As expected, resolutions calling for more than a half-million dollars to be allocated for special projects -- as well as others to accept a $236,0000 firefighters grant and to complete the final phase of the “Healthy Schools” sidewalk plan – were kept on the table by the Batavia City Council at its Conference meeting on Monday night.
Council, by unanimous agreement, moved to its Nov. 13 Business Meeting proposals that earmark $541,000 in unassigned funds to the Department of Public Works equipment reserve ($50,000), sidewalk reserve ($25,000), administrative services equipment and software reserve ($300,000), street resurfacing project ($20,000) and the Ellicott Trail project ($146,000).
Scroll down to see a previous story on The Batavian for details.
The board also agreed to consider resolutions accepting a $236,000 FEMA Assistance Firefighters Grant for the purchase of 24 self-contain breathing apparatus units – replacing the ones that have outlived their usefulness, account to Chief Stefano Napolitano.
Additionally, the grant will allow the department to purchase a Pak Tracker system that is used to locate a firefighter who becomes missing or trapped in a dangerous environment, Napolitano said.
The “Healthy Schools” resolution authorizes the City to contract with the state Department of Transportation to complete construction phases of the project in the amount of $982,238, of which 75 percent will be reimbursed to the City.
Previously, the City was awarded the funding to replace 12,300 feet of sidewalk for Liberty Street from East Main Street to Morton Avenue, and Washington Avenue from Ross Street to Bank Street.
DPW Director Matt Worth said bids will go out in December and construction will start next spring.
Council gave its stamp of approval to “Christmas in the City,” a four-hour yuletide celebration coordinated by the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District on Dec. 1. The cost to the city for its part in the event is expected to be around $1,800.
In another development, Council seemed to agree with a recommendation by Worth, Police Chief Shawn Heubusch and Molino to beef up traffic control along Evans Street (in the Watson Street, Thorpe Street and Ganson Avenue areas) as an alternative to a resident’s request to install an “Autistic Child” sign.
The plan, according to a memo by Worth, is based on the premise that motorists’ driving speed needs to be addressed. Molino said the resident, Jonathan Bell, who has an autistic son, agreed with the following recommendations:
-- Installing a portable speed monitor trailer on Evans Street prior to the winter to let drivers know how fast they are going;
-- Using grant funding to increase traffic enforcement in this area, hopefully resulting in information that would determine if stop signs or reduced speed zone signs are warranted;
-- Placing a “Children at Play” sign on Evans Street at Watson Street, southbound, as vehicles exit an industrial area into a residential area.
