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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2013-01-14BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:52 p.m. January 14, 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 Common Council Liaison – Fleming Executive Assistant – Gehring Transportation Engineer – Logue EXCUSED: Commissioner (1) – Goldsmith City Attorney – Lavine DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: Commissioner Morache requested the addition of Item 9.3, entitled “Odd/Even Parking.” No Board member objected. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Myrick reported that steel mesh means restrictions had been fully installed on four bridges on Cornell’s campus. The Suspension Bridge would be the last bridge to have the mesh barriers installed. He further reported that motion detecting cameras would be installed on all of the bridges to notify Cornell and the City when anything falls into the mesh. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: No members of the public appeared to address the Board. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC There was no response necessary. REPORTS Acting Superintendent and Staff Asst. City Engineer West reported that the Engineering Division was working with the Ithaca Fire Department on the project to replace the Central Station’s roof and to upgrade its heating system. He further stated that plans were being developed for the next phase of repairs to the Seneca Street Garage, which are anticipated to occur in 2013. Acting Supt. Benjamin reported that crews were working on College Avenue to install a new manhole and backfilling. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that two water leaks were repaired on Third Street Extension Corn Street near Clinton Street, and crews were installing replacement hydrants. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: Search Committee Appointments for Superintendent of Public Works– Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That Commissioners Morache, Darling, and Lecesse be appointed to the Search Committee for the Superintendent of Public Works’ position. Carried Unanimously Mayor Myrick thanked the commissioners for volunteering and stated that Human Resources would contact them to schedule the first round of meetings. Board of Public Works Page 2 January 14, 2013 Regular Meeting VOTING ITEMS: Buildings, Properties, Refuse and Transit: Request for Encroachment Agreement/License at 202 East State/Martin Luther King Jr. Street – Resolution By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, Michael Bowden of Tyco Integrated Security, seeks to install two security cameras on the Southwest corner of the Bank of America building located at 202 East State/Martin Luther King Jr. Street (Tax Map Parcel No. 70.-3-15), in the City of Ithaca and has requested an encroachment agreement/license from the City for the encroachment into the airspace over the Commons; and WHEREAS, the encroachment would consist of the following: Two cameras, extending approximately one foot in length and not more than one foot in width into the airspace to be placed on either side of the southwestern corner of the Bank of America building at 202 East State/Martin Luther King Jr. Street. Installation of the cameras will result in an encroachment into City airspace of approximately 1 square foot over East State/Martin Luther King Jr. Street portion of the Commons and approximately 1 square foot over the Tioga Street portion of the Commons; and WHEREAS, the encroachment, which does not exceed 40 square feet, is a minor encroachment as defined in Chapter 170 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code; and WHEREAS, it appears that the proposed installation of security cameras would not interfere with the City’s airspace or the sidewalks as currently constituted; and WHEREAS, the Superintendent does not anticipate any conflicts in the near future with public works uses or needs, due to the existing encroachments at this location; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby authorizes the Mayor, upon consultation with the Superintendent and the City Attorney, to sign a revocable encroachment license agreement for installation of two security cameras as indicated in the building permit application submitted of the building at 202 East State/Martin Luther King Jr. Street, containing the usual terms and conditions (with the license revocable upon six months’ notice); and be it further RESOLVED, That the encroachment agreement shall not be subject to a fee at this time, per Chapter 170 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code, which provides that the annual use fee shall be waived for a minor encroachment. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the armed security guard that would be replaced once the cameras were installed. A Vote of the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Highways, Streets and Sidewalks: Authorization to Enter in a Memorandum of Understanding with Valentine Vision Associates concerning Improvements to the Intersection of East State/Martin Luther King Jr. Street with Mitchell Street – Resolution By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Darling WHEREAS, the City has long sought to improve the safety and functionality of the intersection of East State/Martin Luther King Jr. Street with Mitchell Street, which sees a significant demand from pedestrians, automobiles, trucks, public safety vehicles and bicycles, due to its proximity to Collegetown and Cornell University, as well as the substantial residential neighborhood surrounding the intersection, and WHEREAS, the developers of the Collegetown Terrace Project, in site plan development, worked closely with City staff to produce plans that would not only accommodate city plans, but promoted those plans by providing the necessary easements and offered a cash contribution to help defray the cost of the completed project, and Board of Public Works Page 3 January 14, 2013 Regular Meeting WHEREAS, City staff, with the help of the developer, and their respective attorneys, have developed a written agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding, which outlines the understanding between the two parties, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between Valentine Vision Associates and the City of Ithaca concerning improvements to the intersection of Mitchell Street and East State/Martin Luther King Jr. Street, following consultation with the City Attorney and the Superintendent of Public Works, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works wishes to thank City staff for their proactive planning efforts and Valentine Vision Associates for their generosity and long range view of their investment in our community. Transportation Engineer Logue joined the Board for the discussion of this topic, and stated that a public information session was scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 2013. He presented the options for the East State Street and Mitchell Street intersection. Transportation Engineer Logue explained the different options for the intersection, and noted the questions that should be resolved with this project, such as removing or not removing the island. Though the consultant believes the span wire design would work better, staff would like the mast arms to hold the signal heads out across the road. Discussion followed regarding the height the signals would be above the road, timing of the signals, vehicle detection during nighttime hours, left hand turn lane beginning at Eddy Street, the bicycle “jug handle” option and how bicyclists would cross the street. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Resolution to direct sidewalk, driveway, and curb construction along the 100 and 200 block of Elmira Road, also known as Old Elmira Road By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Morache WHEREAS, Common Council has authorized a “Complete Streets” project to rebuild the 100 and 200 blocks of Elmira Road (Old Elmira Road), including a project agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation for $682,500 from the NYS Multi-Modal Funding program, and WHEREAS, this project includes the construction of new sidewalks, driveways, and curbing along the majority of Old Elmira Road, in addition to numerous other improvements, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has been presented with a preliminary plan and cost estimates for the required sidewalk, driveway, and curb construction, and WHEREAS, on December 10, 2012, the Board held a duly advertised public hearing in accordance with Sections C-73 and C-89 of the City Charter, and WHEREAS, the costs of sidewalk, driveway and curbing construction are assessable to adjacent property owners in accordance with Section C-73 and C-89 of the City Charter, and WHEREAS, the Engineering Office has scheduled a public meeting for January 31, 2013, at the Tompkins County Library, from 4:30 to 5:30 pm to discuss the preliminary design of the street, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works will approve the final plans for the project before construction, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves and adopts the preliminary plan prepared by the Office of the City Engineer and the standard specifications for the sidewalk, driveway and curb construction, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs that said sidewalks, driveways, and curbing be constructed by City forces and/or by contract along Old Elmira Road in accordance with Sections C-73 and C-89 of the City Charter, pursuant to plans and specifications prepared by the Office of the City Engineer, and under the direction of the Superintendent of Public Works. Board of Public Works Page 4 January 14, 2013 Regular Meeting Commissioner Acharya expressed his support for installing sidewalks, but stated the policy on how sidewalks are built or repaired should be changed. Alderperson Fleming disagreed; stating she does not believe sidewalks should be on both sides of the street. Discussion followed on the floor regarding potential increase in pedestrian traffic, the phases of the project and what decisions the Board would need to make. Asst. City Engineer West noted that the Board should consider the evolution of Elmira Road, and how sidewalks and curbing were installed. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS: Motion to Deny Appeal of Trash Violation for 113 Hyers Street – Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Darling RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies the appeal of the recycling violation at 113 Hyers Street. Carried Unanimously Appeal of Water Bill for 111 East Seneca Street Discussion was held regarding the amount of water that leaked outside but did not go through the storm sewer system, and the consumption readings from the meter. Resolution By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Darling RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the appeal to waive the sewer portion of the bill. Carried Unanimously Resolution By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Morache RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the appeal to waive the water portion of the bill. Carried Unanimously Odd/Even Parking Mayor Myrick explained another city has a policy of not parking on certain sides of the street on snow emergency days, which only occur when it’s snowing. Asst. Supt. Benjamin explained that odd/even parking assists with other maintenance besides snow removal, including leaf removal between snow events. Discussion followed on the floor regarding other options available to alleviate anxiety for residents, including taking away night parking on the main streets and requiring odd/even parking on the side streets, or scheduling specific street cleaning days. It was suggested that an emergency leaf removal policy be implemented from September through December, with emergency snow days. Mayor Myrick asked for volunteers from the Board to work with staff on options to change the odd/even parking policy. He further stated that he would research what policies other cities implement and would bring the topic back to the Board for further discussion. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Svante L. Myrick Executive Assistant Mayor