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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-10-31BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE October 31, 1990 NOTES Present: Commissioners Berg, Brandford, Connor, Cox, Reeves, (Cannon excused) Mayor Nichols; Council Liaison Blanchard, Acting Supt. Gray, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ferrel, Asst. City Atty. Kennedy. The following were deletions to the Agenda: County Recycling Drop -off Center preliminary discussion for 1991 operation and 1991 Curbside Collection Services - representative from Tompkins County Solid Waste present. (Back -up information handed out at 10/3/90 meeting.) 1. Elmira Road Sidewalks. Thys Van Corti, Director of Planning and Development, was present for discussion. Thys noted how this became a Capital Project as it was approved by the Capital Projects Review Committee last year. Thys further noted that representatives on this Committee were aware of this project, while Commissioner Reeves noted a resolution the BPW just passed in regards to Capital Project requests asking that all projects that deal with the DPW and BPW's jurisdiction be referred to the BPW before going onto the Capital Projects Review Committee. Thys noted that not everyone would see this resolution and suggested that the BPW review the Capital Budget every January after Council approves. Commissioner Reeves noted the research the BPW has done in regards to the Elmira Road Sidewalks and the public information meetings that were held in regards to this project, noting that the merchants did not want sidewalks installed on the Elmira Road. Discussion followed about funding for this project which would result in the City installing the sidewalks and then setting up a special benefit district. Discussion followed about the installation of sidewalks on the Elmira Road and Commissioner Cox felt this may be difficult to do since utilities are located where sidewalks should be. Thys noted that the sidewalks are proposed to be installed on both sides of the street and as far away from the curb as possible, which Acting Supt. Gray noted will cost approximately $216,000 with a 10% contingency. Council BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole October 31, 1990 Liaison Blanchard noted that she and Alderperson Romanowski are strongly opposed to this project. Discussion followed about the BPW's charge for the installation of sidewalks according to the Charter. Commissioner Berg suggested the BPW get more detailed information from staff - design and money figures - and then hold a public hearing. Discussion followed about if the design work should be done in -house or contracted out. Thys will get together with Acting Supt. Gray to prepare the schematic work regarding this project and will report back to the BPW. 2. Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District discussion. Steve Thayer, Deputy City Controller, was present for discussion. He noted that this is the annual assessment to pay for the Dryden Road Parking Garage and noted how the Finance Dept. assesses each property owner by reviewing the Bldg. Dept.'s files to determine if there is any new construction and assessing accordingly. Steve noted that credits are given to property owners that provide off - street parking. Discussion followed about the Commons benefit assessment district, noting that Collegetown assessments change yearly while the Commons does not. The BPW approved the assessments as prepared by the Deputy City Controller for the Collegetown Special Benefit District. 3. 1991 New Market Contract - Committee has "Power to Act ". Commissioner Reeves noted the New Market is looking to renew their current agreement with the City for use of Dewitt Park on Saturday mornings. She further noted some of the concerns staff had with the current agreement, referring to Item #3 on the 1990 contract between the City and the New Market regarding metered parking. The New Market is supposed to provide notarized documentation to the City for the number of meters used at each week's market, which Acting Supt. Gray noted was an unusual arrangement. He suggested sending the New Market a bill with a set price for parking, instead of counting spaces. Commissioner Reeves suggested charging them $42.00 (21 meters at $2.00 a meter). Discussion followed about who sends out these bills. It was determined that some bills are sent out yearly from Streets and Facilities and others are accepted at City Hall. Commissioner Reeves reminded the BPW that they have "Power to Act" on the 1991 contract, which Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted that the New Market was under time constraints since they are applying for a grant. Commissioner Cox suggested that the BPW charge them a fee of $40.00 a week for parking. Commissioner Berg asked how the Farmers Market is billed, which Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted that they are billed annually. Discussion followed. Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole October 31, 1990 Resolution by Commissioner Cox, seconded by Commissioner Berg. RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works executes the 1991 contract for the New Market with the consideration of a fee of $40.00 weekly during the operation of the Market, which shall be billed at the beginning of the season in a one -time lump sum payment. Carried Unanimously Friendly Amendment by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Brandford. RESOLVED, That the 1991 contract for the New Market be approved contingent upon receipt of payment for the 1990 season. Carried Unanimously Asst. City Atty. Kennedy will call Mr. Sheldon with this information. 4. Tioaa Street - review of options. Commissioner Reeves noted the back -up information received regarding this street, especially at the intersection of Farm and Tioga Street. Commissioner Berg asked if any of the recommended short term improvements have been implemented. Acting Supt. Gray noted that all of them have been except removal of the trees. He noted that crosswalks were painted, bushes trimmed and the bus shelter relocated. It was noted that Tioga Street is listed in the City Charter as a through street which requires stop signs to only be on streets that cross it. Discussion followed about a long -term solution of installing corner aprons on Tioga Street. Discussion followed about complaints of speeding on Tioga Street, which Commissioner Berg thought was a City -wide problem not limited to Tioga Street. Commissioner Reeves noted that since Tioga Street is a collector street, installing an all -way stop sign on it is not a good idea and should not be used for traffic control. Commissioner Berg suggested that staff install the corner aprons. Discussion followed, and the BPW decided to direct staff to install the corner aprons as recommended by the Traffic Engineer. S. Request for four -way stop at Jay and Utica Streets. Commissioner Reeves noted a petition received from residents in this area requesting an all -way stop at this intersection. Discussion followed about whether an all -way stop is really necessary here, noting that this request is similar to the one for an all -way stop at Farm and Tioga Streets, to help slow down Page - 3 V BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole October 31, 1990 traffic. Discussion followed. The BPW decided to deny the request to install an all -way stop at Jay and Utica Streets. Commissioner Reeves asked Council Liaison Blanchard if it is necessary for the BPW to notify the residents, in this case the Farm and Tioga Street residents, of the BPW's proposed changes to this intersection. Council Liaison Blanchard will bring this up at the next "public involvement" meeting. Commissioner Cox suggested letting the alderpersons of that ward know of the BPW's intentions, which staff will do after the BPW passes a resolution. 6. Asst. City Atty. reports: a) Parking ramps: reserved spaces ruling. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy is still working on this. b) Abandonment of South Tioga Street for County Mental Health Bldg. - back -up information handed out at 10/3/90 meeting. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy is still working on this. c) Transit Facility Update. Commissioner Reeves noted that this item could probably be deleted at this time since the BPW does get regular updates. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted that this is still being negotiated with Cornell University. d) Cornell University request regarding University Avenue. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted that Cornell is requesting to own University Avenue and asked the BPW how they felt about giving it to them. It was noted that this street is in need of repair. Discussion followed. The BPW asked Asst. City Atty. Kennedy to provide them with more information regarding ownership of this street and to report back. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 4