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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1995-05-03BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE May 3, 1995 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Ehrhardt, Seligmann, Smith, Tripp, Reeves, Mayor Nichols, Alderperson Johnson, Superintendent Gray, Assistant Superintendents Fabbroni and Ferrel. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. There were no deletions from the agenda. Additions: Trash Pick Up Program in Conjunction with State Theater. I. Reorganization of uperintendent/Engineering Off ice This item is a continuation of an item from the April 19, 1995 Committee of the Whole meeting. Tom West, Civil Engineer, was present to continue reviewing the work load of the Engineering Office. He reviewed DPW Support, Traffic Engineering work, Interdepartmental Support and miscellaneous work which is scheduled for 1995. The board realized that all the work is significant and that there are not enough staff hours to complete the work. Comm. Reeves questioned what the board wanted to do next. Supt. Gray stated that he could present a summary sheet with options for the board. Mayor Nichols noted that a request for job re- classification has been received from one Junior Engineer. He added that the level of work being performed warranted the remaining two positions to file requests. Comm. Reeves suggested that the re- classifications be looked at during a COW meeting. Supt. Gray noted that he intends to include the entire office and that this item should be discussed in executive session at that time. Comm. Tripp agreed that the board should move forward with the re- classifications. This item will continue at the next committee of the whole meeting. 2. Partitioning of Outdoor Dining Areas Supt. Gray noted that last week, discussion had taken place concerning separation of outdoor dining and pedestrian traffic. He noted that establishments with a liquor license, are required to have outdoor dining physically partitioned from pedestrians, while establishments without a license are not required to do so. He further explained that if a resolution stating a partitioning policy were to be passed, he could handle the tabled request from Basics /Collegetown Bagels. A resolution setting a policy for partitioning of outdoor dining will be presented at the next regular meeting. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS r COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING May 3, 1995 3. Trash Pick Up Program in Conjunction with State Theater. Comm. Reeves explained that the State Theater is willing to give free movie tickets for groups who clean up trash around neighborhoods. Camilla Lappin of the Ithaca Performing Arts Center, has written a letter asking to work in cooperation with the city's Neighborhood Clean Up Program. Comm. Reeves reminded the board that Common Council did not allocate funds for this program. Mayor Nichols noted that there are funds from last year that are still available. Alderperson Johnson stated that there is a proposed resolution before Common Council to designate funds for the program. The board agreed that this offer is a generous one and that participants in the program could take the city's application to the theater to receive their free tickets. 4. Report from Traffic Committee Comm. Reeves noted that Dan Cole, Traffic Systems Engineer, and the Board of Fire Commissioners have submitted letters to the board. Mr. Cole had noted that he is concerned that decisions should be based on established engineering standards. Charles Jennings, Chair of the Board of Fire Commissioners, requested that all proposed traffic calming devices be reviewed by the Fire Commissioners. Comm. Ehrhardt reviewed the guidelines for processing requests for traffic changes. He noted that during the request review procedure there are three opportunities to answer the requests, whether it be to deny or accommodate the request. The first step is receiving the request, next, existing technical information is collected. The third step is for the board to review the information collected and to decide if the request warrants further consideration. If the request continues, staff is asked to analyze the proposal. The fifth step is to receive input from other departments. The sixth step allows DPW to introduce an alternate proposal. The next step would require staff to notify all parties impacted by the changes. Discussion followed on step seven. Comm. Seligmann stated that he is concerned that motorists are not given notice of changes. It was noted that public announcements could be made. Comm. Ehrhardt added that notifying the surrounding neighborhood could be very expensive and time consuming and that reasonable notification through the media would be appropriate. Due to time constraints, this item will continue at the next Committee of the Whole. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary Page - 2