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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2011-01-26BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:50 p.m. January 26, 2011 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (3) – Acharya, Goldsmith, 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 Common Council Liaison – Zumoff DAC Liaison – Roberts Executive Assistant – Gehring Alderperson – Coles Bridge Systems Engineer – Gebre EXCUSED: Commissioners (2) – Warden, Jenkins ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Peterson reported that she recently wrote an editorial for the Ithaca Times regarding charter review of the Board of Public Works, and she encouraged Board members to read it. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: No one appeared to address the Board. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: 2010 DPW Accomplishments & 2011 Goals – Report This item was not discussed. Preferred Topics for 2011 This item was not discussed. DISCUSSION ITEMS HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS: Protest of Sidewalk Assessment at 104 Worth Street – Discussion Bruce Roebal, property owner, joined the Board for the discussion of this item. He distributed photographs to the Board showing parts of the sidewalk in front of his house, as well as other homes in his neighborhood that did not have their sidewalks replaced. He expressed frustration that the City replaced a large portion of his sidewalk, which he felt did not need repair. He suggested that staff conduct an inspection of all the sidewalks in the city in order to determine those that actually need to be repaired or replaced. Asst. Supt. Benjamin explained that the inspection of Mr. Roebal’s sidewalk took place in 2007. At that time it was discovered that there was an excessive amount of water coming out from underneath a section of the sidewalk in question. In order for staff to determine the cause of the water problem, that portion of the sidewalk had to be removed so the drains could be repaired. He further explained that once the drain had been repaired, City crews replaced the sidewalk with a four foot wide sidewalk (City Code requires sidewalks to be five feet wide) because there was a tree that needed room to grow, and they did not want the sidewalk to encroach upon private property. He stated that crews also replaced a section of sidewalk (five feet wide to comply with City Code) next to where there had Board of Public Works Page 2 January 26, 2011 Regular Meeting been a problem with the underground drain because it was uneven, pitted, and required replacement to make it safe for pedestrians. Alderperson Zumoff arrived at 5:10 p.m. Asst. Supt. Benjamin further reported that crews replaced all the “unsatisfactory” sidewalks along that block of Worth Street, as required per City policy. Mr. Roebal denied that the condition of the sidewalk was deteriorated and pitted. Commissioner Wykstra thanked Mr. Roebal for the information he presented to the Board. He explained that the City is working to develop a system for prioritizing sidewalks that need repair or replacement. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the “Notice of Defect” dated 2007 that the homeowner received, and the condition of sidewalks in the surrounding neighborhood. Mayor Peterson suggested that the sidewalk sub-committee meet with staff to make a recommendation concerning Mr. Roebal’s appeal. Commissioner Wykstra volunteered to continue to serve on the sidewalk sub-committee. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the 2007 Notice of Defect, the sequences leading up to the decision to replace the sidewalk recently installed by the property owner, the need to establish a way to prioritize sidewalks that need repair, the process by which property owners are notified of the need to replace their sidewalk, and the time allowed for that to take place before the City performs the work. Commissioner Acharya volunteered to serve on the sidewalk sub-committee. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE, AND TRANSIT: Private Use of Cass Park Docks – Discussion The following representatives from the Dragon Boat Club joined the Board for the discussion of this item: President Robert Chapman, Vice-President Allen Lamb, and Alan Karasin, Member. Mr. Lamb explained the purpose of the Dragon Boat Club, which includes providing indiscriminately to the community inexpensive access to Cayuga Lake, and the Inlet – especially for those in the community who do not own boats. He stated that the Dragon Boat Club is interested in renewing their 2010 license for use of one dock at Cass Park. Mayor Peterson explained the history of how the City has responded to the Dragon Boat Club’s annual request for use of the dock at Cass Park. Commissioner Wykstra expressed his appreciation for the Dragon Boat Club’s mission to provide access to the lake by the different members of the community. City Attorney Hoffman explained that through the process by which the City has been using appraisers to determine the fair market value for use of City land, the area where the docks are located has been deemed parkland. He further explained that New York State law prohibits a municipality from making long term use of park land by public, private, or not-for-profit entities. However, short term use may be allowed, but the use needs to be recreational, accessible to the public, and it cannot be offered to any favored groups without it being offered to other groups. In addition the city should receive fair compensation for use of the docks. Discussion followed regarding exclusive use of the docks by certain groups, and what the fair compensation to the City should be, how the City will determine the use fees, the legal requirements the City must follow, and the need for a summary of how and by whom the docks were used in 2010. Mr. Karasin requested that the Board consider other forms of payment, such as community service, for the use of the docks rather than monetary funds, explaining that monetary charges would be detrimental to the membership of the Dragon Boat Club. Mayor Peterson requested that City Attorney Hoffman outline the legal steps the Board must follow in order to allow short-term use of the parkland by different community entities. Board of Public Works Page 3 January 26, 2011 Regular Meeting HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS: Widening of Road at the Intersection of Aurora and Prospect Streets – Discussion Bridge Systems Engineer Addisu Gebre joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Supt. Gray explained that during the public meetings that have been held regarding the Clinton Street Bridge/Prospect Street Reconstruction Project, members of the public expressed interest in having a dedicated left-hand turn lane on Prospect Street at the Aurora Street intersection. He explained that the design team provided three options for the project that include potential impacts to neighboring properties, and how wide the street should be made in order to accommodate a left-hand turn lane. He further stated Traffic Engineer Logue suggested installing a timed “No Left Hand Turn” sign at that intersection that would be in effect during rush hours in the morning and evening as a possible low cost alternate to widening the street. Supt. Gray further explained that several modifications have been made to that intersection over the years to improve safety for pedestrians. He requested that the Board provide guidance and a recommendation as to how staff should proceed with this project. Mayor Peterson noted that the South Hill Civic Association has been discussing this topic as well but have not reached consensus on the best option. Alderperson Coles joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Commissioner Wykstra suggested implementing Alternative 1, with installing a sign stating “No Left Turn” during prescribed hours to determine how traffic reacts to it. He requested that DAC Liaison Roberts review the options and provide his recommendation. Commissioner Acharya expressed his desire to have a dedicated uphill bike lane, and suggested changing Aurora Street to two-way traffic. He further expressed support for the “No Left Turn” sign suggested by Commissioner Wykstra. Mayor Peterson noted that the City would need to involve New York State Department of Transportation if it wanted to proceed with changing Aurora Street from one-way to two-way traffic because it turns into New York State Route 96B and crosses New York State Route 79. Alderperson Zumoff recommended advance public notification of the proposed change prior to the installation of new signage, and enforcement of the new traffic pattern. He further noted that changing Aurora Street to two-way traffic may cause difficulties along the 100 Block of Aurora when larger vehicles are making left turns onto Seneca or Buffalo Streets by causing traffic to back up. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the different options provided, complications that could result with the implementation of each option, and impacts to the bike lane. Alderperson Coles stated that she would communicate with residents of South Hill the Board’s discussion and plans. Commissioner Goldsmith requested that staff from the Engineer’s office provide the Board with their recommendations in the form of two resolutions for the different suggested solutions. CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS: Parks Commission Resolutions of Auburn Park and Fire Training Center – Discussion Parks Commission Chair, Dan Krall, joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Mayor Peterson summarized the request from the Parks Commission to install fencing by the Children’s Drop-In Center at Auburn Park. Mr. Krall explained that the Parks Commission supports the request, and noted that the Center has obtained the necessary funding to install the fencing around Auburn Park. Commissioner Goldsmith expressed concern for the distance the pre-schoolers would need to walk from the Drop-In Center to the park, and suggested installing the fence only around the playground equipment. Commissioner Acharya expressed support for the fence, stating having the fence around the entire park would not cause much of an impact. Commissioner Wykstra expressed his support for the proposed fencing since there is a community need. Board of Public Works Page 4 January 26, 2011 Regular Meeting Mr. Krall explained another resolution from the Parks Commission related to the Fire Training Center near Stewart Park. He explained that the Ithaca Fire Department is requesting expanding the existing training center at that location. He further stated that the Parks Commission is encouraging the Fire Department to look for alternate sites for an expanded training center located outside city park land. Alderperson Coles joined the Board for the discussion of this item, and explained that this request was presented to City Administration Committee over a year ago. The City Administration Committee did not approve it because of its location on city park land. Commissioner Goldsmith expressed his support for the request from the Fire Department to expand their training facility at its current location. PARKING AND TRAFFIC: Request for Parking for Persons with Disabilities for 653 Chestnut Street – Discussion Mayor Peterson explained to the Board that a resident from Chestnut Street submitted a request for a reserved parking space for persons with disabilities on Chestnut Street. Supt. Gray reminded the Board that the City recently revised its policy for responding to requests from individuals for reserved parking for persons with disabilities. He explained that handicapped parking spaces are available in the upper parking lots of the apartment complex located on Chestnut Street, where the resident lives, but it is difficult for those residents with disabilities living near the lower parking lot to use the upper parking areas. DAC Liaison Roberts explained to the Board that this parking space would not be designated for a particular person, but that anyone with a disability would be able to legally park in the space, as long as they displayed their handicap parking hang tag from the rear view mirror. DAC Liaison Roberts did express concern that too much confidential information about the applicant is contained in the application. He asked whether there was a legal reason for the application request to be approved by the Board of Public Works. He suggested that if the requests do not need to be reviewed by the Board, that the policy be modified so that the requests can be handled administratively, with appropriate documentation. ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor