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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-11-16BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE November 16, 1994 NOTES e 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 or deletions from the agenda 1. ParxlnO Meters ProieCI xpans on - ower t Ct Caleb Kleppner and Andrew Schulman of 116 Oak Avenue were present to address the board. Both were opposed to the installation of additional meters on Oak Avenue. They stated that there are many houses without off street parking. Mr. Schulman questioned if the board had considered a plan for alternate parking for the residents. Mayor Nichols noted that the city is not obligated to provide parking for residents or commuters. Comm. Rusoff noted that there are several streets in the city which require residents to arrange for off street parking. It was noted that the city should encourage Cornell to find alternate parking for their employees and students. This would alleviate some of the parking problems. Supt. Gray noted that the purpose of meters are to circulate the cars, insure the resource of parking is made available and assist in snow removal. If cars are left for long periods of time, snow removal becomes very difficult. Mayor Nichols noted that the meters will not effect overnight parking. Comm. Reeves read a letter received from 42 Cornell employees opposed to the installation of parking meters. Alderperson Schroeder noted that there are two areas of the proposal that he would like to see made "No Parking," Supt. Gray added that the layout is a proposal and not a finalized plan. 14. PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS. A. Expansion of Metered Parking Project. By: Commissioner Tripp; seconded by: Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, the city has undertaken a Capital Project (CP 285) to install parking meters on Thurston Avenue between Barton Place and the eastern end of Wait Avenue, and WHEREAS, there are several similar areas along Stewart Avenue and Oak Avenue where parking meters can be installed to regulate usage, reduce congestion, encourage off- street parking and reflects their current use as linear parking lot, and WHEREAS, the installed meters are projected to have less than a two year payback period after considering installation, depreciation, collection, enforcement and administration expenses; now, therefore, be it BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 16, 1994 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the current Capital Project 285 be expanded from $40,000 to $140,000 to cover east hill parking meters and forwards this resolution to the B&A Committee for their review. Discussion followed. The board agreed that finalization of the layout could be handled by staff and the parking subcommittee. The finalized layout will be presented at a future meeting. Mayor Nichols asked that a letter be sent to Cornell University urging their assistance in the parking solutions. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 2 -Pall Park Ballfield Lighting. Alderperson Shenk explained that a resident on west hill has complained about the ballfield lights at Cass Park. She said that she understood that the cross arms on the poles are in need of repair. She asked if staff could gather information on replacement of the cross arms and if the lights could be redirected during the process. She also asked if the contract with the softball league could be negotiated to include an earlier shut off time for the lights. Comm. Tripp asked Alderperson Shenk to see if other residents agreed that the lights are a problem. Alderperson Shenk noted that there is an upcoming West Hill Civic Association meeting and discussion would Include this topic. This item will return to the board at a future meeting. $ Suicide Barrier for Bridges Officer Dan Slattery of the Ithaca Police Department was present to address the board. Officer Slattery is a member of the department's Recovery Team. He explained that he has been involved with many recovery cases that were accidents and actual suicides. He noted the dangers that the recovery team faces when a case occurs. He explained that students hang around the Central Avenue bridge where many of the accidents have occurred, increasing the chances of accidents. He suggested that due to the nature of this problem the city should work with Cornell on this matter. He presented that board with a design of a bridge barrier that could be made and installed by DPW. The barrier would not be visible to vehicles passing by. It would hang 15 feet below the bridge and could not be defeated by someone trying to jump out of it. There are statistics showing the effectiveness of the barriers. Officer Slattery noted that he is trying to obtain pictures of the barriers located on the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco. Since its installation, suicides from the bridge have decreased. Alderperson Schroeder stated that he is against the installation of the barriers. He added that the funds could be used for programs that attack the root Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 16, 1994 of the cause. Supt. Gray noted that staff was previously asked by the board to present a design for barriers. He added that the proposal from Officer Slattery will be considered in the design. This Issue will be discussed at a future meeting when the design from staff is available. 4 Outdoor Skating at Auburn Park Dominique Bouchard of 212 W. Lincoln Street addressed the board with his proposal to have an outdoor skating rink at one of the city parks. He explained that he would like to flood an area of a park for free skating and for hockey playing. He added that he would donate his time to prepare and maintain the skating area. Since writing his letter of request, he realized that Conway Park was a better location than Auburn Park. He noted that Conway has a chain link fence and is a flatter area. Supt. Gray said that he is concerned with the use of the hydrant, sufficient training would be needed. Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that in the 1960's, the city provided a skating area for the community. Comm. Seligmann questioned the liability of the project. Mr. Bouchard said that he was willing to sign a waiver of any injury on his part. Comm. Tripp requested that Mr. Bouchard receive input from the neighborhood. The board's consensus was that Mr. Bouchard be allowed to create and maintain a skating area on a trial basis and that the City Attorney be consulted on the issue of liability. 5. 1995 Budget. Supt. Gray explained that B &A requested that the proposed increase of 7 1/2% be lowered to 4 1/2 %. He has been negotiating the budget for several days with Controller Cafferillo. Asst. Supt. Ferrel told the board of the proposed changes from the originally proposed budget. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni reviewed the W &S budget and noted that the requested equipment is still in the budget. He also noted that there will be rate increases for water and sewer. Supt. Gray gave the board a brief overview comparison of the 1990 budget to the 1995 proposed budget. Asst. Supt. Ferrel listed the various projects from 1993 and 1994 that have gone unfinished due to lack of funds and staffing. Comm. Reeves also listed requests from the board that have not been completed. The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary Page - 3