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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1996-02-21BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE February 21, 1996 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Davidoff, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Seligmann, Smith, Mayor Cohen, Assistant Superintendents Fabbroni and Ferrel. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. 1. Disability Advisory Council - Request to Improve City Hall Restrooms Comm. Davidoff told the board that DAC would like to make a presentation to the board at a future COW meeting. He noted that DAC will be forwarding written comments on this topic. 2. Golf Course Concession. Comm. Smith noted that the bids will be open on February 27, 1996 and that the board was invited to attend. 3. Report from Traffic Committee - Williams Street Comm. Ehrhardt noted that this item has been dealt with at the staff level. Traffic Systems Engineer Dan Cole has looked into the request for two way traffic and found that the simplest way to rectify the problem is by changing signage. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that the street is not wide enough for two way traffic. Instead, new stripping will be installed, the "One -way" sign will be relocated and an additional "Do Not Enter" sign will be installed. This should clear up any problems that motorists currently encounter. 4. Continued Discussion of 1996 Engineering Work Schedule Supt. Gray distributed a list of projects which was prioritized and included the amount of hours to complete each project. He told the board that there are currently 8,833 engineering work hours available for 1996. He noted that the department lacks about 7,000 hours to complete the funded Capital Projects. Comm. Reeves added that there are several projects, such as Stewart Ave. bricks and suicide bridge barriers which are not included in the list. Supt. Gray indicated that approximately 1200 hours will need to be spent on the Route 96 project. This project is a priority since the department will need to drop current projects and assist during crucial times. Discussion followed concerning grants which the Planning Department has applied for. It was noted that engineering assistance is required on all grant projects adding to the burden of staff shortage. Comm. Ehrhardt suggested that the board review the list and cross off the low priority items. Once a list of projects with the available time is established, it should be given to B &A and Common Council. Mayor Cohen noted that he hopes to be able to hire a Computer Systems Administrator to alleviate the hours spent on computer r► support. This item will continue later in the meeting. A BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole Meeting February 21, 1996 5. Request for Expungement of Trash Tag Bill - 423 First Street Angelo Petito, owner of 423 First Street, was present to address the board. Mr. Petito previously addressed the board at the regular meeting on February 14, 1996 to appeal a trash tag violation received by his tenant, Hair It Is. The tenant claims to have made an agreement with the garbage crews to place the tag under the lid of the trash can since they had an ongoing problem with stolen tags. The violation occurred because there wasn't a tag on the can. Supt. Gray explained that the crew had attached a warning sticker indicating why the garbage had not been picked up. Had the tenant taken the garbage back in or called Streets and Facilities to solve the problem, a bill could have been avoided. Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that this is not the only location with the arrangement of placing the tag under the lid and that as a rule, the crews do look there for the tag. Comm. Seligmann stated that he was willing to expunge the violation. Mayor Cohen agreed and that it would be a one time occurrence, if it happens again, it will not be expunged. Supt. Gray questioned if the board would like to give forgiveness on all first occurrences? Comm. Davidoff stated he feels that in this situation, he felt the tenant made a genuine effort to comply. Comm. Smith agreed and noted that maybe the system should be looked at. Comm. Ehrhardt questioned if the orange warning sticker is adequate notification? Mayor Cohen suggested looking at selling trash bags as opposed to trash tags. The consensus of the board was to expunge the trash violation and to review the warning system at a future meeting. 6. Youth Bureau Rock Climbing Request Dan Hoffman of the Six Mile Creek Committee had written a letter to the board recommending that a resolution be passed requesting council to modify chapter 320-4 of the City Code. The BPW reviewed this item in 1984 and passed a resolution which would allow rock climbing in Six Mile Creek if supervised by the Youth Bureau. Recently while in the gorge, the Youth Bureau was informed by the Gorge Ranger that the code does not permit rock climbing. Rick Deitrich of the Youth Bureau approached the Six Mile Creek Committee to request that the code be changed. The Six Mile Creek Committee has reviewed the item and is recommending the Board of Public Works request that the Law and Governance Committee review the item and that Common Council adopt it into the code. Mr. Dietrich indicated that the supervisors and the program would be periodically reivewed by the Six Mile Creek Committee and the City Attorney. The board will vote on a resolution at their next regular meeting to recommend that the code be modified to allow rock and ice climbing by the Youth Bureau only. Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole Meeting February 21, 1996 7. Discussion of Cliff Street Parking Area Supt. Gray explained to the board that the contractor for the Route 96 project needs to dispose of large amounts of fill. The Planning Department is proposing that the contractor buy a parcel of land on Cliff Street, build a parking lot with the fill and then negotiate to sell the lot to the city. The city would then be responsible for maintenance of the lot. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted that the city does not need fill elsewhere in the city and that the this would be an inexpensive way for the contractor to get rid of a lot of fill. It was noted that the lot is apparently for the residents of Cliff Street. Comm. Seligmann stated that he is not willing to approve of a parking lot and that the residents are responsible for their own parking. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted that when the city rebuilt Cliff Street the sidewalk was constructed to withstand parked cars. Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that the possibility of using fill on Floral Avenue for additional parking is an alternative. The board decided against this since it would require city resources to clear the land and to re- landscape it. The board will vote on a resolution denying the proposal for a parking area on Cliff Street. 8. Continued Discussion of 1996 Engineering Work Schedule The board continued this discussion from earlier in the meeting. The board continued to review the project list. Discussion included which projects should be taken off the list to be presented to Council. Supt. Gray explained the need for each project. The board discussed the possibility of having the parking lot equipment in place by August. Supt. Gray pointed out that the bid documents need to be developed. Once the project is bid, the department will need to oversee the installation. The process will take about six weeks. The board concluded that they must present a finalized list of projects to be completed at the next B &A meeting. Comm. Smith asked Supt. Gray to furnish the board with a finalized work schedule for the department. The schedule should include the projects to be completed and the amount of time needed from each available position. This list will then be forwarded to Common Council for them to see why all of the projects will not be completed. This item will continue at the next COW meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary Page - 3