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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-10-18BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Meeting of October 18, 1989 NOTES Present: Commissioners, Cannon, Cox, Daley, Reeves, Sprague; Acting Supt. Fabbroni, City Engr. Gray. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following were additions to the Agenda: 7. Parking Permits. 8. Intersection at State and Albany - traffic problems. The following were deletions to the Agenda: 4. Staff Updates: a) Lighting in Southside Area. b) Collegetown Maintenance Increase. c) Octopus Sidnalization - DOT requests information. 5. BPW Opinion of proposed baling station at Commercial Avenue. 6. South Hill Drainage - Review of proposal. 1. ENCROACHMENT REQUEST AT 414 SPENCER ROAD Margaret Beers - Schnock, Assistant City Attorney, and Mr. Dekay, representing the property owners at 414 Spencer Road, were present for discussion. Margaret noted that the City Attorney's Office has not changed their position regarding this encroachment, they still feel the amount to be 66, while Mr. Mazza, the property owner's attorney, feels the amount to be 50'. Margaret further noted that the BPW does not have the authority to grant a right -of -way easement or encroachment to that extent. She also noted that the property owners are looking for a permanent encroachment, and that the hold -up was due to the fact that the attorneys could not agree. Mr. Dekay was concerned about the clause referring to the part where the City could revoke the license. Discussion followed about the annexation. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted that the State redesigned some streets. Discussion followed about what the BPW could grant the property owners. They could grant a license agreement but not a permanent encroachment. Commissioner Daley reviewed the original resolution which the BPW tabled, and it was noted that the last RESOLVED concerning revocation by the Landmarks Commission was stricken. City Engineer Gray noted the map and original parts of the house as well as additions and will contact the City Attorney's office with his thoughts. The BPW asked the attorneys to get together and report back, and it was noted that the BPW does have "Power to Act" on this request. 2. REQUEST FOR EXPUNGEMENT OF LATE PENALTY ON WATER & SEWER BILL A request was received from Beverly Beer of 312 Eastwood Avenue, to expunge the late penalty on her water and sewer bill. Ms. Beer wrote a letter to the BPW as she could not appear in person. She said she mailed the bill on August 15th, the day it was due, but the Chamberlain's office did not receive it until a few days later, and it was not postmarked on the 15th. City Chamberlain Parsons noted that this was not the first time this has happened with Ms. Beer, and noted that her office had given her breaks before. The BPW decided to deny this request. 3. PARKING PERMITS City Chamberlain Parsons noted a resolution the BPW passed a few years ago increasing the amount of available parking permits from January through October of each year. She noted that in November and December the availability amount decreases to allow parking for shoppers. She noted that in the past this has caused problems as not enough permits are available for all -day parkers. Discussion followed. The BPW decided to extend the original resolution for increased permit availability to include the month of November, and asked the City Chamberlain to post the upcoming decrease in permit availability at all parking facilities to give permit holders enough time to arrange for parking in December. 4. CASCADILLA AVENUE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS Art Santora, a resident in this area, was present for discussion. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted that the Traffic Engineer had received a request for speed bumps on Cascadilla Avenue, and also wants a "no through traffic" sign posted on this street. He noted that the Traffic Engineer does not feel that this sign is legal. Discussion followed about enforcement of this sign. Mr. Santora noted his concerns, and felt that it was very unsafe to cross Cayuga Street. Discussion followed about putting in a stop sign and the bikeway in this neighborhood. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted that he has ordered the "no- through traffic" sign. Staff will review this street again for alternatives and report back to the BPW. 5. MAYORS 1990 BUDGET Acting Supt. Fabbroni discussed the Mayor's 1990 Budget with the BPW. He noted that the budget did not include any new capital projects. He further noted that the Mayor anticipated a 5J% tax increase with this budget. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted a major problem was the proposed County landfill tipping fee, which was not included in the budget, and the Mayor had told him to absorb this expense through -2- DPW accounts. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted that he is looking for a revenue generating activity to compensate for these tipping fees. Discussion followed. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted a few suggestions to compensate for the tipping fee - billing residents quarterly, charging each unit individually. Commissioner Cox asked about the parking facilities and if the City is making any money on it, which the City is not. It was noted that if the City did charge units individually, something would have to be done about the tax - exempt properties. The BPW agreed that the DPW operations would not suffer because of the tipping fees, and BPW will generate revenue for this expense. Acting Supt. Fabbroni discussed his equipment needs for 1990 and noted that this equipment is on a preventative maintenance program. Discussion followed about projects paying for the equipment needed to do the work. Discussion followed about the vehicle replacement program and the money required to keep this in effect. It was noted that the budget is to be reviewed by B &A and then on to Common Council for their approval, and some things may be changed by then. Meeting adjourned at 6:06 p.m. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary -3-