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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-MATC-2019-08-26 MOBILITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES PRESENT: Chair Lerner Commissioners (5) Chang, Brouwer, Lyczko, Powers, Barden OTHERS PRESENT: Common Council Liaisons – McGonigal and Nguyen Information Management Specialist – Myers Manager of Organization Development - Moskowitz EXCUSED: Commissioners Roberts and Parkes Approval of the June 24, 2019 Mobility, Accessibility, and Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes- Resolution By Commissioner Powers: Seconded by Commissioner Lyczko RESOLVED, That the minutes of the June 24, 2019 Mobility, Accessibility, and Transportation Commission meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Statements From the Public: No one from the public appeared to address the Commission. CC Liaison Report: CC Liaison McGonigal reported on the following topics from the August 21, 2019 City Administration Committee meeting: 1. There was discussion about changing the odd/even parking to different times. The idea is to make the odd/even go into effect earlier in evening to allow more time for plow crews to clear snow. The committee suggested the he bring the topic to Matcom related to the understandability of the proposed language – hopefully that will happen in the next month or so. 2. The committee approved money for the comprehensive parking study. 3. They discussed the “Downtown Transportation Management Plan” related to a grant for almost half a million dollars. It would partner the City with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, and the Center for Community Transportation (CCT). The resolution did not pass because Committee members wanted more specific information and to know how success would be documented. Deputy Economic Development Director Knipe is putting together a comprehensive background memo and the resolution may be member filed for the September Common Council meeting. CC Liaison Nguyen reported that for now the inner city buses will stay on Green Street; “My Bus” will be allowed to operate on Green Street; this will be re-evaluated on an annual basis. Date: August 26, 2019 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Common Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall Mobility, Accessibility and Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes August 26, 2019 2 CC Liaison McGonigal reported that city staff has been asked to report back to Common Council in six months about any ideas for a change in location for buses from Green Street. Chair’s Report: Vice Chair for the month of September – Commissioner Brouwer Vacancy and Advisor Appointments Chair Lerner stated that Matcom has a vacancy and the City is not moving too quickly to fill it. L ast winter, when filling a vacancy, some criteria was developed for the qualities that a new member could provide to the commission. He would like to retrieve that information as it relates now to the current vacancy. Commissioner Chang will retrieve that information and e -mail it to commission members after the meeting. Chair Lerner reported that former Matcom Commissioner, Sarah Brylinksy, is interested in be appointed by Matcom as an advisor for the ADA Coordinator Topic. Appointment of Sarah Brylinsky as an advisor to the Mobility, Accessibility, and Transportation Commission – Resolution By Commissioner Barden: Seconded by Commissioner Powers RESOLVED, That Sarah Brylinsky be appointed as an advisor to the Mobility, Accessibility, and Transportation Commission related to the topic of ADA Issues and ADA Coordinator position. Carried Unanimously Planning for Fall: Chair Lerner asked commission members what they’d like to accomplish this Fall going topic by topic and related to deliverables and what resources might be needed. He had a long conversation with Chief of Staff Cogan about what documentation, if any, is needed to support the work of Commissioners Parkes and Lyczko as they continue to attend meetings related to the DPW Parking Analysis. It was suggested that a meeting be set up with Transportation Engineer Hathaway who might have topics that Matcom could work on. More information to come on the topic. ADA Issues – ADA Coordinator: No update E-Scooters Follow -Up: Commissioner Powers reported that she attended a meeting including the Mayor, Alderperson Murtagh, and IPD officers. The meeting went well and the discussion included the pros and cons of e-scooters and provided everyone with a good understanding of project. She has not heard anything since that initial meeting. Going forward either she or Commissioner Barden will attend any meetings. The legislation approving the use of e-scooters in New York State has been passed by the Senate and Assembly but the Governor has not signed it yet. In addition, the City Attorney explained Mobility, Accessibility and Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes August 26, 2019 3 to them that once the Governor signs the legislation there is a certain amount of time before it would go into effect in order to get feedback from municipalities. DPW Parking Analysis: Commissioner Lyczko reported that Director of Parking Messer sent the scope of work from the consultant (Stantec) to committee members to review; however she has not heard anything since then. Study will determine an action and financial plan for parking to determine how much changes will cost and what could the city actually do. There will be quite a bit of public stakeholder outreach through pop-up events, surveys, and public meetings. The study will continue through November 2020. She voiced her concerns regarding exactly what her and Commissioner Parkes roles are for participation in the study group. Chair Lerner explained that he would like to see a Commission Project Form that spells out what Matcom and Commissioners Lyczko and Parkes roles are. Chief of Staff Cogan agreed, and thought it would be a good idea for them to put any questions in writing to him. That will help him understand how to help them moving forward. Chief of Staff Cogan also will be available to meet with Commissioners Parkes and Lyczko after the next client committee meeting if they would like. Pedestrian Snow Removal Public Input: Commissioner Brouwer explained that he and Commissioner Chang have not had a chance to meet so there is nothing new to report at this time. They need to meet and to incorporate comments from Matcom and staff into the survey. CC Liaison McGonigal encouraged them to reach out to Deputy Building Commissioner Niechwiadowicz and Exterior Property Maintenance Inspector Love as they have the most experience and expertise on this topic. Chair Lerner encouraged them to have all the public input work done by the end of the year so the project can move forward. Therefore, we need to establish firmer timelines for deliverables from the survey. Chair Lerner and Information Management Specialist Myers left the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Sexual Harassment Training: Manager of Organizational Development Moskowitz presented the mandatory sexual harassment training for Matcom during the last hour of the meeting. Commissioner Barden provided the following notes from the training: Mobility, Accessibility and Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes August 26, 2019 4 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training - 7:05 pm  We don't have a supervisor per se, but if we have a question, go do Dan Cogan.  Sexual harassment is a type of gender discrimination.  City law is stricter than federal & state and prohibits discrimination based on he ight, weight, fiscal status, military, sexual orientation, gender identity.  Along as it's above inconsequential, the State now regards all harassment with the same weight. Previously, it had to be "severe and pervasive".  Supervisors (the Chair) are required to tell HR. NYS law also said you can go straight to the County or State law and circumvent anyone you're uncomfortable with.  Mandated Reporting: Manager/Supervisors must inform the human resource director of any complaints. All complaints must be investigated within 30 days. Managers/Supervisors must report any sexual harassment that they observe even if no one is objecting to it. Manager/Supervisors can be subject to discipline if they fail to report or if they engage in retaliation.  Go straight to Dan Cogan and not anyone else. It would be a confidentiality issue. Meeting Wrap Up: The next meeting is Monday, September 23rd at 6:00 p.m. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sarah L. Myers, Information Management Specialist