HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-10-30BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
October 30, 1991
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Berg, Brandford, Cox, Reeves, Rusoff,
Tripp, Berg; Mayor Nichols; Council Liaison Blanchard; Acting
Supt. Gray, Asst. Supt. Ferrel, Asst. Supt. Shimer; Asst. City
Attorney Kennedy.
Others Present: Guy Gerard, Resident
George Sheldon, New Market
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting, which was called to
order at 4:32 p.m.
The following were additions to the Agenda:
None
The following items were deferred to a future agenda:
None
Tabled Items:
None
1. New Market request for forgiveness of payment of metered
parking spaces.
George Sheldon presented the fact that free parking is
offered on Saturdays in Ithaca and that the New Market should be
given the same consideration, or, at least a reduction in the fee
of $40.00 per week for 51 weeks his present contract calls for.
He stated that the New Market constituted a benefit for the City
of Ithaca and this should be taken into consideration regarding
the payment of fees for parking. Attorney Kennedy cautioned that
the extension of free parking to the New Market could be viewed
as the giving away of space to a commercial enterprise and,
therefore, as an illegal gift.
There was a discussion concerning the number of spaces
actually needed by the Market and Mr. Sheldon stated that he
would probably require between 8 to 10 meters per week on the new
contract. His original request had been for 21. He indicated
that he would bag only the meters actually needed.
Mayor Nichols suggested that a reduced fee of $20.00 per
week might be acceptable with the promise of the use of the
minimum number of spaces needed.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
October 30, 1991
Commissioner Berg requested to
clearly there is a public benefit fz
original fee, or $2.00 per meter, sE
at all unjust as the parking spaces
and were actually being reserved for
Market. The majority of the Board
Commissioner Reeves will place this
k t
go on record stating that
,om the Market, but that the
gems very reasonable and not
were in a prime Ithaca area
the exclusive use of the New
voiced similar feelings and
matter on the Agenda next
wee CL which time it will be voted on.
2. Sciencenter request for Parking on First Street Extension.
Superintendent Gray presented a diagram of the proposed
Sciencenter and parking facilities and indicated that he was not
quite sure what exactly the Center would need, and if its needs
could be fulfilled. He explained the necessity for access to the
Center from two City streets in the event of, for example, a fire
or other disaster, as well as the fact that all of the City's
sewers converge underneath the property and meet at a junction
for which the City needs easy access at all times for repairs.
Also, the erection of the parking facility may devalue the
surrounding property and create a problem when and if the City
should decide to sell the same.
Commissioner Blanchard reported that she has had
several meetings with the Committee for the Sciencenter. She
said that they were very aware of the prospective problems and
were not looking for any permanent acquisition of the property,
but suggested the possibility of a temporary, possibly one year
revocable lease. Superintendent Gray raised the question of
whether or not they could get a building permit with any kind of
a revocable license on the parking area. It was suggested that
even a one year revocable license might cause problems and maybe
a 60 day license would be more practical. There was also
brought up the question of sharing the parking spaces with the
Senior Citizens Center.
Mayor Nichols asked if anyone was in attendance from the
Sciencenter and if not, why not. He stated that he felt that the
issues raised and the questions asked should be dealt with only
if there was a representative present from the Center itself. He
suggested that this matter be postponed to the next meeting. In
the meantime, he suggested that the Committee contact the
Executive Director of the Sciencenter, Charles Trautmann, and
request that he be present at that meeting to give input and
answer questions; and this matter will be placed on the Agenda
for the November 13, 1991 meeting.
Public Hearing - 5:30 p.m.
Page - 2
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
October 30, 1991
Petition was received regarding changing the name of
Cleveland Avenue to Wheat Street.
Commissioner Reeves introduced the members of the Board of
Public Works and staff to audience.
Commissioner Blanchard informed the meeting that she and Bob
Romanowski had done a house -to -house survey of Cleveland Avenue
regarding the name change and leaving notices regarding this
evening's meeting. Out of 27 households on the street only 14
were available for comment - 2 were in favor of change, 2 had no
opinion, and 10 were opposed to change.
Commissioner Reeves now opened up the discussion to the
audience. A short history of the street was given, and the
reasoning behind the name change was questioned at this time, as
well as exactly who was requesting it. A copy of the petition
was circulated among the audience. Most of the residents present
were senior citizens who expressed the opinion that the name
change would cause serious problems to them. The major concerns
of the residents including costs incurred in the change of
pertinent documents such as deeds, etc., the possible loss or
delay of important mailings due to change of addresses, etc.
They also indicated a belief that a great many of those who
wanted the name changed were not even property owners or
residents on Cleveland Avenue, and, therefore, it was none of
their concern. It was suggested that a historical "Wheat Street"
plaque be erected rather than actually changing the name, which
suggestion most residents in attendance agreed with.
The discussion turned to an argument about the more pressing
problems of safety and cleanliness of the neighborhood vs. the
superficial changing of the name. It was the concensus that the
neighborhood "clean -up" should be the first order of business,
and a meeting of the residents was suggested to discuss the
problems.
Commissioner Reeves reminded the audience that this was a
meeting regarding only the change of the name and asked if there
was anyone else who wished to be heard on that issue. As there
were no further comments or questions from the audience,
Commissioner Reeves closed the discussion.
Page - 3
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
October 30, 1991
Staff Updates: Deferred
From Acting Supt. of Public Works:
From Asst. City Atty.:
Notes by
Elaine Mecus
Administrative Secretary
Page - 4