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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2011-08-17BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. August 17, 2011 PRESENT: Vice Chair Jenkins Commissioners (4) - Morache, Warden, Goldsmith, Acharya OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney - Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Benjamin Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Information Management Specialist - Myers Traffic Engineer – Logue Engineering Technician – Johnson EXCUSED: Mayor Peterson Commissioner Wykstra Common Council Liaison – Zumoff DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS There were no communications from the Mayor as she was out of town. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD Tom Seaney, City of Ithaca and owner of Finger Lakes Fabricating, addressed the Board regarding the city parking lot on West Buffalo Street. He stated that the metered and permit parking in the lot is not going well. He explained that he spoke with Supt. Gray about the situation who has stopped the enforcement of the parking rules until the situation can be resolved. He stated that he would be interested in working with the other property owners in the area to purchase the parking lot from the City. City Attorney Hoffman requested that Mr. Seaney put this request in writing to the City so it could formally consider it; and noted that the selling of any city land would need Common Council approval. Information Management Specialist Myers read, for the record, a letter from Naama and Gil Menda, residents of Pearl Street, regarding possible parking regulation changes in the 400 block of Worth Street. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC There was no response to the public. REPORTS Superintendent and Staff, Other Department Heads Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that crews completed paving work on Hopper Place/Westfield Drive. They will begin paving work on North Tioga Street between Lincoln Street and Jay Street, with the hope of getting down to Tompkins Street as well. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that the Water and Sewer crews re-opened Hector Street, which had been closed so that they could complete a couple services to private property owners. He further reported that the water tanks are in the process of getting painted, the Cornell Street tank should be complete by early September, the Maple Avenue tank by mid September, and the Oakwood Avenue tank by mid-October. He further updated the Board regarding the ongoing water and sewer work on East Seneca Street. 2 August 17, 2011 Supt. Gray reported that he, Asst. Supt. Whitney, and Asst. Supt. Benjamin met with consultants from Novak today. The Departmental Objectives and Performance Measures working group of Common Council recommended that the City contract with these consultants to meet with department heads to review programs and work plans of every department. He stated that the consultants will create a report for the city that will include comments, concerns, and recommendations for creating efficiencies in departments throughout the city. He further noted that one question they asked was whether the Department of Public Works produces an annual report. He further stated that up until 15 years ago each department did produce an annual report, but that the City Controller, at that time, directed department heads not to do them because of the time and cost it took to duplicate them. He stated that some sort of annual report that would allow departments to review accomplishments of the year, goals, where progress is needed, and so forth would be a good idea. Highways, Streets and Sidewalks Amendment to the Arterial Maintenance Agreement between the City of Ithaca and the New York State Department of Transportation – Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Warden WHEREAS, in letters dated December 6, 2010 and December 29, 2010, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) wrote to the City of Ithaca stating their intention to begin performing all required routine and emergency signal maintenance work of the arterial signals systems owned by NYSDOT within the City limits as of January 1, 2011, and WHEREAS, City of Ithaca staff met with NYSDOT representatives in the spring of 2011 to discuss the terms of this proposal, and WHEREAS, in a letter dated July 13, 2011, NYSDOT has offered three payment options (actually they are deductions from the payments that NYSDOT makes to the City of Ithaca under the Arterial Maintenance Agreement), and WHEREAS, staff has recommended payment option Number Three as a fair methodology and sum, with beneficial impacts to the Department of Public Works workload, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Mayor of the City of Ithaca, with the advice of the City Attorney and Superintendent of Public Works, to sign the proposed amendment to the Arterial Maintenance Agreement between the City of Ithaca and the New York State Department of Transportation under the terms of Payment Option Number Three using rates based on the state’s reimbursement rate, currently set at $0.85 per square yard. Carried Unanimously PARKING AND TRAFFIC Resident Request to Amend Parking Regulations in the 400 Block of Worth Street – Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Acharya WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has been petitioned by residents around the intersection of Pearl and Worth Streets who are worried about traffic on Worth Street caused by commuting traffic from Cornell, and WHEREAS, upon review of the request and information provided by staff it appears that the City's Residential Parking Permit System, Chapter 260 of the City Code, adopted by Common Council in 1998, and designed to address this issue, does not require any new or changed legislation, and is available to residents in this area of the city, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to provide the signatories of the petition information that they are eligible to use the permit system and provide the information prepared by the City Clerk's office to assist them. 3 August 17, 2011 Traffic Engineer Logue addressed the Board to explain that interested parties are not interested in participating in the residential parking permit system in this area, because they do not want to pay for parking. He stated that only one of the residents has a Worth Street address, and therefore would be eligible to purchase a residential parking permit. The parties feel that changing the signage on the street would be a good solution to the problem. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the process for a block going into the residential parking permit system, whether signage should be changed and whether there are any conflicts with new signage. Commissioner Goldsmith withdrew his motion and Commissioner Acharya withdrew his second to the motion. Supt. Gray explained that when a block goes into the residential parking permit system it has a domino effect on nearby streets because motorists just move to those streets to park instead. He also would not want the Board to spend time considering requests such as this on a block by block case. He feels that there is a system in place to respond to this request, and that the Board’s and staff’s time would be better used focusing on other areas of more importance. Traffic Engineer Logue stated that as they reviewed this request and visited the neighborhood, it was noted that the signage in place on some blocks does not match the traffic schedule in the city code book. He explained that the resolution above would correct that (except for the 400 block of Worth Street) and would allow staff to update the schedule. Supt. Gray stated that he would work with Traffic Engineer Logue to draft a resolution that will resolve issues that have been raised today for the Board’s meeting on August 24, 2011. The Board requested that a map be provided along with the resolution as well. DISCUSSION ITEMS NYSEG Construction on Green and Seneca Streets Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the fact that the City, as well as Board members, is not satisfied with the way traffic congestion is being handled on both streets during NYSEG’s construction work. There was discussion about the fact that drivers are speeding through construction areas, police not enforcing the speed limits, the fact that students will be returning soon, and the traffic problems that will pose. Ithaca Motion Picture Project Request for Interpretive Signage Ithaca Motion Picture Project (IMPP) representative, Diana Reisman, joined the Board for discussion of this item. She explained that IMPP is a not-for-profit organization working to preserve and celebrate Ithaca’s silent film history. She stated that their ultimate goal is to transform the former Department of Public Works building into a motion picture museum. They are also committed to the revitalization of Stewart Park, and have been working with Rick Manning on the project. She noted that some work has been done on the building already. She further explained that they are also involved in the architectural survey being conducted on the buildings in the park. She further stated the IMPP is interested in placing identifying signage on the boathouse, the former Wharton Studio building, and the large pavilion. She presented this idea to the Parks Commission at their meeting in March 2011, and they were very receptive to the proposal and unanimously approved the request. She distributed pictures of the proposed signage and explained proposed locations for them. The signs would provide the history of each building both in pictures and in words so that people would get a sense of the history of the buildings and the park. She stated that she has met a lot of people who have very sentimental feelings about the park and its history. She further stated that Friends of Stewart Park are also in support of this proposal, and that she 4 August 17, 2011 would like the Board of Public Works’ approval in order to proceed to the next level of the project and begin work on finding funding and working with local historians, including Mary Tomlan. The goal of the IMPP is to begin with one building, see how it goes and then proceed with other buildings. Discussion followed on the floor with all Board members expressing their support for this project, and offering opinions as to information that might be included with the signage. City Attorney Hoffman stated that there could be legal implications if these would be “city” signs. Ms. Reisman responded that they would be the City’s signs, with notations regarding thanks and appreciation to people/organizations that provided funding for them (especially since IMPP is seeking private funding for the project). City Attorney Hoffman questioned whether or not IMPP would be willing to maintain the signs, and Ms. Reisman responded they would. Supt. Gray stated that he would provide a resolution in support of the proposal for the Board to consider at the August 24, 2011 meeting. Bicycle Boulevards/Neighborhood Greenways Traffic Engineer Logue played a short video for the Board that showed Portland, Oregon’s experience with the creation of bike boulevards for both bicyclists and pedestrians. He stated that Portland is the leading city in the country in increasing the use of bicycles, and their goal is to have 25% of their population use bicycles. He stated that it would seem for Ithaca the idea of some family friendly streets for bicycles, pedestrians, use storm water run-off for greenways with plantings and trees to enhance the environment would be a good start for this sort of program. He explained that he wanted to give the Board the idea and then he will follow-up with a memo of how he thinks the City could proceed – including what kind of traffic calming, where to place it, etc. He stated that if the Board is interested in this concept, he would draft a plan that includes the costs, and how the City would pursue additional outreach into the community for possible funding resources. He also noted that the City could include this idea in its comprehensive plan, which would require environmental review, public comment, possible grant funding and/or incorporates this idea into current traffic calming plans. He explained that over the past few years the City has installed bike lanes, and sharrows to help encourage the use of bicycles. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the idea of creating specific streets just for bicycles and pedestrians, what additional streets could be shared with bicyclists, how to encourage more people to use bicycles, educational outreach to the community, and having signage for drivers that is easy to understand. The Board expressed their support for staff to proceed with developing a plan for this type of bike boulevard and greenways in the City of Ithaca by the end of 2011. Request for Executive Session Related to the Multi-Year Water System Upgrade Currently Being Undertaken, and a Possible Property Acquisition By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Warden RESOLVED, That the Board enter into Executive Session to discuss the multi-year water system upgrade currently being undertaken, and a possible property acquisition. City Attorney Hoffman relayed a message from the Mayor, who could not be at today’s meeting, that she wants to be at the meeting if there is discussion on these topics. She feels that entering into an executive session is premature at this time. She also feels that the planning department should be involved since there are neighborhood issues involved, and acquisition of real property can only be done by Common Council. He explained that he knows there is language in the City Charter regarding the Board’s authority in this area, but noted that the Mayor stated the Board has not followed that language since she has been Mayor, and she would like Common Council involved in this discussion. 5 August 17, 2011 Supt. Gray responded that he would like the Mayor to be at the meeting to discuss this since she will have her own opinion. However, he would like to discuss, initially, with the Board the information that is available now. He would ask for five minutes of the Board’s time, and does not mean to skirt around the Mayor because this topic will come back to the Board for further discussion. He would like the Board to know staff’s thoughts at this time. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously The Board reconvened into regular session at 6:55 p.m. with no formal action taken. ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor