HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1999-05-05Cr BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
May 5, 1999
NOTES
PRESENT: Commissioners Ehrhardt, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Korherr, Vargas, Mayor
Cohen, Alderperson Hershey, Superintendent Gray, and Assistant Superintendent
Ferrel.
Mayor Cohen chaired the meeting.
Additions: Pud's Run Update
Update on Ferranti Report - Spencer /Albany /Elmira Road
There were no deletions from the agenda.
i. upciate on Pedestrian Bridge over Route 13 at Buttermilk Falls
Jeannie Lee from the Planning Department and Rick Brennan, Bridge Systems
Engineer, were present to address the board. Ms. Lee noted that funding is available
for the construction of the pedestrian bridge over Route 13 as part of the Black
Diamond trail. Mr. Brennan told the board that he has reviewed different bridge
systems and suggests that pre- fabricated steel trusses with a wood deck be used. The
decking would be made of tropical hardwood with a long life expectance. The bridge
would be approximately 160 feet long by 10 feet wide. He noted that due to DOT
requirements, a protective screen is required to avoid objects being thrown at cars on
Route 13. Mr. Brennan would work with Joanne Cornish of the Planning Department
on a final design which will be presented to the board at a later date. Discussion
followed concerning the destination of the bridge since the trail does not meet the area
of the proposed bridge at this time. Supt. Gray suggested that the adjacent property
owners be contacted for access to both sides of the bridge as a pedestrian overpass.
Mr. Brennan explained that the money is earmarked for this project and if it is not used,
it will be lost. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that he felt there is more of a need for a
pedestrian bridge elsewhere in the city than this site and did not agree with building it if
there is no access to it. Discussion followed on the funding and immediate purpose of
the bridge. This item will return to a future meeting.
2. Update on Ferranti Report - Spencer /Albany /Elmira Road
Jeannie Lee of the Planning Department told the board that the contract has been
expanded to include investigation of alternate designs for the intersection. She added
that because of the additional work, the contract price will increase to approximately
$12,000. Discussion followed as to whether the funding will come from the project
budget or another budget.
Board of Public Works
Committee of the Whole
May 5, 1999
3. Update on Giles Street Bridge.
Rick Brennan, Bridge Systems Engineer, was present to address the board. He
explained that the scope of the project is to re -deck the bridge and that it should be
considered as a major maintenance project, not a rehabilitation of the bridge. He
further explained that the hand rail and curbing designs would change. This work will
be completed this summer. Mr. Brennan told the board that residents have asked for
pedestrian crossing access during construction. This will not be possible since the cost
would be an additional $58,000. A public hearing will be held on this item at the May
19, 1999 meeting.
4. Report on Truck Route Signage.
Mayor Cohen told the board that he had written a letter to NYSDOT requesting that
signage be posted on Route 13 intersections indicating city streets as non -truck routes.
He has received approval and a DOT engineer will be meeting with city staff for
placement of the signs. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that he would like to see someone from
BPW and Council involved in the discussions. Comm. Ehrhardt and Alderperson
Farrell will be participating in the meeting. Alderperson Farrell informed the board that
since the start of the Lake Source Cooling project, truck traffic has increased on Buffalo
Street. She has talked to a supervisor of Barnard Construction and suggested they use
an alternate route. This item will continue at a future meeting.
5. Installation of New Sidewalks.
Supt. Gray stated that he spoke to Alderperson Vaughan concerning the installation of
new sidewalks. He explained that the specific requests from Alderperson Vaughan are
very costly due to the topography. He noted that the expense could be as high as
$27.50 per square foot. He suggested that the board change the City Code to allow for
a benefit assessment for situations such as this. It could be set up so that the
neighborhood that benefits from the new installation, pays for sidewalk. Comm.
Gutenberger questioned what authority the board has in changing the City Code. She
commented on the recent overturn by Common Council of the Pud's Run, which
discussion followed on. It was decided that Comm. Gutenberger and Comm. Vargas
would serve on a sub - committee with Supt. Gray to look into a change to the City Code.
6. Pud's Run.
This item was discussed during the discussion of Installation of New Sidewalks.
Comm. Gutenberger told the board that because Council interceded on the board's
recent decision (to not close Stewart Park for the Pud's Run) she was close to
resigning her position on the board. She added that if Council wanted to take over,
sitting on the board was a waste of her time. Mayor Cohen apologized to the board for
taking the board's decision to Council because the board was in an awkward situation.
He noted that he told Council the board's decision was correct and consistent with
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Board of Public Works
Committee of the Whole
May 5, 1999
policy. He added that the decision was being seen by the Police Department as a lack
of support by the city for their job and was impacting morale. Comm. Gutenberger
asked that in the future the board be informed of their authority on an issue before time
is wasted on discussions. Supt. Gray noted that the rules and regulations are in the
BPW rules and regulations part of the City Code. Comm. Vargas stated that during
discussions with the race organizers, it was made clear that the board's decision was
not in disrespect but in fairness to other causes. He noted that the board has
guidelines and procedures which they have followed. He added that the board was
made to look like a fool because in the end, the authority given to the board was taken
out of the board's hands. Alderperson Hershey said that he had opposed the request
but did urge the Mayor to have a special meeting of Council to avoid taking up time at a
regular meeting. He added that he felt the final decision was wrong and was
astonished that a couple of his colleagues spoke against it and voted for it. Comm.
Korherr remarked that the board emphatically showed all due respect for the fallen
officer and that the officers tried to undermine and discredit what was done over the
past few meetings and that the board deserves an apology. Comm. Ehrhardt explained
that he was aware that this item was going to Council and apologized for not alerting
the board. He told the board that these types of requests belong at the board level but
this time ceased to be their responsibility when the organizers distorted the board's
position to the media, Internet and co- workers, it became a labor relations issue
between a public safety union and the civilian leadership of the city. They made it a
political issue instead of an operational issue. He explained that Council should have
clarified that this is a board issue and that the city does not close parks. He added that
someone should publicly note that the board did their job right and privately go to the
organizers and mention that they were out of line and that the disrespect came from
them. The item on installation of new sidewalks continued.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Notes taken by:
Donna L. Payne
Administrative Secretary
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