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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-02-16BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE February 16, 1994 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Brandford, Gerard, Reeves, Smith, Mayor Nichols, Alderperson Johnson, and Assistant Superintendents Ferrel and Fabbroni. ABSENT: Superintendent Gray, Commissioners Rusoff and Tripp Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. Meeting called to order at 4:30 p.m. There were no additions to the agenda. Deletions: Staff Reports Stewart Avenue Brick Work Estimates 1. Request for "No Parking" area on south side of Thurston Ave Risley Hall extended to Fall Creek Drive. David Nutter of the Bicycle Advisory Council was present to address the Board. Jon Meigs was also present. It was agreed that this area was too narrow to have traffic lanes, parking and a bike path. There was much discussion about this subject. Mayor Nichols stated that he would like to do all the changes at once. Parking meters should be installed and the "no parking" area be marked during the summer, before school resumes in the fall. It was resolved to put it on the agenda for the next regular Board meeting. Supt. Gray is to supply a map of the area at that time. 2. Request for a "Walk" signal at Rte 13 and Spencer Street Mr. Nutter makes this request for the Bicycle Advisory Council. This is a dangerous area for bicyclists and pedestrians alike. The light senses only automobiles, not bicycles. This is not something that needs to be done right away, but it should have the Board's attention. Mayor Nichols thought it would be a good idea to wait to see what the state is going to do with the light. Comm. Brandford believed that it made sense to obtain more information before the Board acted on this. Comm. Smith agreed that it should be reviewed, but adding a walk cycle should be looked into immediately. Asst. Supt. Ferrel said he would check with the electrician to see how complicated that would be and get back to the Board with this information. 3. Snow removal. Commissioner Reeves announced that a sub - committee would be formed to look into snow removal items to save time. Members will be Comm. Tripp, Comm. Smith and Comm. Reeves. Priority lists from the Board members have been reviewed by Asst. Supt. Ferrel. It gave a good idea of what the Board feels should be taken care of first. Much discussion followed. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS CONIlMT'I'EE OF THE WHOLE MEETING February 16, 1994 Snow removal has become a priority issue. Mayor Nichols wants to start clearing sidewalks, after the twenty -four hour time has passed, instead of waiting for complaints. This could require the hiring of temporary workers. Comm. Reeves stated that the sub - committee could look into this and come back to the Board with more information. The Building Department is issuing tickets, but they don't do any of the actual clearing of snow. Comm. Brandford thought this might cause problems with selective enforcement. Property owners should be allowed to meet their obligations. There could be some serious problems with fairness. Asst. Supt. Ferrel thinks that the sidewalk clearing program in force now is very time consuming for the Streets & Facilities Dept. It was agreed that the Board would not act on this until the sub - committee has gathered more information. A revision of the City's salt policy was discussed. The last actual resolution on this was the winter of 1986 -1987. The budget was cut 50% at that time. Streets & Facilities has followed this policy since then. Asst. Supt. Ferrel thought it would be very helpful to have a reserve account to cover the expense of more salt if, and when, it is needed. He stated that the plow will not clear streets that have ice and packed snow on them. There are also other costs incurred with the "no salt" policy, such as storm sewer and spring clean-up of the sand. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni agreed that sand and cinders are dirty and gritty. At times it causes slick conditions on the City streets. Comm. Brandford thought the Board should let people with good judgement handle and budget a reserve for salt. It was decided to take no action at this time. 4. Energy Commission master plan Lou Durland was present to address the Board concerning the Energy Commission. Mr. Durland told the Board that, right now, the Energy Commission is evaluating things on a crisis basis. They should be taking advantage of energy savings and free grant money. The City needs a widespread plan to assess everything for energy efficiency. This could result in saving a lot of money. He would like to have more members to work on this plan. Any suggestions on how to recruit new members would be appreciated. Councilman Johnson asked who the Council liaison was. Mr. Durland said there was none. There will be a resolution to appoint new members at the next Board of Public Works meeting. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni brought up some ideas of what could be done at the Wastewater Treatment Plant to save energy. He also asked if funds were still available through NYSEG or the state for energy reduction. Comm. Reeves apologized to Asst. Supt. Ferrel for not getting to the DPW work plan after he spent so much time gathering the information. The Board members would have more time to study the plan. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Notes taken by: Marge Holcomb Senior Typist Page - 2