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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-04-15BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE April 15, 1992 Present: Commissioners Brandford, Cox, Gerard, Reeves, Rusoff; Mayor Nichols, Supt. Gray, Asst. Supt. Shimer, Asst. Supt. Ferrel, Alderman Berg. Absent: Commissioner Tripp Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following was an addition to the agenda: Free bus passes for Earth Day 1 The following items of new business were deferred to another meeting: Telephone booth at Cayuga and Jay Streets Traffic request Cobb and Worth Streets 1. ReQL t to Stewart Park - American Cancer society. Thomas Koester, Executive Director of the Tompkins County Unit of the American Cancer Society, requested the use of the paths in Stewart Park for a walk- a -thon to benefit the Society on Sunday, September 13, 1992. They have already reserved the small pavilion for that day. The Society is not asking for the exclusive use of the Park; amplified sound will be used at the start /finish line (a permit will be required); no special assistance is requested. A vote will be taken at the next meeting. 2. Monthly transit passes. The Board had Power to Act Resolution WHEREAS, the Transit Operations Manager has presented a plan for the sale to the public of unlimited transit passes at a monthly cost of $19.00, be it therefore RESOLVED that the Board of Public Works approves the sale of such passes in concept, and be it further RESOLVED that the Board requests the speedy review of such a plan by the Traffic Reduction and Public Transit Committee for their recommendations. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE April 15, 1992 Ayes (5) Nays (0) motion carries. 3. Free bus service on Earth day. Bernie Carpenter, Transit Consultant, asked the Board to authorize free bus service on April 25, 1992 in honor of Earth Day. He said last year's offer was well received, and suggested that the free service was valuable advertisement of the transit system. The Board agreed to offer the free service. 4. Collegetown sicnace and maintenance. Ellen Rosten and Alderman Schroeder presented a request for signs to be placed pointing the way to the Collegetown business district, the Collegetown parking garage, and to Cornell by way of the Collegetown business district. They hope these signs would benefit the business district. Discussion followed on how to pay for the signs, how many signs would be necessary, where they might be placed, and how to works with Cornell in the placement of the signs directing traffic to the university. 5. Request to close street - Ithaca Festival. Ted Crane, the Director of the Ithaca Festival, asked the Board for permission to close Cayuga Street between Seneca and Green, and W. State St. between Cayuga and Geneva from 10:00 a.m. to midnight on Friday, June 5 and from 6:00 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, June 6. This area would be used for a stage, a craft fair, and food vendors. He said thi* had been discussed at a general Festival meeting which included fire, police, and transit representatives. The Board will vote on this request at the next regular meeting. 6. Reouest to use DeWitt Park - Ithaca Festival. Ted Crane asked the Board to permit the Festival to use DeWitt Park from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, for family entertainment and an art show. Amplified sound would be used. The Board gave preliminary approval for this use; they will vote at the next regular meeting. 7. Parkin at the bottom of Cascadilla Park Road, Councilman Schroeder said that residents of Cascadilla Park Road request no parking signs on one side of the road on the steep, lower section. They find it difficult and dangerous to turn onto the street when cars are parked on both sides. They are also worried about access by emergency vehicres. Supt. Gray said the issue had been discussed before; the Traffic Engineer is ready to recommend restricted parking based on the warrants. The Board was in favor of this restriction. 8. Report of the Shade Tree Advisory committee. Nina Bassuk and a student reported on the plans the Shade Tree Advisory Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE April 15, 1992 Committee has made for planting trees along part of Old Elmira Rd. The city has received a grant for this year's project; the Committee will apply for a renewal ,to continue the work. They have been discussing the planting with Asst. Supt. Ferrel, and are still trying to solve problems, especially problems of drainage. The Board discussed the future of the project, including the possibility pf creating a benefit district. The next occasion on which the Shade Tree Committee presents its plan to the Board will probably include a public information meeting. 9, nnmmons renovations and historical Plagues. Jon Meigs has presented a plan to install bronze historical markers in the pavement during the reconstruction of the Commons. Mayor Nichols read a letter for the Dewitt Historical society supporting the concept of the markers, but asking that more time be taken to receive public input and to consider what events should be commemorated. There was discussion of various specific suggestions. Reaolution By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford WHEREAS, a suggestion has been made to place historical and informational plaques in the paving of the Commons during its reconstruction, and WHEREAS, funds remain in the budget which would permit contracting for the production and installation of these plaques, be it therefore RESOLVED that the Board of Public Works authorizes the addition of the production and installation of a maximum of fifteen plaques to the Commons Reconstruction budget, at a cost not to exceed $3000.00. Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion carries. 10. parxing permits in Seneca bLreeL r amp uurxnw yu vfie reconstruction. Supt. Gray gave a brief description of the various options which the City is considering for dealing with the loss of approximately 450 parking spaces downtown during the construction planned for this summer. Herman Sieverding, of the Planning Department, has been coordinating the investigation of these possibilities, and he will report to the Board at the next committee of the Whole meeting. Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE April 15, 1992 11. center and south Plain Streets - recueat for four -way stop Comm. Reeves reported that she understands some residents of this area are willing to accept Traffic Engineer Gombas' suggestion of switching the stop sign from one street at this intersection to the other, while other residents continue to feel that a four -way stop is the only answer. Comm. Brandford suggested blocking off the street at one end by erecting stanchions behind the Clinton West Plaza. Comm. Reeves said the Police and Fire Departments should be consulted before deciding to block off a street. Meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m. Notes by Marianne Hansen, Administrative Secretary. Page - 4