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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