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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-05-18BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE May 18, 1994 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Reeves, Rusoff, Tripp, Mayor Nichols, and Superintendent Gray, and Assistant Superintendents Ferrel and Fabbroni. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. Additions: Personnel Item (Executive Session) There were no deletions from the agenda. 1. Report on Drop In Center. Herman Sieverding, Deputy Planning Director, was present to present a draft design of the Drop In Center to the Board. It has been decided that it is not economical to build at the BT Glass site since the building would need to be torn down. A proposed design was presented to the Board which would occupy 18,850 square feet next to the Water and Sewer building on First Street. The drop in center is expected to provide service to 50 children. One problem they have faced is a lack of parking space. They are seeking off site parking which can accommodate the required amount of spaces; one possible location is behind the Bowl -O- Drome. The consensus of the Board was that the proposed design was too large and that the size should be greatly reduced. The Board questioned why the design included path ways outside of each play areas. Mr. Sieverding told them that was in case children threw toys over the fence, there would be no danger while retrieving the objects. The Board felt that higher fences would solve that problem. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni stated that giving up the added area would require city employees to park elsewhere. Commissioner Rusoff asked why a two floor building could not be utilized? Mr. Sieverding explained that it would require an added expense for an elevator. The Board asked Mr. Sieverding to have the design reduced to fit on 14,000 or less square feet. He stated that it could probably be done since they are required to provide 75 square feet of play area per child. Mr. Sieverding will present a revised design to the Board in two weeks at the next COW meeting. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING May 18, 1994 2 Update on Wood StreetlConway Parks Grants. Conway Park Trish Norton, Deputy Director for Community Development, was present to address the Board. Ms. Norton told the Board that there are plans for improving Conway park with CBDG funds. The park is in need of repairs and with the recent building of mutual housing, there is a need for a park in that area. She explained that she and the City Forester have talked with neighbors of the park to hear their needs. The neighbors feel that a new play area is needed along with benches, a basketball rim and a baseball /soccer field. At this point, there is no specific plan. She explained that the grant application is due in July. There is a lot of competition for the funds since many cities have a greater need for the money. These projects compete against cities which need repairs to water and sewer systems and other upgrades which promote healthier living conditions. Wood Street Park Ms. Norton told the Board that last year she presented conceptual ideas of what would be done in the Wood Street park. Since the award of the grant, plans have been made for upgrades to the park. The basketball court will be moved to the corner of Meadow and Wood Streets. They do not see a safety problem since there is fencing along Meadow Street. The existing play area will be torn down and rebuilt; it will be built to accommodate toddlers. In addition to the grant, the sidewalk program will allow for installation of sidewalks along Wood Street. Depending on funding, an asphalt walking/jogging path will circle the park. Commissioner Rusoff noted that if the path is built, it should be wide enough to accommodate bicycles and roller bladers as well as pedestrians. Ms. Norton showed the Board two proposals for the baseball fields, both included two large fields and two small fields. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted that they should keep in mind that at least 30 parents attend some of the softball games. Ms. Norton will keep the Board posted on the developments of the park. Commissioner Reeves noted that a request was made to change the name of the park to its original name of Titus Flats. 3 Final Report on Task Force for Traffic Issues. Joe Daley, Steve Ehrhardt and Ken Deschere of the Task Force on Traffic Issues were present to address the Board. Mr. Daley stated that the Planning and Development Board feels that changes to less busy streets should not be made if the busier streets gain more traffic. Comm. Reeves said that she would like to know if speed humps and bumps are legal before the discussion continued. Supt. Gray told the Board that the State Attorney General has ruled speed bumps illegal. The issue of speed humps has not been addressed, the difference in the two are that humps are more spread out. He believed that speed humps created a liability to the city. He added that he has literature on order which should provide additional information. Mr. Daley stated that he did not find any information on the legality of speed humps. Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS '+' COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING May 18, 1994 The Task Force Representatives felt that the Board members had read the report and did not warrant an overview, therefore offered to answer questions from the Board. Comm. Reeves began by questioning the difference of open and closed grids. Mr. Ehrhardt explained that an open grid allowed traffic to move about without obstacles where as a closed grid contains one -way streets and dead ends. For example, Fall Creek area is an open grid while the South Albany Street area is closed since traffic is forced onto Albany Street. Comm. Reeves commented on Page 20, paragraph 2, regarding Cornell providing parking for the students. She noted that Cornell is beginning to plan lots for the students. She further commented on paragraph 3 that Belle Sherman has again requested on street parking. Staff has responded to their request by recommending the school implement prior plans for an off street parking lot. Comm. Reeves noted that on page 24, #8, the issue of synchronization of traffic lights is being worked on. DPW is trying to update the signals, this will take time since they can only do about two per year. Mr. Daley suggested that a capital project be established for the lights since total replacement will take several years. Mr. Ehrhardt noted that former Commissioner Brandford suggested giving deadlines for the recommendations. The task force felt that before setting these dates the Board and other appropriate entities should be consulted. Mayor Nichols added that once the time lines were established, each recommendation should be monitored. The Task Force commented on how they felt very frustrated while reviewing each traffic problem. They did not want to solve one problem and create another. They questioned what the next step would be. Comm. Tripp distributed a chart to the BPW for them to identify if the recommendations should be further discussed, referred elsewhere or are underway. The Board agreed that this was a productive way to organize the recommendations. They also agreed that discussions will continue at the next three Committee of the Whole meetings. 4. Executive Session. The Board convened into Executive Session at 6:10 pm. The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Ln Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary Page - 3