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.
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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
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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
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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
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