HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-12-19BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
December 19, 1990
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Berg, Brandford, Cox, Reeves (Cannon, Connor,
Mayor Nichols excused), Council Liaison Blanchard, Acting Supt. Gray,
Acting Asst. Supt. Carpenter.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting:
The following was a deletion to the Agenda:
Special Joint Sewer Subcommittee (SJS) request for BPW approval of
Village of Lansing, Town of Lansing and Town of Dryden connection to
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility.
1. Interim Parks Commission - discussion of vroDosed Parks and
Recreation Ordinance.
Vicky Romanoff and Diane Sherman from the Interim Parks Commission
were present for discussion. Diane noted the most recent draft of the
ordinance, assuring the BPW that the Commission is only an advisory
commission to the BPW. She noted some of the changes, such as the
Issues committee has been dropped and the definition of street right -
of -ways has been changed to not include the road itself. Commissioner
Berg noted that he felt the concept of a permanent parks commission is
a good idea and would be a great benefit to the City. Commissioner
Cox agreed, but was concerned about a Parks Department and how that
might cause the consolidation of the Department of Public Works to
suffer as the Department would lose a large amount of employees.
Diane noted that the Parks Commission is not proposing a Parks
department but are asking the City to review the need for such a
department. Commissioner Cox was also concerned about adding
commissions to the Board of Public Works as the BPW members are
already expected to be liaisons to many other boards and commissions.
Vicky noted that the proposal of a permanent Parks Commission is
supposed to streamline the process of going through many boards and
commissions to get a project authorized. Acting Supt. Gray agreed
with Commissioner Cox about the many liaison commitments and how staff
gets burned out too as it is difficult for staff to implement
decisions from 6 or so different committees! Commissioner Reeves
reminded everyone about the budget constraints and the possible
decrease in staff. Diane noted that the Parks Commission is proposing
to hold fund raisers for this purpose. Commissioner Brandford
suggested that the Parks Commission use the same definitions as is
stated in the Code and Charter and noted other minor changes that
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
(W December 19, 1990
should be incorporated. Commissioner Reeves noted she thought that
the reimbursement section would not be applicable to the Parks
Commission as no other commission or board in the City receives this.
She further noted that reimbursements would have to be included in the
budget process. It was noted that the Parks Commission is now
resolved and Diane noted that Alderperson Daley is working with them
on the proposed ordinance. The BPW asked Vicky and Diane to come back
to them with other revisions and asked that these revisions be dated.
2. Downtown Ithaca Inc.parkinq ramp /garage concerns - Committee has
"Power to Act ".
Mike Pickering, representing DII, was present for discussion. He
noted that DII is concerned about the proposed increase in parking
rates and the perception from the public regarding this. DII is
requesting that the BPW look into:
a. providing customer service training for parking lot
attendants.
b. instituting a dress code for attendants and cleaning policy
for booths.
C. instituting a 10 minute grace period for parking lot users.
Commissioner Cox did not think that any of these requests were
unusual.
Acting Asst. Supt. Carpenter noted that he talked to the Personnel
Administrator regarding customer service training and that this could
be done as the funds are available. The dress code is also possible
but could lead to union problems as the union might consider this a
change in work environment. Mr. Pickering noted that DII was
concerned more with the type of clothing that the attendants are
wearing such as t- shirts and hats with slogans. Commissioner Reeves
noted that alot of the work that the attendants do is dirty work and
is hesitant to implement a dress code. Acting Asst. Supt. Carpenter
hopes that the customer service training will prompt the attendants
into accepting a dress code. He also noted the many compliments he
gets from out -of- towners regarding his Transit staff and how well
dressed they are. Discussion followed about the cost of uniforms
which would be between $2,000 and $4,000 a year for 10 people. Acting
Supt. Gray noted that in regards to item C, the attendants do give
parkers a few extra minutes if there is a long line, which Acting
Asst. Supt. Carpenter concurred with. Mr. Pickering noted that DII
would like to see this grace period of 10 minutes established as a
policy during rush hour. Commissioner Brandford noted that the City
loses revenue when this is done. Discussion followed about this grace
period and the future purchases of automatic machines, which Acting
Supt. Gray noted will not be able to distinguish how long a car has
been in line waiting to exit. Commissioner Berg noted that these
machines could be sophisticated enough to do so but Acting Asst. Supt.
