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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-07-10�4q BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE July 10, 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: 1. Review of extended hours of parking lot attendants - Steve Thayer, Deputy City Controller present. 2. Plumbing inspection fees. 3. Use of Thompson Park by Greenstar Market. 4. Request for 15 minute loading zones at corner of Court and Plain Streets. 5. Request from Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Store to use Dewitt Park on August 6th for celebration. 6. Request from Finger Lakes Peace Alliance to use Dewitt Park on August 8th for peace walk. 7. Several requests from Cornell Cooperative Extension in regards to a bicycle trip across New York State. The following were deletions to the Agenda: 1. Review of Report on Impacts of Reduced Transit Management. 2. Discussion of automated ticket dispensers in downtown ramps. 3. Northside land use as it effects consolidation of the Department of Public Works. 4. Dryden Road Parking Garage further discussion. 5. DPW policy regarding use of Southwest Park. 6. Review of Transit Agreement for construction and maintenance. 1. Request from Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Store to use Dewitt Park on August 6th for celebration. Julie Hill, representing Ben & Jerry's, was present to discuss this item with the BPW. She noted that they would like to use Dewitt Park on August 6th starting at about 2 pm for a miniature circus to show their appreciation to the community. She further noted that this is a children's based program, part of Ben & Jerry's Youth Program. Discussion followed about the agreement BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE July 10, 1991 between the Presbyterian y n Church and the City for use of this Park. Commissioner Rusoff suggested that Ben and Jerry's consider using Cass Park for this event as there is alot of children there due to the summer day camp programs. The BPW decided that they would like to see Ben and Jerry's use Cass or Stewart Park for this event instead of Dewitt Park, and asked the Acting Supt. to work this out with Ben and Jerry's and the Youth Bureau. 2. Review of extended hours of parking lot attendants. Steve Thayer, Deputy City Controller was present to review his findings regarding the recent trial basis of the extended hours of the parking lot attendants in the downtown ramps. He discussed his summary with the BPW, noting that all options indicate a positive cash flow for the City. Discussion followed. Steve felt that the City could not extend the parking lot attendants hours for a long period of time. Discussion followed about 4 - 10 hour work days, which Acting Supt. Gray did not think the City could legally do. Discussion followed about hiring part- timers and Commissioner Reeves noted that she was concerned about hiring part- timers and then having to let them go. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the City could hire seasonal part -time employees for this purpose. Discussion followed about how much revenue the City will generate once people realize that the parking lot attendants are collecting after 6:30 pm. Discussion followed about doing another survey in the early morning hours in the fall when the students are back. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the data for this survey would be hard to collect as some people wouldn't take tickets, etc. Mayor Nichols suggested that someone just count cars from 8 am to 10 am, before the normally scheduled hours that the attendants go on duty. Acting Supt. Gray will determine if the City can ask the attendants to work 4 - 10 hour days and check with the attendants to see if they would like this work week, and will report back to the BPW with his findings at next week's regular meeting. 3. Request from Finger Lakes Peace Alliance to use Dewitt Park on August 8th for peace walk. The BPW reviewed a request from Ellen Grady of the Finger Lakes Peace Alliance to use Dewitt Park on August 8, 1991 from 8:30 am to 9:30 am as an assembly point for their peace walk to the Seneca Army Depot in Romulus. The BPW felt this request was in keeping with the agreement for the use of Dewitt Park and approved this request. 4. Several requests from Cornell Cooperative Extension in regards to a bicycle trip across New York State. Commissioner Reeves noted the requests from Cornell Cooperative Extension in regards to a group of 75 bicyclists riding across Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE July 10, 1991 (W New York State, known as " NYRATS". They have requested to post signs throughout the City and use of Washington Park as a rest stop on July 29, 1991. Commissioner Reeves showed the BPW the type of sign this group would like to place. She also noted that the group will take care of clean -up of the Park afterwards. Commissioner Reeves noted that the signs must not be placed on trees. Commissioner Rusoff felt the signs would be good for directions to the City for the bicyclists. The BPW approved the requests of Cornell Cooperative Extension on behalf of NYRATS to post signs throughout the City and the use of Washington Park on July 29, 1991. Commissioner Brandford suggested that the Acting Supt. work on a circular as to putting up signs for future use by the BPW. 5. Revuest for 15 minute loading zones at corner of Court and Plain Streets. Commissioner Reeves noted the letter from the Corner Store Deli requesting two fifteen minute loading zones - one at the front of their building on Court Street and the other at the side of their building on North Plain Street. She further noted that the Traffic Engineer has recommended this change. The BPW approved the request from the Corner Store Deli for two fifteen minute loading zones near their store. 