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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-06-19BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 19, 1991 NOTES Present: Commissioners Berg, Cox, Reeves, Rusoff, Tripp (Brandford excused) 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: 1. Plumbing permit fees. 2. Sale of flares at Stewart Park. 3. South Hill Elementary School request to close Hudson Street. The following were deletions to the Agenda: 1. Discussion of automated ticket dispensers in downtown ramps. 2. Northside land use as it effects consolidation of the Department of Public Works - back -up letter from Bill Gray to Chuck Guttman distributed at 5/29/91 meeting. 3. Dryden Road Parking Garage further discussion. 4. Update on Asst. Supt. for Water and Sewer interviews. 5. DPW policy regarding use of Southwest Park. 1. Review of Droposed Ithaca City Bicycle Plan. David Nutter and Andy Yale from the Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC) were present to discuss and receive input from the BPW regarding their proposed bicycle plan. Mr. Nutter noted that the Bicycle Commission was appointed by the Mayor with the responsibility of developing bicycle routes throughout the City. Mr. Yale noted that the BAC's objectives are to strive for municipal cooperation toward bicycle transportation within the City, educating the public, enhancement of infrastructure for a healthy bicycling environment and enforcement of bicycle laws to help prevent accidents. Acting Supt. Gray asked what the BAC bylaws will include such as do road projects have to include BAC input? Mr. Yale felt that it would be a good idea for major projects but presently the BAC has no liaisons to commissions. Acting Supt. Gray asked if the BAC would like the right to sign off on all projects. Mr. Yale requested that the BAC should be consulted on projects involving City streets. Mr. Nutter showed the BPW a map of the proposed bicycle plan and how the BAC BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 19, 1991 selected this route. Mr. Nutter noted that the BAC looked for an area with low motor traffic, adequate road width, good surface type and good visibility when planning this route, taking into consideration shopping availability and employment locales for the cyclists. Discussion followed about the different classifications of bicycle routes. Mayor Nichols noted that the Police Dept. will soon be implementing a police powered pedal unit. Commissioner Rusoff thanked that BAC for all their time in developing this plan, as did Commissioner Tripp. Mr. Nutter noted that the BAC meets every 3rd Thursday of the month at 4:30 in the 3rd Floor Conference Room. This plan will be refined and brought back to the BPW for their review. 2. Sidewalk repair at 641 Hudson Street. Acting Supt. Gray noted the background for this item. The Porceddus object to the assessed sidewalk bill and noted the extensive correspondence between the Porceddus and the City. He further noted that two separate blocks were condemned and no City sidewalk permits were issued to repair these sidewalks so the City proceeded to do the necessary repair work and billed the Porceddus. Discussion followed about NYSEG repairing the sidewalk which Acting Supt. Gray noted we would issue them a sidewalk permit for this which NYSEG never applied for. Commissioner Tripp suggested that the BPW waive the City's sidewalk bill on this address. Commissioner Rusoff noted that she would like to address some of the allegations in the Porceddu's letters at some point. Acting Supt. Gray went over the history of this item - NYSEG repaired the defective sidewalk before the City issued the condemnation notice, probably the summer of 1989; City inspected this sidewalk on 2/9/90 and found it defective; the Hudson Street project of 1990 replaced entire portion of sidewalk and NYSEG came back and repaired sidewalk in April, 1990. Discussion followed. The BPW will vote on a resolution at their next meeting to expunge the sidewalk repair bill at 641 Hudson St. 3. Results of Elmira Road Sidewalks Public Information Meeting. Commissioner Reeves noted the public information meeting that was held last night (June 18th) at the Ichabod Lounge regarding the installation of sidewalks on the Elmira Road. Mayor Nichols felt that the BPW should ask the Planning Board to further review Mr. Weed's design. He noted Mr. Zikakis' license fee questions which he looked into with the Engineering Office. Mayor Nichols also noted that if sidewalks are installed, the City Controller recommends a 10 year payment plan at 6 1/4% interest. Commissioner Reeves noted that the Elmira Road merchants invited the BPW to walk the Elmira Road with them. Commissioner Cox felt that the BPW had more important things to do and that the BPW should not push for the installation of sidewalks on the Elmira Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 19, 1991 Road as the merchants obviously do not want them. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy suggested that the Disability Advisory Council review the schematic design for their input. Council Liaison Blanchard voiced her opposition to this project and felt that the way this project has been handled thus far has not been in keeping with the process that the Public Works Participation Committee took so long to develop. The BPW decided to ask the Planning Board to further review this and the DAC to also review the design for the installation of sidewalks on the Elmira Road. 4. Review of City Hall RVAC report. Lew Durland from the Energy Commission was present to discuss the City Hall HVAC report. Commissioner Reeves noted that the BPW all received a copy of the report done by William F. Albern. Mr. Durland noted that he has heard that the City may be interested in a low cost, constant volume option which requires replacing major equipment such as the furnace which may make things more efficient but not more comfortable. He further discussed the other HVAC options outlined in Mr. Albern's report. Discussion followed about replacing windows and lighting changes. Commissioner Cox suggested that the BPW be prepared in investing money in an engineering study for this project before implementing any changes. Discussion followed about this project as part of a Capital Project. Lew will do a memo to the BPW reviewing this item further. S. Discussion of Bill Grav's memo to the BPW regarding B &A's reggest for $45,000 budget change. Acting Supt. Gray noted that he would like the BPW's permission to go back to B &A and tell them that the DPW will continue to operate as is, without a Supt. which will save the City about $60,000 this year in the Water and Sewer fund and $2,000 from the General Fund. The BPW gave the Acting Supt. permission to report this to B &A. 6. South Hill Elementary School request to close Hudson Street. Commissioner Reeves noted the request from South Hill Elementary School to close a portion of Hudson Street on September 6, 1991 from 1 to 1:30 for a dedication survey. Discussion followed. The BPW tentatively approved this request contingent upon further approval from the Police and Fire Depts. 7. Sale of flares at Stewart Park. Commissioner Reeves noted the request from the Women's Community Building to sell flares in Stewart Park on July 4th as in years past. The BPW approved this request. Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 19, 1991 S. Downtown Visions Task Force suggestions to BPW: Discussion followed regarding the items below. a. Installation of improved signage on State routes directing visitors to the Commons - It was noted that this item was a Planning Dept. project and part of a capital project. Discussion followed. Council Liaison Blanchard will come back to the BPW with more information regarding this request. b. Suggestion boxes on the Commons - Discussion followed about this item and the current suggestion box on the Commons regarding the survey for the playground. Council Liaison Blanchard will come back to the BPW with more information on this request. c. Emergency telephones on the Commons - Discussion followed about what types of phones are requested. Council Liaison Blanchard will contact the Police Chief for his recommendation regarding this request. d. Review of times and places of trash removal on the Commons - Discussion followed about this item. Acting Supt. Gray thought that trash was picked up on the Commons on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Council Liaison Blanchard will come back to the BPW with more details regarding this item. 9. Scavenger Recycling Days. Acting Supt. Gray noted that he has not heard back from Sara Hess regarding her input and suggestions for this proposal. He asked the BPW for their comments particularly in regards to items that are left out after the recycling days are over. Commissioner Berg felt the City should widely publicize this event and be tolerant and flexible with trash that is left out. Discussion followed. Acting Supt. Gray noted that trash left out will be handled as a special charge which Acting Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted will place a burden on the DPW if materials are left out. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the fees will be publicized and the BPW suggested that a news article be done for this. Discussion followed about a date for this event which could be done the weekend of July 6th. The BPW asked that the City Chamberlain also be notified of this event. 10. License fees discussion - McPherson's license fee. Acting Supt. Gray discussed this item. He noted the procedure that staff uses to determine license fees. He noted that McPherson's is contesting the 1991 license fee as it was $600 for 1990 and now is $2,400 for 1991. He explained that the reason for this increase is because the County's assessment for waterfront properties went up that much. He noted that if the Page - 4 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 19, 1991 BPW is comfortable we this, he will write to Mr. McPherson and tell him just that. Discussion followed about the location in question as Acting Supt. Gray showed the BPW a map of the area. Discussion followed about the license fee and other license fees particularly Johnson's Boatyard. The BPW agreed with staff's license fee amount for McPherson's and Acting Supt. Gray will write and tell them. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 5