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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-02-21BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Meeting of February 21, 1990 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Berg, Cannon, Connor, Cox, Reeves, (Sprague excused), Mayor Nichols; Council Liaison Blanchard, Supt. Thadani, City Engr. Gray. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following were additions to the Agenda: 12. GIAC Asbestos resolution. 13. Handicapped Walkways in the City. ce 14. Proposed bus route to accommodate youth and Floral Avenue residents. The following were deletions to the Agenda: 5. Request from 309 W. Buffalo Street for "No Parking" signs - staff recommendation. 6. Street crossing at Aurora Street and Hillview Place - staff recommendation. 7. Mowing policy for Festival Lands. 10. Environmental Assessment Review of bicycle /pedestrian bridge over Cascadilla Creek. 11. Standard Department of Public Works items - bid procedure discussion. 1. HANDICAPPED WALKWAYS IN THE CITY Several disabled citizens were present to discuss this item. Brenda Kuhn spoke for the group. She asked for resolutions to the problems with snow and ice on curb cuts and walkways. She suggested the BPW strictly enforce the ordinance requiring property owners to adequately clean their sidewalks. The BPW explained the sidewalk complaint procedure to her. Complaints are received at the Streets and Facilities office, the complainants name is recorded but kept confidential, the exact location of the uncleared location is noted, staff then contacts the property owner of the sidewalk, the property owner is given BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE February 21, 1990 24 hours to clean the sidewalk, and if not done, staff will clean and bill the property owner. Commissioner Cannon suggested a memo be written to the snow plow drivers asking them to be sensitive to the curb cuts and snow problems. He also suggested that the sidewalk policy be posted in the news media in November of each year, and that the Finger Lakes Independent Center do a press release regarding sidewalks and the complaint procedure. Commissioner Connor suggested that the Senior Citizens group be given consideration also. Commissioner Cox asked Ms. Kuhn for a list of specific trouble spots requiring attention, which she will submit to the BPW. 2. UPDATE ON TRANSIT STUDY Transit System Manager Carpenter was present to give the BPW an update on the status of the transit study. He noted the letter that Cornell Transportation Services were sending to the University's employees offering them the option of free transit for their participation in a survey. Bernie noted that the results of this survey will show a profile of who will use the transit system and who definitely won't. This also will help to plan bus routes accordingly. Bernie noted that this will be a two month project which won't cost the City anything, and they are hoping this will result in a spin -off effect for others to use the transit systems. 3. EARTH DAY - PROPOSAL OF FREE BUS SERVICE Transit System Manager Carpenter proposed free bus service for April 21, 1990, in connection with the local Earth Day celebrations. He noted that this was a national trend, and would help promote some of the values that Earth Day is based on, like protecting the environment. He noted that this would be about a $900 loss but felt that it was well worth it. He further noted that this is the first free service in a number of years. The BPW agreed that this is a good cause and supported the free Ithaca Transit bus service for April 21st. 4. PROPOSED BUS ROUTE TO ACCOMMODATE YOUTH AND FLORAL AVENUE A representative from the Glenside Association was present to discuss this item. She asked the BPW to consider having a Ithaca Transit bus go down Floral Avenue as there are many people interested in using it. She also suggested a route that would accommodate many of the youth's activities. She gave a map to the Transit System Manager with several bus routes that their group proposed. Discussion followed. It was noted that one of the developers on Floral Avenue has a bus stop incorporated into Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE February 21, 1990 his building plans. The BPW asked Transit System Manager Carpenter to review and investigate these proposals, and report back. 5. GIAC ASBESTOS REMOVAL Diane Sams from the GIAC Board of Directors, was present to discuss the asbestos removal from the GIAC building. She noted the time frame involved and asked that the work be made a priority before the summer program begins. She also asked that kitchen be done without disturbing access to it. Supt. Thadani noted that staff will be investigating this and will try to make it their top priority. Discussion followed about the contract to be negotiated. Staff will meet with GIAC and report back to the BPW at the next COW meeting. 6. CITY COURT FACILITY PLAN Leslie Chatterton representing the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission gave the BPW some background about the City Court building. She noted that it was built in 1940, and requested than any definite plans to renovate this building be reviewed first by Landmarks Preservation Committee. Supt. Thadani noted the resolution he is proposing for a feasibility study to investigate options for compliance with the mandate from New York State for the City Court. Resolution by: Commissioner Cannon, seconded by Commissioner Cox. City Court Facility Plan The Ithaca City Court has been issued a mandate by the New York State Unified Court System to expand and renovate the existing City Court building (Hall of Justice) . The Superintendent of Public Works, The City Court Judge and the Court Clerk have met to discuss how to achieve this and have arrived at a variety of options for expansion and renovation that would satisfy this mandate. WHEREAS, the options which meet the State requirements include: the addition of a new story; the addition of an 8,000 square foot, two story facility at the rear of the existing building; the construction of a new facility in the Police Department parking lot on East Clinton Street, opposite the Hall of Justice; relocation to another existing building (to be identified); or the building of a brand new facility elsewhere in the City, and Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE February 21, 1990 WHEREAS, the State requires that a feasibility analysis be completed no later than march 31, 1990, and WHEREAS, this analysis cannot be completed by Department of Public Works staff in time for proper review by the Board of Public Works, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Superintendent be authorized to negotiate with and for the services of a consulting firm to provide this analysis at a sum not -to- exceed $5,000, to be taken out of Capital Reserve Account #25, for the design of new capital projects, and be it further RESOLVED, That the firm undertaking this analysis be instructed by the Superintendent to give sensitive consideration to the historic importance and architectural significance of the existing Hall of Justice building (identified as a monument in the South Hill Historic and Architectural Resources Survey of 1987). Carried Unanimously 7. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETINGS Commissioner Cox gave the background on this item. He noted that it is now 5:15 pm and the BPW has not got to the items on the Agenda, due to additions and public comment. He proposed limiting the public speakers at the COW meetings. He further noted that the BPW is responsible for multimillion dollar projects and felt the BPW was not doing justice to them by only reviewing them in the remaining 30 minutes. Mayor Nichols suggested setting aside time for items not on the Agenda. Commissioner Cannon noted that he is hesitant to limit the public speakers at COW meetings, as were Commissioners Berg and Cannon. Commissioner Cannon suggested doing items on the Agenda first, then hearing public comment. Commissioner Cox suggested having official BPW meetings every week, which Commissioner Cannon felt was a good idea. Discussion followed on this, noting that if official meetings were every week resolutions would have to be drafted on the floor and the City Clerk (or her representative) would have to attend. Discussion followed. The BPW decided not to limit the public speakers yet, but to arrange for an unnumbered agenda and allow 10 minutes at the start to decided which items to discuss first. This will be tried for two COW meetings before any further action is taken. Page - 4 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE February 21, 1990 8. HUDSON STREET RECONSTRUCTION City Engr. Gray gave the BPW an update on this, noting that the contract has been awarded and would like to get the contractor going. He would like to know if sidewalks should be installed or not. Commissioner Cannon noted how frustrating this project has been. Commissioner Connor requested the saving of the trees, and also a way of slowing down the cars with possibly a stop sign. Commissioner Reeves noted that the residents have been told that once the reconstruction is done, traffic counts will be taken for possible further action. She also reiterated to the BPW that they are not an enforcement agency. Commissioner Cox noted that he does not want the installation of sidewalks. Discussion followed. The BPW decided to support a resolution taking the installation of sidewalks on the west side out of the Hudson Street Reconstruction project scope, and to prepare a change order also to this effect. 9. ELM STREET RECONSTRUCTION City Engr. Gray noted that this project has been an educational experience. He noted a that the street could be widened to 271, or to rebuild at 22' with the curbs installed. Commissioner Reeves asked City Engr. Gray about the time frame on this. City Engr. Gray noted that he thought that Asst. Supt. Fabbroni was looking for this project in the summer construction season. Commissioner Reeves suggested that City Engr. Gray give the BPW another update in two weeks. City Engr. Gray noted that the BPW may have to delay this project, which Commissioner Reeves noted that was her initial reaction after attending the public information meetings. Discussion followed. Supt. Thadani did not think the project should be abandoned yet, noting more meetings scheduled. The BPW decided to wait for another update from the City Engr. in two weeks. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 5