HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-05-06BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
May 6, 1992
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Brandford, Cox, Gerard, Reeves, Rusoff,
Tripp; Mayor Nichols, Supt. Gray, Asst. Supt. Ferrel, Alderman
Berg.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
The following were additions to the agenda:
*Mayor's report
*Fire Department access requirements
The following was postponed to another meeting:
*Center and South Plain Streets
1. West Inlet project. Jerry Weisburd (House Craft Builders),
Tom West (Engineering), Patricia Norton (Planning), and Betsy
Darlington (CAC) were present. Weisburd said he had tried to
incorporate suggestions and resolve issues raised in his many
discussions with various City entities. He is at the limit of
being able to guarantee the HUD "affordability" of the project.
The changes he has made to the plans so far include a 26 -foot
paved road rather than 20 -foot, 8 -inch water mains rather than 6-
inch, and 30 -inch storm sewers rather than 8 -inch. Supt. Gray
listed the requests the Board still had to deal with regarding
this project: approving the street lighting, accepting the right
of ways and the parcels which cannot be built on, and waiving the
sidewalk requirements.
With regards to the lighting, West said the proposed
lighting was in line with the traffic engineer's recommendations.
Weisburd said there would also be a private mailbox and lamp on
each property. Supt. Gray said lighting was variable throughout
the City and the proposed lighting was similar to that in other
parts of South Hill.
On the topic of accepting the street right of way and the
other parcels, Supt. Gray said he would prefer a uniform right of
way with the street centered in it and all other land divided
into the parcels offered for sale. He pointed out that the lands
which the City is being asked to accept are steep, difficult to
develop, and contain drainage ways, which the City would be
responsible for maintaining if they accepted the land. Comm.
Tripp said she preferred a conservation easement or a village
land trust for the land in question. Comm. Cox said he also
preferred to accept a regular street right of way, rather than a
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
May 6, 1992
collection of leftover parcels which neither the City nor the
developer can use. Norton reported the Planning Board favors
accepting the parcels to protect the environment.
With regards to the sidewalks, Supt. Gray said sidewalks
would be very difficult and expensive to construct later. The
construction of the roads as proposed, without sidewalks, is in
line with the rest of West Hill. He pointed out that Weisburd is
asking for variances specifically to keep the cost of
construction down enough to produce "affordable" housing. Comm.
Cox said he is prepared to vote to waive the sidewalk
requirements in order to promote such housing.
2. Mayor's re Port - miscellaneous. Mayor Nichols reported on
several items:
The City is trying to figure out a way to hire local people,
especially younger people, to do the labor for the City's part of
the sidewalk program. This is an attempt to promote local
employment. The City may contract with some firm or
organization, specifying the employment of union masons and local
laborers.
Traffic Consultant Carpenter is working on funding for two
22- passenger buses for a downtown /Collegetown shuttle.
The ground breaking for the municipal pool is May 13. The
Mayor suggests the pool be named for Alex Haley, because he was
born in Ithaca.
3. Discussion of 1992 revenues. Comm. Reeves reminded the
Board that Common Council had asked them to increase the revenue
from six accounts this year. Supt. Gray said the Department
would probably reach the required figures, except that for
parking (and maybe that for street openings). He said parking
revenues have flattened out in the last two years. Alderman Berg
said the Board had previously sponsored a study which showed
parking revenues could be increased by extending the hours of
collection in the City garages. Supt. Gray pointed out it would
also mean increasing staffing hours. Comm. Reeves said the City
used to charge for overnight parking, but it was now free from
6:00 p.m. until morning. Alderman Berg suggested having parking
be free from 6:00 p.m. through 2:30 a.m. The issue will be
discussed again at the next Committee of the Whole meeting.
4. Cleveland Avenue historical marker. Barbara Blanchard
present. Council Member Blanchard reported on progress toward
the installation of the Wheat Street commemorative marker at the
A.M.E. Zion Church. The marker is finished. Rick Ferrel has
suggested to her that the proposed installation would not be
longlasting; a granite base would be better. She will give $100
left in her campaign fund towards the granite base; the shortfall
is $169. She asked the Board for that amount. The Commissioners
agreed to her request; Asst.Supt. Ferrel said he would find the
money.
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
May 6, 1992
5. Fire Department access requirements. Chief Olmstead
present. Chief Olmstead said he was concerned about the Board's
discussion of creating barriers to control traffic. He said the
Fire Dept. had to consider not only how to get to a fire, but
also how to maneuver once they are there. The Department has
created a description of standards which take into account the
placement of hydrants, the necessity of approaching fires from
uphill with aerial equipment, the turning radii of the trucks,
and so forth. He distributed copies of an interim report. He
said the Fire Dept. must be involved in any discussions of
blocking off streets.
Meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Notes by Marianne Hansen, Administrative Secretary.
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