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.
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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
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
April 4, 1990
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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
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