HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2013-06-05DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. June 5, 2013
PRESENT:
DAC Chair — Roberts
DAC Members:
Andrew Rappaport
Alderperson Smith
Jocelyn Scriber
Amy Scott
Information Management Specialist — Myers
Asst. Civil Engineer — Yost
DPW Sidewalk Intern - Donnelly
EXCUSED:
DAC Vice Chair - Gizewski
DAC Members Sember- Chase, McElrath, Anderson
Alderperson Smith
Lisa Lunas, Tompkins County Office for the Aging
Introductions were made.
Approval of Minutes:
Approval of the March 6, 2013 and May 1, 2013 Disability Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes — Resolution
Approval of the minutes was tabled until the July meeting due to lack of quorum.
Discussion:
Discussion with Michael Kuo and Tammy Baker, Commons Project
Manager /Coordinator — Commons Construction Update
Chair Roberts explained that the DAC wants to ensure that clear and complete paths
that are accessible are maintained throughout the construction project.
Mr. Kuo reported that the project began April 5, 2013 and will be broken up into three
parts as follows:
1. Part I will involve a complete demolition of the surface, construction of a
protective fence to protect the public from the construction. Part I will take 90 days to
complete.
2. Part II will involve the excavation and removal /replacement of all utilities. During
this part crossing north /south will become a little less easy as it will involve deep
excavation.
There will be no construction activity from Thanksgiving until March 2014. Plans are
being made now for the accommodation of accessible pedestrian crossings that will be
durable and long- lasting for the winter months, especially with the need for snow
removal. There may be a possibility of opening up more north /south access points, but
that will be determined closer to Thanksgiving.
Currently the protective fencing /barrier around the middle of the Commons constructed
of panels is being treated as an art project for local artists /businesses to highlight
attractions and businesses in the City of Ithaca. These panels will remain through March
2014.
Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes June 5, 2013
3. Part II will involve the finishing of the Commons with installation of plants,
amenities, etc. He is not sure at this point of the phasing of the project; they will make
every effort to minimize interruption to businesses. They will also be trying to keep the
Commons open and accessible throughout this phase as well.
A question and answer period followed with Mr. Kuo and Ms. Baker answering
questions involving — what type of base will the finished Commons have, the type and
placement of underground utilities, quality control, ease of access for repair or
replacement of utilities, the need to make sure it complies with ADA requirements.
The proposed final surface should not buckle or become damaged as easily as it did. It
will be much better as a lot of thought was put into it because of the environment, heavy
use and various types of traffic on it. There are samples of the pavers that will be used
in their office (at the Rothschild Building) if anyone is interested in taking a look at them.
There is a massive rehab being undertaken to consolidate all the underground utilities
will be consolidated into a single utility corridor for quality control, ease of access for
repair. There will be new gas and water lines, and the existing sanitary sewer is being
rehabbed.
Chair Roberts asked whether accommodations for the blind /visually impaired are being
made to tell them where paths of travel are during construction; and the need to make
sure pedestrians can tell where they are if they need to shift and change in location. He
stated that bright pink markers are helpful for those who are visually impaired. Another
thing that needs to be considered is to make sure nothing projects into the paths of
travel or that there is a drop off in the surface — otherwise efforts should be made to
alert pedestrians appropriately.
Mr. Kuo explained that Ms. Baker's role is to be the liaison between merchants, tenants,
the city, and public regarding the work being done on the Commons.
Ms. Baker shared information regarding a website that has been set up for people to
access information about the project anytime they want. The website is
http : / /ithacacommons.wordpress.com/ She also explained that people can sign up to
"follow" the project and receive automatic e -mails with updates to stay informed. He
role is to keep everyone informed, problem solve, and work to resolve complaints from
merchants, tenants, etc. She stated that they have blueprints of the project in their
office as well, if anyone is interested in seeing them. Her phone number is (607) -220-
8425.
Mr. Kuo stated that he would like to see his and Ms. Baker's network extended through
DAC members into the community in an effort to keep the public informed about the
project and as a resource for the public with any questions or concerns.
The members of the DAC expressed their thanks to Mr. Kuo and Ms. Baker for taking
the time to come to the meeting to share information about the Commons Upgrade
Project.
Discussion with Lynne Yost on the City's sidewalk program
Chair Roberts reported that a sub - committee of the Board of Public Works was
established as the "Sidewalk Working Group ". It includes staff of the engineering office,
the city attorney, and board members. He has asked that Transportation Engineer
Logue provide an update to the DAC at the July meeting. He has also requested that
DAC Member Rappaport be included in a meeting to review the proposal for ADA
requirements and accessibility needs.
Chair Roberts explained that if the city repaired sidewalk on private property - similar to
how the city currently maintains the streets would require a change in the City Charter
and also to go referendum to have voters decide whether or not the amend the Charter
to add that responsibility to the City and provide the City a way to charge property
owners for the work — similar to city taxes. He stated that the DAC might want to take a
position on that particular option and then provide its recommendation to the Board of
Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
June 5, 2013
Public Works and Common Council. He stated that the DAC's focus is to encourage as
many sidewalks to be repaired /replaced as soon as possible due to the very poor
condition of the sidewalk in some areas of the city.
Asst. Civil Engineer Yost agreed that many of the city's sidewalks are in poor condition.
She further stated that she is not sure when the proposal from the sidewalk working
group will be ready, how the proposal will treat tax - exempt properties, how the charge
for the city to do the work would be rolled into property taxes, would it be beneficial to
have special benefit districts to help pay for the cost of city crews repairing or replacing
sidewalks. She stated that there would need to be several districts established to assist
in paying for all the sidewalks to be repaired that are in poor condition.
DAC Member Rappaport stated that previous information provided to the DAC by Ms.
Yost indicates that it would take 30 years for the City to repair are the sidewalks that are
in poor condition. Ms. Yost responded that her sidewalk database grows each year and
that currently 80% of the sidewalks in the City need some sort of work, how notices are
sent to property owners, how permits are issued, how work is inspected, etc.
DPW Intern Donnelly shared hand -outs with pictures of sidewalks that are considered
"unsatisfactory" or "failed /condemnable ". He further explained how inspections are
conducted and notices generated for property owners.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding what type of material should be used for
sidewalks, whether the part of the driveway that connects the sidewalk is allowed to be
made of different material than the sidewalk, whether patching is acceptable, whether
there is a standard requirement for the slope of sidewalks throughout the city (i.e. if
more than 1/4" is the sidewalk considered in a "failed" condition, curb cuts, areas where
curb cuts are needed, what can be done in the meantime until the recommendation of
the sidewalk working group is approved and in place to improve the condition of
sidewalks throughout the city.
Asst. Civil Engineer Yost explained her process for prioritizing sidewalks for repair,
concentrating on one area at a time rather than repairing one sidewalk at a time and
moving to various locations to do that, so that all sidewalks are in good condition in one
area before moving to another area. It doesn't make sense to go to one sidewalk in one
neighborhood and repair it and then go to another sidewalk in another area to make
repairs when there are other sidewalks in the same neighborhood that need repair, but
may not be as bad as the one in the next neighborhood. She stated that work is
scheduled in more publicly and heavily traveled areas of the city before other areas.
She stated that the Board of Public Works approved a resolution in December 2012 that
did include some changes to the current sidewalk program, including property owners
paying for sidewalks damaged by city trees.
DAC Member Scriber left the meeting at 1:30 p.m.
DAC member expressed their thanks to Ms. Yost for attending the meeting and
providing the information.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.
Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts
Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC
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