HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-09-04A
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
September 4, 1991
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Berg, Brandford, Cox, Rusoff, Tripp,
Mayor Nichols; Council Liaison Blanchard, Acting Supt. Gray,
Asst. Supt. Ferrel, Asst. City Atty. Kennedy.
Mayor Nichols chaired the meeting.
There were no additions to the Agenda:
The following items were deferred to a future agenda:
1. Land purchase review with Dan Hoffman present for discussion.
2. BPW position on water shed land purchase - Barbara Blanchard.
(Items 1 and 2 above can be combined)
3. Use of Dewitt Park - BPW policy discussion
4. Composting in the city
5. Report and Resolution from the Bicycle Advisory Council
6. Old Items:
- Request for reduced speed on Route 79 - Barbara Blanchard.
- Discussion of automated ticket dispensers in downtown
ramps.
- Northside land use as it effects consolidation of the
Department of Public Works.
- Dryden Road Parking Garage further discussion.
- Review of Transit agreement for construction and
maintenance. Next meeting - Attorney Kennedy will have
last version of agreement.
- Parking meter issues - Disability Advisory Council
recommendation
7. Staff Updates:
From Acting Supt. of Public Works:
1. Plumbing inspection fee proposal.
2. Mowing policy at Flood Control Channel.
3. Extended hours in the downtown parking lots.
4. Collegetown parking - garage and meter issues.
8. From Asst. City Atty.:
1. Policy regarding posting of political decorum on City
property.
2. Newman Municipal Golf Course lease proposal
9. Tabled Items:
Southwest Park - resolution dated June 12, 1991.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
(W September 4, 1991
1. Pavilion fees at Cass and Stewart Parks
- John Doyle present for dissuasion
John Doyle explained the basis for increased fees. They are to:
A. Increase revenues for the city
B. Cover the increased cost of garbage disposal
Annually 250 reservations are made to use the pavilions in the
parks and 500 persons are turned away, due to lack of space.
During budget talks it was proposed to, have persons using the
pavilions or the parks, be responsible for disposal of their own
garbage. This would avoid the city bearing the increased costs
associated with disposal.
Commissioner Tripp suggested adoption due to the minimal
ramifications. A resolution is to be prepared for the BPW
meeting of 9/11/91. Commissioner Berg noted that an addendum to
the contract will be needed stating the current policy.
2. Committee has "Power to Act" on Commons Reconstruction.
Several businessmen from the Commons addressed the Board and a
letter was received from Bettsie Park, President of Downtown
Ithaca, Inc. urging the Board to postpone the construction.
Concern was expressed that there would be opposition to a spring
schedule. Interference with the Ithaca Festival was also a
concern.
The Mayor offered a resolution to the Board for discussion.
Extended discussion followed including; the impact of Ithaca
weather on scheduling, impact on merchants and city staff, the
playground, Ithaca Festival and the impact on the remainder of
the planned renovations for the Commons. The following resolution
was offered to allow as much flexibility as possible.
Resolution
by Commissioner Cox; seconded by Commissioner Berg.
WHEREAS, the Downtown Ithaca, Inc. has urged that the
reconstruction work on the Commons be done in the spring of 1992,
and
WHEREAS, this Board sees no engineering disadvantages to a spring
or summer project, now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Commons reconstruction be delayed to the
spring or summer of 1992, and, be it further
RESOLVED, that all bids received for the reconstruction of the
Commons be rejected, and be it further
(W RESOLVED, that an opportunity be given, to the groups that may be
affected by reconstruction work on the Commons in the spring or
summer, to present their views to the Board before the project
Page - 2
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
September 4, 1991
with revised construction schedule is submitted for bids, and be
it further
RESOLVED, that Common Council be requested to amend the Capital
Project Budget for Commons reconstruction to provide sufficient
funds to complete the entire project.
A vote on the motion resulted as follows:
Carried unanimously
3. Request to close Cayuga Street for Apple Harvest Festival,
October 5 & 6, Jean Deming present for discussion.
This request has become moot as the Commons will be available for
this festival.
4. Ballfield lights at Cass and Stewart Parks.
Mr. Satya P. Mohanty of 507 Hector Street, addressed the Board to
explain the forms of environmental pollution that the neighbors
of these parks are experiencing, both lights and noise. He asked
that the problems be researched. He asked that two alternatives
be studied.
1. Find another place with less residents to move the parks
to; or
2. Turn the lights off at an earlier hour than is the
current practice
Discussion followed, with the Board requesting that Mr. Gray
research alternatives such as shielding lights so that they would
be less bright outside the park.
Several Board members stated they will personally research this
situation.
5. Request to close 400 block of S. Geneva St.
After discussion it was decided that Acting Supt. of Public Works
may approve street closings if all requirements are met by the
person requesting it. If a major street is to be closed or
problems are encountered, they
will be brought to the Board for approval.
6. Stewart Park parking discussion.
Officer D. Slattery sent a report to the Board on the dangerous
situation at Stewart Park caused by vehicles parked on both sides
of the road located at the Southmost section of the park from the
caretakers pavillion to the lagoon area. The Traffic Engineer
has investigated the situation and recommends that the North side
of the road be made a No Parking zone. There is ample
alternative parking available. This resolution will be prepared
for the next BPW meeting.
7. Farm and Tioga Street discussion.
A letter was received from Cathie Simpson requesting action to
mark this street intersection as "Dangerous ". The Board
Page - 3
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
September 4, 1991
requested information from Attorney Kennedy on the liability of
placing "dangerous intersection" signs. A stop sign has been
discussed and speed bumps investigated. Both alternatives have
difficulties.
The Mayor closed this discussion by asking the Board to write a
resolution to authorize stop signs or a similar resolution
authorizing a "dangerous intersection" sign. When these
resolutions are received from the Board they will be placed on
the agenda and a vote taken.
8. Request to use Annex for fundraiser.
The American Red Cross through their Chapter Manager, Toni H.
Rupert have requested use of the Annex for a Halloween program.
The Building Department has expressed concerns for the safety of
the participants due to the environment of the Annex.
The Board stated that they have no objection to the Red Cross use
of some city building so long as no public resources or staff
time are used. The Red Cross should gain approval from the
Building Department.
The Board also requested that the Red Cross attend a future
meeting prior to the program to let them know the specifics of
the program to be held.
(W Acting Supt. of Dept. of Public Works report.
Mr. Gray reported that Human Services Department has issued a
statement that all other areas of the upcoming budget should be
rated second to the need of the Human Services budget. This
concept states that the infrastructure is less important and will
not need limited resources as much as Human Services will.
Council Liaison Blanchard expressed the opinion that Common
Council has seen this statement and will plan fairly with the
upcoming budget.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.
Notes by
Donna Wild
Administrative Secretary
Page - 4