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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 Public Service Board Minutes FINAL BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE _ ' "" 'J I U'; MINUTES OF L ,P�S'tG C11 Y Cam!f�if MAY 14, 1998 PRESENT: Ron Bloomberg, Dulles Dale Copedge, Rick Kibbey, Rita Klein, June Knostman, Gilda Richardson, Don Stypula ABSENT: 1VACANCY STAFF: Michael Navabi, Bob Clegg, Margaret Pollard CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order at 11:50 a.m. by Chair Stypula at the South Police Precinct. 1) ROLL CALL - Quorum present. 2) APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES OF JANUARY 8 AND MARCH 12, 1998 - BLOOMBERG MOVED, KIBBEY SUPPORTED MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES. ALL AYES. MINUTES APPROVED. 3) CITIZEN COMMENTS - None. 4) ACTION ITEMS - None. 5) SPECIAL COMMITTEES/SPECIAL REPORTS: 6) REPORT OF OFFICERS: SOLID WASTE: Rita Klein reported that a number of things have happened that are positive. We celebrated Earthday at Impression 5 and it was well attended, however not as well as we might have liked. We're hoping for better promotion in '99 to include scouts and the Boys and Girls Clubs. We have begun master composting classes that started last week at Fenner and will continue. We're going to be meeting in Foster Park on Jun. 20`h. The committee itself is going to critically look at the goals that were presented and see if any changes need to be made. The City has now eliminated the plastic pick-up of plastic containers for leaf pick-up. Many of the Meijer and L & L stores in town have stopped collecting the household plastic bags due to being unable to keep other items from being placed in the containers for the plastic bags. June Knostman recommended looking for some type of new research for breaking down or using this plastic material. She inquired whether the board or committee, in an unofficial way, could make some inquiries and see if someone would be interested in working on this. June volunteered to work on such a committee of inquiry to go to other parts of the country. She said she'd be willing to do it as an individual. Rita Klein said that the research was a good place to start. She recommended the Internet and said that she'd take the issue up at the next Recycling Committee meeting. Bob Clegg explained that the American Public Works Association has a very active arm in solid waste. He attends and learns as much as possible in the organization. He recommended that someone from the solid waste group go to the next national conference of the American Public Works Association since there will be speakers talking about solid waste options across the country. There will be vendors there showing their wares and their ways of addressing different issues. Although our specific solid waste problem may not be on the agenda, however, if a forum is held, perhaps the problem and a potential solution could be discussed. Even if our specific problem can't be solved, at least we would get an update on what the latest developments are. The APWA is the largest organization of public works officials in the country. It has about 5,000 attendees at every national meeting and Clegg stated that the O&M staff should be active in this organization. Michael Navabi said he strongly encourages the staff to get training of this type. He stated that he would contact Jim Campfield regarding who should be sent to the APWA meeting, Campfield or Steve Chalker. [VIIIIULG.7 IIW, 'e -- TRANSPORTATION - Ron Bloomberg had no report. He hasn't yet completed the investigation on the neighborhood calming situation. He'll have information at the next meeting. 7) DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Michael Navabi gave an overview of his goals and mission statement. He noted that he had prepared a written mission statement, agenda and an activities report for the Mayor and City Council. Most of the issues were discussed in last month's meeting. The budget is pretty much completed. We presented everything that we had to the Council and it went for final approval at the Council meeting. We have about $28 million worth of infrastructure. More exists due to some of the grants that we are receiving. One of the major developments that Bob Clegg and the Director have been heavily involved within recent weeks is the North Precinct improvements. They are working with a consultant to cut a road to serve the building there that will be utilized for the police department. Regarding Old Town, extensive improvements will be made on the sidewalks. A large crowd is expected there by mid to end of