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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2011-01-12BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:50 p.m. January 12, 2011 PRESENT: Vice Chair Jenkins Commissioners (4) – Acharya, Goldsmith, Warden, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney – Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works – Gray Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin Executive Assistant – Gehring EXCUSED: Mayor Peterson Common Council Liaison – Zumoff DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: City Attorney Hoffman stated that Mayor Peterson requested the approval of the December 22, 2010 minutes be postponed until the January 19, 2011 meeting. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Stephen Nunley, Kitchen Theatre Managing Director, addressed the Board regarding their request for handicapped parking spaces on West State Street. He clarified that the Kitchen Theatre is making this request for on-street handicapped parking only during theater events. Nancy Schuler, Kitchen Theatre board member, expressed her support for the theater’s request for handicapped parking spaces. She noted that the parking spaces would not be required prior to 6 p.m. on the evenings when there are performances. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: Commissioners Goldsmith, Wykstra, and Warden expressed their support for the Kitchen Theatre’s request for on-street handicapped parking spaces. REPORTS: Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that new parking pay and display machines have been installed in the Green Street surface lot, which will allow the use of credit cards. He further reported that the staff from the Engineering Department are researching the possible use of a new salt storage facility, staff are also working on creating a master plan for better traffic flow throughout the city, the replacement of the Cascadilla Creek wall, and using the pavement recycler to patch pot holes. He stated that NYSEG has completed their coal tar remediation work on West Court Street, and that the City would maintain the crushed stone road in place there until Spring when street crews can repave the entire block. Asst. Supt. Whitney arrived at 5:05 p.m. Supt. Gray reported that a meeting was held with NYSEG, NYSDOT, Planning Dept., Engineering, Streets and Facilities, and Water & Sewer staff to discuss 2011 Construction Projects, and to plan when the projects will be completed. NYSDOT wants to mill and pave both Green and Seneca Streets this summer, and NYSEG has gas main replacement work on Seneca Street. He further stated that a meeting was held with Inlet Island merchants regarding parking in the west end, with a follow-up meeting scheduled soon. He noted that Cornell had a spill from the vet school; Ithaca Area Waste Water Treatment Plant issued a violation to Cornell University in relation to the Board of Public Works Page 2 January 12, 2011 Regular Meeting spill, and that staff from Cornell University have been receptive to proposed changes in procedures that have been suggested because of the spill. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the October 13, 2010 Board of Public Works Meeting – Resolution By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Warden RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the October 13, 2010 Board of Public Works Meeting be approved as published. Ayes (4) – Jenkins, Wykstra, Goldsmith, Warden Nayes (0) Abstention (1) – Acharya Carried Approval of the Minutes of the December 22, 2010 Board of Public Works Meeting These minutes will be placed on the January 19, 2011 Board of Public Works meeting agenda for approval. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: Welcome New Board Commissioner - Govind Acharya Board members introduced themselves and welcomed new commissioner, Govind Acharya. VOTING ITEMS HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS: Recommendation to Establish a Capital Project for Intersection Bulb-outs on West Green Street and West Seneca Street at the Intersections of Plain Street and Corn Street – Resolution By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Acharya WHEREAS, a Project for Intersection Bulb-outs on West Green Street and West Seneca Street, P.I.N. 375462 (the “Project”) is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code, as amended, that calls for the apportionment of the costs of such program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20% non-federal funds, and WHEREAS, the Project purpose is to reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street users in the interest of street safety and livability along the New York State owned section of Route 79 (a one-way pair) in the mixed residential and low-density commercial area in the vicinity of Plain Street and Corn Street, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works desires to advance the Project by requesting that Common Council make a commitment of 100% of the non-federal share of the costs of design; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends to Common Council that a capital project be established in the amount of $36,000 to fund the design portion of this project with the understanding that 80% (or $28,800) of the project costs will be reimbursed to the City, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that at the appropriate time Common Council should further authorize funds to progress this federal-aid project to include construction and inspection costs, currently estimated at $231,000. Traffic Engineer Tim Logue joined the Board for the discussion of this item. He explained the project, which includes extending the corners at the intersection to shorten the pedestrian crosswalks. Commissioner Wykstra expressed support for the project concept. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith RESOLVED, That the last Resolved clause be amended to read as follows: Board of Public Works Page 3 January 12, 2011 Regular Meeting “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that at the appropriate time Common Council should further authorize funds to progress this federal-aid project to include construction and inspection costs, currently estimated at $231,000, for a project cost of approximately $267,000.