HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-09-06L A
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
September 6, 1989
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Cannon, Cox, Daley, Sprague, (Reeves
excused); Council Liaison Nichols, Acting Supt. Fabbroni, City
Engineer Gray.
Commissioner Daley chaired the meeting.
The following were additions to the Agenda:
6. Sludge at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility.
7. Amendment to Sign Ordinance.
* CITY -OWNED PROPERTY DISPOSITION COMMITTEE
Two BPW volunteers are needed to serve on this committee.
Commissioners Daley and Reeves were chosen.
1. ADDITIONAL LIGHTING REQUEST IN SOUTHSIDE AREA
Residents from the Southside area were present to discuss their
request for additional lighting in their neighborhood. City
Engr. Gray noted that staff did a physical survey of the area and
noted that the first thing that could be done is to trim the tree
branches but that this would change the appearance of the
streets. Commissioner Daley read Police Chief McEwen's response
to the BPW's request for crime statistics and /or the presence of
a night patrol officer at a Committee meeting. Chief McEwen
could not provide either, as he does not have the computer
capability to provide statistics in this particular area and
since patrols are rotated continuously, no one officer patrols
this area exclusively. Rev. Benson spoke to the BPW about the
high volume of traffic in this area, and noted that this area is
known for open drinking and drugs. He desired a well -lit area.
Mr. Haywood felt that all City committees should take a closer
look at Southside. Rev. Reeves was concerned about teenage
hoodlums hanging out in the dark and urged the BPW for a quick
resolution to this problem. Commissioner Daley noted that the
Police Chief felt that additional lighting in this area would be
good. Discussion followed about the City -wide lighting
conversion and projected five -year plan. Commissioner Cannon
suggested that NYSEG be contacted to convert this area first. He
also noted that he has discussed this with Mayor Gutenberger, and
the Mayor noted that the Shade Tree Advisory Committee may need
to be consulted. City Engr. Gray noted that the fastest things
to do would be to trim back branches to open the cone, contact
NYSEG to upgrade fixtures and possibly increase wattage, and then
evaluate in six months. Commissioner Cox felt that NYSEG should
be aware that the residents in this area are not happy with the
lighting and they could possibly offer suggestions. Rev. Reeves
suggested that a committee go down to this area at 10 or 11 p.m.
to see for themselves. Discussion followed about the boundaries
for the lighting improvements. The BPW directed staff to meet
with the neighborhood representatives to resolve this lighting
problem as quickly as possible.
2. CNG TRANSMISSIONS CORP PIPELINE PROPOSAL
This will be discussed at next COW meeting.
3. SPEED BUMPS
Commissioner Daley noted that at the last Planning and
Development Board meeting, various traffic mechanisms were
discussed. The P &D Board suggested installing speed bumps on two
streets - Crescent Place and Spencer Street - on an experimental
one year basis. Discussion followed about the liability factors.
City Engr. Gray noted that he had talked to the Regional Director
of the Department of Transportation about speed bumps, and that
this is something that should not be done in the Northeast.
Discussion followed about emergency response groups and speed
bumps. Acting Supt. Fabbroni felt that speed bumps were a hazard
and not very practical for traffic control. Discussion followed
about speed bumps and speed humps. Discussion followed
concerning lowering speed limits within certain parts of the
City. Commissioner Cox felt that DOT and APWA should be
contacted for background on this subject. Staff will research
the topic of speed bumps and report back in one month.
4. COLLEGETOWN MAINTENANCE INCREASE
Commissioner Daley noted that the BPW passed a resolution in May,
1989 to increase maintenance funds for Collegetown for the 1990
budget and the budget has already been prepared for 1990 without
this increase. Discussion followed about what this increase
would cover - more men, more equipment, etc. Discussion followed
about amending the budget requests, or setting aside funds in
restricted contingency for use at the appropriate time in
Collegetown. The BPW directed staff to work out a proposal for
maintenance increase in Collegetown and come back to discuss this
with the BPW.
5. SLUDGE AT ITHACA AREA WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
City Engr. Gray discussed this request to authorize funds for a
sludge program to be included in the 1990 budget process. He
noted that he may need to make a decision authorizing work on
short notice. Discussion followed about the newly enacted County
landfill tipping fee of $40 /ton. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted
that 6,000 tons are shipped from the IAWWTP a year, and with
(r garbage it could be $80 /ton, and to ship elsewhere $105- 110 /ton.
Discussion followed about cost sharing with the County, and it
was noted that the County would do this only if request for
proposals were sent out. The BPW directed staff to come back
with firm figures for this sludge program, research the
requirements necessary to operate a sludge disposal plant, and
noted that DEC will be changing their requirements on January
1st.
6. AMENDMENT TO SIGN ORDINANCE
Commissioner Daley asked the BPW if they would like to be
involved in the sign ordinance amendment discussions. It was
noted that this amendment was concerning painted signs not
extruding the building, but part of the frontage. It was further
noted that the Building Dept. enforces the sign ordinances, and
the BPW did not want to be involved in the amendment process.
Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Notes by
Lisa Cornell
Administrative Secretary