HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-07-24LA
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
July 24, 1991
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Brandford, Cox, Reeves, Rusoff, Tripp;
Council Liaison Blanchard, Acting Supt. Gray, Acting Asst. Supt.
Ferrel, Asst. City Atty. Kennedy.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
The following was an addition to the Agenda:
1. Mutual Housing Association requests.
The following were deletions to the Agenda:
1. McPherson's License Agreement possible further discussion.
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. Review of Transit Agreement for construction and
maintenance.
6. Staff Updates:
From Acting Supt. of Public Works:
Pavilion fees at Cass and Stewart Parks.
Installation of bump -outs in conjunction with GIAC pool project.
Plumbing inspection fee proposal.
Mowing policy at Flood Control Channel.
Extended hours in the downtown parking lots.
From Asst. City Atty.:
Policy regarding posting of political decorum on City property.
7. Tabled Items: Southwest Park - resolution dated June 12,
1991.
1. Rectuest for "no objection" by City to Earle application to
NYS for "floating objectil in State controlled water
adjacent to property owned by City.
Commissioner Reeves gave the BPW the background on this request.
She noted that Mr. Earle would like to place a buoy in the State
controlled water that is adjacent to City property. The State
does not require the BPW to approve this request as the Sheriff's
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
July 24, 1991
Department (as the lead agency) has already approved this. Mr.
Earle was presenting this to the BPW as a courtesy. Discussion
followed. It was noted that the State will issue Mr. Earle a
yearly permit for this. It was also noted that the Parks
Commission would like to review this as they have not seen it
yet. The BPW did not take any action on this as none was
actually needed from them.
2. Recruest from Sciencenter to use City building for storage.
Ms. Ilma Levine, representing the Sciencenter, was present for
discussion. She requested permission to use a City building (old
wastewater treatment site) near the Sciencenter site for storage
of their materials in conjunction with a fundraiser sale they
are planning. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the trucks will have
to be stored elsewhere which shouldn't be a problem for two days
but suggested that the Sciencenter use the large brick building
which only houses the sewer cleaner. Commissioner Brandford
asked if this will set a precedent which Asst. City Atty. Kennedy
did not think it would but noted that the Sciencenter needed a
certificate of insurance for this. The BPW agreed to allow the
Sciencenter to use a City building for the storage of materials
in conjunction with their fundraiser and directed staff to work
out the final details with them.
3. Hudson Street sidewalk assessments.
Lynne Gifford, Junior Engineer, was present for discussion. She
gave the BPW an overview of the project, noting that the BPW may
have to consider several circumstances, such as direct
notification to property owners and if the property is sold,
should the new owner assume responsibility for the charges.
Discussion followed about the current notification procedure.
Lynne noted that an ad was placed in the Ithaca Journal and that
some of the residents were directly notified. Lynne also noted
that 30% of the assessments on Hudson Street were disputed. She
further noted that notices sent out include the nature of the
damage and if the property owner does not make arrangements to
have the sidewalk repaired by a specific date, the City will do
the repairs at the owner's expense. It was noted that the ad in
the newspaper is probably not property- specific but general, such
as "Hudson Street sidewalk assessments ". Discussion followed
about "uniform sidewalk improvements" vs. "construction of new
sidewalks ". The BPW reviewed the list of property owners
disputing their bill and rendered their decision as follows:
Address BPW decision
110 Hudson St. Waive - no record of notice sent
126 Hudson St. Deny expungement - not clear as to problem
209 Hudson St. Waive - no record of notice sent
LM
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
July 24, 1991
214
Hudson
St.
Waive
- walk height needs to be changed
308
Hudson
St.
Waive
- construction problem
313
Hudson
St.
Deny
expungement
413
Hudson
St.
Waive
418
Hudson
St.
Waive
- was told by City Engr. they would be
exempt from charges
507 -513 Hudson St.
Waive
- not clear if received notice
517
Hudson
St.
Reduce bill as NYSEG fault
520
Hudson
St.
New -
BPW approved assessment
601
Hudson
St.
Deny expungement - notice was sent
613
Hudson
St.
Waive
- notice not delivered
615
Hudson
St.
Waive
- billed incorrectly
619
Hudson
St.
Waive
- billed incorrectly
623
Hudson
St.
Waive
- assess 2 blocks to 625 Hudson St.
625
Hudson
St.
New -
BPW approved assessment
Acting Supt. Gray asked the BPW if their decision would be
different if a general notice and general mailing were done for
the assessments, which the BPW felt would. Acting Supt. Gray
will prepare a recommendation to the BPW for future assessments.
4. Mutual Housing Association requests.
Herman Sieverding, Deputy Director of Planning & Development, was
present for discussion, as well as representatives from the
Mutual Housing Association (MHA). Herman noted that as part of
MHA's development of the Pogo Parcel, they would like to
construct a street which is proposed to be a 22' one -way
(northbound) street and asked for the BPW to approve this.
Discussion followed. Commissioner Cox was concerned about
accepting a less than 50' right -of -way street, as were
Commissioners Tripp and Rusoff. Discussion followed about the
park that is proposed to be built in this area. It was noted
that this park was never officially approved by the BPW and no
agreement was reached regarding maintenance, etc. of the park.
Discussion followed about bus service to residents in this area.
The BPW asked the Planning Dept. to develop a proposal for a 50'
right -of -way for the BPW's review before approving anything.
5. Encroachment request from Jason Fane.
The Board of Public Works received a request from Jason Fane for
a license agreement to encroach on the City right -of -way 1311 at
the Colonial building (the former Rite -Aid building on the
Commons) due to the installation of a cornice. Acting Supt. Gray
did not think this would be a hazard to pedestrians or emergency
vehicles on the Commons. Discussion followed about encroachment
fees. The BPW approved the encroachment request from Jason Fane.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
July 24, 1991
6. Parking Meters - Disability Advisory Council concerns.
The BPW decided to ask the DAC for their recommendation regarding
parking meters, noting the new regulations to be adopted shortly.
Council Liaison Blanchard noted that the Chamber of Commerce and
the DAC will be holding a seminar in September regarding these
types of issues and more information will be coming out soon.
7. Review of Reuort on Impacts of Reduced Transit Management.
Bernie Carpenter, Transit Consultant, was present for questions
regarding this report. Commissioner Reeves noted that the report
suggests maintaining the current status quo. Acting Supt. Gray
asked that the report come back as it recommends one person
filling two positions which will also be discussed at budget
time. It was noted that the Transit System will be able to
operate until the end of the year as it is now. This will be
discussed during the budget.
8. _Review of Transit Agreement for construction and
maintenance.
Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted that comments are coming in from
various boards and committees regarding this agreement and if the
BPW had any comments they should be forwarded to her office as
soon as possible to be incorporated in the next draft.
Meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm.
Notes by
Lisa Cornell
Administrative Secretary