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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1998-11-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE November 10, 1998 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Ehrhardt, Gutenberger, Leonardo, Vargas (arrived at 4:30), Mayor Cohen (arrived at 4:20), Superintendent Gray and Assistant Superintendent Ferrel and Fabbroni (arrived at 5:40). Commissioner Ehrhardt chaired the meeting. There were no deletions from the agenda. Additions: TCAT - Final Plans for Service Routes IDP Request for Holiday Parking Request for Garbage Cans on Lower South Hill Status of Johnson Boat Yard Request Report from Mayor Cohen - Un -named Park tw 1. Water and Sewer Bill Appeal - 111 Morris Avenue Supt. Gray told the board that this item went before the Properties Sub - Committee for their review and recommendation. Mr. Darpino, owner of 111 Morris Ave. did not receive his quarterly bill because the meter could not be read. The department did not receive a response to their notification that an inside reading would need to take place. Once a bill was sent, Mr. Darpino was alerted to the large water usage. He does not feel that it is possible that the water was used although a leaky toilet may be at fault. Mr. Darpino is asking that the large bill be reduced since he would have solved the problem had he been alerted by receipt of his bill. The sub - committee recommends that the bill be reduced since Mr. Darpino was not adequately notified. The board's consensus was that the bill would stand but they are willing to expunge the late fee accrued. A resolution will be presented at the next regular meeting. 2. Request for Tree Planting on the Commons Supt. Gray told the board that this item was reviewed by the Properties Sub - Committee. The committee recommends to deny this request since it will set a precedent for future requests. Because the Commons is limited in space, it is believed that granting of one request will lead to many more and eventually a request would need to be turned down due to lack of space. In addition, with the upcoming re- design of the Commons, it is possible that any tree that is planted may be removed. The committee suggests that an alternate location, possibly in a neighborhood park, be chosen. A resolution will be presented for the board's vote at the next regular meeting. A Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole November 10, 1998 3. Re uest for Trash Bill Ex un ement - 523 East State Street. Supt. Gray explained that he received a request for expungement of a trash bill. The recycling had been placed on the wrong week for pickup and a bill was issued. He added that the property owner has a property manager who handles the removal of trash and recycling. Supt. Gray stated that he felt it was an issue between the property owner and manager. The board agreed that the bill should stand and a resolution will be voted on at the next regular meeting. 4. TCAT - Final Plans for Service Routes. Nancy Oltz, Rod Ghering and Dwight Mengle were present to address the board concerning the proposed transit routes. The routes were established by working with consultants and surveys from passengers. They reviewed a couple of the popular routes and offered the board to review maps of the proposed routes. Discussion followed on the various routes and the possibility of student passes. It is estimated that the new routes will be in place by August of 1999, prior to the students' return. It was noted that this item is for informational purposes and that the no action is required by the board. 5. Request for Holiday Parking from IDP Doug Pessefall and Beverly Apgar were present from the Ithaca Downtown Partnership to request that holiday parking be authorized. They requested that the first two hours in all the downtown lots be free during the holiday season. It was noted that IDP will advertise the free parking. The consensus of the board was to approve of the free two hour parking from November 26, 1998 through January 10, 1999. 6. Status of Johnson Boat Yard Request. Comm. Ehrhardt read the letter from Tom Cleveland requesting that the service road gate be moved in order to allow access to a proposed parking lot on his land. Mr. Cleveland explained in the letter that he had made an arrangement with Asst. Supt. Fabbroni to make the change. Supt. Gray noted that he believed if the gate was moved it would shorten the existing green at the golf course. He added that he is aware that the pump station is on Johnson Boat Yard property and thought that may be part of the arrangement previously discussed with Asst. Supt. Fabbroni. Mayor Cohen stated that he would like to have a drawing showing the area at next week's meeting as well as a report from Asst. Supt. Fabbroni and an opinion from the City Attorney. This item will be presented in the form of a resolution at the next regular meeting. Page - 2 Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole November 10, 1998 7. Bike Improvement Discussion Comm. Ehrhardt reminded the board that the next working meeting is on December 19, 1998 at 4:30. He added that he felt they accomplished a lot at the last meeting. This item will continue at future meetings. 8. Report from Mayor Cohen - Un -named Park Mayor Cohen told the board that the new park near Mutual Housing still remains un- named and that they should start thinking of a name. 9. R ague 5t for Garbage Cans on Lower South Hill Alderperson Paulette Manos was present to address the board concerning a request to place garbage cans on Hudson and South Aurora Streets. Tom Mann, resident of the neighborhood, was also present to address the board. Mr. Mann explained that every weekend during the school year, students leave litter on the street resulting in a lot of work and expense for the residents. He asked that the board approve of the placement of a couple of cans near the sidewalk. He noted that several residents routinely remove the trash at their own expense. Supt. Gray noted that many similar requests are received, and that there are cans on the Commons and downtown. He added that the board has adopted a program to allow merchants on State Street to sponsor a can. This requires the sponsor to monitor what is thrown out. He suggested that this may be a possibility for this neighborhood. Discussion followed concerning the cost of trash removal. Mr. Mann suggested that the neighborhood association could request that IC cover the cost if residents are willing to sponsor the cans. The consensus of the board was to approve a resolution at the next regular meeting to allow sponsored cans in the neighborhood. 10. Update on Bond Act Asst. Supt. Fabbroni updated the board on the award of the bond act. He reviewed the process of the application and where the funding will go. It was agreed that a resolution endorsing the award should be approved at the next regular meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary Page - 3