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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-04-18BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE April 18, 1990 4:00 p.m. NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Berg, Cannon, Connor, Cox, Reeves, Sprague, Mayor Nichols; Council Liaison Blanchard, Supt. Thadani, Acting Asst. Supt. Carpenter, City Engr. Gray, City Atty. Guttman. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following were additions to the Agenda: Pedestrian crossings - general discussion. Street Cleaning. The following were deletions to the Agenda: Elmira Road sidewalks. Request from Senior Citizens Council to block off part of street (same time as the Ithaca Festival Days). 1. Future of Recycling Task Force Lynn Leopold was present for this discussion. She thanked the BPW for the help and support she received from them while she was coordinating Ithaca Recycles. She explained the background of the Task Force and felt it was time to rethink its missions. Barbara Hotchkiss, Tompkins County Recycling Coordinator, was also present for discussion. Commissioner Cox asked about recycling centers. Ms. Hotchkiss noted that the County currently has two - one in Caroline and one in Danby, where people can drop off recyclables. Discussion followed about the hours of recycling centers and what items they accept. Further discussion followed on current recycling efforts and how the County is preparing for mandatory recycling in 1992. Mayor Nichols asked about the recycling containers and it was noted that they will be similar to the ones currently used. Council Liaison Blanchard noted a program that Ida Weber has called "Camp Goodtime ", that donates money to this group from every load of office paper brought in for recycling. Lynn noted that the Task Force may need to change its name and asked the BPW for a mission. She BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE April 18, 1990 noted they may invite Jim Kelly to their next meeting to discuss further recycling issues. The BPW asked to be kept informed of new developments in County recycling efforts. 2. Committee of the Whole meetings The BPW agreed to keep the current format of an unnumbered agenda for Committee of the Whole meetings. 3. Parking Garage Signage Commissioner Cannon reported that this item was a result of a recent Commons Advisory Board meeting, and they had asked for better signage. Commissioner Reeves noted there are currently 54 signs posted. Commissioner Cannon noted that these signs are faded. Discussion followed about Planning and Development's role in this, and the BPW decided to ask Kathe Evans to attend a future meeting to give an update of this. 4. Lutheran Church request for free parking at Dryden Road Commissioner Reeves noted the previous discussions on this and (W that Alderperson Golder asked that this request be taken into consideration again. Mayor Nichols noted a letter received from the Church asking that free parking be allowed on Sunday mornings. Discussion followed about available parking. Commissioner Cannon did not think granting this request was a good idea since other groups will ask for the same treatment. Commissioner Cox noted that the 24 hour operation of this garage is under a trial period. Discussion followed. The BPW decided to allow free parking on Sundays between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm, concurrent with the 24 hour operation trial period. S. Half Trash Tags It was noted that the BPW already decided to implement a trash tag system. Supt. Thadani noted that he has a meeting with the County to discuss this further. Discussion followed about the amount and weight limit for these tags. The BPW decided to pass a resolution with the weight and amount of these tags left blank to be filled in after Supt. Thadani's meeting with the County. 6. Sidewalk assessment at 220 Willard Way Loop City Engr. Gray gave the BPW an update on this, noting an error in the bill. He noted also that the property owners were receiving a new bill. Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE April 18, 1990 7. Street Cleaninc Commissioner Connor asked about the schedule for street cleaning, noting that the roads are very dirty. Supt. Thadani will check into this and report back to the BPW. S. Pedestrian Crossing at the Five Corners Commissioner Reeves noted the background for this request and suggested that the Traffic Engr. do a traffic count here. City Engr. Gray noted a study done at this intersection in 1967. Discussion followed about possible traffic crossing mechanisms and push button lights. City Engr. Gray will do further study and report back to the BPW. 9. Pedestrian Crossings in General Commissioner Connor asked staff how often these crossings are painted. Staff noted that the crossings are painted yearly and that to complete the striping program it takes about two to three months to finish. 10. Oil and Stone Operations on City Streets Supt. Thadani noted a memo and "oil- stained" carpet he received from Planning and Development Director Thys Van Cort. City Engr. Gray stated that he did an economic background on this operation and found it to be less expensive. Discussion followed about some of the problems encountered with this operation. Commissioner Cox noted that he felt last years program was excellent. Discussion followed about differentiating streets between asphalt overlay and oil and stone. Council Liaison Blanchard suggested sending a flyer to residents before their street would be serviced, letting them know the details of the operation, which staff will arrange to do in the future. 11. Newman Golf Course Shelter Commissioner Sprague gave the BPW a background on this shelter, noting that the Golf Course fund has $3,000 available for the construction. The shelter would be similar to the one at Cass Park - small pavilion with roof and picnic table. He noted the City would have to provide lighting and wiring. The BPW was agreeable to the construction on such a shelter, pending environmental review. 12. Secondary Commons discussion Commissioner Reeves gave the BPW the background on this in regard to the annual review of outdoor dining permits on the Commons. She noted that City Atty. Guttman recommends that the BPW not Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE April 18, 1990 give up their jurisdiction in this area. Discussion followed and the BPW agreed to continue with the current method of approving outdoor dining permits. Commissioner Sprague thanked staff for their quick solution to the Thurston Avenue Bridge problems. Commissioner Berg asked about the graffiti problems near the Commons which Supt. Thadani will look into. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 4