HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-05-01BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
May 1, 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:
Southwest Park.
Skateboarding in Dewitt Park.
The following was a deletion to the Agenda:
Discussion of automated ticket dispensers in downtown ramps.
1. City Court Facility discussion.
Row Herman Sieverding, Deputy Director of Planning and Development,
was present to give the BPW an update on the City Court Facility.
He gave the BPW some background on this project - that the State
mandated the City to initiate plans to build a new court
facility. He noted the various alternate locations for this
facility - across the street from the Hall of Justice or behind
or alongside the Hall of Justice. He further noted that the
request for proposals were sent out and that the Committee
selected Perkins, Geddis and Eastman as architects. Herman
noted that the Client Services Committee conducted several
interviews with Court and Police Personnel and have recommended a
program to include 9300 square feet to accommodate both the
Police Department and the City Court. He passed out a
preliminary proposal for this project and noted that this item
was already discussed at the Budget and Administration committee
meeting and will go onto Common Council this evening. Discussion
followed about the pedestrian bridge - Herman noted that this
will be built on City property and will help to re- establish
Terrace Hill with the downtown area. He further noted that there
will be no loss to the Woolworths parking spaces and that the
bids will probably be lower than the proposed figures.
Discussion followed about the energy conservation measures that
will be done as a part of this project - Herman noted that this
will be part of the first phase work. Herman will continue to
update the BPW on the new Court Facility project.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
May 1, 1991
2. Southwest Park.
Mayor Nichols noted that he has received a number of questions
and complaints regarding material being dumped at Southwest Park.
Acting Supt. Gray noted that he, Rick Ferrel and Dan Schmohe
looked into this and are in the process of developing and
establishing a policy which the BPW may review. He noted that
Southwest Park is currently access controlled which means that it
is usually locked and all keys are with DPW personnel.
3. Skateboarding in Dewitt Park.
Dan Wheeler representing the Veterans of Tompkins County, asked
the BPW to install "no skateboarding" signs in Dewitt Park to
help further preserve the monuments there. Mr. Wheeler noted
that many of the skateboarders are unaware of the ban and felt
signs would help stop the skateboarding problem there.
Discussion followed about the BPW resolution banning
skateboarding in Dewitt Park and the construction of a
skateboarding facility, which is low on the priority list for
capital projects. The BPW decided to direct staff to install "no
skateboarding" signs in Dewitt Park.
4. Request from GreenStar Cooperative Market to use Thompson
Park for neighborhood festival.
Dan Hoffman from the Greenstar Cooperative Market, was present to
request use of Thompson Park for the Market's 20th anniversary
neighborhood festival. This festival is scheduled for June 23
from 12 - 8 pm, with a raindate of June 29. Commissioner Reeves
noted that past practice was to canvass the neighbors in the area
to see if they had any objections to this event. Mayor Nichols
noted that Greenstar is applying for a noise permit which
includes a canvass letter. Commissioner Reeves asked Mr. Hoffman
if Greenstar could take care of the large amount of trash, which
they will. The BPW granted the Greenstar Cooperative Market use
of Thompson Park contingent on the approval of a noise permit and
subject to the usual conditions.
5. Ithaca Commons concerns - placement of various items on the
Commons.
Jean Deming was present to discuss the upcoming "Artwalk" that
the City is co- sponsoring. She asked permission for one of the
artists to place a 16' high sculpture on the Commons and
suggested two locations. One possible location would be across
from the Home Dairy near the fountain and the other would be at
the vacant playground site. The sculpture would be on the
Commons for 2 weeks from May 25 - June 8. Discussion followed
about children playing on the sculpture and the artist noted that
he could rope the sculpture off. It was also noted that the
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
May 1, 1991
Ithaca Festival is going on at this time. Discussion followed
about the insurance coverage for this sculpture. Asst. City
Atty. Kennedy requested that the insurance policy have a "holds
harmless" clause for the City included. Discussion followed
about the two locations for this site. The BPW approved the
request to place the sculpture on the Commons, pending
appropriate insurance coverage and the site selection by DPW
staff. This permission is also granted with the understanding
that the Mayor make revoke this permission at any time.
Jean Deming also noted that Alan Cohen, owner of Simeons, would
like to purchase some tables and chairs and place them at the
east end pavilion for the public to use. Mr. Cohen is willing to
do what the City would like with these tables - he own, City
maintain and store, or City own, City maintain and store, or he
own, maintain and store. Discussion followed. Asst. City Atty.
Kennedy did not feel that it was a good idea for the privately
owned tables to be on public space. Discussion followed about
the City being able to maintain and store these tables.
Commissioner Brandford suggested that the Acting Supt. and Asst.
City Atty. give the BPW some comments on this at their next
meeting. The BPW decided that the Commons Advisory Board be
involved in this and that the BPW may consider accepting the
tables and chairs as a gift if the Commons Advisory Board
recommends this.
Jean also discussed the problems the Home Dairy is experiencing
with skateboarders using the secondary Commons and ruining the
curb. She noted that representatives from the Home Dairy may
come to the BPW regarding this. Commissioner Reeves stated that
the BPW will take this into consideration.
6. Review of memorandum of understanding for Juror narking.
Asst. City Attorney Kennedy noted that she and Acting Supt. Gray
reviewed this memorandum and have forwarded it onto Russ Oeschle
for his review. The BPW approved the agreement and authorized
the Mayor to sign it.
7. Public Works Procedure Committee's final report and
recommendations.
Council Liaison Blanchard asked the BPW if they had any real
concerns with the final report as presented. She noted that the
Committee would like to pass this final report onto the Planning
Board, Conservation Advisory Council and the Planning and
Development Committee. The BPW endorsed this final report and
asked Council Liaison Blanchard to pass it along to the other
committees mentioned.
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
May 1, 1991
8. Possible extension of parking lot attendant's hours for
downtown garages.
Commissioner Reeves noted Building System Supervisor Jim Miller's
figures regarding extending the parking lot attendants hours in
the downtown ramps. She further noted that the income realized
will not cover the salaries involved. Commissioner Berg noted
his concerns with the attendants leaving the booths early and
felt that the City is losing a great deal of revenue due to this.
He suggested that the City collect tickets but not revenues for
one week from 6:15 - 8:00 pm to help get a clearer picture of the
situation. Discussion followed. Commissioner Reeves noted that
there is no overtime pay in the budget for this. Acting Supt.
Gray will work with staff to implement this collecting of tickets
until 8:00 pm as soon as possible.
9. Dryden Road Parking Garage - review of 24 operation.
Acting Supt. Gray noted that the material that the Building
System Supervisor has provided regarding this garage is difficult
to understand and that he would like to review the revenue
further. Commissioner Cox noted that the data collected appears
that the City is collecting cars. Discussion followed.
Commissioner Cox suggested that the Controller's office review
the data on the revenue and this item will be discussed in two
weeks.
lo. staff reports:
a) six Mile Creek road - Acting Supt. Gray noted that this road
exists but is impassable at this time due to drainage problems.
He noted that this road needs to be rebuilt and that some people
consider it a path. He will develop an outline with an aerial
photograph for the BPW's review.
b) Posting signs on City trees - Acting Supt. Gray noted that
the Shade Tree Advisory Committee feels that taping of signs on
trees is okay and that the STAC and the City Forester will work
on a policy for this. Discussion followed about "no parking, tow
away" signs. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted how difficult towing
hearings are due to many of these signs being removed by vandals.
Acting Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that 60 new signs have been lost
already this year. This will be discussed at a later meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 6:04 pm.
Notes by
Lisa Cornell
Administrative Secretary
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