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.
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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
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