HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-01-30BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
January 30, 1991
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Brandford, Cox, Reeves, Rusoff, Tripp
(Berg excused) Mayor Nichols; Acting Supt. Gray, Acting
Facilities Maint. Supvsr. Ferrel, Asst. City Atty. Kennedy,
Council Liaison Blanchard, City Chamberlain Parsons.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
The following were additions to the Agenda:
Proposed Parks Commission Ordinance.
Asst. Supt. for Water and Sewer discussion.
The following was postponed for one week:
Increase in Golf Course fees.
1. Water and Sewer special readings.
Debbie Parsons, City Chamberlain, was present for discussion.
Debbie suggested that the BPW consider charging residents for
special meter readings. She noted that these readings cost her
office $5 to $7 to do paperwork in addition to the time the meter
readers spend. She also noted that it is not uncommon for one
property's meter to be read three times a month due to a change
in tenant. Debbie further suggested that special readings be
free of charge only in connection with a change of property
owner. Debbie suggested a charge of $15.00 per special reading,
as many of the special readings total less than $10.00.
Discussion followed. Acting Supt. Gray noted that it is an in-
house policy to verify both the external and internal meter
readings to be sure that they have not been adjusted or modified.
Commissioner Cox asked how NYSEG handles such readings. City
Chamberlain Parsons felt that these readings are included in the
NYSEG customers' monthly bills. Debbie further noted that this
information could be phased in with water and sewer bills and
that if the customer did not want a special reading, information
could be sent that would instruct the customer on how to read the
meter. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy reminded Debbie that the charges
for a special reading have to be on a par with what the City
actually is spending on the special readings, i.e. it can't be a
ridiculously large fee. Pat also suggested that the Rental Task
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
January 30, 1991
Force be informed on this charge and see what their reactions
would be. Debbie noted that the City bills the actual property
owner but many tenants pay the bill themselves. Discussion
followed. The BPW supported the concept of a charge for special
readings and asked staff to contact the Rental Task Force and
work on a resolution to be voted on at the Feb. 13th meeting.
2. Staff Reports:
1 Dey Street.
Acting Supt. Gray noted that he did talk to the State regarding
the denial of the reduced speed on Route 13 near Dey St. He
offered to send the State accident history of Dey Street but the
State noted that this would not change the decision. The State
felt this was a local enforcement issue and was not convinced
that reduced speed on Route 13 would affect Dey Street.
Discussion followed about speed bumps and stop signs and Acting
Supt. Gray will send out an informational package regarding this
to the BPW. Discussion followed about the Police Dept. and how
traffic and speed counts were done in this area but speeding
occurs most often when other areas of the City are busy.
Commissioner Tripp thanked Acting Supt. Gray for pursuing this
item with the State.
b) Letter from Martha Kuckes regarding ice and snow removal
from sidewalks.
Acting Supt. Gray noted Ms. Kuckes' letter regarding snow and ice
removal on sidewalks and trash removal within the City. He also
noted his response to Ms. Kuckes explaining to her that the DPW
does things in a manner that is acceptable and within the money
limits and manpower of the Dept. Commissioner Reeves noted how
sidewalks are not really shoveled and to enforce this ordinance
would be difficult. Commissioner Cox asked how the DPW would
enforce this. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy suggested that the DPW
enforce this like the Building Dept. and the Sanitation Section
of the DPW enforces trash violations - place a sticker onto
abutting property owners' doors after snowstorm - if the walks
aren't shoveled 24 hours later, fine the property owner.
Commissioner Brandford noted that Collegetown is a serious
violator of the snow removal ordinance and suggested that the BPW
talk to the Collegetown Neighborhood Council. Commissioner
Rusoff suggested that the BPW contact schools and PTAs to alert
kids to this ordinance and to encourage children to not walk in
streets due to icy, snow covered sidewalks. Mayor Nichols
suggested that all the Depts. of the City become involved in this
enforcement - Police, Fire, etc. and report violators to the DPW.
It was noted that the DPW could not possibly handle this many
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
January 30, 1991
(W
calls. The BPW will contact civic organizations and schools and
contact the news media again to alert the public about this
ordinance.
3. Proposed Parks Commission Ordinance.
Council Liaison Blanchard noted that this copy is the 4th version
of the ordinance. She asked the BPW to review this as one of the
main points is that a Parks Commission will be established.
Barbara urged the BPW to use the Commission and felt that some
BPW members should meet with them to discuss some of the common
issues involved. Commissioner Reeves suggested that someone from
the Youth Bureau also be included as they seemed to have
questions. Acting Supt. Gray noted his concerns with the
Authority of the Parks Commission section as proposed in the
ordinance. Council Liaison Blanchard will contact Diane Sherman
to arrange a meeting between her and BPW members and a Youth
Bureau person. This ordinance will be discussed at a later COW
meeting.
4. Route 13 widening Rroiect and possible impact on Citv
portion.
Commissioner Reeves noted that this item was on the agenda as Jon
Meigs directed a memo to her questioning the BPW's decision not
to state an opinion on this project at this time. Council
Liaison Blanchard noted that Common Council is going to support a
resolution for a two lane option with a 3rd lane turning option
at the Zikakis Mall and the Day Care Center and again at
Buttermilk Falls. She would like a small amendment in the
Council resolution encouraging the modification or removal of the
abutments. She further noted that Council would not support
increasing the width of the road and that the DOT will do
whatever they want outside the City and that the Town does want
four lane bridges. Discussion followed. Commissioner Cox felt
that the BPW should not issue an opinion yet as Common Council
has already taken a stand on this project. The BPW will not
issue an opinion on the Route 13 widening project at this time.
5. Asst. Supt. for Water and Sewer discussion.
This item is on the Council's COW agenda for this evening. Mayor
Nichols noted that the vote on this position was 2 -2 at the B &A
meeting. Alderperson Booth proposed an amendment to the original
resolution requesting that the DPW decrease other positions to
come up with $44,000 within 2 months. Commissioner Cox noted
that the money for this position is in the Water and Sewer budget
but in Restricted Contingency. Mayor Nichols noted the City
Controller's concerns - charges are made to the Water and Sewer
fund for Bill Gray's time - 50% to Water, 30% to Sewer and then
incorporated into the General Fund. With the Asst. Supt. for
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
January 30, 1991
Water and Sewer position filled, a portion of the General Fund
will have to be made up. Discussion followed about a full -time
Superintendent of Public Works and how in the past 3 full -time
professionals ran the DPW, while the DPW is now asking for 4
full -time professionals. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the last
Asst. Supt. for Water and Sewer was in 1980 and suggested that
the BPW request a breakdown of the water and sewer fund.
Commissioner Brandford suggested that the DPW come up with a
financial plan without dollar amounts. Mayor Nichols noted his
support for this position. The BPW was agreeable working out a
plan that states any action taken in the Water and Sewer Fund
will not affect the General Fund to acquire the funding for the
Asst. Supt. for Water and Sewer.
Meeting adjourned at 5:45 pm.
Notes by
Lisa Cornell
Administrative Secretary
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