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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
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
July 10, 1991
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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
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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.
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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
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