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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