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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2013-12-23 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. December 23, 2013 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (4) Jenkins, Goldsmith, Darling, Morache OTHERS PRESENT: Director of Engineering - West Asst. Supt. For Water and Sewer - Whitney Information Management Specialist – Myers Executive Assistant - Gehring EXCUSED: Acting Supt. Benjamin Commissioner Acharya Alderperson Fleming ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: The Mayor had no communications at this time. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Gino Bush, City of Ithaca and speaking on behalf of the Shawn Greenwood Working Group, read a proposal from the group requesting that the Board of Public Works consider renaming a street in the City of Ithaca (preferably) Plain Street in honor of Nelson Mandela. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC: Commissioner Goldsmith thanked Mr. Bush and the other members of the Shawn Greenwood Working group for putting forth the proposal to rename Plain Street. Mayor Myrick stated that he looks forward to future conversations regarding the street renaming proposal, choosing an appropriate street, and how it might be coordinated with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Walkway REPORTS: Asst. Supt. Whitney noted that there has been an unusual amount of water main leaks around the City. In addition on December 19th, the tank levels on west hill dropped. Crews found a leak and have been working to make sure repairs are made where needed. Commissioner Jenkins reported that the deck of the bridge by Ithaca Falls (Lake Street) has some huge holes in it, and the patching is not sticking. Director of Engineering West responded that the Lake Street bridge deck is in very bad condition, and has been placed on the transportation improvement project list to have a new deck constructed in 2015. That means that the City will go through the design phase in 2014; that way the bulk of the project will be funded through State and Federal monies. In the meantime, he will share with staff that the patching needs to be redone. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the November 25, 2013 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes - Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Morache RESOLVED, That the minutes of the November 25, 2013 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes be approved as published. Ayes (4) Mayor Myrick, Goldsmith, Morache, Darling Abstentions (1) Jenkins Nays (0) Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes December 23, 2013 2 ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: Public Hearing Regarding the Proposed Street Vending Policy Resolution to Open Public Hearing: By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Darling RESOLVED, That the public hearing regarding the proposed street vending policy be opened. Carried Unanimously The following people addressed the Board: Blake Fall-Conroy, City of Ithaca and who was also a member of the sub-committee that worked to draft the proposal, stated that the policy is a good place to start the program. The City and vendors learned a lot from Thompson Park food truck round up this past summer. The sub-committee members put in a lot of work on the proposal, and he encouraged the Board to approve it in order to have the program in place for the 2014 season. Rich Avery, co-owner of Simeons on the Commons, reported that he attended previous meetings regarding the food truck proposal, and he feels the policy will have a negative impact on the community. The City of Ithaca boasts more restaurants per capita than New York City, and this program will dilute the market - not enhance it. A lot of the restaurants near the Commons have been forced to close for lunch because of lack of demand. He expressed his three main concerns about the policy: the 100’ distance between the brick and mortar restaurants being too close the brick and mortar restaurants, he would propose 200’, the fees are extremely low, and the proposed locations. In addition, the brick and mortar restaurants make significant contributions to the City’s tax rolls, the food truck vendors won’t. Gregor Brous, Town of Dryden and owner of Ithaca Bakery and CTB, commended the sub-committee for their work on the proposed policy. He is supportive of food trucks in general; however the City also needs to be sensitive to the brick and mortar restaurants. He encouraged the Board to reconsider the proposed distance from restaurants, the fees, and the locations. He stated that city parks are a perfect location because they are not near downtown commerce and restaurants. He feels that food trucks will take business away from the brick and mortar restaurants. He also expressed concern over accountability and how rules and guidelines will be enforced. Dean Zervos, co-owner of Simeons on the Commons, feels that food trucks will take business and money from the brick and mortar restaurants. He stated that the proposed locations near the Commons will take away the pedestrian traffic which they rely upon to sustain them; if that is removed they may not survive. Vicki Taylor Brous, Associate Director for the Downtown Ithaca Alliance; stated that she and husband own Ithaca Bakery and CTB. They employ 300 people, pay good wages, as well as health insurance for their employees. She reported on a similar food truck program in Minneapolis that started with the 