HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1993-12-15i
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
December 15, 1993
NOTES
PRESENT: Commissioners Gerard, Reeves, Rusoff, Smith, Tripp, Mayor Nichols,
Alderperson Berg, Superintendent Gray, and Assistant Superintendents Ferrel and Fabbroni.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
There were no additions to the agenda.
Deletions: Review 1994 DPW Work Program
Parking Issues - Request for 4 - 2 Hour Parking Spaces on S.W. corner of
Farm St. at N. Aurora
I. Parking Issues - Tompkins Co EOC Request for Bagging Four Meters
Joyce Walker from the Tompkins County Economic Opportunity Corporation was present to
request the use of four meter bags. She explained that their organization has recently moved
to 324 West State Street and have had problems with delivery of food. Their organization
receives truck loads of food which is distributed to the needy within the county. She said
that there is a parking lot adjacent to the building but a tractor trailer will not fit in the lot.
The trucks need the use of four spaces, otherwise they double park on the street. She asked
the Board if the EOC could obtain bags for their delivery day and keep the meters bagged
for families to pick up their goods. She stated that the EOC serves approximately 120
families each month throughout the county. Alderperson Daley stated that he believes the
EOC is a worthy cause, but if the Board approves this request, they will receive many more
like this. Commissioner Rusoff stated that this is a judgement case and that she felt the
request should be approved. The Board was in agreement that a resolution should be voted
on to approve the meter bags.
2. Trash Violations /Fines Discussion
Joe Daley was present as a landlord, not as alderperson. He told the Board that he views the
trash violation procedures as an educational tool for tenants. Up to this point, when he
received a violation, a name of the violator was included. He recently received a violation
for an overweight bag with no name included. He asked that the Board, or department,
implement a policy which would require the crews to take steps to determine the violator.
Asst. Supt. Ferrel stated that the crews do go through the trash to identify the violators, it
seems in this case they overlooked this step. He said that he would be sure to notify the
trash crews to take the steps to identify the violators. Alderperson Berg stated that due to the
pressures to recycle, it is possible that there is no trash to identify the violators. This
problem was acknowledged and will be considered while sending the citations.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMTTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
December 15, 1993
3. Request from ILPC to Resume Stewart Avenue Brick Maintenance
Leslie Chatterton, ILPC member, was present to report on a recent resolution passed by the
ILPC. The resolution urged the Board to continue its previous practice of properly repairing
new street openings on brick streets. In addition, the ILPC is requesting that attention be
paid to the general condition of the brick streets. She reported that there are currently many
spots on Stewart Avenue which need immediate repair. Commissioner Rusoff explained to
Ms. Chatterton that Alderperson John Schroeder recently appeared before the Board
requesting the same thing. That item was left for staff to obtain estimates on repairs to the
street. Asst. Supt. Ferrel told the Board that the crew which used to maintain the brick
streets is no longer together. There are only two members of that crew still with the city.
Supt. Gray said that repairs to the brick may be done for aesthetic reasons, but there are
several places where the bricks sag. These areas need repair to the concrete base which is
costly. Mary Tomlan of the ILPC stated that she is concerned with water entering into the
patched areas. She would like to see the asphalt patches replaced properly to avoid this.
Commissioner Tripp suggested that the Board give staff time to receive outside estimates as
well as in house estimates to complete the repairs. The Board concurred that staff should
return to the February 16, 1994 meeting to give the figures for the repairs.
4. New Water and Sewer Rates Effecting 1993 Consumption
Alderperson Efroymson was present to question the fairness of the water and sewer billing
rates. He explained that one -third of the city will receive a water bill in January at a higher
rate when they were not given ample notice of the increase. For example, a Laundromat
billed in January receives the bill for use of three months (in 1993) of water at the 1994 rate.
The notices are not issued at the beginning of the three months for the business to consider
the rate increase in their budget. A business billed in February would have two months of
water consumed in 1993 while having adequate time to prepare for the increase due to the
notification date. Supt. Gray noted that the rates were changed late since Controller
Cafferillo did not have the figures available. Normally, the rate change takes place early
enough for water users to consider the increase into their budgets. Alderperson Efroymson
asked that in the future, the Board try to approve increases to allow businesses time to
prepare for the increase.
5. Parking Issues - Set Hours for Strand Parking Lot
Mayor Nichols told the Board that Alderperson Booth feels that making the Strand property
into parking is a poor decision. He feels that there will be a lot of hard feelings since there
were so many people against the removal of the building. Commissioner Rusoff stated that
she understands Alderperson Booth's concerns but the building is gone and that out of the
best interest of the community, a parking lot is the best decision; parking is needed in the
downtown area and the land should be taken advantage of. She proposed that the Board pass
a resolution approving of the temporary parking lot. It was explained that RHP Properties
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AM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMTTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
December 15, 1993
will not be developing on the site for a couple of years and is willing to sign an agreement
with the city which will allow them to install parking meters. The revenue from the meters
will be retained by the city until the meters are paid for, at which time revenue will be split
between RHP Properties and the city. Commissioner Smith suggested that the parking be
limited to two hour parking and prohibited from 2:00 am until 6:00 am. Commissioner
Rusoff stated that she assumed staff would implement a parking system as soon as possible.
Alderperson Berg suggested that the Board be ready to respond to public criticism for
installing a parking lot on the Strand site. A resolution approving of the decision to make a
parking lot on the Strand site will be presented at the next regular meeting.
6. Parking Issues - Staff Update on 24 Hour Parking Posting on Fulton Street
Asst. Supt. Ferrel told the Board that signs will be installed late in the week or possibly early
next week.
7. Miscellaneous Items
Mayor Nichols mentioned a letter he received from NYSDOT requesting the city's assistance
in modifying Stewart Park's entrance. The state is prepared to install cross bars for the
railroad crossing. They are requesting that the city extend the existing traffic island to
improve safety. Supt. Gray stated that the state will be funding the installation of the bars
whether the city assists or not.
8. Review 1993 DPW Work Pro ram
Supt. Gray reviewed a draft list of projects which was issued December 16, 1992. Many of
the items which were proposed to be done in 1993 are underway or near completion. The
list consisted of projects such as City Hall HVAC, Municipal Pool, Water Shed Access Road
and completion of the WTP Interim project to name a few. This item will be continued at
the next regular meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Notes taken by:
Donna L. Payne
Administrative Secretary
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