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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-03-20IM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE March 20, 1991 NOTES Present: Commissioners Berg, Brandford, Cox, Reeves, Rusoff, Tripp, Mayor Nichols; Council Liaison Blanchard, Acting Supt. Gray, Acting Asst. Supt. Ferrel. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. 1. Elmira Road sidewalks Committee has "Power to Actle. Thys Van Cort and Dominick Cafferillo were present for discussion. Thys noted that this project is authorized if the BPW would like to proceed. This project would be funded by a benefit assessment district and B &A and Common Council would also need to authorize this funding. Discussion followed about the public hearing process for this project, noting that two public meetings were already held that left alot of unanswered questions. Discussion followed about the proposed resolution before the BPW and where the $4,000 to pay for the study would come from. Resolution by Commissioner Brandford, seconded by Commissioner Berg. WHEREAS, Common Council has established a capital project for $250,000 for the installation of sidewalks on Elmira Road, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works would like more information about the feasibility and the design implication of such a project, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Administration Committee the for a feasibility study and as proposed in his letter of $4,000. Public Works recommends to the Budget and approval of a contract with Peter S. Weed schematic design for Elmira Road sidewalks January 15, 1991, for a sum not -to- exceed Discussion followed. Commissioner Cox noted Alderperson Romanowski's opposing the installation of sidewalks on the Elmira Road. Council Liaison Blanchard noted that she is also opposed to this project as are her constituents in this area. She noted that the businesses are worried about the economic problems they will have due to this project being funded by benefit assessments. Commissioner Berg felt that $4,000 is a small price to pay to gain greater clarity into this. I'M BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole March 20, 1991 Commissioner Cox would like to "deauthorize" this project and take it off the books. Thys gave the BPW some background on this project. The City expanded the entire road in 1975 and the installation of sidewalks was discussed at that time but there didn't seem to be much foot traffic then. Over the years the foot traffic picked up and requests came in for sidewalks in this area. Mayor Nichols noted that he has always supported the installation of sidewalks on the Elmira Road but that it is a difficult issue as the property owners will probably not benefit from it but that it will improve the appearance. Discussion followed about holding another public meeting. Thys noted that as the BPW has already held two public meetings the users (ones who walk Elmira Road) will probably not appear. Council Liaison Blanchard noted the pedestrian studies done in this area - only 16 of 123 employees on the Elmira Road walk to work. Commissioner Berg noted that the Planning and Development Board already passed a resolution urging the BPW to construct sidewalks on both sides of Elmira Road. Commissioner Cox noted that constructing sidewalks on both sides would be difficult to do. A vote on the resolution resulted at follows: Ayes - (4) Rusoff, Tripp, Berg, Mayor Nichols Nays - (3) Reeves, Cox, Brandford Motion Carried 2. Cass Park /Stewart Park concerns. John Doyle, Recreation Supervisor at Cass Park, was present for discussion. Commissioner Reeves noted that one of John's suggestions was for an additional trash fee per pavilion rental and she suggested that the cost for pavilion be increased to include the trash charges. Discussion followed. John noted that the increase in pavilion rates could not be done this year as the 1991 forms have already been printed. The BPW suggested that this be done for next year. Discussion followed about the Cass Park Vendor Permits. John felt that the permit fees should be increased as the current rate is $25.00, and one vendor actually ran a business last year from the park. John was concerned about the amount of traffic some of the vendors generate. The BPW was not sure that raising the permit rates would help and did not take any action on this item. Discussion followed about some of the concerns John had regarding Stewart Park. Commissioner Reeves noted that the BPW discussed prohibiting alcohol in Stewart Park but that the public did not want that so the Police Dept. stepped up their patrols of the Park. Discussion followed about the current rules for pavilion rental at Stewart Park, which John noted problems as the BPW rules encourage the use of as many groups as possible to use the pavilion but two totally Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole 20, 1991 March different groups could not share the pavilion. The BPW asked that John submit this report to the Parks Commission for their review and recommendation to the BPW. 3. South Hill School Alterations. Acting Supt. Gray noted the problems that the City is having with the School District regarding alterations at the South Hill School. The BPW then went into Executive Session at 5:10 pm to discuss confidential information. The BPW came out of Executive Session at 5:16 pm. Mayor Nichols will report back to the BPW when he receives a response to his letter from the School District. 