HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-06-20BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
June 20, 1990
NOTES
PRESENT: Commissioners Berg, Cannon, Connor, Cox, Reeves,
Sprague, Mayor Nichols; Council Liaison Blanchard, City Engr.
Gray, Acting Asst. Supt. Carpenter, Asst. City Atty. Kennedy.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
The following were additions to the Agenda:
Monroe Street Bridge removal, repair or rehabilitation.
Request to recycle State Street bricks.
Executive session to discuss personnel matters.
The following were deletions to the Agenda:
Deposit fee for Ithaca Festival vendors - Mike Cannon.
Regulations governing off - street parking for rental residential
dwelling units - Barbara Blanchard.
Cornell Transit Study - Bernie Carpenter.
a) Cornell Park and Ride Lot at East Hill Plaza.
Elmira Road Sidewalks.
Update from Asst. City Attorney on Harold Hodes' request for
fence construction at 102 Treva Ave.
Central School Parking.
1. Parking Garage signage.
Kathe Evans from the Planning Department, was present to discuss
the City's parking garage signage procedure and passed around the
specifications for these. She noted that when the current
signage was installed, it had passed through the BPW for their
review. She further noted that she has submitted the signage
program to the Capital Projects Review for the coming year.
Commissioner Cannon noted the concerns the Commons Advisory Board
had about the existing signage and people new to town not being
able to find the parking garages. Commissioner Connor asked if
the signage proposed will streamline the existing signage. Kathe
noted that the signage will streamline the existing signage and
will also get rid of unnecessary messages. The BPW felt it was
premature to formally act on this as the signage is being
proposed in the Capital Projects Review for 1991.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
June 20, 1990
2. Trash violations at 220 S. Geneva Street.
Tim Terpening, owner of the above property, was present for
discussion. Untagged trash was picked up in front of this
property and Mr. Terpening was cited. Mr. Terpening felt that
this trash did not belong to his tenants. Discussion followed
about the current procedure for trash - a warning sticker is left
on the untagged trash, and then the trash is picked up the next
day. It was noted that when untagged trash is picked up, the
Refuse and Recycling Supervisor tries to find some identification
in the trash to identify the culprit. However, in many cases
nothing is found. Council Liaison Blanchard suggested to Mr.
Terpening that he call Tompkins County Solid Waste to see if they
could offer any assistance. Commissioner Connor suggested the
Mr. Terpening notify his tenants about this violation, and that
each tenant could have a separate identification sticker on it.
Commissioner Cannon suggested a resolution expunging this
violation for the next BPW meeting, and also asked that Refuse
and Recycling Supervisor Kelly be present to discuss enforcing
measures, and the BPW agreed to this.
3. Ithaca New Market contract.
(W Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted the name change from "Green" to
"New" Market as another market already has use of the Green
Market name. She discussed the proposed agreement which she
modeled after the Farmers Market agreement. Discussion followed
about the clean -up clause and the liability amount. Asst. City
Atty. Kennedy will contact the insurance agency to find out how
much the Farmers Market is and then request the New Market
acquire the same amount. Discussion followed about the
termination date. The BPW decided to approve the proposed
contract with a few minor modifications at their next regular
meeting.
4. Parking regulations on upper East Hill - summary of public
meeting held on May 24, 1990.
Commissioner Berg noted that this committee is waiting for more
information from Albany in regards to State legislation to allow
residential parking permits. He will report back when this
information is received.
S. Staff Updates:
a. Dey Street traffic counts - City Engr. Gray noted that the
counters are out on Dey Street but to bear in mind that they will
not be accurate since traffic is being rerouted due to the
reconstruction of Route 13.
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
June 20, 1990
b. Recycling Center Negotiations with Tompkins County - Acting
Asst. Supt. Carpenter noted that this committee has been
established, no meeting has been set yet, and that effective June
21st the Recycling Drop -off Center will only be open on Saturdays
from 8 am to 4 pm.
C. Capital Projects - City Engr. Gray noted that a list is
being formed and projects are being collected to be submitted.
d. Alderperson Romanowski letter re: Hugh Hall- NYSEG work -
City Engr. Gray noted the background on this letter, NYSEG did
some work at this address and damaged the water service, which
the City crews repaired and billed Mr. Hall for. City Engr. Gray
felt that the bill was warranted as the City has provided them
with all new water service which eventually would have been
necessary. City Engr. Gray will write Mr. Hall and Alderperson
Romanowski explaining this.
e. Compressor bid - City Engr. Gray noted that the DPW is
looking to award the contract to the lower bid.
f. Water tank color - City Engr. Gray noted the different
colors available for water tanks.
6. Water meter installed at 208 Dey Street.
The BPW received a letter from Mr. and Mrs. James Spero, owners
of the property at 208 Dey Street. It seems they were billed for
installation of a new water meter due to the fact that some paint
had gotten on the old one, defacing it. City Engr. Gray showed
the BPW the meter that was defaced. It was noted that although
these meter are mounted on private property, they are still City
property. Discussion followed. The BPW decided not to expunge
this bill for the new meter.
7. Commons Granite Block Sculpture.
The BPW received a copy of a letter to Mayor Nichols from
Michelle Berry Schwartz, in regards to the block sculpture on the
Commons. Acting Asst. Supt. Carpenter noted that this is part of
the fountain that is being worked on. Staff will look into this
further and write to Ms. Berry Schwartz.
8. Hudson St. Relandscaping.
City Engr. Gray gave the BPW the background on this item
regarding the substantial additional landscaping. Discussion
followed about the budget involved. The BPW directed City Engr.
Gray to bring this issue to Common Council, as they passed the
other resolutions regarding landscaping on Hudson Street.
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
June 20, 1990
9. Doc droppings in City parks.
Council Liaison Blanchard noted that these issue was to be
brought to Charter and Ordinance and asked if in the meantime, a
sign could be erected in Washington Park asking dog owners to
curb their dogs, which staff will work on.
10. Towing hearing process - Asst. City Attorney.
Asst. City Attorney Kennedy explained the current procedure for
towing hearings and noted that the Charter allows the City
Attorney to designate an impartial person to hear these cases.
She asked the BPW if they would be interested in holding these
hearings, which they were not, and will look elsewhere in the
City.
The BPW went into executive session at 5:50 pm to discuss
personnel matters.
Notes by
Lisa Cornell
Administrative Secretary
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