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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2000-10-11BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. October 11, 2000 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (5) - Beach, Vargas-Mendez, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Korherr OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy Clerk – Korherr Deputy City Controller - Thayer Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison - Hershey EXCUSED: Commissioner Leonardo PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of Board of Public Works Meetings By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Korherr RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the July 12, 2000, August 23, 2000, Special Meeting and September 13, 2000 Board of Public Works meetings be approved as published. Carried Unanimously MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Cohen began a discussion relating to the diverter placement on Wood Street. He reminded the Board of a letter submitted on October 4, 2000 by Alderperson Pryor. The letter represented the Titus Towers resident’s interest in having the Wood Street diverter located near the entrance to the Titus Tower’s parking lot and not at the alternate location that had been discussed as an option. Letters written by Fire Chief Wilbur and Tim Bangs were discussed. Alderperson Pryor stated that she would present the new emergency service information to the Titus Towers residents and determine whether convenience or safety was the intent behind their vote. HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALK: Diverters at Wood and South Streets By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Mayor Cohen WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works directed the trial installation of traffic diverters to take place at the intersections of Wood and Fair Streets and South and Fair Streets on March 15, 2000, and WHEREAS, the Board has received extensive public input both directly through public hearings and calls to the Department of Public Works, and indirectly through the media, letters to the editor and personal contacts, and WHEREAS, the Board wishes to update the installation in response to that input and the immediate concerns of the emergency response providers in the community, and WHEREAS, the Board has directed staff to draft proposed modifications to the diverters for review by IPD, IFD and Bang’s Ambulance in order to make the barriers penetrable by them, and WHEREAS, the emergency response providers have provided review comments for the board’s consideration; now, therefore, be it Board of Public Works – October 11, 2000 - Page 2 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to update the barriers on Wood and South Streets in conformance with engineering drawings dated October 2, 2000 and revised October 6, 2000. Mayor Cohen confirmed the Board’s decision to move the diverter closer to Route 13 on Wood Street. He stated that the resolution today relates only to the placement of the diverter and its move back to the original location of Wood and Fair Streets. Alderperson Hershey stated that there is $40,000 in the Mayor’s 2001 budget allocated for a traffic calming study for the Southwest area which includes the area where the diverters are located. Commissioner Beach stated that the move back to the original location would not meet the needs stated by Fire Chief Wilbur in the letter presented to Superintendent Gray, therefore, a safety concern still exists. Superintendent Gray suggested that large-scale fire vehicles aren’t able to navigate the corners between the curbs and the diverters. He added that the diverter can not be re-designed for left hand turn only from Wood Street into the Titus Tower parking lot. Mayor Cohen stated that he believes that Fire Dept. vehicles must stop before they enter Titus Towers property so that they can develop a staging area and that the vehicles don’t enter the area at high rates of speed due to the close proximity to the corner. Alderperson Hershey suggested a barrier that would allow it to be illegal for persons to pass through since Titus Towers residents have stated that they are most concerned with safety measures rather than convenience of driving for themselves. Alderperson Pryor stated that the access to the Titus Tower driveway, not safety, was the basis for the resident vote mentioned earlier. Motion to Table: By Commissioner Korherr: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, that this resolution be tabled until which time that Alderperson Pryor is able to bring to the Board the Titus Tower’s resident input on safety concerns versus convenience. Carried Unanimously Superintendent Gray stated that he would consult with Fire Chief Wilbur regarding the altered configuration. Power to Act By Commissioner Beach :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves the Power to Act regarding the placement of diverters at their October 18, 2000 Committee of the Whole meeting. Carried Unanimously PARKING AND TRAFFIC Holiday Parking in City Lots and Garages By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded By Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works annually approves 2 hour free parking in the city lots and garages for the holiday season; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby authorizes that the first two hours of parking in the city’s downtown and collegetown facilities be free starting November 24, 2000 and continue through January 13, 2000, and be it further Board of Public Works – October 11, 2000 - Page 3 RESOLVED, That the Board urges the IDP and Collegetown Merchants Association to promote the two hour free parking to bring more people into the city and request that they develop uniform retail hours during the holiday season. Carried Unanimously Removal of “No Parking” Signs on East Falls Street By Commissioner Beach : Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby directs staff to remove the “No Parking” signs on the north side of the intersection of East Falls Street and North Aurora Street. Carried Unanimously Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that staff has responded to Board consensus from last week and the signs have been removed. Miscellaneous Items A lengthy discussion relating to the presence and absence of the authority of the Board of Public Works followed. A few Commissioners voiced disappointment regarding the fact that Board of Public Works actions have been resolved and then overridden by Common Council at a later date. Mayor Cohen stated that only political and policy decisions for Department of Public Works are made by Common Council. 2001 Department of Public Works Budget A discussion relating to the Mayor’s 2001 budget took place. Commissioner Gutenberger stated that she had been waiting for a list of needed items that staff was anxious to maintain in the budget. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that he has not had the opportunity to review the Mayor’s final budget as he just received it. Commissioner Gutenberger noted that the Department of Public Works budget is a tool and that the Department of Public Works would have to request funding from Common Council for money that is needed later on but is removed from the Mayor’s budget in this stage of the process. Mayor Cohen stated that contingency monies for overtime are budgeted due to surpluses carried over from low snow accumulation years. Mayor Cohen added that there is a Health and Safety Officer position in the 2001 budget. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that there are staff retirements occurring in 2001 and those higher salaries could be reapportioned to other areas. He added that they are constantly stretched to take on more work, and at some point this will be impossible unless there are additional staff positions approved. Alderperson Hershey questioned the cost savings of bi-weekly trash collection. Superintendent Gray stated that the borrowing of time from the solid waste crews would no longer be an issue. The street crew staffing levels have been reduced in the past. Mayor Cohen stated that he has included training money for garage mechanics in his budget along with hazardous materials removal training. The electrician’s crew has requested additional training to accredit the staff for traffic signals maintenance. All equipment requests remain in the budget. W&S additions for staff were maintained and there is a slight increase for fund transfers to accurately account for activity. Water and Sewer rates are increased 5% each. The SJS rate is that which is charged off to the other municipalities, not to the individual ratepayers. Board of Public Works – October 11, 2000 - Page 4 Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that the City has replaced staff in positions but not the skills that those individuals were capable of. Most of this training has taken place in house in the past. He added that the Parks Division staff has not been at the maximum staffing level for some time now. Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni led a lengthy discussion relating to the impossible task of promoting existing staff that are working above and beyond the scope of the required duties in their current job description. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor