HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-04-29BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
April 29, 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.
The following item was postponed to another meeting:
*Set date for discussion of 1992 revenues
1. Parking plans during downtown construction. Herman
Sieverding of the Planning Department and Debra Parsons, City
Chamberlain, were present. Sieverding explained that the Green
Street ramp reconstruction and the use of some of the Woolworth's
lot for vehicles related to the Court Facility construction would
lead to the loss of approximately 500 parking spaces downtown
during the period June 15 to August 15. He has been working with
several other people to investigate different ways to alleviate
the resulting parking problems. Ideas which have received
serious work so far include park- and -ride plans (he is looking
for lots on major routes into town which are also on the transit
routes), organizing carpools through major downtown employers,
and supporting the Healthy Heart program to encourage park -and-
walk. The City may want to offer free transit service to people
who are using park- and -ride or similar plans.
The Board discussed how many parking permits to issue for
the remaining lots. Comm. Cox asked whether, if no additional
permits were issued for the Seneca St. garage, parking would
spread out as people adjusted to the crowding. Supt. Gray
suggested that if no permits at all were sold for the central
lots, drivers might park elsewhere and free up the lots for short
term parking. He said permits for peripheral lots could still be
sold. Mayor Nichols and Chamberlain Parsons both said they were
in favor of selling no permits, and Sieverding said many
retailers favored that solution.
After some discussion, the Board decided to sell an
unlimited number of half -month permits for June for the central
lots and no permits for the time the Green Street ramp is closed.
2. _Sewer problem in 200 block of North Tioga Street Asst.
Supt. Shimer described the history of sewer problems in the area
of Tioga St. near the Commons. It has blocked repeatedly, and
the problem is occurring more frequently. Water and Sewer
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
April 29, 1992
currently inspects it monthly, and it still blocks sometimes.
The line was videotaped in 1989, when it showed many low spots
and severe deterioration of the joints. Repair had been planned
(and budgeted) for later this year, but he would like to do the
project immediately. The line could fail at any time, and he
would rather repair it while convenient than have it fail during
graduations, the Festival, or the time when the Green St. ramp is
closed and access to the Seneca St. garage is essential. He has
received two verbal quotes and believes he will have two or three
written quotes by the end of the week. During repairs the street
will be closed during the day, but open at night. The Board
agreed the City should go ahead with the repairs; a resolution
will be presented next week.
3. Road construction and maintenance / capital projects. Asst.
Supt. Ferrel presented a list of road construction and
maintenance items which the Department should address:
1. Madison St. - gravel basin /storm sewer
2. Mitchell St. 2 blocks above Dryden Rd. - Road widening
3. Maple Ave. - drainage
4. Rt. 89 from Cass Park to City line - no curb
5. Hector St. at Campbell - dangerous curve
6. Third St. near Grossman's - standing water
7. Hector St. - storm sewer
8. S. Plain near Titus Towers - resurface
9. Fall St. - resurface
10. Williams /Highland /Plain - resurface
11. Third St. - drainage problem
12. General crack sealing prior to surface treatment
13. Marshall St. bridge - remove (crane is available)
Comm. Rusoff asked whether there was neighborhood concern
over #5; Asst. Supt. Ferrel said the residents are concerned
about the large number of accidents which have occurred on the
curve in question. Comm. Tripp and Rusoff urged the Dept. to go
ahead with the removal of the Marshall St. bridge, reminding
Asst. Supt. Ferrel to save the iron railing.
Comm. Gerard asked when street striping was to begin. Asst.
Supt. Ferrel said it would start as scheduled, but that the
Commissioners should realize that the sign shop was short of
people and money. Supt. Gray said the number employed in the
sign shop had gone from 5 to 3 in the last two years; that the
number of required jobs were not reduced; that each year's
program was often not completed when the sign shop was at full
strength. He pointed out that striping was a issue which the
Board has to deal with in setting up their budget. Mayor Nichols
asked whether there were extra people on the highway crew who
could do striping or signing work; Asst. Supt. Ferrel said that a
lot of highway work was usually done with seasonal labor, and the
funds for seasonal hiring were cut this year. Extra workers are
not available. Comm. Brandford said he thought the Board should
emphasize road maintenance in planning next year's budget.
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
April 29, 1992
4. Improving meeting procedures. Comm. Reeves will decide
whether to try Comm. Tripp's ideas for meeting procedures or
whether to continue with the current procedures and schedule.
5. Center and South Plain Street. The Commissioners discussed
the Center and S. Plain Sts. intersection briefly. They will
discuss it again at the next Committee of the Whole meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 6:09 p.m.
Notes by Marianne Hansen, Administrative Secretary.
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