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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 Page - 2 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 Page - 3 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 Page - 4