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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-12-06C BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE December 6, 1989 NOTES Present: Commissioners Cannon, Cox, Daley, Reeves, Sprague; Council Liaison Nichols, Acting Supt. Fabbroni. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following was an addition to the Agenda: 6. Review of Hudson Street EAF. The following were deletions to the Agenda: 5. Staff Updates: a) Job Scope of Water and Sewer Director. b) Lighting in Southside Area. C) 108 Water Street Encroachment Request. d) Use of handicapped parking spaces in Dryden Road Parking Garage (Building Commissioner recommendation). e) Geneva Street Loading Zones (Traffic Engineer recommendation). 1. 115 Brandon Place Sidewalks Discussion followed about Mrs. Van Loan's (owner of property at 115 Brandon Place) badly broken -up sidewalk and curb. Mrs. Van Loan feels that this damage was due to City vehicles driving over the curb and sidewalk and felt it is the City's responsibility to repair. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted that he will have staff investigate this and the BPW agreed that if this damage was the City's fault, the City will replace the sidewalk and curb. 2. Joint Transit Study Transit System Manager Carpenter was present for this discussion regarding a jointly owned maintenance facility. This facility would be owned by the County (Tomtran), the City (Ithaca Transit), and Cornell University (CU Transit). Bernie noted that he has had discussions with the State and noted the upcoming State mandates for drug testing and driver training. Bernie noted that this facility would house all the vehicles and that �r maintenance would be done and charged back to the appropriate division. He also noted that Gadabout vehicles could be housed there. Bernie further noted that this project will cost $4 million. He noted that State and Federal funds will cover $3.4 million and that local funds will only have to cover $600,000. A Discussion followed about the proposed site - the old parks garage on the Pier Road. It was noted that this may interfere with the proposed DPW consolidation, as this property may be needed for that. Bernie noted that the size of the facility would be slightly larger than the present DPW building. The BPW agreed that this joint maintenance facility was a good idea and encouraged Transit System Manager Carpenter to proceed with it. 3. 108 Hudson Street - Water and Sewer Bill A request was received from Stella Marinos, owner of the property at 108 Hudson Street, for expungement of the sewer portion of her water and sewer bill. Due to a faulty hot water heater, the water ran onto her basement instead of entering the sewer. The BPW agreed to adjust her water and sewer bill to reflect actual sewer usage based on past bills. 4. Parking Garages /Permits Merchants from Collegetown and Alderperson Killeen were present for discussion. Discussion followed about the Dryden Road Parking Garage, and a card system that could be used. It was noted that this card would be issued for certain times of the day. Commissioner Cannon suggested extending the attendants' hours. Council Liaison Nichols noted that the 2 am to 6 am rule is not being enforced - that non - permit parkers are parking for free, leaving before the attendant comes on duty. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted two options - 24 hour attendants or a cash deposit box. The BPW decided to hire 3 full -time attendants for 24 hour operation and that this will be on a trial basis from February - June. The BPW also decided to eliminate the first hour of free parking and charge a flat fee of $.50 per hour. The BPW also decided to raise the meter rates to $.50 per hour in the prime locations and to $.50 for two hours in the outlying locations. City Chamberlain Parsons noted that she is willing to work with the police to guarantee security for the money and attendant. Permit prices will also be raised by $10.00 a month. Discussion followed about the downtown parking garages. Commissioner Cox asked what the results of the parking study was. Commissioner Daley noted that the parking study revealed the need for another parking facility and that parking rates should be increased in the Central Business District. The BPW decided to increase parking meter rates to $.50 per hour in prime downtown locations and to $.50 for two hours in secondary spots. The BPW also decided to eliminate the first hour free, and to charge a flat rate of $.25 per hour. Permit rates will be increased by $5.50 per month, except Seneca Street under cover which was increased by $10.00 per month. The BPW also agreed that the parking lot attendants at all City lots will pass out hand -outs indicating these changes. 5. Review of Hudson Street EAF Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted that he would like the BPW's approval of the EAF for Hudson Street Reconstruction. It was noted that the Conservation Advisory Council had some problems with it, and Acting Supt. Fabbroni hoped to resolve their concerns. Acting Supt. Fabbroni noted that he has discussed this site plan review with the Building Department and with Planning and Development. Discussion followed about the Type II action. Acting Supt. Fabbroni suggested the BPW move ahead with the environmental review, and felt that the BPW should be the lead agency with this. Discussion followed about the residents' concerns. The BPW encouraged Acting Supt. Fabbroni to proceed with the site plan review for the Hudson Street Reconstruction project. Meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary