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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1996-01-31BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE January 31, 1996 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Davidoff, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Seligmann, Smith, Mayor Cohen, Assistant Superintendent Ferrel. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. Additions: CDBG Report There were no deletions from the agenda. 1. Traffic Requests - 804 Stewart Avenue Matthew Carmona, Vice President of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, and Scott Beick, board member of Alpha Sigma Phi, were present to request that the board consider removing parking meters from the 800 block of Stewart Avenue. They explained that when the city rebuilt the Stewart Avenue bridge, the elevation of the road changed and therefore, the grade of their driveway increased. Mr. Carmona stated that during the winter it is often difficult to leave the driveway. He explained that before the meters were installed, the brothers could park for free on the street. He told the board that most of the people in the house park their cars during the day and walk to campus making it difficult to keep putting money in the meters. He added that they are the only house on the block and that they don't feel the city brings in a lot of revenue from those meters. Supt. Gray told the board that he cannot confirm that the elevation has changed. He explained that the reason for installing the meters is to regulate the parking. There is a need for parking in the area and the meters insure that there will be a turn over in parking. He added that this is not an isolated problem and that it exists all over the city. Supt. Gray pointed out that the meters are programed to accept money prior to the regulated time period. This should avoid any problems of long term parking during the day. Comm. Seligmann stated that parking at the meters is the price for owning a car. Comm. Ehrhardt agreed with Comm. Seligmann and noted that there is a real problem with parking in the downtown area. Mayor Cohen suggested that the fraternity take up this issue and possibly pay for the parking through its budget. He added that he understands that the Fire Department may also reduce the number of spaces within the property parking area. Comm. Smith thanked Mr. Carmona and Mr. Beick for presenting their case and noted he did not foresee the board removing the meters. A resolution will be presented at the next regular meeting denying the request to remove the meters. 2. Continued Discussion of 1996 Enaineerina Work Schedule Supt. Gray explained that the information distributed at the last COW meeting was a draft and for discussion purposes only. He stated that he understood there were some questions from the last meeting. One question was why the administrative support was included in the work schedule? He explained that without the support, the office cannot function. Discussion followed concerning the number of staff members, current and BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole Meeting January 31, 1996 past; the status of the position of City Engineer; and several of the projects slated for completion. It was noted that the Planning Department has organized several new projects which Common Council has approved resulting in more projects for the Engineering Department. Discussion followed concerning the communication between the board and council. It was suggested that the board establish a list of priorities and pass them on to council for their review. Comm. Seligmann suggested that the list be based on what projects have to be done, such as projects already contracted, liability or safety issues, projects which have money dedicated to them for a limited time and preventative maintenance projects. The board asked Supt. Gray to break down the projects into these categories, including one for items that don't fit into these topics. This item will continue at the next COW meeting. 3. Cliff Street Parking Area. This item will be tabled until the next meeting. Mayor Cohen noted that the board had requested to review the proposed drawings for the project. He also wanted information on the use of the area, will it be for commuters or residents? This item will return to the next COW agenda. 4. CDBG Report. Comm. Reeves told the board that she met with Paul Stevenson of the Planning Department and reviewed the CDBG projects that are currently underway. The Southside project is being held up by the project engineer. The Cleveland Avenue project is continuing in the planning stages. The Mutual Housing Street was started, while the Northside park project is waiting for Lake Street to be decommissioned. Some work remains at Conway Park but does not concern the board. Wood Street Park is completed except for the proposed handball court. 5. Discussion of DPW Staff at COW Meetings Mayor Cohen stated that he wanted to the board to be aware that he will be talking to Assistant Superintendents Fabbroni and Ferrel whether they want to continue attending COW meetings on a regular basis. Mayor Cohen indicated that quite often agendas do not contain items that require their input. He added that he feels if an issue pertains to them, they should attend the meetings. Mayor Cohen said that he would follow up with discussions with Mr. Fabbroni and Mr. Ferrel regarding this matter. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary Page - 2