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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 Page - 2 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 Page - 3 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 Page - 4