100' distance from restaurants for food trucks that resulted in a decreased number of brick and mortar restaurants offering lunch. When winter came people did not have options for lunch so they ended up changing their policy, as well as locations for food trucks so that it was not so competitive due to their proximity to one another. She encouraged the Board of Public Works to make a precautionary choice regarding the distance for food trucks from the brick and mortar restaurants, and to start at 200'. She also would like to see more restaurant and community involvement in these types of decisions; not closed door meetings. She further encouraged the Board to reconsider the proposed locations on Green Street near the TCAT bus stop due to its proximity to two businesses that serve food already, and the proposed location on the corner of Geneva and Green street. She further voiced her concern regarding the businesses in Center Ithaca; the brick and mortar businesses have already experienced hardship with the reconstruction of the Commons, which is still ongoing. In addition, the proposed increases in parking fees will not help either the brick and mortar restaurants downtown. Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes December 23, 2013 3 Glennis Peterson, Town of Ithaca and owner/operator of “Katie Briggs Catering Service”, stated that he owns two mobile kitchens (which are completely self-sufficient) – not food trucks, which he takes to the locations that hire him to provide catering services. He questioned how this program would benefit him? Mayor Myrick asked him to review the proposed food truck policy and touch base with Executive Assistant Gehring for further information. Jemma Macera, City of Ithaca, voiced concern regarding the proposed location for food trucks at the corner of Geneva and Green Street, which is right next to her home. It is a dangerous intersection to have a food truck. She also expressed concern regarding garbage being left behind by the operator of the food truck that she will then need to pick up and take care of. She expressed support for comments made already that food trucks will take business away from brick and mortar businesses, which is not good. Jes Seaver, City of Ithaca, stated that food trucks are a positive addition to the City of Ithaca that will help to diversify the type of commerce in downtown and the community which is a good thing. In addition, a food truck is a good start for new and small business entrepreneurs to start a business that they would not otherwise be able to. The food truck round-up at Thompson Park provided a great sense of community and support. She was not involved in the development of the proposed food truck policy, but does not like the conflict the plan is creating for downtown businesses and restaurants. As the Ithaca Festival Director/Organizer she worked hard to diversify the food offerings by different vendors, and so she would encourage the Board to support the proposal for some of those same reasons. Resolution to Close Public Hearing: By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the public hearing regarding the proposed street vending policy be closed. Carried Unanimously RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: Mayor Myrick thanked everyone for their input, and reminded them that the Board of Public Works would hold another public hearing on the proposed food truck policy on Monday, January 13, 2014 at 4:45 p.m. in Common Council Chambers. He further stated that the Board would not dive too far into the discussion of the proposal at this meeting. His first instinct is not to protect one industry from another because competition leads to positive outcomes; however, he did hear what was said about Minneapolis’ experience with a similar type of food truck program and does not want that to happen in the City of Ithaca. He also noted that he takes the concerns raised about the proposed distance from restaurants very seriously. The Board will need to take closer look at each concern raised at their meeting next month. Commissioner Goldsmith stated that he found the comments thought provoking and made him think of things he hadn't thought of before. WATER AND SEWER: Appeal of Water Bill for 404 South Aurora Street - Resolution: By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Darling RESOLVED, That the appeal of the water bill for 404 South Aurora Street be denied. Commissioner Morache stated that he feels the water meter malfunction had nothing to do with the readings; and does not think bill should be expunged. Asst. Supt. Whitney stated that a letter regarding the water usage was sent to the property owner who did not follow up with the city until they received the bill. A big water leak can make the cost for water add up very quickly. He further noted that the defects with some of the meters is being addressed, but had nothing to do with high bill. Commissioner Goldsmith expressed concern when a property owner claims the water bill is outrageous when in fact it is quite normal, the leak not taken into consideration, as well as not responding to the first letter regarding the leak from the city. Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes December 23, 2013 4 A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION: Next Steps – Proposed Food Truck Policy: Director of Engineer West stated that staff was hoping that before the end of January the Board of Public Works would approve policy. He stated that the sub-committee can meet to discuss any modifications, if any, to incorporate into policy. Commissioner Goldsmith noted that the experience Minneapolis had was stunning but reasonable. He further noted that during the summertime there will always be a lot of competition; although the comments regarding Center Ithaca were interesting. Further, it was interesting to hear that restaurant owners feel like they were left out of the discussions because they knew about the first proposal of the 200' when making comments that the 100' distance was too close to the brick and mortar businesses. He also noted that placing food trucks close to a business paying higher rent for its location is a risky thing so he feels the Board should be particularly sensitive to the rent issue and allow for some flexibility in the proposed rates for food trucks. Commissioner Darling stated that it was interesting to hear during the public comments what was focused on, which was the proposed distance and locations for the food trucks. He noted that the sub-committee did consider that and so might propose removing two locations from the list. Director of Engineering West stated that some of the balance that the sub-committee was looking for was the need for the food truck vendors to be where the people are, and balancing that against the brick and mortar businesses and where they are located. Commissioner Morache stated that he was impressed with the information regarding Minneapolis’ experience with a similar type food truck program. He would be interested in reviewing that information in more detail. He would be in favor or changing the distance from the brick and mortar businesses back to 200’. He further noted that there will need to be some flexibility regarding locations because of all the new development taking place in the City of Ithaca, some locations may need to be adjusted or removed. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding, in reality, how many food trucks are being discussed here – maybe 6 to 12? How much can 6 trucks dilute the business of 600 restaurants in the City of Ithaca? Commissioner Darling stated that the sub-committee talked a little bit about enforcement, it will need more discussion regarding who will do the enforcement/where it comes from. It may be more complaint driven than anything else. In addition, the fire and police departments will need to review the proposal as well as the Tompkins County Health Department. Mayor Myrick recommended that staff wait to make any modifications to the proposal until after the January 13th public hearing. Commissioner Darling noted that the sub-committee did not investigate very deeply the numbers to see what profit food truck vendors will make; nor has anyone really looked into what amount business owner’s expenses and possible loss of profit might be. Director of Engineering West stated that food truck vendors wanted the ability to have flexibility in their location. The only change the Board of Public Works has to consider is whether or not the City should allow someone to stay at a meter longer than currently allowed. He further noted that it would be helpful to have further discussion regarding the proposed commercial sites, and show the 100', 200' or 300' distance in an illustration that would provide a better visual of what is being proposed. Commissioner Darling stated that what the policy proposes is to encourage the food truck vendors to park in specific locations that may be safer as well as sensible rather than taking up a metered space. Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes December 23, 2013 5 Director of Engineering West further voiced concern about the need to think about being sensitive to the seasonality of vendors - i.e. snow cone vendor – in the proposed policy. He is concerned about the possibility of the same experience happening here as in Minneapolis that once the food trucks are gone during the winter that the brick and mortar restaurants would not be able to respond quickly enough to fill void, especially at lunch time. Commissioner Darling stated that since the Farmers Market provides lunch options once a week during the season that the subcommittee did not allow DeWitt Park as one of the proposed locations because of the damage already caused there by market. Commissioner Jenkins feels that the addition of the food trucks provides some competition for the brick and mortar restaurants, which is not a bad thing. Mayor Myrick thanked the Board for the good discussion today, and looks forward to it continuing after the next public hearing. He reviewed some of the accomplishments that the Board of Public Works was involved with during 2013, which include the following:  The Commons reconstruction project began this year  The water treatment plant rebuild project began  The new sidewalk policy was approved and will begin in 2014 Mayor Myrick extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to the members of the Board of Public Works for all their work this year, and for all that was accomplished. Commissioner Jenkins thanked the Mayor for his part in all that the Board of Public Works accomplished, and for making 2013 the easiest year for meeting and accomplishing projects since she has been on Board - it was wonderful! Mayor Myrick stated that he welcome suggestions from Board members of people to to serve on the Board of Public Works to fill the one vacancy on it. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. _______________________________ _____________________________ Sarah L. Myers Svante L. Myrick Information Management Specialist Mayor