to clean up their property. The BPW agreed with the Fraternity, and decided to expunge this bill, but requests that the Building Dept. reimburse the DPW for services rendered. 10. STREET LIGHT ON FAYETTE STREET Commissioner Daley gave the BPW the background on this light - it was originally removed because it shone in the one of the resident's bedrooms. Now the neighborhood would like to have it turned back on. The BPW referred this issue to staff to have them investigate, and Commissioner Reeves also asked for an update from staff concerning redoing of City lights by NYSEG. 11. REPAVING OF ROUTE 13 City Engr. Gray noted that the contractors doing this project are asking the Planning and Development Director for use of land to store their equipment, and that this is still in negotiations. Commissioner Reeves noted that neighbors will have to be notified if they want to use the Old Sewer Treatment Plant site. 12. BIKE RACKS ON THE COMMONS Commissioner Cannon noted that the Commons Advisory Board are requesting new bike racks which are maintenance free. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted that this has been ordered, and that he will check on the status of this order and report back to the BPW. 13. STOP LIGHTS SYNCHRONIZATION AS A CAPITAL PROJECT Commissioner Daley noted that he is submitting a request for synchronization of stop lights as a capital project. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted previous discussions concerning this, and that he has a verbal understanding for a grant and is working on sending staff to school. Discussion followed about this grant, and the need for synchronization of downtown lights. Commissioner Cox noted that he would like to see other DPW capital projects. The BPW will endorse the request for synchronization of stop lights as a capital project. 21 14. DPW OPERATIONS REPORT Acting Supt. Fabbroni showed the BPW maps of the existing facility and proposed expansion to this facility. He noted that this expansion has been discussed for about two years now. He further noted the immediate need for a storage area for all City departments. Discussion followed about the land required to do this. It was noted that approximately 10 acres is needed, and discussion followed about acquiring this land. It was noted that the Planning and Development Board and Common Council have not seen this plan yet. The BPW felt that a committee should be formed to look into the uses of the land desired and ways of acquiring it. They felt a committee comprised of 1 Planning and Development Board member, 2 Board of Public Works members and 2 Common Council members should meet to discuss this land. Meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary