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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2013-10-28BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. October 28, 2013 Present: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (5) Darling, Jenkins, Acharya, Morache, Goldsmith Other’s Present: Director of Engineering West Acting Supt. Benjamin Asst. Supt. W & S Whitney Information Mgt. Specialist Myers Alderperson Fleming Transportation Engineer Logue Alderperson McCollister Executive Assistant Gehring Additions to or Deletions from Agenda: There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. Mayor's Communications: Mayor Myrick had no communications at this time. Communications and Hearings from Persons Before the Board: Alderperson McCollister addressed the Board regarding the residential parking permit hardship request for 301 Bryant Avenue. She urged the Board to support staff's recommendation to deny the request since it does not meet the hardship requirements. She stated that she sympathizes with applicant's situation. She spoke to the reason for implementation of the system was due to staff from CU and students parking in the neighborhoods which resulted in residents being unable to park on their street near their homes during the week. The residential parking permit systems have preserved the integrity of the neighborhood and its quality of life for the residents. Deanna (no card filled out), a resident of 1202 E. State Street addressed the Board regarding a concern about a possible water leak affecting their basement. It is causing their sump pump to work almost all the time. They are not sure where the leak is coming from. There was a water main break on the other side of street last week. They would like a city official to verify that water problem is not indicative of a bigger problem They contacted the City's Water Department, but no one has provided an answer as to where the water is coming from. She further noted that the previous owner did not have this issue. Asst. Supt. Whitney responded that he would have staff test the water for chlorine residual which would indicate leak. He will take a look to look at it; he asked the property owner call him on Tuesday to set up a time. Alderperson Fleming arrived at 4:55 p.m. Response to the Public: Commissioner Acharya stated that he supports Alderperson McCollister’s request to deny the RPP hardship request. He noted that with the right research, the applicant should be able to find cheap alternatives to parking, maybe free parking on north campus even. He is opposed to granting the hardship appeal. Reports: Alderperson Fleming reported that Common Council has been meeting a lot recently to discuss and review the Mayor's proposed 2014 budget. Their next meeting is tomorrow. She stated that Common Council members will need to make a lot of hard decisions, and have been working well together. She further noted that department heads have presented thoughtful and precise presentations, which has assisted Council greatly. Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes October 28, 2013 2 Director of Engineering West reported that the contractor completed repair work at the Seneca Street parking garage, and has now moved to the Green Street parking garage to repair two columns. On the Commons work is underway to lay sanitary sewer lines, and most of the work has been completed. The water main work is just about wrapped up, and crews are getting ready to close down the project around Thanksgiving. The next phase of the reconstruction will begin in March 2014. Commissioner Acharya, BPW liaison to the Planning and Development Board, reported that they recently had a discussion on the Commons upgrade project. It was one of their most vigorous discussions involving the need to have another look at trees with no conclusion reached. He noted that it would be nice to ensure that any trees that go in do not create a canopy affect that was the case in the old Commons layout. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that crews should complete the water and sewer work on Esty Street by the end of this week; they will then begin on the sewer work. The work to re-build the water treatment plant is progressing with landscaping work on Giles Street and at the 60' dam site. He further reported that staff continues to work with O'Brien and Gere regarding the electronics and controls to bring them all together in new format and design at the new water plant. Acting Supt. Benjamin reported that the priority right now for crews at Streets and Facilities is to get all the utility patching done before the asphalt plant closes on November 1. He also explained that the heavy rains in August have caused issues with storm sewers and sink holes so crews are repairing them as they show up. In addition, staff have started gone back to work on the new handrails for the small "tea" pavilion at Stewart Park. He noted that crews have plenty of work to do, especially a lot of little projects. Approval of Minutes: Approval of the November 26, 2012 and May 13, 2013 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes - Resolution By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Darling RESOLVED, That the minutes of the November 26, 2012 and May 13, 2013 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Creeks, Bridges, and Parks: Driving Range Project Abandonment and Re-Allocation of Funds - Resolution By: Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith WHEREAS, The Golf Course Manager has reviewed the site for a Driving Range and noted the proposed site is the lowest area of the golf course where there are frequent drainage issues, and WHEREAS, the range would have to be closed frequently to keep balls from being plugged into the ground making them impossible to retrieve by mechanical means, and WHEREAS, the proposed area does not allow for an adequate safety buffer around the driving range, and WHEREAS, the development of the driving range will require the removal of several mature trees, realignment of several fairways and the building of new greens at considerable cost, and WHEREAS, the Golf Course Manager believes the reduced hours of operation from wet conditions, along with only seasonal use of a driving range, would not be cost effective to develop a driving range; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the plan to build a driving range be abandoned, and be it further RESOLVED, That funds allocated to purchase driving range equipment be available to purchase other needed equipment for the golf course. Commissioner Goldsmith expressed his support for this request, and noted that he is glad that it is being done. Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes October 28, 2013 3 Golf Pro, Mike Addicott, joined the Board for the discussion of the request and provided a quick history and described the proposed site for the driving range as being at the lowest level of whole golf course, which is wet all the time. He stated that it would cost the City money to have a driving range and would ruin the current nice layout of the golf course with something that doesn't belong there. Acting Supt. Benjamin explained that staff would like to use the money that had been budgeted for the driving range to purchase a leaf blower. He stated that the difference in cost can be found in department's budget. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Discussion Items: Residential Parking Permit System Hardship Request for 301 Bryant Avenue By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works supports the Transportation Engineer's recommendation to deny the request for a residential parking permit at 301 Bryant Avenue. Commissioner Morache stated that after he has studied issue, he totally agrees with statements made by Alderperson McCollister that there are other options for parking available to the applicant, including purchasing a parking permit for the City garage which is a reasonable rate, and that the hardship is not the result of a medical situation. Mayor Myrick noted that in this request Transportation Engineer Logue's interpretation of the residential parking permit rules outlines legitimate hardships, which should be supported by the Board. However, he would like to explore the possibility of extending the residential parking permit system and on-street parking in general throughout the City. Commissioner Darling stated that the applicant's reason for a hardship appeal to the Board isn't a hardship other than a financial one. He further stated that if the Board were to approve this request that it would then see at least one hardship request at each of its meetings until other changes are made to the residential parking permit system. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows Carried Unanimously 227 West Spencer Street Traffic Concerns: Transportation Engineer Logue joined the Board for discussion of this request. He reported that he had a conversation with the property owner, who isn't the applicant. The property owners are renting the property while they are a year abroad. He stated that the property owner has lived there through changes on West Spencer Street, and his biggest concern is that motorists coming from downtown don't know there is a driveway there, and he requested a sign to alert motorists to that. He doesn't have a problem putting a sign up if there if there is room. The property owner does not want the vegetation cut. Transportation Engineer Logue reported that he called and talked with the tenant to explain his letter, and discussion with the Board. The tenant would like the City to repair a pot hole in the parking area, which would help with the situation. Although, his wife would like to see a different approach taken to address the problem. Transportation Engineer Logue noted that in the long-term the Board might want to consider putting a sidewalk there in the future under the new sidewalk legislation. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the new information from the property owner and what they would like the Board to do in response to the request, the fact that the driveway is hidden from drivers, and the fact that there has been little change in traffic conditions on that street in the last five years -- especially since it is a pretty popular way for motorists to get back and forth from the south side of the city. Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes October 28, 2013 4 The Board expressed their support for Transportation Engineer Logue's recommendation and asked what they needed to do next. Transportation Engineer Logue responded that a resolution is not needed, that he can handle it administratively and will work to install a "hidden driveway" sign and patch the pothole in response to the property owner and applicant's requests. Odd/Even Parking Meeting – Update: Commissioner Darling reported that the sub-committee (made up of Commissioners Darling, Morache, Acharya, Director of Engineering West, Parking Director Nagy, and Acting Supt. Benjamin) met in September. Topics of discussion included yard waste removal from the street, notices on when rules are in effect, the difficulty in understanding the rules, the possibility of changing the time for odd/even to coincide with the college school schedule (i.e. Labor Day through Memorial Day), snow emergencies, public education/notification through the city's website, smart phone apps, as well as the possibility of reduced rates at parking garages for snow emergencies to make it easier for parkers to move vehicles temporarily. He further reported that the sub-committee used the work done by the MBA Class at Ithaca College on odd/even parking in the City of Ithaca and possible alternatives as a starting point for their discussion. Some of their suggestions were a small fee ($1.00) to sign up for "alerts" from the City to subscribe for messages that would be sent through e-mail to cell phones regarding street closings, snow events, plowing alerts, open parking garages - i.e. 8 hours for $2.00. Public might not think it is such a bad idea. Even do from time to time - bargain night at parking garage - as suggested by Parking Director Nagy to encourage use of the garages rather than on street parking. Commissioner Morache further noted that they also discussed having the time be 7 am to 7 pm to coincide when crews came on. He would also support a switch to the start and end time for odd/even parking to coincide with the academic school year to avoid confusion. This would also prevent the need for signage for street cleaning in the Spring. Commissioner Jenkins questioned whether these new rules would be effective this November? Commissioner Darling responded that the old system would be used for now as there needs to be a lot more discussion and ideas proposed regarding plowing and street cleaning. Also, leaves need to be removed from the street, catch basins need cleaning - there is a lot more than just snow event stuff to be discussed and decisions made about - as well as getting reactions for those ideas from the Board of Public Works and the Mayor before moving onto public input. In addition, the City needs to take a serious look at communication technology that's out there, and determining whether people would be willing to pay a small fee to avoid a ticket(s). Commissioner Acharya stated that the major problem he has with odd/even parking is that people have to move their vehicles every day. His preference would be getting rid of odd/even completely. Commissioner Goldsmith stated that DPW crews need to plow the streets all winter long, and there is need to plow even without a major snow event. He is not sure what the solution would look like. Mayor Myrick would like the odd/even rule abolished and new rules established. For example, if school is canceled notification to the public is done within one hour or less. He believes the City could do the same regarding moving vehicles for snow removal. People will learn where they need to go to get that information. Text alerts, t.v., facebook, etc. Commissioner Darling reported that another meeting of sub-committed has not been scheduled at this point. Mayor Myrick reported that the new Chief of Staff will start December 1, 2013, and he will ask him to join subcommittee. Let him know when the next meeting is scheduled so he can send him to it. Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes October 28, 2013 5 Proposed Street Vending Policy Presentation: Executive Assistant, Kathy Gehring, joined the Board for the discussion of this topic. Director of Engineering West explained that Executive Assistant Gehring, BPW Commissioner Darling, Acting Supt. Benjamin, and Director of Parking Nagy worked to develop a mobile vending policy for food trucks. That proposal is being presented to the Board to provide input and direction to staff as they develop the policy and implement the program. He stated that they met with twelve mobile vendors last week and discussed a lot of topics in summary and it was an interesting conversation. He reported that some of the topics for consideration that came out of that meeting include: use of a lottery system to assign sites rather than first come, first served, the duration of permits, the proposed locations, and fees relative to the city’s land use policy. They also received comment from the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, Jim D’Alterio from Cass Park, and the City’s Traffic System Engineer regarding possible impacts of the proposal. They invited mobile vendors to a working session of group to get better policy recommendations. Their tentative schedule is to finalize the proposal in November, submit to the proposal to the public for input, bring it back to the Board of Public Works in January, and then onto Common Council in February. Staff would like to begin implementation of the program by April 1, 2014. It was noted that the food truck round- up at Thompson Park was a pilot project that the Board of Public Works approved for the summer 2013 only. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the proposal, how sites were chosen, the process for obtaining a permit, how long permits would be valid, fees, opportunities for breakfast time vendors, daytime vendors, and late night vendors, what input/support restaurant owners have provided regarding the proposal, and the use of Cass and Stewart Parks as possible locations. DeWitt Park is not included because of the wear and tear there already from the Farmers' Market, which would create a cost that the city can't afford right now. Director of Engineering West stated that they would propose a season that runs from April 1 through October 31. At the first lottery go around each space would be up for a pick – vendors would pick their spot, and then if another vendor gets that spot, hopefully it will be available next go around. They want it easy to understand, bid on and administer. Vendors stressed to staff that importance of the consistency of their location so followers would know where they are. The City would also post locations of mobile vendors so the public can find a particular vendor; the posting would be done once a season. In addition, vendors could not vend during larger festivals at parks without organizer permission and a separate application fee. Director of Engineering West reported that there is demand in Ithaca for food truck vending opportunities. There are a number of business oriented people who operate small restaurants or some eatery already who are looking for other opportunities. The meeting with vendors last week provided some very constructive comments and enthusiastic support. He further explained that the land use policy in the City’s code dictates some dollar values for mobile vendors, and does authorize the Board of Public Works to waive the fee in some instances and/or establish different fees. He may recommend something a little less costly than what is in the city code - something more in line with a parking fee than a real estate fee. Executive Assistant Gehring reported that in her research into other cities mobile food truck vending programs, that the National League of City's recommends that before a program goes into the code or formal policy that it be run as a pilot program first. The food truck mobile vending committee would recommend the same for the City of Ithaca to see how it works out. The Board supported that idea. Adjournment: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Svante L. Myrick Information Management Specialist Mayor