Carpenter noted that these machines would also be very expensive. The
BPW decided not to enact a formal policy regarding the grace period as
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
December 19, 1990
the attendants already allow for this during long lines and the
following resolution was acted on:
Resolution
by Commissioner Cox; seconded by Commissioner Berg.
RESOLVED, That the Department of Public Works provides customer
service training for the parking lot attendants; said training to
address issues such as appearance, dress and the use of discretion in
charging people who have obviously been waiting in a long queue.
Carried unanimously
3. Approval of Audit - Committee has "Power to Act'$.
A. Audit Report.
Resolution
by Commissioner Berg; seconded by Commissioner Cox.
RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for
payment:
Abstract #23
(toe General Fund
..........• •...••.•.•.•......••,.,,.,.,,,$ 33,316.26
Water and Sewer Fund.. ..........$ 42,039.20
Joint Activity Fund ......................... .$ 20,265.82
Capital Projects ....... ..............................$ 103,727.05
and be it further
RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered.
Carried unanimously
4. Route 13 State widening project.
Commissioner Reeves noted the meeting on December 12th with the State
regarding this project. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the initial
concerns with this project were that there was no alternative two lane
versions of the project. Discussion followed about the BPW's opinion
of this project. Council Liaison Blanchard noted that the Planning
and Development Committee is writing a letter to Mr. Simberg at the
State stating that the Committee does not object to a left turn option
(both ways) or to removing and modifying the railroad abutments, as
long as a demarcation of the City line is provided. Commissioner Berg
felt that the BPW should not make a statement on this project as Mr.
Simberg told him that the State would go ahead with their own
recommendations. Commissioner Cox agreed, noting that the project
right now is a Town of Ithaca issue, and that once the State comes to
do work in the City right -of -way, then the BPW could issue an
(W appropriate decision. The BPW decided not to state an opinion on the
Route 13 widening project until the City right -of -way is involved.
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
December 19, 1990
(W
5. Dey Street - discussion regarding letter from State DOT.
Commissioner Reeves noted the letter from the State denying the
reduced speed request on Route 13 south to Dey Street and that the BPW
wanted to send more factual data to the State. It was noted that this
data would consist of accident history, traffic counts and the
petition from the residents in this area. Commissioner Reeves noted
that the residents' original request was for an all -way stop but that
the BPW felt the stop would not be effective in controlling speeding
and recommended reduced speed signs instead. Commissioner Cox asked
if this was a priority and if it would require a great deal of Acting
Supt. Gray's time to research. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the State
probably has all this information but will call them to find out what
information this declination was based on. Discussion followed about
the speeding problems on Dey Street and it was noted that the Police
Dept. is aware of this. Council Liaison Blanchard noted how well the
enforcement program on Spencer Road is going. Acting Supt. Gray will
report back to the BPW after he talks with the State regarding this
declination.
6. Water and Sewer bill_expunaements.
Commissioner Reeves noted that this item was on the Agenda to discuss
delegating water and sewer bill expungements to the Acting
Superintendent of Public Works. Commissioner Cox felt this was a good
idea since most of the requests for expungement of this type are due
to water leaks and the user requests expunge of the sewer portion of
the bill since the water doesn't enter the sewer system. He felt this
could be delegated to the Supt. Discussion followed about other water
and sewer bill expungement requests, noting wrong address complaints
and meterheads. The Acting Supt. will work on a resolution regarding
this.
7. Superintendent of Public Works position - continuing discussion.
Commissioner Reeves noted the report regarding recommendations for
the consolidation of the DPW prepared by Commissioner Cox and Larry
Fabbroni. Discussion followed about the position of Superintendent of
Public Works and the funding available for this position. Acting
Supt. Gray noted that this position is needed. Discussion followed
about the new committee formed by Common Council to determine if
vacant positions are worth filling. Commissioner Cox noted that his
report was intended to be a first step approach and that the BPW and
staff should take the next step. He also noted that he felt it was
totally wrong for an outside expert to come in and do the
consolidation study. It was noted that Mayor Nichols has said that
one of his first priorities for the DPW was the reorganization. The
BPW directed staff to review this report and report back to them with
recommendations and input. Guy Gerard asked why the Asst. Supt.
position could not be consolidated with the Supt. position. Acting
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
December 19, 1990
Supt. Gray explained that the Asst. Supt. was needed for the Streets
and Facilities division and could not possibly handle both jobs.
Meeting adjourned at 5:45 pm.
Notes by
Lisa Cornell
Administrative Secretary
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