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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