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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1993-11-17BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE November 17, 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. There were no additions or deletions to the agenda. 1 Audit - Board had Pow r to Act REPORT OF SPECIAL MIlIR,TT. ES - Commissioner Rusoff. A. Audit Report. RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract #21 GeneralFund ...................... ............................... $ 24,160.40 Water and Sewer Fund .......... ............................... $ 11,726.31 Joint Activity Fund ............... ............................... $ 65,614.90 Capital Projects Solid Waste ................... ............................... $ 48,393.86 ........................ ............................... Trust and Agency Funds ......... .......................... $ ,197.65 8..... $ - 0 - and, be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved. Carried Unanimously (5 -0) 2 Strand The�[er Artifactc Rec t for c v r a Commissioner Reeves stated that information from Attorney Guttman had not yet arrived. She understands that he recommends that artifacts be loaned to parties requesting the items. This will allow the items to be returned to the city if the business closes. She questioned how the Board wanted to proceed with the request from the Ithaca Performing Arts to obtain the chandelier for the State Theater. The Board requested further information from Attorney Guttman and from the Performing Arts for details on installation. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 17, 1993 3. Recv� Itha�r,�. BicySles Re r ro R n r Commissioner Reeves asked staff if they had answers for the items which Andy Ruina addressed at the previous meeting. Staff did not have the time to check into the items. Commissioner Rusoff stated she was in favor of renewing the lease and that the items in question could be dealt with when staff was able to. Commissioner Smith suggested that the Fire Department be asked to assess the safety. A resolution approving the renewal will be Presented at the next regular meeting. 4 Reanecr for Street Lieht - 1W ht k Of Hancock Sr The Board has received a request to install a street light in the 100 block of Hancock Street. Commissioner Reeves stated that she looked into the situation and feels that the block does not seem to fit the street light pattern established throughout the city. Supt. Gray noted that he has another request to respond to and will do a meter reading for both locations. He added that if lighting is needed, lights could be moved from other areas which have ..excessive" light. This would keep the current budget from increasing. Supt. Gray will report back to the Board with the results of his findings. 5 Parking Issues 100 h1ar4 of CoIllmbia Street, Maureen Vivino, 214 Columbia Street, has requested that the south side of the 300 block of Columbia Street be changed from odd/even parking to 24 hour parking. In her letter of November 6, 1993, Ms. Vivino explained that the parking is scarce in that area and 24 hour parking would improve the situation. Commissioner Rusoff asked if parking regulations on Hudson Street could be adopted on Columbia Street, parking is prohibited from 9:00 am until Noon. Commissioner Gerard agreed with the proposal. It was suggested that the proposal be presented to the residents of Columbia Street in order to receive their input. A resolution will be presented at the December 8, 1993 meeting approving the prohibition of parking from 9:00 am until noon on the 300 block of Columbia Street. 6. Strand Theater Artifar L-EkQiicst f r, v r a t Chris Tate of the Ithaca Performing Arts arrived late. Commissioner Reeves filled him in on what the Board had previously discussed. Mr. Tate explained that the borrowed chandelier would be hung in the main lobby of the State Theater. He hopes to have it available at the opening on December 1, 1993. Commissioner Smith suggested that the Board empower the Mayor to sign the agreement prior to the December 8, 1993 regular meeting. It was agreed that the Mayor be authorized to sign an agreejnent loaning the chandelier to the Ithaca Performing Arts with a clause that will reassure the return if the Ithaca Performing Arts folds. Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMIIHTI'EE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 17, 1993 7. Budget Discussion, Controller Cafferillo was present to discuss the proposed budget. He started by explaining the building systems budget for the various departments. The custodial services will be charged to the budget of the department requesting the services, Controller Cafferillo noted that $3,500 for seasonal labor has been deleted, This money was to be used for a position to assist in street striping. This amount could be reinstated. Within the Street Administration, $15,000 for tank removal was deleted, Supt. Gray stated that the removal could exceed the proposed $15,000 therefore was deleted and will be done as a capital project. The Highway funds were also reduced since salaries will be charged to capital projects instead of general fund. In 1992 a program was set up for $755,000 but due to lack of design and /or project completion, $272,000 was unable to be charged to a capital project. He further explained that under Ithaca Transit, an adjustment of $22,100 has been made. The original contract estimate for the Joint Transit Facility was higher and the figures have been modified. Controller Cafferillo next explained how six positions will be shifted from the Streets and Facilities Division to the Water and Sewer Division. Two truck drivers will be transferred from the Parks and Forestry Division, one employee from Solid Waste and two from the Highway Division. He explained that the division is under staffed, but has adequate money to complete tasks. The transfer of six positions will allow work to be done in house as opposed to contracting it out. In total, the Department of Public Works will see a reduction of $45,000. 8.- Traffic Concern - South Albany and TgUl Ayenueg Intersections_ Commissioner Reeves questioned the status of the proposed "No Right on Red" signs for both intersections at Albany Street. Supt. Gray noted that about six months earlier accident reports were reviewed and there was no indication that this type of sign would increase safety. The majority of the accidents occurred due to driver error, for example, ran the red light or did not see the red light. Steve Ehrhardt, resident of Albany Street and Traffic Task Force member was present and explained that the Task Force will be recommending to redistribute traffic in that area. Edward Humulock, resident of 308 North Titus Avenue, stated that he did not see how the volume of traffic could be reduced. He suggested that the traffic lights be set up so that they are all way red before turning green. He also suggested that the lights be synchronized since many drivers feel they can beat the second light and end up running the red light. Lyle Neigh of 321 South Titus stated that he feels if the Plain Street bridge were reopened it would reduce traffic, but he understood that due to the cost it is not practical. Mr. Ehrhardt explained that one problem with speed is that cars coming from Elmira Road don't always slow down when the reach they residential area. Commissioner Brandford questioned if the lights on Albany Street could be changed to a 4 way red cycle? Supt. Gray stated that he felt it was possible. Commissioner Rusoff stated that she felt the issue should be put on hold until the Traffic Task Force's recommendations Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 17, 1993 are in and when a Traffic Systems Engineer is available for input. Mr. Humulock questioned the status of Spencer Road and why it could not be returned to a two way street alleviating the traffic volume. Supt. Gray explained that was a decision made after careful consideration of traffic counts, accident reports and resident input. The Board's consensus was to look into a 4 way red for the traffic light. This item will be considered upon receipt of recommendations from the Traffic Task Force and the Traffic Systems Engineer. 9. South Titus Avenue Commissioner Gerard stated that he has looked at all the information gathered up to this point and has discussed the issue with South Titus Ave. residents. The residents are seeking two solutions, a stop sign at South Street instead of the existing one on Fair Street and safety for pedestrians. He suggested that stop signs be placed on S. Titus at Plain Street. Charles Young, S. Titus Avenue resident, stated that additional signs and crosswalks at the Plain Street Bridge are needed. He further explained that at the section where it narrows is very dangerous due to speeding cars. The Board agreed that a three way stop at the Plain Street bridge should be implemented. 10 Parking Issues - Addition of Parking n Avenue, Mayor Nichols stated that this was not an urgent issue although it was an issue to be addressed in the future. This item will appear on a future agenda. I1. Budeet Discussion Z Y d Waste Collectio Asst. Supt. Ferrel explained that there is currently one employee dedicated to yard waste collection. This employee fills in for other solid waste collection staff when needed, often leaving the yard waste collection behind schedule. Alderperson Berg suggested that collection be once a month. Asst. Supt. Ferrel questioned what services he would be willing to trade off. Commissioner Tripp stated that she felt this service is necessary for residents within the city. The Board's consensus was that the service is needed by the citizens and that the initial request of funds should be reinstated. The Board voted on a resolution to reinstate the previous budget for yard waste collection. WATER 4FWFR AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS - Commissioner Brandford Introduced and moved by Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Smith A. Collection of Yard Waste. WHEREAS, yard waste pick up has proven to be a valuable and necessary service to the citizens of Ithaca, and Page - 4 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMA HT= OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 17, 1993 WHEREAS, current budget restrictions has necessitated the removal of such service from the up coming years, work program; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works expresses its opposition to such a move and recommends to restore the previous budget recommendation of $37,556 to continue the yard waste program as it is currently carried out. Carried Unanimously The resolution will be presented to Common Council during budget discussions. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Page - 5 Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary