Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-08-07BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE August 7, 1991 NOTES Present: Commissioners Berg, Brandford, Cox, Reeves, Rusoff, Tripp, Mayor Nichols; Acting Supt. Gray, Acting Asst. Supt. Ferrel, Asst. City Atty. Kennedy. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. She noted that she would like to see the August 21st COW meeting reserved for all old items so that they may be resolved. The following were additions to the Agenda: 1. Request to use Dewitt Park. 2. Request for encroachment agreement at 405 -407 E. Lincoln St. 3. Budget meeting schedules. The following were deletions to the Agenda: 1. Newman Municipal Golf Course fees and lease proposal. 2. Request for reduced speed on Route 79. 3. Traffic island at State and Mitchell Streets. 4. Discussion of automated ticket dispensers in downtown ramps. 5. Northside land use as it effects consolidation of the Department of Public Works. 6. Dryden Road Parking Garage further discussion. 7. Review of Transit Agreement for construction and maintenance. 8. Staff Updates: From Acting Supt. of Public Works: Pavilion fees at Cass and Stewart Parks. Plumbing inspection fee proposal. Mowing policy at Flood Control Channel. Extended hours in the downtown parking lots. Request from School District to close Hudson Street on 9/6/91. From Asst. City Atty.: Policy regarding posting of political decorum on City property. 9. Tabled Items: Southwest Park - resolution dated June 12, 1991. 1. Mutual Housing Association - Committee has "Power to Act". Herman Sieverding, Deputy Director of Planning and Development, was present for discussion. Commissioner Reeves noted the draft resolution before the BPW. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE August 7, 1991 Resolution by Commissioner Brandford; seconded by Commissioner Tripp. WHEREAS, the City has agreed to sell two - thirds of the "Pogo Parcel" to the Tompkins County Mutual Housing Association, and WHEREAS, the master site plan for this area calls for a public street between the MHA portion of the site and that portion of the site be retained by the City and proposed for use as a park, and WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish the width of the ROW, its location and its disposition between the two parcels, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts a ROW of 50 feet for the proposed public street, said ROW to begin at a point approximately 20 feet west from the eastern MHA property line, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts a pavement width of the new street of 22 feet. Discussion followed about the resolution. Acting Supt. Gray suggested changing the last RESOLVED to read "a pavement width of the new street of 18 feet." He did not feel that a 22 feet pavement width was necessary as this is a one -way street. He also felt that if a two -way street is desirable in the future, it would be possible with an 18 feet pavement width. Discussion followed. Commissioner Cox suggested striking the last RESOLVED. Amending Resolution by Commissioner Cox; seconded by Commissioner Brandford. RESOLVED, That the last RESOLVED be stricken from the resolution. A vote on the amendment resulted as follows: Ayes (5) - Cox, Tripp, Brandford, Reeves, Mayor Nichols Nays (2) - Berg, Rusoff A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows: Carried unanimously Discussion followed about the park to be built in this area. Commissioner Reeves noted that Common Council will be voting on a resolution at their meeting tonight regarding this park. Commissioner Cox noted that the City Forester has told the BPW of the financial burdens the new proposed parks project has on the operation of the overall Parks and Forestry Division. Page - 2 7 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE August 7, 1991 Commissioner Cox also suggested that this park be accepted as a replacement park for the Inlet Island site which is to be alienated. Commissioner Brandford suggested accepting this new park based on available funding and developing this park with DPW coordination. Commissioner Reeves noted that she was concerned about the budget cuts and accepting a new park with average to high maintenance costs. Commissioner Berg suggested that neighborhoods be encouraged to take on maintenance of their parks which Commissioner Reeves noted is being discussed by the Parks Commission. The BPW decided to approve the new park contingent upon available funding and that this be coordinated with the DPW. 2. Collegetown parking - garage and meter issues. Alderperson Golder and Robert Kaputkin, manager of Rebop•Records, were present for discussion. Commissioner Reeves noted the background for this item - merchants in the Collegetown area were not happy about the free downtown parking policy on weekends and would like that to be extended to include the Collegetown area. Alderperson Golder suggested the BPW consider a two hour free parking period on Saturdays at the Dryden Road Parking Garage. Commissioner Reeves noted that Collegetown has a special assessment district to help pay for the parking garage. Commissioner Berg and Brandford were concerned about the financial impact this would have. Discussion followed about allowing first hour free parking in the parking garage. Mr. Kaputkin noted that many merchants in the Collegetown area feel that the new free weekend parking in the downtown area is unfair and gives downtown the advantage. Commissioner Brandford suggested that the BPW receive more information regarding who will bear the financial impact, garage counts, and other alternatives. Mr. Kaputkin suggested that any decision the BPW makes be done for a 4 month trial period. Discussion followed. The BPW decided to seek further information from staff and the City Controller regarding lost revenue in the Dryden Road parking garage and will discuss this item at the August 21st COW meeting. It was also noted that Downtown Ithaca Inc. should be asked to clarify their ads to specify that free weekend parking is restricted to downtown public parking areas only. 3. Polygon Project parking lot discussion. Commissioner Tripp noted the past discussions the BPW had regarding this item. Acting Supt. Gray noted that it will cost between $7,000 and $14,000 to finish this parking lot and that the DPW will grade and seed this lot when fill is available. 4. Request for stop sign at Monroe Street and Lake Avenue. Acting Supt. Gray noted the new petition submitted to the BPW from the residents in this area. He also noted that traffic Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE August 7, 1991 counters were installed in this area and he will give the BPW a recommendation regarding the stop sign request when all the traffic and speeding information is received. Discussion followed about the development of the northside area and the effect it will have on this area. Acting Supt. Gray noted that this request is not a new request and that stop signs are not to be used as speed control devices. Commissioner Reeves noted that Council Liaison Blanchard has indicated that a new traffic control officer has been approved for 1992 and that this may help alleviate the problems occurring at this location. Commissioners Rusoff and Tripp felt the stop sign should be installed. The BPW will vote on a resolution at their next meeting regarding this stop sign and Acting Supt. Gray will report to them regarding the traffic count information. 5. Cascadilla Creek Plantinas. Commissioner Tripp noted the various meetings this group has held regarding these plantings and asked if the BPW would endorse this and pass it along. Discussion followed about funds for this project. Commissioner Tripp felt that neighborhood labor would be available for this project. Commissioner Rusoff would like to see these plantings done as soon as possible. Acting Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that the DPW will do the best they can to accommodate these plantings. The BPW will vote on a resolution regarding these plantings contingent upon available funding. 6. Request from the Charleston Restaurant for outdoor dining at their location at 106 W. Green street. The BPW reviewed a request from Robert M. Giovannini, owner of the Charleston restaurant at 106 W. Green St., for outdoor dining at that location. Discussion followed about if this permit would also be used for alcohol and how much of the sidewalk was to be used. Commissioner Cox was concerned that this sidewalk might be on the State right -of -way. The BPW will vote on a resolution regarding this next week and asked staff to get more information on this request in the meantime. 7. McPherson's license fee discussion. Commissioner Reeves noted the recent letter from Mr. McPherson regarding his 1991 license fee. Acting Supt. Gray noted how the Engineering office calculates license fees. He noted that the increases were due to the County's reassessment of all properties and that waterfront properties were increased the most. Discussion followed. It was noted that McPherson's license fee went up 295% but it was comparable to other properties along the inlet. Discussion followed about some of the restrictions in the agreement with McPhersons. The BPW decided to ask the City Page - 4 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE August 7, 1991 Controller to negotiate the next lease for McPherson's use of City property. S. Energy Commission - City Hall HVAC study and energy conservation software. Lew Durland, Energy Commission Coordinator, was present for discussion. Commissioner Reeves noted that at the June 11th meeting, the BPW asked Lew to come back to them with specifics regarding the HVAC study at City Hall which he presented to the BPW. Commissioner Reeves asked the BPW if they would like to pass this onto Common Council as Lew suggested that an architect/ engineer be hired to conduct a schematic design phase for the design of a new HVAC system for City Hall. Lew noted that this may cost between $3,000 to $5,000. The BPW decided to refer this onto B &A. The BPW reviewed Lew's 1992 budget, which they 'referred onto their budget discussions. The BPW discussed Lew's request to purchase energy conservation software. Lew noted that the City has hired a student to evaluate City energy consumption. He noted that this software would greatly improve efficiency and allow all energy consuming components in the City to be evaluated. Commissioner Reeves asked who would be using this software. Lew noted that it would be used by both the Planning and Public Works departments. The BPW approved the purchase of the energy conservation software and will refer this onto B &A. 9. Recttest to use Dewitt Park. The BPW received a request from the Finger Lakes James Bay Alliance to use Dewitt Park on Tuesday, August 13, 1991, from 4 pm to 6 pm, for a welcoming ceremony. Discussion followed about the agreement between the City and the Presbyterian Church for the use of Dewitt Park and if this request is in keeping with that agreement. The BPW could not make a positive decision (Commissioners Berg, Rusoff, and Tripp were for, Commissioners Cox, Brandford and Reeves against) and asked that the Mayor make the ultimate decision. As Mayor Nichols had left the meeting, he did call the Supt.'s office the following day and broke the tie, voting to allow this group to use Dewitt Park. 10. RegRest for encroachment agreement at 405-407 E. Lincoln St. The BPW reviewed an encroachment request from Andrew Hollander and Ann Bodman, owners of 405 -407 East Lincoln Street. Apparently, the eaves on the house at that location encroach approximately .9 feet and the building encroaches approximately .26 feet onto the City right -of -way. Discussion followed. The Page - 5 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE August 7, 1991 BPW approved this encroachment agreement according to the usual terms. 11. Budget meeting schedules. The BPW set up for the following dates for budget discussion: August 14th 7:00 pm Streets and Facilities August 15th 7:00 pm Streets and Facilities August 21st 7:00 pm Streets and Facilities August 28th 7:00 pm Streets and Facilities Meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 6