Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1996-12-04BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE December 4, 1996 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Davidoff, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Seligmann, Smith, Vargas, Mayor Cohen, Alderperson Mackesey, Superintendent Gray and Assistant Superintendent Larry Fabbroni (arrived at 4:30). Commissioner Reeves Chaired the meeting. There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. 1. Cornell Lake Source Cooling Proiect - Update. Liz Vastbinder of Cornell University was present to update the board on the Lake Source Cooling Project. She told the board that the DEIS should be completed by February and that the next step was for DEC approval, that would come during the Fall of 1997, the next step would be public review, then CU trustees' review and then construction could begin in the Spring of 1998. It is hoped that Cornell will be on line in 2000. Supt. Gray noted that the city is the source of some complications to the project. He explained that the city will complete utility work while CU has the street open. He firâ–º noted that the city crews will be coordinating work with Cornell's contractor. Ms. Vastbinder noted that about 1/3 of the route will be in the street, small sections will be completed at a time in order to minimize impacts. The board will be updated on this item as the project progresses. 2. Parking Lot Operations. Discussion included the proposed parking equipment and expected revenues for 1997. Comm. Reeves noted that Assistant Civil Engineer Lynne Yost anticipates revenue to increase with the new equipment since there will be more accountability. At this point, it is recommended not to raise monthly permit rates. A. Request for free parking at Christmas. This item is continued from a previous meeting. DII has requested that the board allow free parking in the downtown area on December 23 and 24, 1996. It was noted that the anticipated parking revenues are about $12,000 more than the original projection figures for the 1996 budget. Comm. Ehrhardt questioned if the loss of approximately $5,000 for two days of free parking should be a concern considering the "overage." Discussion followed concerning possible free parking at the meters and how employees should be urged to park in the lots and not at meters. The board agreed that council should be consulted on the decision whether to allow free parking at the meters on the two days before Christmas. This item will be voted on at the next regular meeting to allow free parking in the downtown lots and possibly the meters, if approved by council. B. 1997 Rates. The board agreed that hourly rates and permit rates in the downtown garages should remain as they are until additional data can be obtained by the proposed parking equipment. City Chamberlain Parsons suggested that the Dryden Road Garage permits be raised in order to meet market demand. She explained that the current BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole Meeting December 4, 1996 program contains a lottery system in order to distribute the permits. There are currently 95 permits available and far more applicants; the ideal amount of permits would be 75. She noted that the lottery system is very time consuming. Ms. Parsons noted that the current rates are $60 for day and $44 for night permits. Comm. Smith suggested raising both permits to $75. The board agreed to raise the price in hopes to meet market demand. A resolution will be voted on at the next regular meeting to approve of the new parking permit rate for Dryden Road Garage. C. DII Stickers - Discount purchases and rules. The consensus of the board was that the merchant rate for the stickers would remain at 25 cents each. It was suggested that the sticker program be extended to the BID once they are in operation. Supt. Gray noted that there is a problem with receipt of tickets with several stickers on them. This was not the intent of the city. Mayor Cohen stated that he would speak to the merchants about this problem and explain to them that practice is abuse of the system. D. Residential Parking Lots. Supt. Gray explained to the board that guidelines for the newly residential parking lots created by the Route 96 project have not been established. He noted that the only way to enforce who parks in the lots is by permit. In addition, permits would allow revenue to cover maintenance of the lots. Comm. Seligmann stated he feels that a fee should be charged from the beginning. He noted that after several months of free parking, residents would feel they are loosing a privileged. It was noted that the city is not obligated to provide the residents free parking. A resolution will be presented to the board at their next regular meeting approving a permit fee for the residential lots. 3. Trash Tags. Supt. Gray explained to the board that he has received requests for elimination of multiple trash tags and establish a one -tag system. City Chamberlain Parsons noted that it is difficult to judge how many tags to order, for example the 20 pound tag recently sold out while there is an extra amount of the 35 pound tag. A one -tag system would ease the administration of the tags for the Chamberlain's Office. With a one -tag system, multiple tags could be placed on a bag. Mayor Cohen stated that he did not want to see an increase in the price of the tags. A resolution will be presented to the board approving a one tag system. 4. Request for Waiver of Pavilion Fee at Stewart Park Comm. Reeves explained to the board that the National Multiple Sclerosis is requesting a waiver of the Stewart Park Pavilion fee for their walk -a -thon in April 1997. She noted that the board does not allow waivers except for the city employee picnic and the Ithaca Festival. The board agreed that based on past policy, waiver of the fee could not be granted. A resolution will be presented at the next regular meeting to deny the request. Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole Meeting December 4, 1996 5. 1997 Outdoor Dining Fees. Comm. Reeves explained that the current Outdoor Dining fee is $7 per square feet. She noted that the board had expressed concern with the amount and asked if there were any suggestions of a reduced rate. Discussion followed concerning the fees of push carts. Supt. Gray noted that prior to a square footage rate, merchants were charged based on assessments. The consensus of the board was to look at information from the push cart vendors and discuss the issue at a future meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. A Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary Page - 3