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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 Page - 2 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 Page - 3