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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 Page - 2 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. Page - 3 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 Page - 4