HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-02-19BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
February 19, 1992
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Brandford, Cox, Gerard, Reeves, Rusoff,
Tripp, Mayor Nichols, Supt. Gray, Asst. Supt. Dennis Shimer,
Asst. Supt. Ferrel, Asst. City Attorney Kennedy.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
The following was an addition to the agenda:
*Request to use DeWitt Park - Cayuga Nature Center
1. Audit report. Board has Power to Act.
Resolution
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Cox.
RESOLVED, that bills listed on the following Abstract be approved
for payment:
Abstract M3
General Fund . ..............................$ 41,056.98
Water and Sewer Fund .......................$ 18,194.20
Joint Activity Fund ........................$ 28,043.88
Capital Projects ...........................$ 4,528.72
Solid Waste Fund ...........................$ 11,848.85
and be it further
RESOLVED, that bills receivable be approved and rendered.
Ayes (5) Reeves, Cox, Tripp, Gerard, Brandford
Nays (0)
Rusoff absent for vote.
Motion carries.
2. Improved downtown signage. Barbara Blanchard, Susan
Blumenthal, and John Schroeder were present for the discussion.
Alderperson Blanchard said the Downtown Visions Task Force has
recommended increased signage to assist motorists unfamiliar with
the area to find the downtown. She and Susan Blumenthal have
driven around the approaches to Ithaca, and made up a proposal
for the placement of new signs. A map showing the proposed
locations is available in the Traffic Engineer's office. Comm.
Reeves asked how these signs would be paid for; Alderperson
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
February 19, 1992
Schroeder said the B & A Committee has recommended that funds
from the Green Street Parking Lot repayment be used for some of
the projects of the Downtown Visions Task Force, including this
proposal.
3. Traffic concerns - College Ave. and Mitchell St. Mrs. and
Mr. Harold Gerkin, Henry Goode, Anne Schmid, and Alderperson
Schroeder were present for the discussion. The following were
common to the speakers: There are a large number of accidents at
and around the intersection of College Ave. and Mitchell St.
Cars frequently lose control in the curves and strike the guard
rails or end up in residents' yards. The road is slanted the
wrong way in the curves. Accidents are especially common when
the road conditions are bad. Several of the speakers asserted
that the road is more heavily traveled than it has been in the
past. There were some complaints that traffic moves too quickly
in that section of the road.
The following suggestions were made; rebuild the road;
increase the number of barriers; keep the current barriers in
good condition continuously; install a flashing light; install
signs: Dangerous Curve, Intersection, etc.; reduce the speed
limit in that area; limit the weight of vehicles that can use the
road.
The commissioners asked staff to investigate long- and
short -term solutions, including costs. Comm. Cox asked that
traffic counts be made.
4. Therm Drive. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy explained that the
Town of IthFca apparently deeded Therm Drive (Hudson St. Ext.) to
the City, and then again to Therm Inc. She said the City should
quit claim to this road. Supt. Gray pointed out that Therm and
the City have both acted as if Therm owned the drive, which goes
straight into (Therm's) private property. Comm. Tripp called for
a resolution to quit claim. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy said after
the Board passed such a resolution, Common Council would have to
approve the quit claim.
5. Request to use DeWitt Park - Cayuga Nature Center. Julie
Worth was present for the discussion. Julie Worth said the
Cayuga Nature Center, in cooperation with the Eco- Justice
Network, would like to use DeWitt Park on April 25, 1992 for an
Earth Day celebration. Possible events and attractions include,
exhibits, displays, children's games, and nature walks. Other
activities would be slated simuLtfneously for the commons. Comm.
Rusoff said exhibits by commercial enterprises ought not be
allowed in the Park, since the Board had previously denied other
commercial requests. Comm. Tripp asked if the event would
interfere with the Saturday Farmers' Market; Julie Worth said the
Nature Center would like to share the space with the market the
activities are complementary. Comm. Brandford asked whether they
could find an alternate space for this event; Julie Worth said
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORRB
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
February 19, 1992
Ithaca High School has another event scheduled and the Commons is
supposed to be under construction. The commissioners were not in
agreement over whether to permit this use of the Park; they will
vote on a resolution at the next'meeting.
6. -improving meeting procedures - Comm. Tripp's revised plan.
Comm. Tripp said the only,real change to the original proposal is
the addition of a second meeting in which the Board has Power to
Act. Supt. Gray reiterated that the Board's schedule should fit
into the City's cycle so agreements can be made and bills paid
expeditiously. There was another discussion over what Department
activities the Board would like to hear about, and whether that
information should be presented in written form; the
commissioners have various preferences. Comm. Tripp will bring a
revised plan to the Board for a vote next meeting.
7. Removal /reduction license fee 334/322 Elmira Road. The
Board held a brief discussion as to why this item had been
tabled. They decided they had sufficient information to vote on
the request. Comm. Rusoff pointed out part of the reason for
tabling the item had been the possibility of discussion of the
sale of such pieces of property; Comm. Reeves and Tripp noted
that discussion had been ranked low on the Board's list of
priorities. Comm. Cox, Tripp, and Rusoff said they would vote
against licensing part of the right of way on the property in
question. A resolution will be presented at the next regular
meeting.
8. Elmira Rd. sidewalks. Comm. Reeves said the Disability
Advisory Council and the Planning and Development Board have both
advised the Board on the question of sidewalks along Elmira Road,
as they were asked to do. Comm. Tripp said the Board needed to
see the resolutions passed by those two groups. Comm. Brandford
called for a resolution incorporating those recommendations to be
presented at the next regular meeting.
9. Marshall /Monroe Street bridge. Supt. Gray said that during
creek work, the bridge at Marshall and Monroe Sts. was found not
to be attached to its designed supports. The bridge was closed
to vehicular traffic about 15 years ago and to pedestrian traffic
two years ago. An estimate to replace the bridge for pedestrian
use has been made at approximately $80,000, and was proposed as a
capital project, but it was not funded by the Capital Project
Committee. Comm. Tripp said the bridge was of neighborhood
concern as an eyesore and an attractive nuisance; she suggested
that it either be replaced, more cheaply if possible, or that the
bridge be removed. She said she did not feel that it was
necessary to have a bridge every block. A number of suggestions
were made to reduce the cost of the project: use the bridge as a
design project for Cornell Engineering students (suggested
previously - they might do the design for the bridge, but the
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
February 19, 1992
City would first have to deal with the abutments); erect a less
expensive bridge, using beams, etc. in stock. Mayor Nichols
asked whether it was possible to remove the present bridge
without having a replacement plan prepared. Supt. Gray said yes
- it would have to be removed before the bridge could be replaced
in any case; the job could be done with current City workers this
spring. A resolution will be voted on at the next regular
meeting - possible provisions include removing the bridge,
investigating ways to replace the bridge, and taking this project
off the list of requested capital projects. Comm. Cox asked that
the resolution include providing information to the public.
lo. Work items for Board for 1992. Mayor Nichols said he had
looked over the prioritization of the work items done by the
Board and he saw three major groups of important issues: DPW
management and objectives, the water system and the street
system. He would like to have two Board members deal with each
category. Supt. Gray suggested that he, Rick Ferrel, and Dennis
Shimer each be part of the appropriate group. Mayor Nichols will
assign the commissioners to these groups; he hopes they will
investigate the issues and develop policies for the Board.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.
Notes by
Marianne Hansen
Administrative Secretary
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