6. GIAC _Pool Changes - Possible Curb Changes. Acting Supt. Gray noted that as part of the original GIAC pool budget $10,000 was included for curb changes on W. Court Street. However, this money has now been deleted from the project but the GIAC pool committee would still like the curb changes done. Acting Supt. Gray also noted that the DPW is currently doing curb repairs along Buffalo and Court Streets and if the BPW decided to authorize the curb work, it would be logical to do so now. Discussion followed. Council Liaison Blanchard noted that the pool will only be open for a limited amount of time and that if the BPW were to authorize the work it would have to be absorbed in the DPW budget, further noting the assumption that if the City does it, its free, which of course, its not. Commissioner Reeves noted that she hasn't heard any complaints from residents in this area regarding visibility problems or children crossing the street, even with the current pool there. It was noted that the $10,000 would pay for two bumpouts. Discussion followed. Acting Supt. Gray will take a closer look at this project to see if the bumpouts can be installed at a minimal cost. 7. Plumbing inspection fees. Acting Supt. Gray noted the proposal from the Plumbing Inspector for increases in plumbing fees to keep pace with the actual cost Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE July 10, 1991 (W of the service. Actin Supt. Acting p Gray felt that the BPW should modify the fees, he was concerned that if fees were too high, people would not obtain the necessary permits and inspections that protect our system. He further noted that the income from the fees in 1990 was $3,000 and under the proposed fee schedule the income would have been $16,000. Discussion followed. Commissioner Brandford noted that the system is not supposed to be revenue generating. Commissioner Berg felt that some increase in the fees in justifiable as the current $5.00 is too low. The BPW asked the Acting Supt. to prepare a proposal with moderate increases for their review. 8. Update on Asst. Supt. for Water and Sewer interviews. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the interviews are done on this position and that he is making reference checks on the two candidates that the Selection Committee has recommended and that he should be offering this position to one of those candidates within the week. Acting Supt. Gray also noted that the Asst. Supt. for Streets and Facilities should be hired within the next week also. 9. _Fleas, banners, vellow ribbons, etc. on City property policy discussion. Commissioner Tripp noted the background for this item - the Welcome Home Committee of the Flag Day Parade Committee asked to post yellow ribbons on the parking meters. At that time, Asst. City Atty. Kennedy cautioned the BPW about allowing this as this sets a precedent and the BPW must now consider any other requests to place political decorum on City property. Discussion followed about developing guidelines for requests like this, that include how long items will be kept on City property. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy also noted that it would be a good idea for the BPW to adopt a policy now for all future requests. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy will prepare a policy statement regarding this for the BPW to review. 10. Pavilion fees at Stewart and Cass Parks. Commissioner Reeves noted that this item was discussed and approved by the BPW at their COW meeting of March 20, 1991. She noted the current memo from John Doyle with the proposed 1992 pavilion fees. Discussion followed about these fees and eliminating the reservations for 10 people. Mayor Nichols suggested that the reservation fees for 0 to 99 people should be $30.00. Discussion followed about several groups using the pavilion at one time. Commissioner Cox suggested that the BPW consider an "exclusive use" fee and a "joint use" fee. The BPW will ask John Doyle to consider establishing these two fees when setting up the pavilion fees for 1992 and report back to the BPW. Page - 4 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE July 10, 1991 11. Review of mowinc colicv for Flood Control Channel. Acting Supt. Gray noted that he is not ready to fully discuss this item but that the DEC did their annual inspection of the site this past week. Commissioner Reeves asked if the DEC inspected just the mowing of this area. Acting Supt. Gray noted that there is an agreement between the DEC and the City which was signed in 1968 for this area which states that the City shall do routine maintenance of this area. He noted that Frank Gardner, former Parks and Forestry Supervisor, used to receive verbal notice from the DEC as to the mowing policies. Acting Supt. Gray will contact the DEC and tell them that more work needs to be done in this area and will discuss this further with the BPW at a later meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 5