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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1993-01-06CW BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE January 6, 1993 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Brandford, Reeves, Rusoff, Tripp, Mayor Nichols, Alderperson Berg, Superintendent Gray, Assistant Superintendent Ferrel and Berg. Deletions: Review Criteria for Pavilions at Cass and Stewart Parks. Additions: Carriage Rides around the commons area. 1. Traffic Concern - Auburn Dey and Tompkins Lance Barr, resident of Auburn Street was present to address his concerns. There was discussion on changing the Auburn Street approach to the intersection for safer access. Mr. Barr explained that his concern was for the traffic flow and speed on Tompkins and Hancock Streets. Vehicles traveling too fast take the "curve" wide, making the intersection unsafe. A stop sign would interrupt the speed making the pass through the intersection safer. The Board suggested to Mr. Barr that he contact the Police Department if he is concerned with the issue of enforcing the speed. Alderperson Berg pointed out the Mayor's memo which asked for recommendations of streets which need priority for enforcement. The Board decided that this intersection should be one of the recommended areas. Commissioner Reeves explained the Traffic Task Force to Mr. Barr and that they would have to make recommendations to the Board before any actions would take place. 2. Bev. Martin School - Additional Parking Tia Rudd and Ed Wright, Principal of B.J. Martin School, were present to answer questions from the Board. The Board reviewed Chief McEwen's recommendations in his memo of January 6, 1993. It was agreed that staff would paint "Slow- School Zone" or a similar message on the pavement at Beverly J. Martin and the other elementary schools in the City. Asst. Supt. Ferrel pointed out that this work could not be completed until at least May. Discussion moved to the tree which blocks the 1115 MPH" sign. Supt. Gray stated that he felt trimming the tree would be adequate for now. The next point was the dip in the road which was determined to have been caused by NYSEG repairs. Supt. Gray will address a letter to NYSEG requesting that it be permanently repaired so that the dip will not continue to reappear. Ms. Rudd next explained that the parents are asked to bring the children into the school when dropping off and that children are not released from the after school program with out being signed out to a parent. The existing No Standing zone is not always understood by the parents. She asked that a 15 minute loading zone be installed. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Alp COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE January 6, 1993 The Mayor questioned why a loading zone could not be implemented since it would be similar to others in the City. Supt. Gray explained that this area of town is difficult to enforce due to staffing. The Board agreed the loading zone would fit the school's needs and that it should be in effect from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm. Ms. Rudd also expressed her concern for people wishing to park for longer periods of time, for example, a visiting parent may stay for a couple of hours. Supt. Gray suggested that the school district take existing owned land and provide off street parking for the parents. The Board agreed that the PTA should notify the school district to address this situation. The next parking request was for a handicap space. The Board agreed that a space should be designated at the Buffalo Street side of the building. The space would be the first one on the north side of Buffalo Street west of the Albany /Buffalo Street intersection. Discussion moved to the installation of flashing yellow lights. The Board questioned the cost of equipment and installation. Supt. Gray estimated that each beacon would cost approximately $2,100. Commissioner Tripp proposed that the Board approve the installation of two flashing yellow beacons not to exceed $5,000 according to the state contract estimated by Supt. Gray. The Board decided a resolution approving the above list would be presented at the next regular meeting. 3. Carriage Rides around the Commons area Drew and Candice Bradley were present for discussion concerning the insurance coverage of their carriage ride business. The Bradleys questioned why the City of Ithaca requires $1,000,000 liability coverage while various larger cities only require $300,000. The added expense of the insurance may not benefit since their operation does not run long hours. Discussion followed regarding the requirements. Asst. Attorney Kennedy was present to address the issue. She stated that the City requires the amount for all uses of City facilities. She added that the expense for insurance on horses is high due to the high potential of injury. Asst. Attorney Kennedy explained to the Board that the amount of coverage should be determined, and that this would be a policy decision. She also noted that if a suit should be brought up, the City would be responsible for amounts that exceed the insurance policy. The reasons larger cities require less insurance is that they feel the service of carriage rides will benefit their city. Mr. Bradley stated that if the hours were increased and they could have exclusive rights to have rides in the City, they may agree on the one million dollar coverage. The Board agreed that a resolution should be presented to allow Mayor Nichols to sign a contract with the Bradleys giving them extended hours and exclusive rights to carriage rides not to exceed one year. Page - 2 cr BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE January 6, 1993 4. DPW Consolidation. Commissioner Tripp gave the Board a presentation of the sub - committee's proposal of consolidation for the Department. The overall scheme included vacating four storage buildings along with the B.T. Glass building. Space will then be needed to accommodate storage for both Water and Sewer and Streets and Facilities on existing sites. At this point, it does not seem feasible to locate both divisions on one parcel of land. The Seacord property is currently being sought by a neighboring property owner, leaving very little of that property for the City to consider obtaining. New storage buildings will be built keeping future plans in mind; they would be constructed of materials which would be usable elsewhere if the building is abandoned. The next step for consolidation is to present the proposal to Common Council at its committee of the whole meeting on January 27, 1993. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm. Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary Page - 3