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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-03-06Lai BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE March 6, 1991 NOTES Present: Commissioners Berg, Brandford, Cox, Reeves, Rusoff, Tripp, Mayor Nichols; Council Liaison Blanchard, Acting Supt. Gray, Acting Asst. Supt. Ferrel, Asst. City Atty. Kennedy. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following were additions to the Agenda: Reimbursement of on- street juror parking - Russ Oeschle from the Sixth Judicial District present for discussion (back -up included). The following were deletions to the Agenda: Staff reports: 2. Loss to General Fund by Appointment of Asst. Supt. for Water and Sewer. 3. Tompkins Co. Health Dept. Annual Water System Report. 5. Wallace lawsuit update. 1. Parks Commission Ordinance further discussion. Diane Sherman, Vicky Romanoff and Sally Grubb from the Parks Commission were present for discussion. Council Liaison Blanchard noted that the Parks Commission Ordinance will be voted on at the Common Council meeting this evening, and asked if the BPW had any further comments to make on it. The BPW noted the changes that Common Council made to the ordinance at their last Committee meeting. Discussion followed about the Parks Commission's advisory role to the BPW and Council Liaison Blanchard noted that several Common Council members felt there may be conflict between the two groups but felt that this ordinance was the best solution to the problem. Commissioner Reeves noted that the BPW and Parks Commission will have to continue to keep the lines of communication open to make this work. Commissioner Berg suggested that the DPW send the Parks Commission copies of their upcoming work schedules. Discussion followed. The Parks Commission noted that there will be liaisons BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole 10, March 6, 1991 from the DPW staff and BPW which should make this ordinance more effective, and also noted how difficult it was when the Parks Commission lost both their liaisons from staff and the BPW. The BPW approved the Parks Commission Ordinance. 2. Reimbursement of on- street juror parking. Russ Oeschle from the Sixth Judicial District was present for discussion. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted the background for this discussion - the City currently allows jurors to park free at meters. She further noted that there is no formal contract between the City and the Court System and the BPW could decide whether or not to continue this procedure. Mr. Oeschle noted that his office was aware of discussions that the City may do away with this policy and that there is no State law to reimburse jurors for parking. He asked that the Board still consider this Policy of free juror parking. Mr. Oeschle further noted that in 1990 the average amount of paid jurors per day was 141 and that when jurors are first called in the amount of prospective jurors per day could be 100. Alderperson Daley noted that this is an expense to the City of $8,000 for a 20 day period based on 5 hours per day. Discussion followed about abuse of juror placards - how people who have previously served on jurys could still use the placard for free parking. Discussion followed about letting the jurors use the Seneca Street ramp to park on a day -to -day basis. It was noted that the City Court jurors park in the City - owned parking lot across from the Hall of Justice. The BPW decided to eliminate on- street County juror parking and allow the jurors to park in the Seneca Street ramp on a daily basis starting May 1st, and also asked staff to notify the appropriate divisions of this change. 3. Bus turn - around at Farmers Market. Bernie Carpenter was present for this discussion. He noted that the current Ithaca Transit bus route does not include this site and recommended that bus service not be included in this area unless the Farmers Market was willing to hire a bus driver and shuttle bus. Alderperson Daley noted that the Farmers Market did not want service but the availability to allow buses to enter this area. Council Liaison Blanchard felt that the bus turn around is a good idea as it will allow buses going to the new Sciencenter a place to turn around also. Discussion followed. It was noted that the resolution to install this turn - around was tabled at the last BPW meeting and the BPW will vote on this issue again at their next meeting. The BPW also decided to include in the resolution that the Farmers Market will pay for all of this. Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole March 6, 1991 4. County recycling negotiations. Bernie Carpenter was also present for this discussion. He noted that official negotiations are not underway yet but that he is pulling together 1990 expenses - actual and reimbursable expenses. He will give this information to the BPW for their review in the upcoming week. Acting Supt. Gray discussed the County's billing and bidding process, noting that the City may have to match the County's recycling bid or let the County take over the City's recycling program. Mr. Carpenter also noted that the County is adopting a transit demand approach with their employees, offering a $15.00 per month transit incentive and suggested that the City look into this for their employees. 