HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1995-10-18BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
October 18, 1995
NOTES
PRESENT: Commissioners Reeves, Seligmann, Smith, Mayor Nichols, Superintendent
Gray, Assistant Superintendents Fabbroni and Ferrel.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda.
I. Discussion of CU Transit Policies.
Bill Wendt, CU Transit Director, was present to address the board concerning parking on
Cornell and in residential areas of the city. Cornell and the city are now working on a plan
to consolidate university, city and county bus routes. This would eliminate overlapping of
routes and be more efficient. Hopefully this plan will be in place by 8/96. Dir. Wendt
agrees that the city and university must work together to solve parking problems. The
university does promote the idea of public transit and walking, instead of having a car, to
students coming to the university. There are also some very successful programs for
employees and staff that encourage using public transit and /or parking in the peripheral
lots on campus. Also, more short-term metered parking is available on campus. They
expect to add even more spaces in the near future. A map was handed out showing
parking on campus. There is parking available on campus, but it is not as convenient as
parking on city streets. A list of ideas for mitigating Cornell related parking problems was
handed out by Alderperson Schroeder. Any more ideas can be passed along to the
Planning Committee within the next month.
2. Request to Alter Sidewalk at 106 & 108 Cascadilla Park Road
John Steffens & Rosa Spivey, residents on 106 Cascadilla Park Road, and Kathleen
Lilley, of 108 Cascadilla Park Road, were present to talk to the board about rebuilding the
sidewalk in front of their properties. The walk is too high and presents problems with
parking and opening doors of vehicles. Alderperson Schroeder stated that it is also a
safety problem because someone could fall from the curb. He recommended that the city
help in bringing this sidewalk up to standards. The property owners would like to have the
sidewalk lowered, but they no longer wish to have a pull -off built.
There was much discussion as to who was responsible for the walk being built this
way. There are no records showing who did the work or when work was done. This
condition existed when the property owners purchased the property. Comm. Reeves
stated that when you buy property you assume the responsibility of maintaining and
repairing the property. Sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner, not the city.
The curbing along the street is the responsibility of the city. Mayor Nichols suggested that
the city could supply the labor and the curbing, if the owners would supply the materials.
Asst. Supt. Ferrel stated that it is on the work schedule for this year, so it wouldn't affect
next year's budget. The board agreed to vote on a resolution concerning this work at the
next regular meeting.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole Meeting
October 18, 1995
3. Request for Parking in Dryden Road Garage IFD
Dylan Willoughby, Senior Bunker of the Ithaca Fire Department bunkers at Station #9, was
present to request parking permits for four bunkers to park at the parking lot on Dryden
Road. Most of the parking would be nights, so the spaces would still be available during
the day. Comm. Seligmann suggested that the permits should be granted for one year,
but then all free parking permits issued to the fire department should be reviewed. Supt.
Gray and Comm. Smith also stated that the fire department should pay for these parking
spaces out of their budget in the future. A resolution granting the parking spaces will be
voted on at the next regular meeting.
4. Request for Sewer Bill Reduction
A request for a reduction in his sewer bill was presented to the board for Thomas Allen by
Asst. Supt. Fabbroni at Mr. Allen's written request. Mr. Allen feels that his sewer bill
should be reduced because a percentage of water usage was for watering his flower
beds, so it did not go into the sewer system. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni stated that this is
figured in the calculations for billing. A resolution denying this requested will be voted on
at the next regular meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
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Notes taken by:
Marjorie Holcomb
Senior Typist