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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1996-07-24BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE July 24, 1996 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Davidoff, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Seligmann, Vargas, Mayor Cohen, Alderperson Mackesey, Superintendent Gray, Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. Additions: Request to Remove Ten Dollar Sidewalk Permit Fee Request for Tree Removal on Tompkins Street Esty Street Sidewalks There were no deletions from the agenda. 1. Review of Free Bus Pass Policy. Comm. Reeves told the board that in 1992, Common Council had approved a one year experiment allowing full time employees free use of Ithaca Transit. This decision was meant to encourage employees to use mass transit. Sine that first year, there hasn't been a policy adopted, but employees have been allowed free use. Nancy Oltz, Transit Manager, was present to address the board. Ms. Oltz distributed a hand out which indicated the number of free rides given since 1993, figures have risen each year. She noted that though this may be promoting transit use, the city is losing state aid. She explained that the state bases the aid on the amount of paying riders, therefore ridership numbers reported to the state are below the actual number. Ms. Oltz told the board that the state does allow a municipality to subsidize the free rides in order to make the rides count. She then proposed three options to the board: 1) Full time permanent employees ride for free, upon showing the driver an ID card. These fees will be subsidized by the city and will be a temporary arrangement until the transit consolidation is complete. 2) Temporary employees will have the same benefit as option 1 and will also be subsidized. 3) In order to prepare for the transit consolidation, the city would develop a program which would allow city employees to ride all of the transit system for free. Ms. Oltz stated that she is recommending option 3 in order to prepare the transit system for the consolidated system which will be adopted. Discussion followed concerning employees receiving free transit. It was suggested that employees be given an option to ride for free or park in a city lot for free. It was noted that Cornell allows their employees to ride for free; a certain number of parking passes are given since employees may need to drive on occasion. The board decided to vote on a resolution accepting options 1 and 2. It was noted that accepting the two options will have impacts on the budget. A resolution will be presented at the next regular meeting. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole Meeting July 24, 1996 2. Report on Handball Court in Wood Street Park. Paul Stevenson of the Planning Department was present and explained that he has received public input for the project. There did not seem to be any real concerns from the neighborhood. He explained that the court would be near the basketball court and would run perpendicular to Meadow Street. One of the backstops on a softball field will need to be moved a few feet. A resolution will be voted on at the next regular meeting approving of the proposed plan for the handball court in Wood Street Park. 3. Access to Six Mile Creek Natural Area. Dan Hoffman, Chairperson of the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee, was present to address the board. Mr. Hoffman noted that they have received several complaints that people are in the natural area late at night. He explained that the current regulations state the area is closed between "sunset and sunrise" and that the committee feels this is very vague. The committee has requested the board to review the regulation and adopt a time period that prohibits anyone to be in the area. The committee is suggesting that the time be between 11:00 pm and 4:00 am. In addition, they are requesting that the parking area at Giles Street have the same time restrictions. Mr. Hoffman added that appropriate signage should be installed to alert the public to both restrictions. Comm. Reeves pointed out that all city parks close at 10:00 pm and that this area may be included in that regulation. This request will be forwarded to the Parks Commission for their review and will return to the board. 4. Parking Meter Installation at Firehouse Theatre. Comm. Reeves informed the board that in November of 1993, the board received a request to remove a meter at 136 West State Street in order for deliveries to be made. The board had passed a resolution that directed staff to remove the meter and re- install "No Parking" signs. Signs were not installed and recently, staff began work to install a new meter. Tom Newton of the Firehouse Theater brought the meter installation to the board's attention. Mayor Cohen told the board that there is a curb cut at this location and that the area is an active delivery area. Supt. Gray stated that he checked the delivery status with the Police Department, which claims to have never seen deliveries. He then suggested that a meter be installed and that a meter bag may be issued when deliveries are necessary. Comm. Davidoff noted that his office is nearby and that he has frequently observed Mr. Newton's car illegally parked at the curb cut and that deliveries are made about once a month. Discussion followed concerning the legal right for access to the curb cut and whether a meter should be installed. Comm. Vargas suggested staying with the original resolution. The board agreed that "No Parking" signs will be installed and that Mr. Newton should be sent a letter stating that the area is for deliveries only and that the no parking restriction will be enforced. Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS iiW Committee of the Whole Meeting July 24, 1996 5. Request to Remove Ten Dollar Sidewalk Permit Fee Comm. Reeves told the board that Alderperson Efroymson has requested that the $10 fee for sidewalk permits be removed and permits issued after April 1, 1996 be refunded. Supt. Gray explained that the fee covers staff time to give technical information, setting of grades, inspections and administrative work. He added that staff had recently suggested that the fee be raised to better reflect staff time involved. Mayor Cohen expressed to the board that there is a larger issue of whether the city or homeowners should pay for new sidewalk. Comm. Ehrhardt suggested that this topic not be acted on until the sidewalk issue is reviewed and settled. 6. Request for Tree Removal on Tompkins Street Comm. Reeves told the board that she has received a request from a Tompkins Street resident to remove three trees which are believed to be hazardous due to large limbs that have already fallen. Mayor Cohen explained to the board that one of the trees is on the resident's property and therefore the city cannot remove it. The second tree is on the neighboring property between the sidewalk and curb and the third tree is across the street, also between the sidewalk and curb. He added that the trees have been looked at by City Forester Andy Hillman and the tree across the street is in need of being removed. He indicated that the other city tree was not a priority although it could cause a threat in time. Discussion followed concerning staff removing both trees at the same time. The board decided that this issue should be handled by staff and that the residents be notified of any work to be done. 7. Esty Street Sidewalks. This issue is a continuation from previous board discussions. Mayor Cohen suggested that the board pass a resolution to install the walks at no cost to property owners. He added that it should be made clear that this action will not set a precedent. He then questioned if it would be cheaper to install sidewalk this year instead of next year? Supt. Gray noted that the sidewalks could have been done at 2/3 the cost had it been included with the original project. He added that if the work is done next year, portions of the landscaping will be torn out, making it more expensive. Comm. Reeves reminded the board that the budget does not include funds to install the sidewalks. It was suggested that the cost of the sidewalks be split between the city and the property owner. This item will continue at a future committee of the whole meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary Page - 3