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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1993-07-07BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE July 7, 1993 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Brandford, Gerard, Reeves, Rusoff, Smith, Tripp, Mayor Nichols, Alderperson Berg, Superintendent Gray and Assistant Superintendent Ferrel. Absent: Assistant Superintendent Shimer. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. There were no additions or deletions to the agenda. 1. Request for Out Door Dining at Plums Restaurant Michael Stento, Manager of Plums was present. Mr. Stento would like to have out door dining from 11:30 am until 10:00 pm at his restaurant. He estimated that 100 square feet would be needed. The Board agreed that the request was acceptable and asked Mr. Stento to contact Supt. Gray to finalize the agreement and license fee. A resolution will be presented at the next regular meeting. 2. Alex Haley Municipal Pool - Securitx Supt. Gray stated that he had looked into security systems that are available. One system available secures each side of the pool along the fence. The city could spend as much as $4,000 per side for this system. Sam Cohen, Youth Bureau Director was present, he noted that the pool is very visible at night since lights are left on. He questioned the possibility of the Police Department increasing their patrols and issuing fines for violators. The Board concurred that issuing fines may alleviate the problem. The Board will vote on a resolution directing staff to install warning signs to violators and request that the Police Department increase their patrols. 3. Update of MPO. David Boyd, Director of the ITCTC, stated that since the Ithaca area has been classified as a metropolitan area, it's required to have a Metropolitan Planning Organization. The MPO consists of the Town and City of Ithaca, the Villages of Cayuga Heights and Lansing, and Tompkins County. The MPO has three main activities which must be accomplished, the Transportation Improvement Program, Long Range Planning and Unified Planning Work Program. Basically, the MPO allows the participating entities to pull together and assist each other with services which they may not be able to provide individually. They assist each other in coordinating projects and solving problems. The MPO is federally funded. The Board questioned whether certain sites would be eligible projects for the MPO. Mr. Boyd stated that the ITCTC is at a disadvantage because it does not have a 20 year plan. Once that is developed, projects will be able to be put into the TIP for action. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS CO CONMUTTEE OF THE WHOLE July 7, 1993 4. Natural Gas Vehicles Nancy Oltz was available to address the Board on natural gas powered buses. Ms. Oltz stated that according to the Clean Air Act of 1990, buses purchased after the fall of 1993 must meet standards for burning cleaner fuel. Natural gas powered buses are very expensive. They require special fueling stations which are not only costly, but time consuming. The $250,000 station takes six hours to fuel one bus. There is a faster fueling station available for $500,000 and only takes 15 minutes to fuel a bus. In addition to a fueling station, special maintenance areas are required; each one must meet specifications to allow proper ventilation. Once the equipment is obtained, special training for staff would be needed. Dependability is also questionable. The City of Binghamton owns three natural gas buses and claim they are lucky to have one in use at any one time. Ms. Oltz suggested that the City wait on using natural gas until more technology has been developed. Until that time, other options may be taken to comply with the Clean Air Act of 1990. It was suggested that if the City wishes to pursue natural gas vehicles, fleet vehicles should be considered first. vital Project - 1994 There was brief discussion on projects that are to be requested for 1994. Commissioner Reeves stated that this will be further discussed at the July 21, 1993 COW meeting. 6. Review Policy for Stewart Park The Board agreed that the Parks Commission should first review the policy and make recommendations to the Board for further consideration. Discussion followed on the carry in -carry out program. Asst. Supt. Ferrel stated that two staff members are needed each morning for two to three hours to clean up trash left from the day before. He does not have the report on how much trash has been collected and the expense for removal, but expects it soon. Commissioner Tripp suggested that harsh enforcement be instituted as with the pool. Asst. Supt. Ferrel stated that he understands that IPD has stopped their 10:00 pm patrol of the park but will request that it be resumed. 7. Striping System Proposal Supt. Gray stated that Cornell has built crosswalks with bricks which cost between $10 and $12 per square foot. The Board was concerned with noise that would be produced by the brick crosswalks. Supt. Gray noted that unless it was tested, there would be no proof of effectiveness. This item will be further discussed at a later date. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary Page - 2