August for the Jazz Festival. Navabi said he hopes that work will be finished soon. The Director stressed that customer service continues to be a main focus for the department. Future details will be available in the following months on how the process is going. Some input has been received from citizens; some thank you calls and letters. Navabi reported that there will be a final workshop on the CSO project on the 28'h of May. It will be at the Lansing Center from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The project from a technical point of view has been a success. The consultant is proposing that we continue with our separation project as opposed to any other technical alternatives. Mr. Navabi reported that the city has a couple of consultants who are doing a complete --. Dorf r,f thic CtlIry invnives ease of access to downtown area. We very recently completed our agreement with Delta Township that would allow them to use our transfer facility services. Our staff will pick up the recyclable material at a designated point and bring those to our station where they will be sorted. It's a source of revenue for us, and we do have adequate space in our transfer station. Navabi described a report he'd read on Clean Michigan initiatives. He and Mr. Stypula are preparing letters to send to the state senators and congresspersons to get support for funding. In response to June Knostman's inquiring at last meeting regarding discoloration of Saginaw St., some investigation has been made. That area does not belong to the city, however we have sent a report to the State. 8) CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT: Bob Clegg explained that regarding the budget, no funding was approved for pedestrian overpass repairs. This year in fiscal year 98 we have $100,000 to repair pedestrian overpasses which will be used to repair two structures. Clegg said we received a $2.6 million Federal Grant to work on N. Martin Luther King bridge. Clegg wants to do temporary repairs to Pennsylvania Ave. and is hopeful that with next year's budget we will get support for the city's share of the cost of those projects. Something in the neighborhood of $700,000 - $800,000. The road program is funded at $7 million. We would have liked to have seen about $7.6 million. There's a good possibility additional dollars will be available through ISTEA and some other grant programs. Kibbey said he hoped if those funds became available, the availability of outside money wouldn't be used as an opportunity to cut back City funding. The meeting was adjourned at 1:25 p.m. 124 W. Michigan Ave. LANSING MICHIGAN Lansing, MI 48933-1691CD (517)483-4455 � DOFAX (517)483-6082 —1 --< c') m rn co � N � N MEETING RESCHEDULED THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE WHICH WAS SET FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 9 , 1998 AT 11 : 30 A.M. HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO: THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1998 AT 11:30. Lansing, MI 48933-1691 (517)483-4455 LANSING MICHIGAN FAX (517)483-6082 co Z cO G7 � — rn ***N O T I C E** s rR o x Z- * *MEETING CANCELLATION* * * THE MEET/NC OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE SCHEDULED FOR THURSDA Y, FEBRUARY 11Z, -1998 A T -11:30 AM HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO A LACK OF QUORUM. BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE r % f f 2 0 5 MINUTES OF JANUARY 08, 1998 Li;fSfG CITY CLERK PRESENT: Ron Bloomberg, Dulles Dale Copedge, Rick Kibbey, Rita Klein, June Knostman, Don Stypula ABSENT: Gilda Richardson, 1 vacancy STAFF: Doug Rubley, Bob Clegg, Murray Britton OTHERS: CALL TO ORDER-The meeting was called to order at 11:30 a.m. by Chair Stypula at the South Police Precinct. 1) ROLL CALL - Quorum present. 2) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 13, 1997 - BLOOMBERG MOVED, KIBBEY SUPPORTED MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES. ALL AYES. MINUTES APPROVED. 3) CITIZEN COMMENTS - None. 4) ACTION ITEMS: Prior to proceeding with this item, the new member, Dale Copedge, introduced himself. Dale has lived in Lansing since 1975 when he entered MSU, where he holds a master's degree in environmental engineering. He has worked for the State of Michigan since 1984, and is currently with the Environmental Assistance Division. He is cubmaster for his sons' Scout pack, chairman at the Letts Community Center, and is very involved in numerous civic and church activities. Board members introduced themselves to Mr. Copedge by giving a thumbnail sketch of their backgrounds. A) PROPOSED CHANGES TO SOLID WASTE ORDINANCE Rita Klein noted that these proposed changes are the culmination of discussions by the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Recycling. The committee feels there is some ordinance language that is outdated. Klein reviewed some of the changes being recommended. MOTION: BLOOMBERG MOVED TO RECOMMEND AMENDING 1063.05(b),TO ADD LANGUAGE /%I A I I K I/' -ri 1r_ I icr rnE' n-rUCO f�nni-rA IKIF=Dc oC aPPPn\/P 1 RY r.ITY C nI IN(-II Page 2 COPEDGE SUPPORTED; ALL AYES. MOTION PASSED. MOTION: 1063.04(c)and(d); BLOOMBERG MADE A MOTION TO AMEND BOTH SECTIONS, ADDING: "PROPERLY PREPARED AND" BEFORE THE WORD "SEPARATED." KLEIN SUPPORTED. ALL AYES. MOTION PASSED. MOTION: KNOSTMAN MOVED, KLEIN SUPPORTED, A MOTION TO APPROVED THE RECOMMENDED AND AMENDED CHANGES TO THE ORDINANCE. ALL AYES. MOTION PASSED. Klein said she would report to the Recycling Committee the action just taken by the Public Service Board regarding ordinance changes. 6) REPORT OF OFFICERS WASTEWATER DIVISION - Clegg reported that replacement of the Lansing Avenue Pump Station has been delayed until the third quarter, because the State Historical Preservation Officer is concerned about the historical significance of the pump station. Clegg said the pump station was built in 1923 and needs to be rebuilt to be more effective. SOLID WASTE - Klein reported there is currently a telephone book collection at the transfer station. Christmas tree pick-up should be completed by the end of the week. After that time, the property owners will have to dispose of the trees themselves. There was coverage in the State Journal this morning to that effect. 7) DIRECTOR'S REPORT: REORGANIZATION - Rubley reported that the Mayor will file with City Council today a reorganization which affects Public Service. He is creating a department similar to the former Administrative Services Department. It will be called Management Services, and will encompass the City's computer operations, Central Garage, Operational Services, Building Maintenance (from Public Service). All of the details have not been ironed out as of yet. The Facility Study should be available in a few weeks. CARTS PROGRAM - Council asked for an evaluation of the pilot carts program as part of the budget process. The thrust is to increase the customer base and become more competitive. The evaluation will help to determine if the carts actually increased business, or if customers merely changed from the green bags to the carts; it will also assist in determining the feasibility of offering the carts city-wide. The report should be ready sometime in March. [-age i CSO WORKSHOP - A second workshop is planned by the consultant, Camp, Dresser, McKee (CDM). The date will be announced. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - Rubley reported that the department has made great strides in the past two months in resolving some environmental issues that have been a concern for some time. He expects closure this year on the three major sites, Paulsen, Aurelius Rd. Landfill, and Diamond Reo. RECYCLING COORDINATOR-The new coordinator, Steve Chalker, begins work late this month. He is coming from the Ingham County Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health. STREET SWEEPING - Because of warmer weather, we are taking the opportunity to sweep up debris from the tree damage and removal. ROAD RATIONALIZATION PROGRAM PROPOSAL - Rubley said he had copies available for distribution of the Governor's proposal. He gave a status report and noted the department sent a response to the Governor indicating we felt a regional approach should be taken. ACT 51 - Rubley said that he expects much of the gasoline tax monies to go into capital development of roads. The department did request in the budget a new road crew to perform maintenance activities. NEW DIRECTOR - The new Public Service director should be announced in a couple of weeks. Rubley said it has been a challenge and pleasure to work for the department and the board, and this may be his last meeting. Stypula related the Board's pleasure in working with Doug and wished him well. BUDGET - Rubley said all the division heads have submitted their budgets to him and he is currently reviewing them. Copies will be submitted to the board for their review and action. There was discussion of the need for a meeting on January 29 at 11.30 a.m. for that purpose. 8) CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT: Clegg indicated he is completing an updated report of the Transportation Infrastructure $7 Million for 7 Years, which will be for Year 3. This will give an update of the 1998 streets, with financing and program expenditures shown. Knostman noted that the Lansing State Journal had a good article and a picture showing workers applying a new type of street patching. rage 4 Clegg said that MDOT did not complete Cedar/Larch work as scheduled. Cedar/Larch from Shiawassee to the bridge will be under construction the upcoming construction season. Mt. Hope work will begin early in the season. It is expected to be open to traffic during the construction. The work will take at least 120 days. 9) UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. 10) NEW BUSINESS: None. 11) OTHER BUSINESS: MEETING ADJOURNED AT 2:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Margaret H. Pollard Secretary to the Board U:\MHP\WP\WPDOCS\PSB\1998\98-01-08.MIN luewpoww JAI'i C I Aft P o d --- LAf�SIG CITY CLERK Lansing, MI 48933-1691 LANSING MICHIGAN (517) 483-4455 FAX (517)983-6082 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE THURSDAY, JANUARY 29 , 1998 - 11 :30 A.M. - 1 : 00 P.M. LOCATION: SOUTH POLICE PRECINCT **CONFERENCE ROOM A G E N D A ( 1) Roll Call A) Absences (2) Citizen Comments - Please limit comments to 5 minutes (3) ACTION ITEM(S) : A) Public Service Dept. Budget - FY 98-99 (4) Unfinished Business (5) New Business (6 ) Other Business (7) Adjourn NOTE TO MEMBERS : PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE ANY DAY PRIOR TO 12 :00 NOON THE WEDNESDAY PREVIOUS TO THE MEETING BY CALLING MARGARET 483-4453 . FOR SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS, PLEASE GIVE 24 HOUR NOTICE PRIOR TO THE MEETING BY CALLING MS. POLLARD AT 483-4453 OR 483-4479 TDD. s I CITY OF LANSING I E r-) ,. PUBLIC SERVICE DEPARTMENT "s I ? N-1 1 : 07 124 W. Michigan Ave. CII'I CLERi, � 732 City Hall c L,1i ,�f dC �j j G Lansing, MI 48933 David C. Hollister, Mayor Phone No. (517) 483-4455 Fax No. (517) 483-6082 February 12, 1999 Marilynn Slade City Clerk City Hall Lansing, Michigan Re: Board of Public Service Minutes Dear Ms. Slade: Attached are the Board of Public Service Meeting minutes from the meeting held on October 29, 1998. Please place these minutes on file. Respectfully submitted, GG'' Vet� Margaret Pollard, Recording Secretary Enclosure U:\wp\ferdocs\PubServicemintran.Itr r � %, .ti REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 29, 1998 PRESENT: Ron Bloomberg, Dulles Dale Copedge, Rita Klein, Gilda Richardson, Don Stypula ABSENT: June Knostman, Rick Kibbey, 1 vacancy STAFF: Michael Navabi, Bob Clegg, Margaret Pollard, Jimmy Spangler OTHERS: None CALL TO ORDER- The meeting was called to order at 11:30 a.m. by Chair Stypula at the Wastewater Treatment Administration Office. 1) ROLL CALL - Quorum present. 2) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MINUTES OF MAY 14, 1998 - MOTION: KLEIN MOVED TO APPROVE, THE MINUTES OF MAY 14, 1998. BLOOMBERG SUPPORTED. ALL AYES. MINUTES APPROVED. 3) CITIZEN COMMENTS: None. 4) ACTION ITEMS: ELECTION OF OFFICERS MOTION: CHAIRPERSON- KLEIN MOVED TO NOMINATERON BLOOMBERG AS CHAIR WITH STYPULA SUPPORTING. RICHARDSON MOVED TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS. BLOOMBERG ELECTED CHAIRMAN BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. Newly elected Chair Ron Bloomberg now presiding. MOTION: VICE CHAIR - STYPULA MOVED TO NOMINATE DALE COPEDGE FOR VICE CHAIR. RICHARDSON MOVED TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS. COPEDGE ELECTED VICE CHAIR BY UNANIMOUS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 29, 1998 Page 2 VOTE. MOTION: SECRETARY- KLEIN MOVED TO NOMINATEMARGARET POLLARD AS SECRETARY. COPEDGE MOVED TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS. ALL AYES.POLLARD ELECTED SECRETARYB Y UNANIMOUS VOTE. SPECIAL COMMITTEES/SPECIAL REPORTS: None 6) REPORT OF OFFICERS ENGINEERING - The Chair appointed Dale Copedge to serve as Officer for the Engineering Division and gave him an overview of the function of the officer. WASTEWATER DIVISION - Jimmy Spangler showed literature that he has available from Water Environment Federation regarding biosolids recycling, sharing your watershed, nonpoint source pollution, and hazardous waste. This information can be shared with groups that have an interest in the subject. He indicated it could be helpful in our stormwater education program. NPDES PERMIT- Spangler reported that our application was submitted in March, 97. We received a draft permit in April or May, 1998. We then submitted our comments and the State of Michigan responded to our comments, adopting almost all we asked for. The new NPDES permit will take effect December 1, 1998. All the changes in the permit are in our favor. Spanglerproudly reported that one of the big changes is that due to our long term compliance with effluent requirements, the state is backing off our 7 day effluent monitoring requirements, to 5 days a week. That will have an impact on our laboratory operations. Jimmy pointed out that a problem is that one of the B.O.D. tests requires that it be set one day and then wait five days to read it, so that still requires a seven day rotation to set and read them to come up with five days a week reading. We are in the process now of seeing how some reorganization of the laboratory can have an impact on this operation. Spangler said this change by the State, he feels is a compliment, because of long term compliance by our wastewater treatement system, they reduced the requirement. GREAT LAKES INITIATIVE- Spangler reported on the GL1, which is the toxics program. He noted that now we have not only human health and aquatic life, but wild life considerations. Due to the successes in our long term industrial pretreatment program, we have been doing all our monitoring in total metals 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 29, 1998 Page 3 versus dissolved(those that are tied up with solid particles) which now do not count under the GLI. Our totals for the last five years have been running less than the dissolved numbers required, so we have had all metals removed from our permit. Because of our longterm reporting and good numbers and consistent work, the only thing we have is left is mercury minimalization program. Stypula congratulated Spangler and said the public should know that their City isn't just doing the right thing, it is doing extraordinary things. Bloomberg asked Spangler about the Lansing Avenue Pump Station. Spangler said concrete pouring was started about two weeks later than scheduled. With good weather, the contractor hopes to get on schedule. Spangler said if everything holds, the contractor should finish in a timely fashion, which is December, 1999. The pumps have been built and when the variable frequency drives are all assembled and put together, staff will go to Wisconsin to witness the testing and verify the operating efficiencies. The existing facility is holding its own and it is hoped it will continue until the new facility is operational. SOLID WASTE- Klein reported that the Recycling Committee is working to find ways to educate the public and come up with a clear statement and a strategic plan. Steve Chalker and Lori Thomas are doing a good job of pulling things together, and will be sending something to the Board and City Council regarding this. The department now has Enforcement Officers on the job, and one of the challenges has been where there are non-English speaking heads of household. They are looking at ways to get bilingual literature to those in need of that information. Klein said the committee feels another problem is with the rebate of$5 of the Recycling fee . With the filling of some of the positions, and with increased ability to get some things done that they were not previously able to do, the concern is that with reduced funding some of the needed things will not have funding. Klein also expressed concern that some companies that were previously accepting and marketing recyclables are no longer doing so because of the profit margins. For instance, corrugated cardboard prices went from $200/ton in 1995 to current price of$35/ton. She indicated we may need to look at doing some direct marketing of our recycling collected items. Navabi suggested that the newsletter have one side printed in spanish. Klein agreed that would be helpful, or even a few lines added in spanish indicating where persons, churches, or associations may call to get more information or assistance. 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 29, 1998 Page 4 Navabi said he is working on providing drop-off centers, possibly at the transfer station. OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE DIVISION: None. DIRECTOR'S REPORT. Michael Navabi said he was pleased a quorum was present today as it has been some time since the last meeting with a quorum. He expressed appreciation for the help and direction that the Board provides him. He reported on the highlights of the activities of the past several months. BUDGET FY 1999-2000- We have begun work on the budget. Staff will be meeting this week to finalize our Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) requests. One of the items will be improvements to the Operations & Maintenance facility as well as numerous other projects, for a total of$47 - $50 million. More details will be available later. PERSONNEL-Navabi said he had been directly involved in filling several key positions. The Assistant Transportation Engineer position has been filled by Andy Kilpatrick, from the Washington, D.C. area. He has done work in the area of the White House and Pennsylvania Avenue. A key position in the Engineering Division is in the process of being filled, the Assistant City Engineer (new position). The field has been narrowed to three candidates, and interviews will be held about two weeks. Two other positions, Engineer-33 and Engineering Technician-28 are also in process. STORMWA TER- SUPREME COURT HEARING- The Hearing was held about three weeks ago in the case of Alexander Bolt v City of Lansing. Our department was very involved in preparations for the hearing. Navabi said he is optimistic regarding the outcome. GRANTS - We are looking to Washington, D:C. for some grant monies which we hope to get to be used for traffic enhancements in the amount of$2.7 million. TRAFFIC BOARD -A couple of open positions on that board have been filled. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS-Fire Chief, Greg Martin, is working to make revisions and improvements to some of our emergency operations. We have been working with him in this endeavor. CUSTOMER SERVICE-Navabi said this is one of the highest issues on his agenda, and there is always room for improvement. There has been significant improvements, but more is needed. Navabi said he is in the process of changing the format of the Mayor's Parking and Downtown Development Advisory 4 BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 29, 1998 Page 5 Committee. He wants this group to be much more focused on the parking system as it relates to customer service and satisfaction. Navabi said an idea that he saw from Portland, Maine is to give each first time parking violator a one-time forgiven ticket. Navabi said he thinks this is an attractive idea which he wants to pursue. The Finance Department has been given our paperwork to determine the financial aspect. We want to make sure there will not be a negative financial impact, otherwise Navabi said he has other incentive ideas that could be substituted. CSO - There will be a city-wide mailing within the next week or so, with a pamphlet updating the public on the progress of the program. Navabi thanked Rita Klein for assisting the department as an information source at public community meetings. Rita said it was fun and she enjoyed it. CODE ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM - The Police Chief, Planning Director, and Public Service Director have been working for the last couple of months to revise and improve the reporting and enforcement of code violations. It is hoped this will be a more efficient way for employees to know exactly the correct procedure, timeline, and the appropriate department to call for any situation or violation they may be advised of. HOPE SOCCER FIELD KICK-OFF (AURELIUS ROAD LANDFILL) - Navabi noted this was an excellent event, with officials of the county and city present, as well as many,school children. The children and officials kicked off the soccer balls, and it was a great celebration wherein a liability was turned into an asset. This is a $3 million project. There will be six fields to begin, and eventually four more fields will be added. We expect it to be ready for use at the beginning of year 2000. PROBATION RESIDENTIAL CENTER(PRC) - The County has been considering building a PRC. The neighborhood in the area of North Grand River has been concerned that a PRC may be being planned on a particular site where some digging and development is being done. Residents have been to Council committee meeting complaining that proper permits have not been issued, etc. Navabi said he has been involved in trying to resolve these issues. This is ongoing, and we will be in Public Services Committee today discussing this item. There will be discussion of making some changes to the permit process which Ellen Beal has been supporting. Navabi said some of the changes he supports, but not all, as they are more time consuming than needed. He does support making the rules tougher and fines higher. OAKLAND AVENUE- M-43 - This is a State of Michigan project. Some residents have been objecting to widening the street. Navabi said he has been successful in his request to the State to request a variance reducing their normal three 12 ft. lanes to three 10 ft. lanes. The State needs approval from the Federal Highways Administration. STORMWA TER APPEALS-Navabi said he had concerns earlier that the CSOIStormwater Committee had not been meeting regularly for about four months. However, the committee has been meeting 5 BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 29, 1998 Page 6 regularly for about four or five sessions, and has been hearing appeals en masse. This seems to be moving along okay presently. PAULSON SITE - We have another brownsfield on the north side of town. We are dealing with controversial issues such as who caused the contamination. We may be able to put this item in our Capital Improvement Projects next year. NORTH PRECINCT- Work is underway, and is going along successfully. There have been problems to be worked out, but we believe everything is under control. Phases ll and 111 will be underway upon approval of our grant request from MDOT We have applied to the Michigan Department of Transportation to extend the roadway from May Street to Oakland Avenue. NOR THTOWN--OLDTOWN DEVELOPMENT- There is lot of activity going on in this area. Navabi said this has required lots of his time dealing with developers on a daily basis. The CSO going through next year down Grand River has been a concern of small business owners who do not want construction interruption. There are three distinct groups involved in the area: Northtown Association, Oldtown Association, and the major industries. We have laid out for them all the pros and cons of the different alternatives for the route of the CSO construction. We have been meeting with the associations to discuss the issues. We would like to get to the design phase of this project soon for construction in the beginning of the upcoming season. OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE DIVISION- Due to a safety incident, we have been more stringently enforcing use of hard hats. We are working on billing modifications. We are investigating consolidating the stormwater billing with the sanitary sewer billing. Navabi said he hopes to report more information about this in a few months. DELTA TOWNSHIP RECYCLING AGREEMENT- This program has been going well, and no problems have occurred as a result of the intergovernmental cooperation. We are also looking at a similar agreement with East Lansing. COUNTY SURCHARGE- TRASH BILLS-Ingham County has indicated they may ask for a surcharge on our trash bills (as well as East Lansing, and major industries, including Granger). Navabi said it was an issue brought up by the technical people. He has discussed it with the commissioners a couple of times. The surcharge would amount to about 50 cents per typical monthly bill. Navabi said he opposes it and brought it to the Mayor's attention. (This issue is not resolved at this time; the county commissioners are waiting for more information from their technical people). TRANSPORTATION- The North Capitol Ramp will be reopened November 2, 1998 after several months of renovations. PARKING METERS-Several months ago, we removed parking meters around businesses in the South 6 BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 29, 1998 Page 7 Washington Avenue area. This was an effort to help the businesses down there. The revenues from parking meters in this area were minimal. CHANGES TO THE MAYOR'S PARKING AND DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE-Navabi said he has set a brainstorming session inviting a representative from the Mayor's office, one from the Planning Department, and the Transportation staff. The main focus will be to see how we can make our parking system more friendly to attract businesses to the downtown. Navabi said there are no easy answers, because when people are being fined it is difficult to make them happy. However, he feels he can make some improvements, such as cleaner, safer, and better lit ramps. Also, in the past, there was some overlap between work of the Traffic Board and MPDDC. Navabi's intent is to avoid these duplications of effort. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT - Navabi noted that currently there are ten new developments ongoing in the downtown area. He noted he is in the process of hiring a consultant to study whether there is a need for more parking in the area. Our own preliminary study indicates there is not an extreme threat at this time, however, Navabi said he believes there is need for a consultant study. This may involve statistical analysis and forecasting. Navabi said we have been meeting with MDOT and various departments to come up with a common purpose for the downtown parking study. MDOT has a Capitol Loop study, and Navabi wants to make sure we are all on the same page and are working together. GOOD NEWS! Klein had a good news report. She said she had recently had house guests from Minneapolis that hadn't been to Lansing in 10-15 years. They were dining in the downtown area during the evening and when leaving, on the street they were greeted by families going to the Fun House at Oldsmobile Park; they expressed amazement at the aura of friendliness and safety exhibited in the downtown area at night. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT. Bob Clegg distributed his written report with Construction Status report attached. Clegg reviewed the highlights of the report. We have completed 100%of the 1996 list of streets; 100%of 19971ist of streets; and 75% of 1998 list of streets. To date, since the beginning of the program, we have completed 73.2 miles of street rehabilitation and are well on schedule and within budget for this program. PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS REPAIR - The department has asked each year for funds to maintain pedestrian overpasses in the city. We have provided multi-year programs to maintain the pedestrian overpasses. One of the structures we wanted to repair last year experienced a failing stair step and we immediately closed it. This is the structure on Grand River at Massachusetts. We have asked for budget transfers on an emergency basis to get it repaired. We are waiting for that to be processed. Clegg said that from an engineering perspective, these structures are in need of maintenance, and the city cannot ignore the maintenance needs. They are metal structures and are deteriorating at an ever 7 BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 29, 1998 Page 8 increasing rate. Some council members have asked that we paint the structures to make them more attractive, but we feel repair and maintenance must come first. PRUDDEN BUILDING -Clegg says that project has been on a fast track, and he commended Jon Dowling, Assistant City Engineer, for the time and effort he has put forth to make this come together in a short timeline. Clegg said creative solutions were applied to very complex problems. DIAMOND REO SITE- Clegg said he is hoping to go to bid yet this year on the last project. This project is to collect and clean the deep aquifer He plans to get a contractor on board and begin construction this winter. Improvements will be made to the treatment process. He thanked Spangler and staff for their help. This is the last phase that began with demolishing Diamond Reo when he was hired in the City in 1978. Clegg said he is also asking for funds for next fiscal year to file a closure report which is necessary to summarize how remediations were done, and what plans are for the future to remove contamination from the groundwater. LATE AGENDA ITEM- CHANGE MEETING PLACE Discussion was held to change the meeting place from South Precinct to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Adminstrative Office. MOTION: KLEIN MOVED, WITH STYPULA SUPPORTING A MOTION TO MOVE REGULAR MEETINGS TO THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES.. ALL AYES. MOTION PASSED. The meeting was adjourned at 1:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ! �mj 00"'L 'J".4- Margaret H. Pollard Secretary to the Board V:IUSERSIMHPIWPIWPDOCSIPSB11998196-1029MIN merged.wpd 8 � P � S � Nc RECEIVED.ACITY OF LANSING 3 �mv --9 Pik 2= 41 LANSING CITY CLERICvsLIC SERVICE DEPARTMENT 124 W. Michigan Ave. 732 City Hall G P Lansing, MI 48933 David c. Hollister, Mayor Phone No. (517) 483-4455 Fax No. (517) 483-6082 BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE 'NOTICE OF MEETING CANCELLATION PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE, SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 , 1998 IS CANCELED DUE TO LACK OF AGENDA ITEMS . THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 , 1998 Q 11 : 30 A . M. AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AT 1625 SUNSET AVENUE . If you have questions, please call Ms . Pollard at 483-4453 . PN S iN CITY OF LANSING ~ PUBLIC SERVICE DEPARTMENT 124 W. Michigan- Ave. 732 City Hall P Lansing, MI 48933 G David C. Hollister, Mayor Phone No. (517) 483-4455 Fax No. (517) 483-6082 BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE NOTICE OF CANCELLATION PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE , SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 13 , 1998 , IS CANCELED . THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 10 , 1998 AT 11 : 30 A . M . If you have questions, please call Ms . Pollard at 483-4453 . CITY OF LANSING TRANSMITTAL TO: � -4I 4. FOR ; ❑ SIGN NOTE AND FORWARD ❑ APPF NOTE AND FILE ❑ ACTION ❑ PLEASE SUMMARIZE L1 NOTE AND RETURN ❑ COMMENTS ❑ PLEASE INVESTIGATE ❑ PLEASE PHONEME ❑ INFORMATION ❑ FORWARDED PER REQUEST ❑ PLEASE SEE ME REMARKS: din- 4' FROM DATE -1i t l Cat" r, S. i v /6:1 %7