HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-09-02BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
September 2, 1992
NOTES
PRESENT: Commissioners Cox, Brandford, Gerard, Tripp and Reeves;
Mayor Nichols, Alderperson Berg, Superintendent of Public Works
Gray, Assistant Supt. Ferrel and Shimer.
1. Benefit Assessment District for Parking. Commissioner Reeves
reported that this item will be discussed at the September 30,
1992 Committee of the Whole meeting. Herman Sieverding, Deputy
Planning Director will be present to discuss this item with the
Board.
2. Reguest for Parking Arrangement in "Woolworth's" lot for
Tompkins County Senior Citizen's Council. Currently, the Senior
Council uses Parking Lot D (Woolworth's parking lot) for
overnight parking for their road trips. The Council claims that
there is an established agreement with the City that members may
park in the lot for $2.00 per day. There was concern that the
present construction of the Court Facility is using several
parking spaces which effect downtown parking. These spaces will
be occupied for the next year. The Board agreed that Marilyn
Grey from the Senior Citizen Council should be present to address
this issue at the next Committee of the Whole meeting.
3. South Hill Traffic and Parking Concerns. The Board discussed
some of the concerns which the South Hill Civic Association has
presented regarding the intersections of Prospect, Turner and
Spencer and Prospect and Aurora Streets. Commissioner Reeves
reminded the Board that requested painting of crosswalks in the
area are to be done as soon staff is able to do so. She also
told the Board of the upcoming public hearing concerning
installation of new sidewalks on South Hill Terrace.
Commissioner Reeves questioned the Board of how they felt about
installing "No Thru Traffic" signs at the intersection of Turner
Place and Prospect Street. The Board questioned legality of
these signs. Superintendent Gray stated that though they are not
illegal to install, there is no legal standing of these signs,
therefore they are unenforceable. The Board agreed that a
resolution to install the signs would appear at the next regular
meeting.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
September 2, 1992
3. College Avenue and Mitchell Street Traffic and Parking
Concerns. Asst. Supt. Ferrel explained that staff will be
extending the existing guiderail down to the ground. Supt. Gray
questioned whether the Board wanted guiderail installed at the
beginning of the curve, currently it starts mid -way through.
Discussion followed regarding occurrences of accidents at the
curve. The Board decided that consideration should be given to
reconstructing the curve. A resolution will be presented at the
next regular meeting directing staff to install additional
signage and to extend the existing guiderail.
4. Task Force on Traffic Issues. Mayor Nichols stated that the
members of TFTI would be announced at that evening's Common
Council meeting. He added that the Board's representative would
be Paul Brandford and chaired by Joe Daley. Goals and objectives
of the task force will be announced at a later date.
5. South Titus Avenue Traffic and Parking Concerns. Mr. Hall of
417 S. Titus Ave. was present to answer questions from the Board
regarding the neighborhood. Commissioner Reeves stated that
Traffic Engineer Frank Gombas has similar thoughts as Mr. Hall's
proposal #2 on revising the area of South Titus, South and Fair
Streets. Supt. Gray explained that the proposal, although
feasible, would not be likely to occur in the next few years
since the pavement and curbs are serviceable. Mayor Nichols
pointed out that one issue is enforcement and the Board cannot
always solve problems such as this one. The Board agreed that
Chief McEwen should be contacted on enforcement of this area.
Mr. Hall suggested that South Titus Ave. from South Street to
Fair Street next to South Titus park be blocked off, even if only
temporary. The Board discussed this idea and determined that a
trial period of 120 days for this concept would be conclusive for
a permanent arrangement.
6. Assignment Priority Tasks. Commissioner Brandford suggested
that the Board move forward with the issues, one being
consolidation of DPW. Commissioner Tripp suggested that since
there were several studies done on the subject that a
presentation be made of an overview of them. Supt. Gray and
Asst. Supt. Shimer gave their opinion of how they each felt the
consolidation should be handled. The Board requested that Asst.
Supt. Shimer make copies of each study available for the Board.
It was agreed that this issue would be discussed further at the
September 30, 1992 Committee of the Whole.
Meeting adjourned at 5:55 pm.
Notes taken by:
Donna L. Payne
Administrative Secretary
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