HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-04-01A
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
April 1, 1992
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Brandford, Cox, Gerard, Reeves, Rusoff,
Tripp; Mayor Nichols, Supt. Gray, Asst. Supt. Shimer, Asst. Supt.
Ferrel, Alderman Berg.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
1. Use of Steamboat Landing. Jim Hovanec, Vice President of the
Tompkins County Homebuilders' Association, and Anna Steinkraus,
President of the Ithaca Farmers' Market, were present. Jim
Hovanec requested permission for the Association to hold a sale
of surplus building materials at Steamboat Landing on May 17,
1992. The proceeds of this sale are to benefit Habitat for
Humanity. The Association would like to use the pavilion tables
to sell smaller items, and sell larger items directly from trucks
in the parking lot, with all remaining materials to be removed
that day. The Board will vote on this request at the next
regular meeting.
Anna Steinkraus described some of the concerns of the Board
of the Farmers' Market in setting a general policy for the use of
Steamboat Landing. They do not want to set a standard fee, but
would rather consider and charge each user individually. They
will try to figure out an application form.
2. Possible change orders for Commons reconstruction. Lynne
Gifford, of Engineering, gave a brief overview of the ideas under
discussion for a decorative brickwork circle to be installed
during the Commons reconstruction. Commissioner Reeves noted
that a meeting had been held earlier in the day to discuss the
reconstruction (general plans, play area, parking issues).
Approximately fifty Commons merchants attended.
3. Traffic concerns - South Aurora St. Several residents of
South Hill, including John Schwartz, president of the South Hill
Civic Association, and Diane Sherman, read into the record
correspondence requesting the installation of a pedestrian -
activated stop light at the intersection of Aurora Street and
Hillview Place. Pedestrian traffic at this intersection includes
that going to or coming from South Hill Elementary School. Chief
McEwen presented the accident record for the area for the last
two and a half years. He pointed out there is a school guard at
that intersection; she has not reported frequent problems to him.
A
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
April 1, 1992
He said his office has not received requests for stricter
enforcement in that area.
Supt. Gray said that traffic counts showed the current
traffic is about the same as it was in 1980, although there had
been a dip in the numbers mid - decade. Two of the proposed
solutions, an underpass and an overpass, are expensive and
difficult. He cannot tell whether it is more dangerous to have a
traffic signal there or not to have one. A light at S. Aurora
and Hillview would need, like the one at State and Stewart, to be
switched over by the police to a blinking signal during bad
weather. The State does not have a recommended design for a
pedestrian- activated light; the Traffic Engineer called the
State to discuss the possibility and they told him that Syracuse
had installed one which they had later been obliged to convert to
conventional timing, since drivers came to expect the light to be
green. Supt. Gray believes it would be better to have a regular
light at that intersection than one which is not conventionally
timed. He pointed out that a signal at that intersection would
make it easier to travel through the adjacent neighborhood. He
said even a light would not guarantee that no accidents involving
pedestrians would occur at that intersection. He thinks a light
could probably be installed for less than $10,000 if extra
equipment the Department has proves appropriate for the project.
Comm. Cox said he would like to know the grade of the road
and to see accident figures for the State /Stewart intersection
before and after the installation of the traffic light there.
Mayor Nichols said he would like a resolution to be presented
which called for a signal but which did not specify the type of
signal, so the engineers could consider which type might work
best.
4. Traffic and Parking concerns. Comm. Brandford listed the
answers that would be given through the use of the proposed
traffic plan to several of the parking and traffic requests.
Resolutions will be presented at the next regular meeting based
on those recommendations.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Notes by Marianne Hansen, Administrative Secretary.
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