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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-03-07BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE March 7, 1990 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Berg, Cannon, Connor, Cox, Reeves, Sprague, Mayor Nichols; Supt. Thadani, Asst. Supt. Fabbroni, City Engr. Gray, City Attorney Guttman. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following was an addition to the Agenda: Hudson Street Bicycle Path. 1. SIDEWALKS AT 710 STEWART AVENUE Mr. Jeff Banfield, owner of the property at 710 Stewart Avenue, was present fop discussion. He noted that recent bill he received from the City for sidewalk work at his property. He noted that the City did work on Willard Way and felt that the City just went ahead and did his work without notifying him. City Engr. Gray noted the procedure - he said the property owner was given until June 10th to get the work done, he noted that the City did work for only the sidewalks which did not have sidewalk permits issued for them. He noted that no sidewalk permit was issued for this property and that the City contractors were doing work in this area. City Engr. Gray further noted that Lynne Gifford attempted not to assess Mr. Banfield for any of the work done in conjunction with the Willard Way project. Mr. Banfield felt that he was billed for too much work done, and did not like the fact that his contractor was bypassed. Staff will meet with Mr. Banfield and try to resolve this issue and will only bring back to the BPW if necessary. 2. COMMUNITY DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER Judy Saul, Director of the Community Dispute Resolution Center, was present to discuss her agencies' services with the BPW. She noted that their agency acts as a neutral party to help aid and resolve conflicts. She offered the DPW a chance to use their service once at no cost to become better acquainted with their agency. She noted that they could be especially helpful to BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE March 7, 1990 resolve issues between the DPW and residents. Commissioner Cox asked Ms. Saul how they are funded, and to provide the BPW with a fee schedule. Commissioner Cannon noted that he is a Board member of the Center and suggested that when the Resolution Center be brought in very early in a proposed project. The BPW thanked Ms. Saul for her offer and intends to utilize it in the future. 3. ELM STREET RECONSTRUCTION Mayor Nichols noted the meeting held this morning with staff and the neighborhood representatives and noted that they cannot reach an agreement regarding this project this year. Discussion followed. The BPW agreed with staff that this has been a very frustrating project and agreed to delaying this project until further notice. 4. NEWMAN MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE RATES Steve Torrant, the Golf Course Manager, was present for discussion to discuss his proposed increase in rates for the golf course. Discussion followed about instituting two rate schedules - one for City residents and one for non -City residents. Commissioner Cannon felt that the current prices made the golf course a bargain. Discussion followed about the budget and how much of the golf course the City is subsidizing. Steve noted that with the proposed increase, the golf course revenues should match expenses. It was noted that the golf course's season begins April 7th. Discussion followed about league play and the number of people outside the City who regularly use the course. Commissioner Cannon urged for a dual fee structure for City and non -City residents, while Commissioner Sprague felt this should not be implemented this year. Discussion followed about the husband /wife rate, and Commissioners Berg and Cannon felt that this category should be renamed. The BPW decided to have Commissioner Sprague work out a proposal with Steve regarding these rate increases and to report back at next COW meeting. 5. MOWING POLICY FOR FESTIVAL LANDS Betsy Darlington, Chair of the Conservation Advisory Council, was present for discussion. She noted her proposed resolution and urged the BPW to agree to cutting this area only once a year. Staff agreed with Betsy and will contact the Finger Lakes State Parks instructing them as to the mowing of the Festival Lands. 6. STENCILLING ON CATCH BASINS - CAC PROPOSAL Betsy Darlington was present to discuss this item. She noted �r that the CAC, in conjunction with the Earth Day celebration, would like to stencil the City storm sewers advising people not Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE March 7, 1990 to dump toxic waste into them. She noted that she has discussed this with the former Chief Operator of the Water Filter Plant, Steve Baker. She noted that Steve has relocated to Olympia, Wash., and that they have stencilling on their storm sewers. She noted that she has also discussed this with Gary Gleason, and he felt this was a good idea. She further noted that local school children are willing to do the stencilling, and the only thing she would need would be material from the DPW. Discussion followed. City Attorney Guttman expressed the liability concerns - children in the street, etc. Supt. Thadani felt that the stencilling of the storm sewers is a good idea, but noted that other groups are asking for "freebies" from the DPW which are not budgeted for. Commissioner Cox was concerned about the longevity of the stencilling. Commissioner Cannon suggested that the DPW and CAC do a press release about this. Discussion followed. The BPW agreed to providing the materials necessary for stencilling on the City catch basins from DPW funds. 6a. HUDSON STREET BICYCLE PATH City Engr. Gray gave the BPW an update on this project and noted 2 proposed resolutions. Discussion followed about the bike path (W and the BPW agreed to a Class 2 bicycle path with the crown in the center. The BPW also noted the correspondence and concerns from the Planning and Development Committee and decided to ask them to propose an overall policy regarding bicycle paths. 7. STREET CROSSING AT AURORA STREET AND HILLVIEW PLACE City Engr. Gray noted that after reviewing this with the Traffic Engineer, this request has come up several times. The BPW noted that the real problem is why can't the school pick up Mr. Scharf's daughter on Aurora Street. The BPW decided to write a letter to Mr. Scharf and include the background information from the Traffic Engr. denying a push- button light at this intersection. 8. REQUEST FROM 309 W. BUFFALO ST. FOR "NO PARKING" SIGNS City Engr. Gray noted that he has made an appointment with Melissa Hartley concerning this request. 9. REQUEST FOR E%PUNGEMENT OF LATE PENALTY ON WATER & SEWER BILL - HOME DAIRY. City Chamberlain Parsons was present for discussion. She noted that Nancy Avery of the Home Dairy had brought her water and sewer bill to her office on February 16th, when the due date was the 15th. Mrs. Avery contended that delivering it to the office on the 16th is the same as a postmark for the 15th. Debbie noted that she is not mandated to accept postmarks. She further noted Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE March 7, 1990 that this is not the first time Ms. Avery has done this. The BPW agreed with the City Chamberlain's recommendation and denied this expungement. 10. GIAC ASBESTOS REMOVAL Supt. Thadani updated the BPW on this project. He noted that he is awaiting a proposal from Adelaide Environmental Services, and hopes to have bids back on this project by the end of April. He further noted that he is keeping the GIAC building his top priority due to their time constraints with the summer day care program. He also noted that he will keep Diane Sams, from the GIAC Board of Directors, updated on this project. ********************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** TRASH TAGS UPDATE Due to the newly enacted trash tag system, Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted. that 75% of the residents are complying, 23% don't have trash tags but do comply by taking the garbage back, and 2% are getting fined. Meeting adjourned at 6:04 pm. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 4