HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1995-03-01BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
March 1, 1995
NOTES
PRESENT: Commissioners Ehrhardt, Smith, Tripp, Rusoff, Reeves, Mayor Nichols,
Alderperson Johnson, Superintendent Gray, and Assistant Superintendents Ferrel and
Fabbroni.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
Additions: Appointment of Traffic Procedure Sub - Committee
There were no deletions from the agenda.
1. momtment o ra is ro _e ure u ommittee
Mayor Nichols noted that the sub - committee to draft guidelines on how to handle
traffic requests would consist of two board members (one being the traffic
commissioner), the BPW council liaison, the Chair for the Traffic Task Force and the
Traffic Systems Engineer. After a brief discussion, it was decided that one BPW
member would be sufficient. The committee will report back at the first COW meeting
in April.
2, Union Field Lighting - Update from Committee
Gina Hurney from the Ithaca Amateur Softball Association, presented a proposal to
the board. She explained that the men's schedule would remain the same as last
years. The women's schedule would consist of only one late night game a week while
the season is extended by seven days in order to play the same number of games.
She added that the schedule is weather dependent and is expected to start in May
and end in August. Ms. Hurney questioned if the city is willing to pay for the
additional maintenance for the seven days. She noted that the league had not
planned on the extended season and cannot financially afford the maintenance. She
added that the league is to be responsible for 60% of the cost for field maintenance.
Mayor Nichols recommended that the city pay for the additional seven days of
maintenance. Ms. Hurney also questioned the use of the lighting during those seven
days. It was decided that staff would look at this issue. Comm. Reeves noted that
the proposed schedule is acceptable to the West Hill residents. She added that this
was the first phase in resolving the issue. The residents are still negotiating with the
Youth Bureau since it has fall soccer and football programs that use the fields. It was
decide that a resolution would be voted on at the next regular meeting to accept the
IASA proposal for the 1995 softball season.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
March 1, 1995
3. Update on Inlet Island
Alderperson John Schroeder was present to update the board on substituting park
land on Inlet Island. He noted that the several federally funded parcels were to be
alienated and that other parcels would be obtained to substitute that land. He noted
that Federal approval looks promising although the process is rather lengthy and could
take up to two years.
4. Discussion on Water Shed
The board adjourned into Executive Session for this item at 4:45 pm and reconvened
at 5:15 pm.
5. Update on East Gateway Study.
Alderperson Schroeder was present for this item. He explained that the east entrance
into the city is not an attractive one. He noted three proposed changes which would
improve the aesthetics. The first would include several plantings near the tuning fork,
second would be to realign the Aurora and State Streets intersection and third would
be to extend the curb area on the west side of Aurora Street to allow additional
outdoor dining and eliminating on street parking. It was noted that the parking on the
west side of Aurora Street is not seen as crucial since the Seneca Street garage is
close by.
6. Request for No Parking on Maple Avenue
Supt. Gray noted that he spoke to Bill Wendt of Cornell who indicated that the parking
on Maple Avenue will not be required once their parking lot is built. Comm. Smith
questioned how the street became a priority with the bicyclists. David Nutter, of the
Bicycle Advisory Council, explained the main routes that bicycles travel to show the
demand for use of Maple Avenue. The board agreed that a resolution should be
voted on to prohibit parking on the north side of Maple Avenue.
The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Notes taken by:
Donna L. Payne
Administrative Secretary
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