HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-05-20BOARD OF PUBLIC WORRS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
May 201-1992
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Brandford, Cox, Gerard, Reeves, Rusoff,
Tripp; Mayor Nichols, Supt, Gray, Asst. Supt. Ferrel, Asst. Supt.
Shimer, Alderman Berg.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
The following was an addition to the agenda:
*Request for outdoor dining Muffin Madness
1. Cayuga street bridge reconstruction. The Board had the
Power to Act. Common Council members Blanchard and Schroeder,
several residents present. Members of the public repeated the
concerns they had expressed at the Board meeting of May 13, 1992.
Resolution
WHEREAS, Many residents of the First Street area have expressed
concerns over the current North Cayuga Street Bridge southbound
detour, and
WHEREAS, First State residents have pointed
in vehicular traffic along First Street as a
designation as part of the southbound detour
(public) safety hazard due to the narrowness
presence of small children playing along the
traffic; now, therefore, be it
out that an increase
result of its
poses a serious
of First Street, the
street, and bicycle
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby changes the
current routing of the southbound detour of the North Cayuga
Street Bridge to match the current routing of the northbound
detour.
Moved by Rusoff; seconded by Tripp.
Discussion followed. Sev�
wherever the detour signs
their own preferred paths
instructed the Department
residents of the affected
detour.
aral people expressed the opinion that
pointed, local drivers would soon find
around the obstruction. The Board
to send out another mailing to the
area immediately detailing the changed
Ayes (4) Rusoff, Gerard, Cox, Nichols
Nays (2) Brandford, Reeves
Abstain (1) Tripp
Motion passes
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
May 20, 1992
2. ReOUest to Close Cleveland street - JUnSteentn YestlVal
The Juneteenth Festival Committee had applied to the Supt. for a
permit to close Cleveland St. from noon to 9 :00 p.m. on June 20,
1992 for a neighborhood celebration. This request has been
granted in past years. After a brief discussion, the Board
agreed that the Supt. should issue the permit, with the usual
requirements for cleanup, getting other necessary permits, etc.
3. Request to use Thompson and Washington Parks - Ben and
Jerry's. Ben and Jerry's had applied to the Supt. for permission
to use Thompson and Washington Parks on June 17 and 18, 1992 to
present a free mini circus. They offered a similar entertainment
last year. The Commissioners were in general agreement that this
use should be permitted. A resolution containing the usual
requirements will be presented at the next regular meeting.
4. Request for outdoor dining - Muffin Madness, Jean Deming,
Commons Coordinator, present. Muffin Madness, through Jean
Deming, presented a request for permission to set up a hot dog
stand at the corner of their building (North Aurora and E. State
Sts.) and to place tables for outdoor dining along both sides of
the building. Deming reported the narrowest place along the
sidewalk with the tables set up as planned was 5 ft. wide. Comm.
Cox said he believed the sidewalk would be too congested with
tables and a hot dog stand set up at that location. He also
pointed out that the tables were placed under a fire escape.
Comm. Brandford asked whether the hot dog stand could be set
inside the Forner door of the building, which is not a legal
exit. Discussion revealed that some of the questions the Board
was raising were currently being treated by the Building Dept. A
resolution will be placed on the agenda for the next regular
meeting, pending approval of the project by the Building Dept.
5. Center and South Plain streets. Anita Reed and Dorothy
Rollins, residents of Center St., present. Mrs. Reed and Mrs.
Rollins expressed the concerns of some of the residents near the
intersection: it is difficult to cross at the intersection;
drivers routinely run the stop sign; vehicles parked near the
corner often make it impossible to see what is coming. Comm. Cox
suggested the Board take the Traffic Engineer's advice: change
the stop sign onto Center St. and erect "NO Parking" signs near
the intersection to clear the corner. Mrs. Rollins said there is
currently speeding along both streets. Comm. Gerard favored a
four -way stop. Comm. Brandford -said he would like to put a
physical barrier to traffic somewhere on Center St. to prevent
through traffic; he would like to take this opportunity to work
on some of the problems involved in blocking off a street. He
said a four -way stop sign created an expectation of substantial
traffic; if drivers do not see that traffic they will ignore the
Page - 2
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
May 20, 1992
stop sign. Supt. Gray pointed out this intersection is not
warranted for a four -way stop according to the traffic manuals.
He suggested the Board consider using physical barriers to
redirect traffic, rather than erecting signs which break the law
and which are not defensible in lawsuits. Comm. Rusoff and Tripp
said they would like to try the Traffic Engineer's suggestion,
then go back to the neighborhood and see if it improved the
situation. If there is no improvement, they would then like to
try a physical barrier. A resolution will be presented at the
next regular meeting.
6. Agreements for the sale of used bricks. The Board was asked
to authorize the sale of used paving bricks to Robert Flumerfelt
of Paolangeli Contractor for the construction of two crosswalks
on the Cornell campus, and to Michael Cannon of 409 West Buffalo
Street for the paving of a driveway at that address. These uses
had previously been issued certificates of appropriateness by the
Ithaca Landmark Preservation Commission. Comm. Gerard asked
whether the City had enough bricks for its own use; Asst. Supt.
Ferrel said an area of at least an acre in Southwest Park is
covered in piles of these bricks, in various conditions. The
Board discussed uses the City might have for these bricks,
including crosswalks. A resolution will be presented at the next
regular meeting authorizing the sale of the bricks to Paolangeli
and Mr. Cannon.
7. Proposed City /Town water service agreement. Asst. Supt.
Shimer and Supt. Gray answered questions about the draft
agreement between the City and the Town of Ithaca for the
provision of water service to the Town. They explained that the
agreement combines and clarifies former agreements, is based on
current use, and should give the municipalities a basis on which
to build a longer term agreement. A resolution approving the
agreement will be presented at the next regular meeting. If
passed by the Board, the issue will be referred to Common
Council.
Meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Notes by Marianne Hansen, Administrative Secretary.
Page - 3