Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-10-05BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE October 5, 1994 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Gerard, Seligmann, Smith, Tripp, Rusoff, Reeves, Mayor Nichols, Alderperson Johnson, Superintendent Gray and Assistant Superintendents Fabbroni and Ferrel Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. 1. Trash n in West End. Jim Kelly, Asst. Super. for Recycling and Refuse was present to answer questions from the board. Mr. Kelly stated that the criteria for placement of trash cans depend on the amount of pedestrian traffic. He noted that the city is experiencing a problem with household and commercial garbage being thrown into public cans. Discussion followed on the amount of trash being picked up from various public cans. Joseph Lee from The Next Step hair salon was present. He noted that. the pedestrian = traffic on West State Street is increasing and the need for cans is obvious due to the amount of trash on the street. Deputy Planning Director Herman Sieverding noted that the West End Merchants voted down a proposed Business Improvement District which would have provided funds for trash removal. Comm. Rusoff stated that she is concerned with the appearance of the city and that she supported the idea of providing a couple of cans. Comm. Seligmann agreed with Comm. Rusoff`s statement. It was suggested that cans with smaller openings be placed, this would discourage illegal dumping. Supt. Gray noted that to place vandal proof cans would be very inefficient since most of them include locks on them. Mr. Kelly noted that nothing can be done to violators unless they are caught in the act. Comm. Smith suggested that signs stating that illegal dumping can result in a fine be posted on all cans. Comm. Rusoff suggested that the BPW recommend that Common Council look at the ordinance and include posting of trash cans. Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that if additional pick up is to be required of the crew, a compromise would have to be made due to recent cut backs in staff. Comm. Gerard suggested that a couple of cans be removed from the Commons or Collegetown and placed in the West End in order to keep the same number of cans. The board agreed that illegal dumping in public cans should have a stiffer fine and that a resolution be voted on at the next regular meeting based on discussion. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING October 5, 1994 2. Request for Holiday Lighting in West End Joseph Lee of The Next Step, was present to address the board. Mr. Lee explained that many of the merchants in the West End are interested in purchasing holiday lighting such as those used on the Commons. Mr. Lee explained that he understands that currently there are no electrical outlets for the city to use and requested that measures be taken in order for lights to be installed and used. He added that he has received $1,600 in donations from the merchants for purchasing of the lights. Asst. Supt. Ferrel told the board that City Electrician Jim Crandall has looked at the trees and power sources in the area. It is possible to obtain power from the traffic controllers, at an estimated amount of $19,200. As far as past policy for the Commons, this is something the electricians have always done. Currently, there are 56 trees which take 4 to 6 weeks to decorate. The proposed area has a possibility of an additional 55 trees which would double the time and work. Supt. Gray suggested that the work be hired out to a private contractor. Comm. Guy suggested that the lights on the Commons be reduced and added to the West End area to evenly distribute the lighting. Mr. Lee noted that the merchants do not expect to have all the trees decorated this year; it could start on a small scale and build over the next few years. Comm. Reeves suggested that a resolution be voted on accepting the concept of the holiday lighting and staff to work with Mr. Lee to receive proposals for the work to be done. 3. Abandonment/Sale of Brindley Street Attorney Dan Hoffman and Mark Zaharis, owner of Pete's Grocery, were present to address the board concerning the abandonment of Brindley Street. Mr. Hoffman explained that Mr. Zaharis' store will be effected by the reconstruction of Route 96. He plans to rebuild on an alternate site which he owns between Seneca and Buffalo Streets. He would like to purchase the approximate 60 foot wide right of way of Brindley Street which he is currently leasing. Alderperson Schroeder was present and stated that he does not object to the proposal, but wanted to make the board aware that the area was included in the Inlet Island Master Plan. The board agreed that a section of the land should be kept for a proposed pedestrian walkway and for existing plants. A resolution will be voted on at the next meeting to recommend that Common Council consider the sale of the property. E Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING October 5, 1994 Alderperson John Schroeder was present along with Geoffrey Brown, 205 DeWitt Place, to address the board. Comm. Reeves noted that Chief McEwen has made a recommendation for installation of signage. He suggested that a sign be posted stating "No Thru Traffic City Cemetery Driveway Not a Public Street Violators will be Prosecuted" along with stop signs. Alderperson Schroeder stated that the installation of these signs would be wonderful except that residents often need the use of the street during the winter. He asked that the notes reflect that residents may require emergency access through the city cemetery. Comm. Tripp suggested looking at alternatives such as speed humps. The consensus was to vote on a resolution approving the Chief's recommendations for installation of signage. Comm. Seligmann explained that he has read the report three times and he has several questions about the report. The Task Force did not give data and he did not understand how predictions of traffic flow could be given. He would have liked to see information showing where people are going or coming from. Also, the Task Force used a figure of 2% growth, he noted that if the growth continues as such, it will eventually get out of hand. He did not see anything dealing with the arterials that addressed a 2% growth. The third item he was concerned with was the lack of major arteries. One item the report suggested was to spread traffic throughout the city. He stated that he felt that this would cause more of a hazard throughout the city by increasing traffic. He noted that residential streets should remain low traffic areas. Comm. Reeves stated that the board needs to decide what to do with the recommendations. Comm. Gerard suggested receiving input from the Planning Committee and Traffic Engineer. Comm. Tripp explained that the grid that was worked on at previous meetings was not to accept or reject the report but to determine the value of the recommendations. Supt. Gray noted that the task force limited the scope of what they wanted to deal with. The report consisted of specific areas instead of a master plan that would allow the board to deal with specific areas. It was noted that Common Council has not accepted the report. Comm. Seligmann commented that the report was trial and error since there is no data to base the decisions on. Supt. Gray explained that MPO has no choice but to deal with a more scientific approach. They have adopted a map which indicates arterial and residential streets. Comm. Tripp suggested that the board draft a statement with their recommendations based on the report, it does not need to accept the report in full. Comm. Tripp agreed to write up a draft statement for the board to review. This item will be further discussed at a future meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary Page - 3