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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1999-06-02BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 2, 1999 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Ehrhardt, Gutenberger, Korherr, Leonardo, Vargas, Mayor Cohen, Alderperson Hershey, Superintendent Gray, and Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni and Ferrel. Comm. Ehrhardt chaired the meeting. Additions: Request for Change in Parking on Geneva Street BJM Delineator Poles Sidewalk Repairs Juneteenth Banner Cleveland Avenue There were no deletions from the agenda. 1. Request for Change in Parking on Geneva Street Eric Rosario, resident of South Geneva Street, was present to address the board. He �rrr explained that there is two hour parking in the 200 block of the street making it difficult for them to park since they do not have off street parking. He added that he spoke with Dan Cole, Traffic Systems Engineer, who suggested changing it to 24 hour parking. Supt. Gray noted that it is possible to remove the two hour parking and to allow for odd /even parking. The board's consensus was to vote on a resolution at the next meeting after receiving further recommendation from staff. 2. BJM Delineator Poles. Comm. Ehrhardt mentioned that the poles installed on Buffalo Street at Beverly J. Martin School have been destroyed and need replacing. Supt. Gray noted that they are on order. Comm. Ehrhardt told the board he feels that a maintenance discussion with the school is in order. 3. Request for Playground Installation at Steamboat Landing_ Jan Norman from the Farmer's Market was present to discuss the possibilities of a new playground structure at Steamboat Landing. She indicated that their insurance policy will cover liabilities associated with the play structure. She told the board that the design process is not yet underway. Supt. Gray explained to the board that although the market has a 20 year lease for the property, all improvements are to be approved by the board and this improvement seems to be a positive one. Comm. Ehrhardt requested that City Forester, Andy Hillman, be included in the design process. A resolution to approve of the play structure will be presented at the next regular meeting. IL Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole June 2, 1999 4. Commons Maintenance. Comm. Ehrhardt reviewed a resolution received from the Ithaca Downtown Partnership requesting various maintenance items to be completed prior to the Ithaca Festival. Supt. Gray and Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that most of the items will not be completed in time. Asst. Supt. Ferrel further explained that the broken drinking fountain requires a Water and Sewer crew to dig it up for replacement. The painting of benches shouldn't take much preparation since they were worked on last year. Items such as power washing, graffiti removal and tree grate replacement can be worked on and possibly completed for the festival. Comm. Ehrhardt requested that staff give an update and a schedule of completion for the remaining items at the board's next meeting. 5. Repair of Cobblestones on Ferris Place /Possibly Dead Ending of Street Nancy Schuler, resident of Ferris Place, was present to address the board. She stated that the cobblestones on Ferris Place are in desperate need of repair. She added that she is concerned with the high volume of usage of the street. Mayor Cohen told the board that he agreed that the street is not appropriate for through traffic. Discussion followed concerning plow and fire truck accessibility. Comm. Ehrhardt requested that input be received from staff on dead ending the street as well as cobblestone replacement. This item will return to a future meeting. 6. Request to Rename West Clinton Street Gino Bush presented a letter to the board which he read. The letter explained why he is requesting to change West Clinton Street to Bishop Malone Street. He indicated that there are few positive role models which the community can look to and renaming the street would be a small token of appreciation for the work Bishop Malone did in the community. The consensus of the board was that renaming of the street is a fitting gesture. Discussion followed concerning precedents of future requests. It was agreed that a public hearing will be held at the first committee of the whole meeting in August and that all property owners on West Clinton Street be notified of the meeting. 7. Bike Plan. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that Dan Cole, Traffic Systems Engineer, prepared drawings, descriptions of the routes and proposed number of lost parking spaces. Discussion followed on safety and changes to the routes. Supt. Gray discussed the loss of parking and explained how parking will be significantly reduced as well as the loss of traffic calming with two sided parking. He also explained to the board that without NYSDOT approval of the finalized plan, funding will not be released. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that he would discuss the concerns with Mr. Cole and return to the board with updated material. Page - 2 r► Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole June 2, 1999 8. Cleveland Avenue. Discussion included preserving the neighborhood and proceeding with the project to restrict traffic. The board requested that staff provide drawings at the next meeting for review. 9. Juneteenth Banner. Supt. Gray told the board that he's received a request to hang a banner over Green Street on the garage for the Juneteenth festival. He said that he usually discourages these types of request since there is a great effort by the crews to put them up. Mayor Cohen noted that he would like to offer the service, but at a cost. Supt. Gray explained that if the appropriate hardware were installed, it could be easily accommodated. It was agreed that staff would research a way to hang banners and recommend a cost for use of the space. 10. Sidewalk Repairs Mayor Cohen noted that the conditions of city sidewalks are poor and that a more aggressive program should be underway. Supt. Gray reviewed the process of the annual sidewalk program with the board. He noted that it is the most time consuming program with about a 40% return rate on funding. He added that the city pays for tree damaged walks as well as handicap access. He told the board that the city's liability increases when inspections are made and not fixed in a timely manner. Mayor Cohen suggested that additional staff be hired on a temporary basis in order for the department to become more aggressive with the program. 11. Staff Report. Supt. Gray reported that the Roller Sport Park project is underway with completion in about one month. Street work on the 300 block of West State Street will start in a couple of weeks. Code Compliance of city facilities is underway. The client group for city hall has been meeting and focusing on the first floor public services. Sidewalk contract should be out to bid soon. Cleveland Avenue project is proceeding. The Engineering Department has several positions to fill including Engineering Technicians and a Bridge Engineer. He added that the tech. positions are being temporarily filled by seasonal aides. Page - 3 L Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole June 2, 1999 Asst. Supt. Ferrel reported on Elm Street. He noted that the gravel base is completed, curbing is being completed and crews will start the asphalt top tomorrow. The project should be complete in two weeks. The bridge crew is working on the North Cayuga Street deck. Spring clean up is complete. Carousel is up and running and will be full time once school is out. The department has limited involvement with this years festival since they are trying to use more volunteers for the work. Alderperson Hershey noted that Rick Brennan did a wonderful job at explaining the situation of the Adams Street Bridge at last night's neighborhood meeting. Supt. Gray noted that the work will be coordinated with students as was done on previous foot bridges. Comm. Ehrhardt questioned what the status of the Ferranti report is and whether the board and department will receive copies. Mayor Cohen stated that the study is underway and copies of the report will be provided. The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Page - 4 Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary