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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-06-01BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 1, 1994 NOTE PRESENT: Commissioners Gerard, Reeves, Rusoff, Smith, Tripp, Mayor Nichols, Superintendent Gray, and Assistant Superintendents Ferrel and Fabbroni. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. 1. Revised Design of Drop In Center, Herman Sieverding, Deputy Director for Planning and Development was present to introduce Scheme 2 of the Drop In Center to the Board. The revised design utilizes approximately 14,000 square feet adjacent to the Water and Sewer Building on First Street. There are negotiations taking place with Bowl- o -Drome for parking along with the spaces in front of the building to meet zoning. Alderperson Efroymson questioned if the on- street parking would be available after hours to accommodate the neighborhood. It was noted that appropriate signage could be installed for overnight parking. The consensus of the Board was to recommend that B &A accept Scheme 2 for the Drop In Center. 2. Personnnr eo.n - Board had Power to Act, Supt. Gray noted that the agenda indicated that this item was to take place in executive session. It was no longer necessary since it was already published in the Common Council Agenda. BUDGET, ADMINISTRATION & COMMUNICATIONS ITEM - Commissioner Reeves. by. Commissioner Reeves, seconded by: Commissioner Rusoff A. Proposed Salary Increase for Richard L. Ferrel. WHEREAS, Richard L. Ferrel was appointed to the position of Assistant Superintendent for Streets and Facilities in August of 1991 at the base salary, and WHEREAS, Mr. Ferrel provides strong leadership, is a willing team member of any city wide project or problem and carries a great deal of responsibility, and WHEREAS, Mr. Ferrel has demonstrated his ability to perform the complex and new Ideas into position as the Streets desire Group; now, therefore, be it BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING June 1, 1994 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the Budget and Administration Committee approve an increase in salary to $56,000 for Assistant Superintendent Richard L. Ferrel, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the funds for this be derived as follows: A count Change No. Name Increase Decrease 1440 -110 City Eng. - Staff Salary 5010.105 Streets Admin. - Admin Salary $3,500 $4.000 Related Accounts $ 500 Carried Unanimously 3. Seneca Street Garage Improvements Asst. Supt. Ferrel explained that City Electrician, Jim Crandall, estimated the cost of replacement of existing light fixtures at approximately $19,000. The new fixtures would be 100 watts, double the existing. He noted that this would increase utility costs and that the budget would need to reflect that. Fred Thomas Associates has volunteered one of their electricians to assist in upgrading the lighting of the garages. In addition, staff is looking into a blue light phone system. They have not rec d to install a bid as of the meeting date but hope to receive one soon. They have planne two phones on the upper levels and one on each of the lower levels. These phones could be tied into the Police Department. The Board agreed that a resolution be passed recommending the upgrades to B &A. should 4. Sidewalk Assessment - 112 W. Marshall Street. This item is continued from a previous meeting. Supt. Gray noted that Asst. Attorney Kennedy has advised the Board that the assessment should stand. The contractor made the repairs, the city paid for the repairs and now need to recover the funds. The Board agreed with the Attorney's Offj �that the assessment should be paid, If the property owners felt the workmanship was not adequate, they could take the matter up in small claims court with the contractor. Supt. Gray also pointed out that since the bill has been added to the property taxes, it is out of the Board's hands and can only be expunged by Common Council. The property owners should have followed the usual appeal procedures which were previously offered. A resolution accepting the Attorney's recommendation will be voted on at the next meeting. Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING June 1, 1994 5. Review of Traffic Task Force Recommendations Comm. Tripp presented a chart to the Board which indicated what actions the Board would take. The first recommendation is the consideration to lower the speed limit within the city. Joe Daley stated that the perception of what the speed is and the actual speed varies. Many neighborhoods feel that vehicles speed; data should be collected to see if it is a genuine problem. The Board decided to refer this to staff for data and that the item should return for discussion. The recommendation to notify neighborhoods that will be impacted will be discussed at a future meeting. Mr. Daley stated that there were several requests to post Ithaca Road reminding motorists they are entering a residential area, especially the truck traffic. This item will be referred to staff. Limiting daytime parking hours on street near C.U. is currently taking place in several neighborhoods and will be discussed at a future meeting. The removal of some parking spaces at the west side of the Buffalo & Stewart Ave intersection is being referred back to staff. Mr. Daley stated that the line of sight is hindered due to the parked cars. Possibly bump outs would solve the problem. Better definition of Stewart Ave and Campus Road intersection will be referred to staff along with Jon Meigs; there was general support from the Board, further discussion will follow. Redesign of University and Willard Way intersection is underway, will be referred to staff and involve further discussion. The consideration of sidewalks on the north side of State Street will be discussed at a future meeting. Improvements from Route 366 to the Ithaca/Mitchell Street intersection will be referred to staff. Consideration of four - way stops at Buffalo & Plain, Buffalo & Albany, Court & Albany and Court & Plain will be referred to staff and discussed at future meetings. The installation of a flashing light on Buffalo Street in the school zone is underway. Traffic counts for pre and post Route 96 construction is underway and will return to the Board for discussion. The installation of bump -outs at Buffalo, Court, Esty and Cascadilla intersections with Meadow will be discussed at a future meeting. Mr. Daley stated that the bump -outs will remind motorists that they are entering residential neighborhoods. Discussion will take place on the synchronization of traffic signals, as will the consideration of installing experimental speed humps. Improved pedestrian safety for crossing Meadow Street will be referred to the Planning Department and return to the Board for discussion. The Board will continue to sort the list of recommendations from the Traffic Task force at the next COW meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary Page - 3