HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 Superindendentr
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"Status. on Contract Co'nstrtiction
City Engineer Cox reported that the work on Elmira Road is ne.axly,copplete.
The city has advertised for bids on contract .#2 Plantings,
The Stewart Avenue Retaining Wall is substantially complete; there are
some things that will have to wait for warmer weather to be done.
The Medical Facility on State Street is approximately 65% complete, as
far as expenditures. The Board was asked to award bids on the medical
equipment for the facility.
The replacement of windows at the G.I.A.C. building is completed.
The three larger bus'shelters in the Central Business District are nearly
complete. There are a number of odds and ends on the job to be cleaned up.
The department has placed an order for 17 smaller bus shelters which should
be arriving soon and a contract will be put together for the installation
of those.
Phase 1 of the Peripheral Streets project has been advertised and bids
are expected on March 20, 1978 for that project.
The city has advertised for the contract construction for the Hangar
Theater project to improve the parking lots. Bidding has been delayed once
due to the snow because the contractors could not make an on-site inspection.
,An architect is working on plans for improvements to the restrooms in that '
opplbuilding.
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Supt. Dingman informed the Board he would be on vacation for the coming
three weeks; Asst. Supt. Hannan will handle his work during that time;
Mrs. Barrett and/or Mrs. Potorti will be in the office which will be open
as usual. ijaIN
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ee s, rass, rush, etc. on Private Property $
� 7S/
Supt. of Public Works Dingman reported that a complaint had been received
some time ago about a piece of property owned by Mrs. Best on Baldwin
Terrace and the condition of the property. The Board of Public Works
regulations require owners of vacant lots to cut brush, trim grass and
keep the property free of rubbish and weeds. If the owner fails to do it
;the superintendent causes it to be cleared and charges the owner for the
cost of it, plus 50% penalty fee. He said Mrs. Best had been formally
ordered to clear the lot --the date of formal notification expired on
August 21, 1978. Mrs. Best has made what she feels to be a satisfactory
attempt to clear the lot, but it does not meet with the requirements and
regulations. Mr. Dingman notified Mrs. Best of that fact and his in-
tention to clear it. The city has subsequently been required to show
cause by the 9th of September as to why it shouldn't be permanently
enjoined from clearing the lot, and the department is meanwhile enjoined
from doing anything in the meantime. ?/1 3/7/
Supt. Dingman commented that normally these matters do not go to a point
of injunction by an owner to prevent clearing the lot, and because the
complainant in this case is very bitter about the situation and has made
a great point of the fact that the city is not affording her the same
protection of this law that is afforded to other people throughout the
city, Supt. Dingman suggested that the Board look at this particular
ordinance and reflect on whether or not they feel it is the type of
regulation they want to continue, or whether they feel it should be
amended in some way to make it more readily applicable to all the various
cases that occur in the city. bIP/77
Mayor Conley commented that there is a lot of undeveloped building lots
on West Hill. Some people have bought lots for protection of their
property for one reason or another (screening, swimming pool, etc.).
In the letter of the law, the city forces would be out cleaning every-
thing within 250 feet of a home. He said there may be a move at the
Common Council level to ask the Board of Public Works not to clean lots
until the Council has an opportunity to change its ordinance as far as
clearing lots.
City Attorney Shapiro commented that there is a conflict here which he
thinks is something that deserves some further study. He thinks Council
may request that nothing be done to Mrs. Best's land until further study
is made.
Lot on West Hill gall View Terrace)
City Attorney Shapiro reported that in respect to the problem on West Hill,
there is a restraining order against the City and he'has been directed by
the Common Council not to proceed in that lawsuit pending their further. 1
review of the applicable ordinances. He said he believes the Charter and
Ordinances Committee is actively considering the matter and he suggested.,
if the Board .of Public Works has input, they might want to communicate
directly with the Charter and Ordinance Committee. 05/7i
Supt: Dingman commented that the Charter and Ordinances Committee might
want to seriously consider the fact that what is being dealt with is the
control of what happens on private property. Except for.the fact that
the Department of Public Works might have personnel to do this thing with
from time to time, the Department of Public Works doesn't deal with private'
property, but with public property. He said it might be better if the
Board of Public Works regulation were eventually removed, and a regulation
under the city's regular ordinance be put together so it would fall within
the Building Commissioner's province.
Supt. requests City Engr. to make status report on construction projects 1
Vacation - Supt. 2
Clearing weeds,brush,etc. on Private Property - Supt. suggest BPW study
whether ordinance be amended (Complaint Darrow vs. Best) 3
Amendment BPW Regulations - Chp. 272 - Weeds and Grass (SEE BUildings & Grounds -
page 19)