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
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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
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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.
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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
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