HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1993-11-03BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
November 3, 1993
NOTES
PRESENT: Commissioners Brandford, Gerard, Reeves, Rusoff, Smith, Tripp, Mayor
Nichols, Alderperson Berg, Superintendent Gray and Assistant Superintendent Ferrel.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
Additions: Request for Donation of Gravel for Boy Scout Eagle Service Project
Request for Wagon Rides Around Commons for Holidays.
There were no deletions from the agenda.
1. Traffic Issues - Brandon /Mitchell /Dunmore.
Alderperson John Johnson was present along with several residents of Brandon Place. The
residents feel pedestrians are not safe due to the volume and speed of traffic. Commissioner
Reeves noted Chief Wilbur's memo of November 1, 1993 concerning the proposal of
creating a dead -end. The residents indicated that they felt that a dead -end situation would
inconvenience people more than solve the problems. Rich Robinson of Brandon Place stated
that he felt changing Dunmore to a one -way street on to State Street would stop people from
taking short cuts, resulting in less traffic. Commissioner Reeves questioned how the
residents of Dunmore feel about the proposal. Alderperson Johnson said that one resident
approved and that he would find out the opinion of the others. Commissioner Rusoff stated
that she did not object to the proposed change. Commissioner Brandford questioned
enforcement and noted that the one -way section on Spencer Road has not been easy to
enforce. The Board agreed to request Chief McEwen to impose the one -way section on a
trial basis. A resolution will be voted on at the next regular meeting.
2. Request for Donation of Gravel for Boy Scout Eagle Service Project
Matthew Stedinger was present and explained that his Boy Scout troop is building planters at
the Special Children's Center. He requested the Board to approve of a donation of gravel
and top soil so they may complete their project. Commissioner Tripp stated that she would
be happy to approve of the request but felt that it was more of a department issue. The
Board agreed that the issue would be decided by the Superintendent and Assistant
Superintendent.
3. The Firehouse Theater Request for Removal of Parking Meter
Tom Newton, owner of the Firehouse Theater, was present to address the Board. He stated
that the Theater has only one door for deliveries, that is the overhead door facing the street.
He explained that there is currently a meter at the space in front of the curb cut which makes
entering and exiting the building impossible since vehicles park at the meter. Supt. Gray
noted that there is a policy to recover curb lines in situations like this, the curb cut was
overlooked when the meter was installed but it is now needed. Commissioner Smith added
that if the meter was to be removed it could not create a private parking space. The
consensus was to pass a resolution to remove the meter.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMINUTTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
November 3, 1993
4. On Street Parking for Trucks at Ithaca Journal
Commissioner Reeves noted Chief McEwen's letter of October 25, 1993 in which the Chief
stated he has discussed the delivery parking with Pam Johnson, Publisher of the Journal. He
recommends that the parking meter ( #1520) be removed and the space be marked as a
Loading Zone. He explained to Ms. Johnson that if the change took place, it would be
rigidly enforced. Supt. Gray stated that the Board could look at the situation two ways; first,
that a space will be lost and that the Journal be billed an annual fee for the use of the space.
Second, that the Board needs to do this to support commercial business. Commissioners
Tripp and Rusoff agreed with Chief McEwen's recommendation. A resolution to remove the
meter will be presented at the next regular meeting.
5. Parkins Issues - Parking on East Seneca Street
The Board received a request from Mark Chandler of 411 East Seneca Street requesting that
stickers be issued to extend the two hour parking zone for residents. Supt. Gray explained
that parking is set up so that downtown parking is metered and the outer portions of the city
are 24 hour or odd /even parking. Two hour zones seperate the meter from the odd /even
areas. This allows business patrons a chance at closer parking. He further explained that
according to this policy, East Seneca Street should be metered parking and that he would be
reluctant to give up the two hour parking. The Board agreed with Superintendent Gray and
requested him to contact Mr. Chandler denying the request.
6. Request for Handicap Parking Space at 132 East Spencer Street
Commissioner Reeves explained that Perry Barnes has requested a handicap space in front of
his house on East Spencer Street. Mr. Barnes' wife is handicapped making access to and
from their vehicle difficult. A designated space would greatly help. Supt. Gray stated that
the parking on East Spencer Street is very dense and that there is no legal obligation to
provide handicap spaces on city streets. Commissioner Brandford suggested that DAC be
contacted for input. Commissioner Reeves noted that on some previous issues they have not
responded to the Board's request for recommendations. Commissioner Rusoff questioned if
there is a national criteria for on street handicap spaces. Commissioner Gerard stated that a
policy should be developed for this and future requests. The Board agreed that a
recommendation from the DAC is needed in order for a BPW policy to be established. This
item will be considered when the recommendation is received.
7. BPW Meeting Schedule
Commissioner Reeves asked the Board if the meetings should be changed due to the
upcoming holidays. The Board agreed that there will be no meeting on November 24th and
that the Board will have Power to Act on the Audit for the November 10, 1993 meeting.
The month of December will follow the usual schedule and the usual COW meeting on the
5th Wednesday will be eliminated.
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(W BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
November 3, 1993
S. Request for Wagon Rides Around Commons for Holidays
DII has asked that they be allowed to have wagon rides around the Commons as they did last
year. The rides would take place on Saturdays and Sundays from November 27 until
December 19. Supt. Gray asked if this item should be handled within the department. The
Board agreed that this was appropriate.
9. Yard Waste - Collection Discussion
Commissioner Reeves explained that because of low staffing, the Board needs to decide
whether yard waste should be picked up or not. Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that Dominick
Cafferillo has been trying to work with the county to expand the drop off center in order to
accept yard waste deliveries. He stated that he feels a program will still be needed for the
spring and fall. If this were the case, a bigger and dedicated crew would be needed for the
collections. Asst. Supt. Ferrel explained that there is currently one employee for the yard
waste crew, this employee often fills in for other absent drivers leaving the yard waste pick
ups behind schedule. Supt. Gray stated that Syracuse has stopped their pick up and have
instituted a drop off system. Commissioner Tripp stated that she would be interested in how
their system works. She then stated that she felt the Board's consensus was to have a pick
up at some level. Commissioner Reeves stated that the Board should also encourage the
county to expand the drop off center. Supt. Gray added that yard waste is something that the
county needs for their composting, they are currently buying the material. Commissioner
Brandford asked if the collected yard waste could be sold to them. This item will be
discussed at future meeting.
10. Removal of Mini Pool /School District Parking.
Supt. Gray explained that a city crew will be removing the pool and that a meeting will be
set up with the school district before the date for removal is scheduled. Commissioner Tripp
suggested that during the meeting Supt. Gray ask the school to install a sign indicating the lot
is available for Beverly J. Martin School.
11. South Titus Avenue Concerns
Commissioner Gerard noted that the Board had asked him to gather information on S. Titus.
He requested that this item be discussed at the next committee of the whole meeting. The
Board agreed that the traffic issue would be addressed at the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Notes taken by:
Donna L. Payne
Administrative Secretary
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