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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-04-04BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE April 4, 1990 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Berg, Cannon, Connor, Cox, Reeves, Sprague, Mayor Nichols; Council Liaison Blanchard, Supt. Thadani, Asst. Supt. Fabbroni, City Engr. Gray, City Attorney Guttman. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following was an addition to the Agenda: Fall Creek Designation as a Recreational River. The following were deletions to the Agenda: Status of Committee of the Whole meetings. Parking garage signage for City streets. Elmira Road sidewalks. Pedestrian crossing at the Five Corners. Future of Recycling Task Force - Lynn Leopold present. Oil and stone operations on City streets - inquiry from Alderpersons. Secondary Commons discussion. 1. GIAC Renovations - Sam Cohen present. Supt. Thadani requested the authorization of a study for the rehabilitation of the GIAC building. Commissioner Reeves noted her concerns with this item as it has already passed the BPW and is now onto Common Council. Mayor Nichols concurred, noting that the final details are up to the architect and Council committees. Discussion followed about administration of the contract. It was noted this should be discussed with Human Services and Budget and Administration committees. 2. Youth Bureau Renovations - Sam Cohen present. Supt. Thadani noted the acoustical problems that the Youth Bureau has, as well as the heating and ventilation problems. He BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole April 4, 1990 requested a study done to look at these problems. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted there is money already in the budget for the acoustical study. Discussion followed about the air conditioning problems and the lawsuit with the architect. The BPW suggested redefining the problems with the building and to take this request to the Budget and Administration committee. 3. Southside Community Center - Audrey Cooper present. Supt. Thadani noted that he wanted to do a definition study on this building. Audrey Cooper, Director of Southside, explained the problems the building has and what the needs of this building are. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted that the DPW has worked continuously on this building for 3 years. Supt. Thadani noted he would like $5,000 for a comprehensive study for a unified solution to the problems that this building has. Commissioner Cox noted that a major renovation to Southside was done in the late 1970s. Commissioner Cannon asked about the process for selecting an architect. Supt. Thadani would like authorization from the BPW to execute and negotiate a contract with an architect to his and Audrey's discretion, which the BPW endorsed, along with the allocation of funds not -to- exceed $5,000 for this study. 4. Trash Tags a. Possibility for trash tags under 35 lbs.? Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted that the County is discussing this item and are scheduling a date of June 1st to have this in effect. He noted that two bags totalling 35 lbs. can be joined together by one tag. Mayor Nichols questioned why the City had to coordinate this with the County, and Asst. Supt. Fabbroni encouraged further communication with the County. Discussion followed about the average weight size for trash which has been 17 lbs. Discussion followed. The BPW decided to prepare a resolution that the City intends to proceed with the implementation of the 1/2 tags and directed staff to notify the County of the City's intent. b. Free trash tags to certain groups? This item was discussed due to a request from the Collegetown Neighborhood Council for free trash tags in conjunction with their annual clean -up day. Staff told the BPW that the City will continue to pick up trash from civic minded groups but will not issue free trash tags. Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole April 4, 1990 C. Expungement of administrative charges from purchase of trash tags for Tompkins County Social Services. The BPW received a request from the City Chamberlain to waive the administrative charges from the trash tag sale to Tompkins County Social Services for low income and public assistance residents. The BPW agreed to this expungement. S. Fall Creek Designation as Recreational River Commissioner Sprague reviewed this item with the BPW. He noted that as a result of a recent hydropower meeting, the citizen's group wanted to designate Fall Creek from Beebe Lake to the City line as a recreational river, and he voiced his opposition to this. He noted that this area would then become part of DEC regulations and could affect future changes to Stewart Park. The BPW reviewed a map with the proposed boundaries. Margaret Fabrizio was present and noted that the group would like to include the Golf Course as this would further protect the land and water quality. Commissioner Cannon noted that there are already various laws to protect our streams and this was only to protect Ithaca Falls from hydropower. Discussion followed further about the Golf Course and the BPW had problems with this being included in the designation. Council Liaison Blanchard asked how this will effect the proposed DPW consolidation. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted that the DPW does use land in this area. Discussion followed about what restrictions would be put on this area in regard to the DPW consolidation. The BPW were not in favor of this resolution designating the entire area which included the Golf Course. 6. St. Paul's Methodist Church request to use Stewart Park A request was received from this church to hold Easter sunrise services. The BPW agreed to this request and directed staff to open the bathrooms for this day. 7. July Board of Public Works meetings. Due to the July 4th holiday falling on a Wednesday, the BPW decided to cancel the Committee of the Whole meeting for the day and to establish the following meeting times for the month of July: July 11th - Committee of the Whole July 18th - Board of Public Works July 25th - Committee of the Whole Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole April 4, 1990 L S. Request to Close Street for Block Party. A request was received from the Tompkins County Senior Citizens Council to close part of Geneva Street for a block party /fund raiser on June 1st. It was noted that access to McGraw House would be possible. The BPW were concerned as to the neighborhood's feelings on this, and asked that the neighbors be canvassed to see if they had any objections with this and to report back to the BPW. 9. Sidewalk Assessment at 220 Willard Way. City Engr. Gray noted a mistake in this assessment and that his staff will notify the property owners at this address with the new assessment, and he will report back to the BPW once this is done. 10. Review of license fees for the Commons. Discussion followed about the minimum charges for a license fee. Commissioner Berg felt it was very low. City Engr. Gray explained the formula for arriving at license fee charges. The BPW may discuss at a later date. 11. Elm Street conceptual study authorization. Supt. Thadani noted that he would like to proceed with a conceptual study for Elm Street. Council Liaison Blanchard asked that she and the Supt. meet before discussing this item further, and that she will prepare an outline for the BPW. Commissioner Connor noted the BPW may wish to discuss how they are going to conduct public meetings in the future. Commissioner Reeves noted that today is Asst. Supt. Fabbroni's last day with the City. She thanked him for all the support and help he has given her and the Board of Public Works. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 4