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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