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended: A Vote on the Main Motion as Amended Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Award of Contract for Professional Services for Reconstruction of Stewart Avenue – Capital Project 728 – Resolution By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Acharya WHEREAS, proposals were solicited for professional engineering and design services for the Reconstruction of Stewart Avenue, and WHEREAS, staff recommends award of contract for professional services to Delta Engineers, Architects and Land Surveyors of Endwell, NY for a not-to-exceed fee of $224,960.00, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby awards the contract for Professional Services for Reconstruction of Stewart Avenue to Delta Engineers, Architects and Land Surveyors of Endwell, NY for their not-to-exceed fee for services of $224,960.00, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor be and hereby is authorized to execute this contract, and that the Superintendent of Public Works be and hereby is authorized to administer the same. Traffic Engineer Tim Logue remained with the Board for the discussion of this item. He explained the scope of work for this contract would include the design for the rebuild of Stewart Avenue from East State Street/MLK Street to Campus Road, replacement of the traffic signal at East State Street/MLK Street, sidewalk reconstruction, and replacement of the existing brick. Discussion followed on the floor regarding replacing the existing brick with brick pavers, possibly widening the sidewalk to accommodate increased pedestrian traffic, the cost of design, and applying for grant or stimulus funding for the actual construction. Further discussion followed regarding completing an environmental review as part of the construction project, after funding is committed. Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Warden: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That a new second Whereas clause be added to read as follows: “WHEREAS, the awarding of this contract is a Type 2 action under environmental quality review law as it does not commit the city to undertake actual physical change, and” Commissioner Wykstra expressed concern that unnecessary environmental reviews are being conducted. Commissioner Goldsmith expressed disagreement with the wording of the amendment. Supt. Gray suggested tabling the resolution. Motion to Table: By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Acharya RESOLVED, That the Board table discussion of the resolution and amending resolution until the January 19, 2011 meeting. Carried Unanimously PARKING AND TRAFFIC: Requests for Reserved Parking for People with Disabilities from Kitchen Theater Company and St. Paul’s Methodist Church – Discussion Traffic Engineer Tim Logue remained with the Board for the discussion of this item. Board of Public Works Page 4 January 12, 2011 Regular Meeting Commissioner Warden expressed strong support for additional accessible parking. Commissioner Goldsmith noted that parking meter bags are used consistently by the Farmer’s Market. In this case, the meter bags would have the international symbol for handicapped persons, and the use of the parking space when the bag is in place would require a handicapped parking permit. Commissioner Jenkins noted that staff from the Kitchen Theatre will have to pick empty parking spaces on which to place the meter bags. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the request from St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for a sign to designate reserved parking only on Sunday mornings during their church services. Supt. Gray stated that handicapped parking spaces are generally not on-street, due to the need for additional space to get in and out of the vehicles; however, he is comfortable recommending the approval of this request. Steve Nunley, Kitchen Theater Managing Director, joined the Board for the discussion of their request. He stated that there are three parking meters at the front of the Kitchen Theater building and they would not put the bag on a meter that has a vehicle parked at it. Commissioner Jenkins suggested authorizing two meter bags for use by the Kitchen Theatre to designate handicapped parking for their patrons. David Bell, Trustee of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, joined the Board for the discussion of their request. Traffic Engineer Logue explained the current parking situation around St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. He stated that the odd/even parking spaces would be converted to handicapped parking spaces on Sundays only from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. David Bell explained that snow and leaf accumulation was causing problems for church attendees getting from their vehicles to the sidewalk. He requested that no parking signs be installed for midnight Saturday through 5 a.m. Sunday so that plows could get close to the curb. Commissioner Goldsmith noted that if current parking spaces are consistently utilized, then other people are in need of the spaces as well as parishioners. Traffic Engineer Logue clarified that two parking spaces would be designated permanently for handicapped parking, and three additional spaces would be reserved for Sundays only. WATER AND SEWER: Appeal of Water Bill for 104-106 Homestead Road – Discussion Robert Johnson, property owner, joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Asst. Supt. Whitney explained the protest and the issue with the meter, stating that there was a discrepancy between the inside and outside meter readings when the meter was replaced. Supt. Gray noted the graph that was provided to the Board where one billing period indicated a discrepancy between the inside and outside meters. He stated that Mr. Johnson took control of the property after the meter was replaced and the discrepancy was found. Mr. Johnson stated that he and his brother purchased the property in 2004, and his brother had control of the property until 2009, when Mr. Johnson took over the property. Supt. Gray provided a short history and explanation to Mr. Johnson as to why the City was billing for the discrepancies. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the adjustments that had been made to the water bill for 104-106 Homestead Road. City Attorney Hoffman noted that the Chamberlain’s Office may not have been aware of the last adjustment that reduced the bill to $282.44, and since over $889.79 was transferred to Mr. Johnson’s tax bill, he was over-charged by $607.35. Asst. Supt. Whitney stated he would notify the Chamberlain’s Office of the over-charge and request a refund for Mr. Johnson. Commissioner Warden noted that meters should be read when ownership of properties are transferred, and noted that it appeared that Mr. Johnson’s attorney had not requested the meter reading. Board of Public Works Page 5 January 12, 2011 Regular Meeting Commissioner Wykstra noted that this was the last of the water bill appeals, since the City changed out 5,400 old meters for new meters in 2008. ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor