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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2011-02-23BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:53 p.m. February 23, 2011 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (4) – Acharya, Goldsmith, Jenkins, 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 Executive Assistant – Gehring EXCUSED: Commissioner Warden DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Supt. Gray stated that there has been a lot of e-mail correspondence being exchanged regarding the traffic diverters on Wood and South Streets, and today’s meeting would include a call for a public hearing on this topic at the March 9, 2011 Board of Public Works meeting. Supt. Gray explained that Traffic Engineer Tim Logue would not be able to attend today’s meeting for the discussion of item 9.3 entitled “Converting Aurora Street to Two- Way Traffic”. Commissioner Wykstra expressed his desire to discuss this item anyway. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: Alderperson Eddie Rooker addressed the Board regarding the City’s Shopping Cart Ordinance. He explained that a sub-committee of the City Administration Committee was reviewing the ordinance again. That sub-committee will meet on March 9, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. to discuss how the ordinance could be improved and to ensure that the carts are not making it to the street, and remain where they belong. Commissioner Goldsmith noted that the Board recommended modifications to the ordinance to Common Council six months ago. Alderperson Rooker explained that the City is continuing to receive complaints from community members about abandoned shopping carts around the City. Mayor Peterson announced that several forums regarding bridge means restrictions are scheduled for March 2, 2011, at multiple locations. Mayor Peterson further reported that the City Clerk is developing a plan for public notification of water main breaks that occur outside of normal working hours. Discussion followed on the floor regarding Cornell’s emergency plan, the number of emergency repairs that were recently made within a 48 hour period, and that 90% of water main break notifications are made by residents. Common Council Liaison Zumoff arrived at 5:15 p.m. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Alderperson Maria Coles addressed the Board regarding the removal of the traffic diverters at Wood and South Streets. She stated that she has received many comments on the neighborhood’s listserv against the removal of the diverters. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: There was no response to the public. Board of Public Works Page 2 February 23, 2011 Regular Meeting REPORTS: Board Liaisons Commissioner Acharya, as Planning and Development Board Liaison, noted his report, “February Planning/Development Board Liaison Report,” that was provided to the Board. Superintendent and Staff Supt. Gray reported that four meetings are scheduled to discuss Bridge Means Restrictions on March 2, 2011, at various locations between downtown and Cornell University. Supt. Gray noted that the agenda format was modified with the hope that it would be more useful to Board members. He asked the Board if he should continue providing narratives in the agenda. Commissioner Acharya expressed his desire to keep the narratives. Commissioner Goldsmith also expressed his approval for retaining the narratives in the agenda, stating he appreciated Supt. Gray’s opinions as a professional engineer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the Board of Public Works Meeting – Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the January 19, 2011, Board of Public Works Meeting be approved with noted corrections. Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith RESOLVED, That the fourth paragraph on Page 5 of the minutes be replaced with the following: “In response to a question, City Attorney Hoffman explained that in a resolution, the language of a WHEREAS clause is less compelling than the RESOLVED clauses. Here, in the last WHEREAS, the idea was to use actual CEQRO language to explain why this is being treated as a Type II action. The parenthetical indicates which category on the Type II list this action falls into. This contract involves study and preliminary planning needed to determine what the scope for the actual, proposed project will be, for approval at a later date. This design stage does not commit the City to any particular future project.” Carried Unanimously Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Acharya RESOLVED, That the second paragraph on Page 9 of the minutes be replaced with the following: “City Attorney Hoffman noted that the idea of applying a six-year “statute of limitations” to corrected water and sewer billings (i.e., allowing the City to recover for under-billed charges, for a period going back as much as six years, but not further) is not something he recommended; it was suggested by a former commissioner as a consistent standard for retroactive billings that were being considered at the time, and has been used since.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended: A Vote on the Main Motion as Amended Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously VOTING ITEMS: HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS: Hearing for Wood Street and South Street Traffic Diverters – Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received several requests for the removal of the traffic diverters and speed hump which were installed on Wood Street and South Street in the late 1990's and in 2000, with the Ithaca Fire Department and the Ithaca Housing Authority representing the requesters, and Board of Public Works Page 3 February 23, 2011 Regular Meeting WHEREAS, these devices were installed as an interim measure in response to traffic patterns that had developed due to development occurring along Meadow Street in the early 1990's, and that anticipated in the early 2000's as the Benderson Development project (Lowes, Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc.) was taking shape, and WHEREAS, the elements of the Six Point Traffic Plan, which was designed to mitigate the traffic flows east of Meadow Street, have been built and appear to have been remarkably successful in reconfiguring traffic patterns east of Meadow Street, and eliminating the need for the interim measures on Wood and South Streets, and WHEREAS, the removal of the diverters would improve emergency response, provide greater flexibility in transit planning, reduce damage to long bodied vehicles such as fire trucks and buses, and reduce the cultural perception of gated or private streets, without significantly impacting the neighborhood because there is no major shift in traffic patterns anticipated due to the removal, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works calls for a public hearing on March 9, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. to consider the removal of the traffic diverters and speed humps on Wood Street and South Street. Mayor Peterson requested that information be provided to the public prior to the public hearing relating to why the Board is considering the possible removal of the traffic diverters. She suggested also providing traffic use data for the area, which has decreased since the diverters were installed in 2000. Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the words “gated or” are hereby deleted from the last Whereas clause. Carried Unanimously Amending Resolution: By Mayor Peterson: Seconded by Commissioner Acharya RESOLVED, that the Resolved clause be amended to read as follows: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works calls for a public hearing on March 9, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. to consider the removal of the traffic diverters and speed humps on Wood Street and South Street and consider other traffic calming options.” Carried Unanimously Amending Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra RESOLVED, that the word “would” in the last Whereas clause be replaced with the word “may.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended: A Vote on the Main Motion as Amended Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS: Approval in Concept to the Installation of Fencing around Auburn Park – Resolution WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request for additional fencing along the perimeter of Auburn Park from the Drop-In Children's Center, but forwarded through the Parks Commission, and WHEREAS, the Parks Commission provided a resolution of support for the additional fencing, provided that it followed a modified design containing three large strategically placed openings as shown in a drawing attached to their resolution dated January 11, 2011, and Board of Public Works Page 4 February 23, 2011 Regular Meeting WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that support for additional fencing may not be universal in the larger Fall Creek neighborhood, but understands that fencing is reversible in that it is not an expensive or complex installation, and that the Drop-In Center is still interested in providing play areas closer to the center itself, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves in concept the installation of additional fencing at Auburn Park by the Drop-In Children's Center, and directs staff to review shop drawings for the proposed installation submitted by the Drop-In Center for conformance with the Parks Commission’s resolution prior to providing written approval of the installation. City Attorney Hoffman explained his proposed amendment to the Resolved clause, stating that unless the fence was installed entirely by volunteers, the workers would be entitled to prevailing wages. He further stated that the project would also require environmental and site plan review. Commissioner Acharya stated that he would like to hear from representatives of the Children’s Drop-In Center regarding the project. The Board agreed to place this item on the March 9, 2011, agenda, and invite a representative of the Children’s Drop-In Center to the meeting. DISCUSSION ITEMS Master Agreement for Floral Avenue Multi-Use Facility – Discussion Master Agreement for Traffic Signal Upgrade Phase II – Discussion Supt. Gray explained that these projects require funding resolutions from the municipality in order to receive the federal funds that were awarded. He thought the Board should be aware of the resolutions going before the City Administration Committee. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the types of traffic signal upgrades that would be made that would enable the City to coordinate with New York State Department of Transportation better. Commissioner Goldsmith stated that he would support the traffic signal upgrades, but registered his general disagreement with the removal of the historic traffic signals throughout the City. Commissioner Acharya agreed with Commissioner Goldsmith. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: Departure of Fellow Board of Public Works Commissioner – Resolution By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith WHEREAS, Cynthia Brock was appointed to the Board of Public Works on November 5, 2008, and served on the Board through December 2010, and WHEREAS, she brought a high level of community participation and contacts to the Board, initially honed with various civic associations and the PTA, and combined it with her professional interests and training in management and organizational systems, to assist the Board in resolving a wide range of issues before it, and WHEREAS, those issues were largely anticipated in her application for the Board, ranging from the monumental to the mundane, including the choice of the City’s water source for the next 100 years, Cornell’s proposed construction of Milstein Hall (School of Architecture, Art and Planning) over University Avenue, the installation of a new generation of water meters, the organization and operation of the sidewalk program, budgets for infrastructure maintenance, neighborhood vitality, sustainable design and energy management, to the resolution of individual disputes of water and snow removal bills, and WHEREAS, Cynthia’s search for improvements, long range solutions, fairness and savings led her to challenge standing procedures as well as preconceived ideas or assumptions, prior to applying her energy, education, research, and experience to help Deleted: also expressed his support for the traffic signal upgrades Board of Public Works Page 5 February 23, 2011 Regular Meeting create new or improved approaches for the Board’s consideration and implementation, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby thanks Cynthia Brock for her leadership, insight, creativity, passion and many selfless hours dedicated to public issues during her years on the Board. Carried Unanimously Mayor Peterson presented former Commissioner Cynthia Brock with a Certificate of Appreciation. Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:20 p.m. Converting Aurora Street to Two-Way Traffic: This item will be on the agenda for discussion at the March 9, 2011 Board of Public Works meeting. Request for Awning at 215 Dryden Road: Supt. Gray explained the encroachment request and the portion of Chapter 170 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code that pertains to encroachments. Discussion followed on the floor regarding building code requirements for awnings. The Board agreed to consider a resolution for this item at their March 9, 2011 meeting. Bridge Means Restriction: Supt. Gray reiterated the discussion that was held earlier this evening regarding the forums scheduled on March 2, 2011. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the process that has taken place, the target population and the impacts that may or may not occur related to permanent modifications. Common Council Liaison Zumoff noted that several Common Council members are uncertain about modifying the City’s bridges. Ithaca Falls Overlook Project: Supt. Gray explained the project and the location of the proposed park referred to in the letter from Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency. City Attorney Hoffman provided a short explanation on how the City obtained the property adjacent to Ithaca Falls, stating that the City wanted to de-park a couple of parks in the City and in order to do that, it had to obtain other recreational lands to replace the discontinued parks. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the City obtaining State approval for the City to replace current parks. ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor