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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2013-01-28BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:52 p.m. January 28, 2013 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (5) – Acharya, Darling, Jenkins, Leccese, Morache OTHERS PRESENT: Acting Superintendent of Public Works – Benjamin Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Assistant City Engineer – West Executive Assistant – Gehring EXCUSED: Commissioner Goldsmith City Attorney – Lavine Common Council Liaison – Fleming DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: Commissioner Morache requested that Item 9.5, entitled “Minimum Parking Requirements,” be added to the agenda. No Board member objected. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: The Mayor had no communications at this time. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Alderperson Ellen McCollister addressed the Board on behalf of Alderperson Donna Fleming to request that the Board closely consider Item 9.2, “Request to Add On-Street Parking on Maple Avenue.” She stated that the future Coal Yard Café would serve the neighborhood on Maple Avenue, pedestrians and drivers alike, and she believes the café would be a great added amenity for the community. She further stated that the café was in need of additional short-term parking for patrons. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC No response was provided. REPORTS Superintendent and Staff Asst. City Engineer West reported that a repair program for the recent car accident that occurred in Green Street Parking Garage, which has caused a portion of the garage to be closed, was being prepared. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that planned work on East State Street for water service connections at Collegetown Terrace was delayed due to weather conditions, and would begin in the 800 block of East State Street on Tuesday, January 29, 2013. He further reported that several water main breaks were repaired over the past week, and interviews to replace a retiring Water Treatment Plant operator were beginning. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the January 7, 2013, Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes – Resolution By Commissioner Lecesse: Seconded by Commissioner Morache RESOLVED, That the minutes of the January 7, 2013, Board of Public Works meeting be approved as proposed. Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works Page 2 January 28, 2013 Regular Meeting ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: Election of Board of Public Works Vice Chair for 2013 – Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Lecesse RESOLVED, That Commissioner Jenkins be appointed as the Vice Chair of the Board of Public Works for 2013. Carried Unanimously Discussion followed on the floor regarding the duties of the Vice Chair. Commissioner Jenkins agreed to oversee the position of Vice Chair for 2013. VOTING ITEMS: Highways, Streets and Sidewalks: Award of Contract for Construction Materials Testing Services for Various City Projects During the City of Ithaca’s 2013 Construction Program – Resolution By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, bids were received on January 15, 2013, for Construction Materials Testing Services for the City of Ithaca’s 2013 Construction Program, and WHEREAS, the 2013 Budget included project funding and capital funds for construction for various City projects including, but not limited to: 1. Old Elmira Road Reconstruction Project 2. Six Mile Creek Wall Repair Plain Street 3. Skate Park 4. Seneca Garage Repairs Phase Two 5. Intersection Redesign at Route 13A, route 79, and Elm Street 6. Green and Seneca Street Chokers 7. Floral Avenue Trail 8. Upgrade Five (5) Traffic Signals 9. East State and Mitchell Signal Installation 10. Route 13 Crossings 11. Commons Rehabilitation And, WHEREAS, CME Associates, Inc., located at 701B Chemung Street, Horseheads, NY 14845 submitted a proposal for Construction Materials Testing Services not to exceed $72,065.80, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the contract for Construction Materials Testing Services for the City of Ithaca’s 2013 Construction Program is hereby awarded to CME Associates, Inc., located at 701B Chemung Street, Horseheads, NY 14845, for their submitted low proposal of $72,065.80, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent or Acting Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to enter into and administer this contract. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS: Water Supply Project Cash Flow Projection Update Asst. Supt. Whitney explained that the cash flow projection was an update for the Board and that information about the current plan would be presented to the City Administration Committee on February 27, 2013. He further explained that bids had been received for the membrane systems, and the apparent low bidder was Pall Corporation located in Cortland, New York. Requests for Proposals for the control systems integrators have been sent out and would be received in the near future, along with bids for the residual handling facility on Giles Street, work at the Elm Street Tank, access improvements, gatehouse improvements and localized dredging work at the 60 foot dam. He stated that the main bid for the water plant construction would be sent out in April or May 2013. Board of Public Works Page 3 January 28, 2013 Regular Meeting He stated that the entire project would be presented to Council so they would not need to make individual decisions at each phase of the project. Request to Add On-Street Parking on Maple Avenue David and Steve Beer, property owners of 143 Maple Avenue, joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Mayor Myrick began the discussion regarding the request for on-street parking for the future Coal Yard Café at 143 Maple Avenue. Discussion followed on the floor regarding street width requirements for a parking lane and a bike lane, the current on-site parking lot which has four parking spaces for the coffee shop and two handicapped spaces for the neighboring apartment building or coffee shop, and the amount of traffic along Maple Avenue. Mr. Beer explained that on-street parking spaces provide a convenience for customers and would hold visual weight for those passing the café, ensuring that the business is noticed. He noted that a Cornell parking lot and a TCAT bus stop was across the street from the café. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the East Hill Recreation Way, the time of day most parking would occur in that area, and other ways to define the business, such as signage, fencing, or landscaping. Mayor Myrick requested that a drawing be created to show all of the proposed elements, including the on-street parking, bike lane, removal of the tree lawn for parking, etc. He stated that he would be inclined to approve the parking request if all of the elements could be accommodated. The Board generally agreed. Discussion followed on the floor regarding installing metered parking with a time limit. Mr. Beer suggested that should the on-street parking spots be installed, no parking could be enforced for a specific time limit later in the afternoon during commuting hours to assist with traffic flow. 2013 Construction Projects Mayor Myrick stated that there were numerous construction projects planned for 2013, though they won’t cause the same gridlock as the projects did in 2012. Discussion followed on the floor regarding alternate locations for the larger events that normally occur on the Commons, which would be under construction beginning in the spring. Asst. City Engineer West suggested the Board consider the impact of all the anticipated private work, and the use of the public rights of way from construction staging. 2012 Accomplishments and 2013 Goals for Department of Public Works Mayor Myrick stated that it was an impressive list of accomplishments and an ambitious list of goals particularly how severely the budget was impacted in the Department of Public Works. He thanked Acting Supt. Benjamin for providing the list to the Board. Minimum Parking Requirements Mayor Myrick explained that a sub-committee of the Planning and Development Committee was meeting to modify legislation to abolish minimum parking requirements. He expressed his belief that the minimum parking requirements pushes up the cost of housing and pushes down the cost of parking. Commissioner Morache explained that a Parking Manager position had been approved to oversee on-street parking and the parking garages, and the requirement for minimum parking for new construction competes with public parking, which contributes to the City’s revenue. Discussion followed on the floor regarding ensuring public parking rates were competitive in relation to other area parking, and the Board providing a recommendation to Common Council in favor of eliminating the minimum parking requirement as it relates to public works issues. Commissioner Morache agreed to draft a resolution for the Board’s meeting on February 4, 2013. Board of Public Works Page 4 January 28, 2013 Regular Meeting Alderperson Ellen McCollister joined the Board for this discussion, and strongly urged the Board to write the proposed resolution to Common Council in the context of a Parking Manager. She noted that there were supply and demand pricing issues in the Collegetown area. She suggested the Board take a holistic picture, put the recommendation in the context of unintended consequences, and make the distinction between short term and long term parking behaviors. The Board agreed with Alderperson McCollister’s suggestions. New Business Commissioner Darling stated that students in the Ithaca College MBA program were looking to help with stand alone projects in the City. He explained that the projects should require minimal staff time to explain the project, and the students could complete research. He suggested that students could work on the odd/even parking issue. Mayor Myrick agreed to contact the professor to make arrangements for student involvement. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Svante L. Myrick Executive Assistant Mayor