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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-05-16BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE May 16, 1990 NOTES Present: Commissioners Berg, Cannon, Connor, Cox, Reeves, Sprague, Mayor Nichols; Supt. Thadani, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ferrel, City Engr. Gray, City Atty. Guttman, Alderperson Daley, Alderperson Peterson. The following was an addition to the Agenda: Parking Management Officer. The following were deletions to the Agenda: Parking Garage Signage - Kathe Evans present. Dey Street petition for stop signs. Farmers Market - George Sheldon proposal. 1. Community Festival on June 16th - request from George Rolle. Mr. Rolle was present and brought along a petition from residents in the neighborhood who were in favor of closing Cleveland Avenue on Saturday, June 16, 1990 from 10 am to 9 pm for a community festival. He noted he would like to also have booths to sell crafts and other items. Commissioner Reeves noted that he would have to contact the Police Dept. for a vendors permit and the Health Dept. for any food to be sold. The BPW agreed to direct staff to provide the necessary barricades to close Cleveland Avenue on June 16th. 2. Parking Management Officer. Alderperson Daley was present to discuss this issue. He noted that an ad -hoc committee is being formed consisting of two members from the BPW - Commissioners Berg and Reeves; two from Common Council - Alderpersons Blanchard and himself; two members of Downtown Ithaca, Inc., one member from Collegetown Neighborhood Council, the Police Chief, the Supt. of Public Works and two other DPW staff members. This committee will review the current parking situation and decide if a parking manager is needed and the aspects of the job description. Discussion followed as to whom this person would report, or if this would be a totally separate division. Discussion followed about the BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole May 16, 1990 funding for this position. Discussion followed as to why the merchants are involved and Commissioner Cannon noted many concerns he has heard regarding the raised rates and felt that DII should be involved. Council Liaison Blanchard noted that she has made some phone calls to other cities in regard to how they coordinate their parking and traffic need and felt it is premature to discuss this as an entity now. Commissioner Sprague felt that cities with similar populations should be contacted. Commissioner Cox requested that the charge of this committee be put in writing along with the list of members. Mayor Nichols suggested that the City Controller be involved. The BPW decided to endorse the formation of an ad -hoc committee to further study parking management. 3. Signs on Route 13 regarding Recycling Center. Commissioner Berg noted he felt signs should be installed on Route 13 pointing out the location of the new Recycling Center. Commissioner Reeves noted the procedure to do so requires contacting the State and asking them to install them since this is a State route. The BPW directed the Supt. to contact the State and request these signs. Discussion followed about the Center and the problems it is currently having. The BPW would like to see this Center open on weekends but Supt. Thadani noted he does not have the staff to man it. He has contacted City Court to ask if persons sentenced to do Community Service could man this Center. Commissioner Reeves suggested contacting the County and asking for their help. Commissioner Cannon questioned the need for staff on weekends. Discussion followed about potential littering problems. The BPW decided to open the Center on weekends for a three week trial period on Saturday and Sunday from 7 am to 7 pm starting the weekend of May 26th. 4. Neighborhood procedures for reconstruction work. Alderperson Blanchard noted the procedure she has proposed in regards to the Elm Street Reconstruction project. She noted that this procedure has been reviewed by both the West Hill Civic Association and the Elm Street residents committee and they would like to see the procedure tried, as well as the Conservation Advisory Council. She further noted that the Community Dispute Resolution Center were supportive of this procedure, and she asked the BPW for their opinion. Supt. Thadani noted the problems in the Elm Street project and felt that certain priorities needed to be reviewed. Discussion followed about a neutral party being involved in projects - someone who doesn't have a vested interest. Council Liaison Blanchard noted the BPW resolution that states a decision is to made regarding this project before September 30th. Discussion followed about capital projects . Commissioner Connor and Mayor Nichols agreed that a written process is necessary. The BPW decided to pass a Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole May 16, 1990 resolution endorsing the formation of a committee to work on a procedure for reviewing future street reconstruction projects. 5. Elmira Road sidewalks. Commissioner Reeves noted the previous discussions on this topic and that the Elmira Road merchants did not want to install sidewalks. Commissioner Berg felt that these views have changed, and that some may want sidewalks installed, which Mayor Nichols agreed. Council Liaison Blanchard asked the BPW to consider possibly installing sidewalks on old Spencer Road on the back of Elmira Road. Commissioner Cox noted the original reconstruction of Elmira Road in 1976 and all the opposition the City was facing regarding street lights and curbing. Commissioner Cannon suggested that informal polls be taken on the Elmira Road to determine if the sidewalks should be installed. Mayor Nichols suggested that a map be reviewed showing where the sidewalks would be installed and noted that he supports the installation of sidewalks. The BPW directed the City Engr. to provide such a map for further discussion. 6. Staff Reports: Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ferrel gave a report on the following: a) Street cleaning: Crews have been working on the flats, this work is done just between the sidewalk and curb. b) Pedestrian crossing: The "Five Corners" has been done. C) Street striping: Crews have done from Albany - Court - Meadow; there are 159 crosswalks to be done which depends on the weather; primary zones (schools, etc.) are done first. 1) Cost estimates for longer lasting street striping: Rick noted the handout the BPW received at their last meeting and that the current method is the least expensive. d) Rebricking of Stewart Ave.: This will be done this Fall after the Thurston Avenue Bridge project. 7. Parking regulations on upper East Hill. Commissioner Berg noted a public information meeting scheduled for May 24, 1990 to comments from the public regarding the proposed parking regulations. Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole May 16, 1990 8. Recycling Task Force Mission. Council Liaison Blanchard suggested this item be postponed until a County -wide recycling committee is formed. Meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 4