4. Change in City Plumbing Code. Commissioner Cox noted the problems the Examining Board of Plumbers are having and suggested that this item be referred to staff to resolve. He suggested that the new Asst. Supt. for Water and Sewer handle this as it would be a good way for him /her to become acquainted with the Plumbing Code. He further noted that the sewer use ordinance will be part of this later discussion. 5. Cornell Cycling Team update on bicycle race. Acting Supt. Gray noted the material received from the Cycling Team, pointing out the petition with 50 signatures on it. He further noted that bus service will not be interrupted during this race. The BPW felt that the Cycling Team had canvassed the area sufficiently and approved the request to close the streets in question for this race. 6. Request from Wildware Outfitters to use Dewitt Park for a tent expo, Acting Supt. Gray noted this request for the above business to hold a tent expo in Dewitt Park. Commissioner Cox was concerned about this as he noted there are strict guidelines regarding the use of Dewitt Park. Acting Supt. Gray noted that this event is commercially oriented. Discussion followed about this and other types of requests to use City parks. The BPW denied the request from Wildware Outfitters to use Dewitt Park for a tent expo. 7. Golf Course fees for Domestic Partners. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted the request from Alderperson Golder that domestic partners within the City pay the same fee as the Husband /Wife rate at the Newman Municipal Golf Course. The BPW did not feel that this was a big issue if the persons were registered in the City Clerk's Office as domestic partners as the City does allow domestic partners the same benefits at married persons. Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole 20, 1991 (W 8. Staff reports: March A. Loss to General Fund by Appointment of Asst. Supt. for Water and Sewer - Acting Supt. Gray noted Mayor Nichols' memo regarding this and that if the BPW did not agree to this option, another would have to be adopted. He expects to develop a proposal that would save $300,000 and will report back to the BPW at a later meeting. B. Tompkins Co. Health Dept. Annual Water System Report - Acting Supt. Gray noted that he has asked staff to develop a plan for changing the chlorine system at the Filter Plant and will report back on this issue to the BPW. C. Willow Avenue update - Acting Supt. Gray noted that the original request to change the name of a portion of Willow Ave. came from Cornell Cooperative Extension after they wrote a letter to the State DOT. The State referred them to the BPW. Council Liaison Blanchard noted that letters to the businesses in this area have been mailed out and that she will report back to the BPW as soon as responses are received. D. Carpenter Circle update - Acting Supt. Gray noted that this item will come back to the BPW as it needs to be legally confirmed a street. E. Intersection of Cayuga Street and Green Street sidewalk - Acting Supt. Gray noted that he needed some directive from the BPW regarding this issue. He showed the BPW a map of this. The property in question is City property which needs to be replaced and noted that original plans called for a "bump -out" to be installed in this location to help pedestrians crossing this intersection and to slow traffic down. Acting Supt. Gray noted that bump -outs are difficult for snow plow drivers. Discussion followed. The BPW felt that as there is a dedicated walk phase installed at the Green St. /Cayuga St. intersection, the bump -out was not necessary. 9. Downtown vision Task Force recommendations. Mayor Nichols noted that one of the recommendations Vision Task Force was regarding the construction o garage in the City. The Task Force felt that a client be formed to do a conceptual study. The Task Force smaller committees to review parking and public transit should be formed. Mayor Nichols noted that the Task that downtown parking should be promoted as similar to charge for parking at nights or on weekends. Meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 4 of the Downtown f a new parking committee should also felt that within the City Force also felt the mall's - no