5. Sig alization Timing Study - Committee has "Power to Act ". Commissioner Reeves noted that the Committee had "power to act" on this resolution. (W Resolution Signalization Timing Study. by Commissioner Brandford, seconded by Commissioner Cox. The City has applied for and received a grant from the New York State Energy Office to undertake a Signal Timing Optimization Study. The grant will reimburse the City for expenses up to $11,200. The City has a contract with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to undertake the study, report and training phases. The City provides administrative and technical assistance. Dr. List from RPI has offered the City an opportunity to expand the program, on a cost - sharing basis, to install several new traffic controllers and implement several of the proposed improvements. He has indicated that approximately $8,000 is needed for purchase of 4 controllers and would be 50% reimbursed by the program. Approximately $2,000 would be spent by the City to install the equipment. WHEREAS, The City wishes to implement the recommendations of the Signal Timing Optimization Study, and WHEREAS, a 50% matching funds program is available immediately to make the initial purchases of equipment, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the City Engineer is authorized to expand the scope for the agreements with the New York State Energy Office and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to purchase and install the first phase of equipment, and be it further Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole March 6, 1991 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests the B &A Committee approve a budget of up to $8,000 for equipment expenses and up to $2,000 for installation expenses to be made available from unallocated 1990 CHIPS funds. Discussion followed about why this resolution was not voted on at the last BPW meeting which Acting Supt. Gray noted it was just late getting all the information gathered for it. A vote of the resolution resulted as follows: Carried unanimously 6. Designation of North Willow Avenue. Commissioner Reeves noted the Traffic Engineer's memo regarding Willow Avenue and his three suggestions for renaming the portion of Willow Avenue north of Route 13. Acting Supt. Gray noted that this portion of Willow Avenue was previously called Pier Road. Commissioner Tripp felt a totally new name should be chosen. Commissioner Reeves was concerned about how confusing this change may be. Commissioner Cox noted that businesses may be upset about this change. Commissioner Brandford suggested changing the name of the other portion (residential) of Willow Avenue. Council Liaison Blanchard noted that the business portion in question is in her and Alderperson Romanowski's ward and they would be happy to check with these businesses and let the BPW know their reaction. The BPW will wait to hear the results of this before taking any formal action. 7. North Cayuga Street bridge closing - notification to residents, news media, etc. discussion. Commissioner Reeves noted that she had met with staff to discuss the notification procedures for the bridge closing on Cayuga St. Discussion followed about the detours for this closing which Acting Supt. Gray noted are not complete yet. Commissioner Berg was concerned about a Farm Street detour as there is alot of truck traffic in that area. Commissioner Cox noted that past practice was to post signs on the bridge to let residents know of the closing and suggested that the Fall Creek Civic Association be made aware of this closing. Council Liaison Blanchard noted that massive media exposure would be able to allow residents to know of the closing. The BPW suggested that staff post signs on the bridge as in the past and enlist the help of the media and associations in the area to further publicize this bridge closing. 8. Repaving of Seneca and Green Streets. Commissioner Reeves noted the resolution passed by the BPW in June of 1990 and will bring in copies of letters done to the Page - 4 A BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole March 6, 1991 State requesting this repaving. Acting Supt. Gray will also do another letter to the State DOT for this. 9. Fayette Street lighting. Acting Supt. Gray noted the most recent memo regarding this done by the Civil Engineer. He further noted that lighting is a complex issue and that the City meets the national standards for lighting in the Fayette Street area. Commissioner Berg asked how much this would cost. It was noted that it would cost approximately $200 to install the fixture and then $200 a year maintenance contract, and that this street has been relamped. Council Liaison Blanchard noted that if the BPW approves this request she will come back to them with several other lighting requests from her ward. Acting Supt. Gray told the BPW that he is very comfortable with the current procedure that staff follows regarding lighting requests and will get back to the residents on Fayette Street regarding this request. Meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 5