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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. Page - 2 (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 Page - 3