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.
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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
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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
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