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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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