HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-04-03A
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
April 3, 1991
NOTES
Present: Commissioner Berg, Brandford, Cox, Reeves, Rusoff,
Tripp, Mayor Nichols; Acting Supt. Gray, Acting Asst. Supt.
Ferrel, Asst. City Atty. Kennedy, Council Liaison Blanchard.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
The following were additions to the Agenda:
Request to use Stewart /Cass Park - Special Olympics Benefit
Weekend - see attached back -up from John Doyle.
Request to use Dewitt Park after park closes - Laura Burch
present for discussion.
The following was a deletion to the Agenda:
Letter from David Smith regarding installation of "no parking
sign" - back -up letter to be supplied.
1. xecxuest to use Stewart /Cass Park - Special Olympics Benefit
Weekend.
John Doyle, Recreation Supervisor at Cass Park, was present for
discussion. He noted that Courtside Racquet and Fitness Club
would like to hold athletic activities in Stewart Park to benefit
the Special Olympics. John further noted the City's policy of
not allowing athletic groups in Stewart Park. John further noted
that these activities may involve 500 to 1000 players and that
Courtside has not been able to get the insurance coverage yet.
Commissioner Reeves reminded the BPW of a resolution they passed
in 1989 denying the use of Stewart Park to one group based on the
BPW's long- standing policy of not allowing any group exclusive
use of the park. Discussion followed about whether or not the
PBA was aware of this. The BPW decided they would like more
information and requested that someone from Courtside be present
at their next meeting. Commissioner Brandford suggested that the
Parks Commission be made aware of this. John will contact
someone at Courtside and also the PBA for further information.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
April 3, 1991
2. Request to use Dewitt Park after park closes.
Laura Burch and Jackie Stone were present for discussion. They
asked permission to use Dewitt Park during the late evening hours
for the purpose of a small procession that would be softly
beating a drum every 3 to 4 seconds for every person killed in
the Middle East. They noted that this procession would last 3 to
4 days (April 11 - 15) and that Dewitt Park would be a central
base for the procession. They further noted that they are
applying for a noise ordinance for this event. Asst. City Atty.
Kennedy reviewed the agreement between the Presbyterian Church
and the City for Dewitt Park and did not feel that this request
was not in compliance with the agreement. The BPW granted this
request pending the joint approval of the Presbyterian Church.
3. Presentation of Public works Procedures Committee Report.
Barbara Blanchard, Judy Saul and Lynne Gifford were present for
discussion. Barbara noted that this Committee was formed to help
alleviate some of the problems City staff had with residents in
their recent construction projects and noted the areas of
discussion the Committee focused on to improve communications
with the news media and the public. She gave the BPW an
overview, using graphics, of what the Committee discussed and
decided upon. She noted that the Committee felt that the public
meeting format should be improved, with ground rules and
parameters set by the Chair of the meeting. The Committee also
felt environmental issues should be discussed and reviews done
early on in each project to allow concerned groups to get
involved and make suggestions. The Committee also felt that
representatives from civic associations should be formalized to
allow City staff to develop good working relationships with each
group and allow them to participate in the project. Barbara
noted that the Committee discussed ways to implement these
suggestions - one way is to offer workshops for City staff to
better deal with people. She further noted that the Committee
was a great group to work with and that they asked the BPW to
review their final report and to 1) Think about and accept the
suggested step procedures as a guideline when planning projects
(modifications to these procedures is okay). 2) BPW circulate
the final report to other groups in the City, i.e. Conservation
Advisory Council, Planning and Development, etc. 3) Release the
suggested procedures to the news media to let the public know
that the City is serious about this. Discussion followed about
this going to the public and staff not being able to implement
this procedure this year. Lynne noted that each project should
be evaluated to determine the level of public involvement.
Commissioner Berg noted that he would like to see residents
notified when trees are cut or planted. Acting Supt. Gray noted
if this policy was implemented, another staff person would have
Page - 2
IM
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
April 3, 1991
to be added to handle the calls and the notifications.
Commissioner Brandford noted that this procedure may take two
construction seasons to implement. Lynne noted that staff
already follows alot of the recommendations in the final report.
Commissioner Cox noted that he would like to review the final
report further and noted that the recommendations will not be
implemented overnight. Commissioner Rusoff thanked Barbara and
the Committee for their work on this report. The BPW will
discuss this report further at their next COW meeting.
4. Proposed use of corrosion inhibitor in City water.
Acting Supt. Gray noted that the Wastewater Plant is experiencing
a small problem with copper in the sludge which could turn into a
big problem. One solution to this would be returning the sludge
back into the system and controlling the copper content by adding
chemicals at the Water Filter Plant. He further noted that this
would be a test project and is a common procedure and results
would not be available until at least 6 months to a year. Mayor
Nichols felt this was a very sensible and practical idea and
asked Council Liaison Blanchard how the public should be
notified. Barbara felt that a press kit should be developed with
detailed information on phosphates. Commissioner Reeves asked if
there was a time limit on this and if the City Charter has any
regulations about this. Acting Supt. Gray noted that there is no
fixed time line but would like to implement by the end of the
year. Discussion followed about copper piping. The BPW
requested that staff prepare an involved press release before the
BPW formally approves this, and to report back in two weeks.
5. Cornell Cycling Team Bicycle Race.
Commissioner Reeves noted that the Committee has "Power to Act"
on this request, as the resolution was tabled at the last BPW
meeting. Acting Supt. Gray noted that recent communications with
the Cycling Team indicate that they are arranging to have the
race on- campus or an another location, and that the Cornell
Activities Office is helping to arrange this.
Motion to lift resolution from table
by Commissioner Cox; seconded by Commissioner Brandford.
RESOLVED, That the resolution to close City streets for the
Cornell Cycling Team bicycle race be lifted from the table.
Resolution
by Commissioner Cox; seconded by Commissioner Brandford.
A request was received from Francis Vanek of the Cornell Cycling
Team to close several City streets on Saturday, April 20, 1991
from 2:30 to 7:30 pm, for the purpose of a bicycle race.
Page - 3
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
April 3, 1991
WHEREAS, the Cycling Team is asking that West Avenue, Campus
Avenue, Stewart Avenue and University Avenue be closed during the
above time period, and
WHEREAS, the Cycling Team has canvassed the neighborhood and
submitted a petition to the Board outlining the support of
residents in this area for the bicycle race, and
WHEREAS, the Cycling Team has coordinated their activities with
the Ithaca Transit System so the races will not interfere with
City bus service, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the request of
the Cornell Cycling Team to close various City streets for the
purpose of a bicycle race.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes - (0)
Nays - (6) Rusoff, Berg, Tripp, Cox, Brandford, Reeves
Motion Fails
6. Retruest for expungement of DPW services bill from David
Radin at 141 Linn St.
Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted that the request for expungement
for this bill was due to an error between the Building Dept. and
the DPW. The Building Dept. requested that the DPW remove all
garbage and high weeds. When the DPW went to do the work, the
garbage was already removed by the owner, so the DPW cut down the
weeds, which really shouldn't have been done but was incorrectly
ordered from the Building Dept. Discussion followed. The BPW
agreed to expunge this bill and Acting Supt. Gray will contact
the property owner and the Building Dept.
Meeting adjourned at 5:35 pm.
Notes by
Lisa Cornell
Administrative Secretary
Page - 4