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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2010-03-03 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:52 p.m. March 3, 2010 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (4) - Jenkins, Brock, Tripp, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney - Hoffman Acting Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Benjamin Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Common Council Liaison – Zumoff DAC Liaison – Roberts Executive Assistant – Gehring GIAC Director – Fort Community Development Deputy Director – Kittel Alderperson – Coles Downtown Ithaca Alliance Director – Ferguson EXCUSED: Superintendent of Public Works – Gray ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Mayor Peterson requested the addition of item entitled, “Green Street Surface Lot.” No Board member objected. Commissioner Brock requested that the Board discuss changing the time of their meetings. No Board member objected. Mayor Peterson further requested that the monthly reports from Kris Lewis, Downtown Ithaca Alliance, be forwarded by staff to the Board for their information. No Board member objected. GIAC Renovation Project – Update & Discussion GIAC Director Fort updated on the renovation project of the GIAC building, stating that completion was scheduled for the end of May 2010, with staff and participants returning to the facility by the end of June 2010. She expressed her appreciation for the work of the contractors and subcontractors on the project. GIAC Director Fort explained that the renovation project had been used as an educational opportunity for local youth, which included tours of the site with the Teen Program to learn about construction trades, and BOCES students to learn about electrical trades. Community Development Deputy Director Kittel presented a slideshow with before and after photographs of the renovation to the GIAC building. She explained the modifications made inside the building, and stated that a grand opening celebration would be scheduled in June 2010. Appeal of Water Service Repair for 525 West Buffalo Street – Discussion Property owners, Michelle Berry and Robert Lofthouse, joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Ms. Berry explained that the bill for the water service repair was a surprise to them and they wished they had been given prior notification of the work and cost. She expressed confusion with the City Code regarding time limits to repair leaks and the City having the authority to repair leaks without notifying the property owner. She further noted that the previous owner had upgraded the water service to a copper service from the house to the curb box. Mr. Lofthouse explained his confusion regarding the bill and the units of measurement for stone and topsoil. Discussion followed on the floor regarding individual charges, and installation and repair of service at the water main. Board of Public Works Page 2 March 3, 2010 Committee of the Whole Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the repairs being completed in October 2009, and the bill for the repair being sent in December 2009. Asst. Supt. Whitney agreed to obtain further information regarding the account and the repair for further discussion by the Board. Request for Sidewalk Variance for 211 Columbia Street – Discussion Property owner Todd Fox and landscape architect Rick Manning joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Mr. Fox explained the request for a variance and stated that due to the steep topography of the land, they are unable to install a sidewalk at the required 8.3% gradient. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the options the owner had to install a sidewalk and driveway that would meet code requirements. Commissioner Tripp expressed her desire to obtain more information and a recommendation from Traffic Engineers Logue and Johnson prior to the Board’s final decision on the variance request. Commissioner Brock expressed concerns regarding compliance with ADA regulations and adjusting the gradient. DAC Liaison Roberts stated that there are areas throughout the city that cannot meet city code requirements due to the steep nature of the land. He further expressed his support for the request. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the ramps that attached the sidewalks to the driveway and the driveway apron height. The Board agreed to include the variance request on the agenda for the March 10, 2010 voting meeting. Power to Act – Approval of Parking Policy for Persons with Disabilities – Resolution By Commissioner Brock: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the City (BPW) adopted a Handicap Parking Policy on January 12, 2000 to act as a guideline for requests received for on-street handicap parking, and WHEREAS, the current Handicap Parking Policy has become outdated, and staff has met with the Disability Advisory Council to review and update the current parking policy, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed and adopts the Parking Policy for Persons with Disabilities dated March 3, 2010, as department policy for on- street disabled parking in order for staff to continue to respond to requests. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the added stipulation to the policy stating that parking spaces are not reserved for specific residents. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Brock RESOLVED, That the first Whereas clause be amended to read as follows: “WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works adopted a Handicap Parking Policy on January 12, 2000 to act as a guideline for requests received for on-street handicap parking,” and be it further RESOLVED, That the Resolved clause be amended to read as follows: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed and hereby adopts the Parking Policy for Persons with Disabilities dated March 3, 2010, as department policy for such parking in order for staff to continue to respond to requests.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion as Amended A Vote on the Main Motion as Amended Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously BPW Change of Meeting Time Mayor Peterson reported that Common Council would vote at their meeting this evening to modify their meeting time. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the possibility Board of Public Works Page 3 March 3, 2010 Committee of the Whole of moving the Board of Public Works meetings to a day other than Wednesdays and to continue with three meetings per month. Alderperson Coles joined the Board for the discussion of this item. She stated that many department heads had expressed their discontent with the lateness of Common Council meetings, which spurred the discussion for altering the start time for Common Council meetings. Green Street Surface Parking Lot Mayor Peterson stated that she had not anticipated the Green Street surface lot would be closed for two weeks while waiting for repair of equipment. She further expressed her concern about the revenue that the City is losing, because the lot is closed. Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) Director Gary Ferguson joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Acting Asst. Supt. Benjamin explained that the maintenance contractor for the payment equipment in the parking lot is not willing to repair the equipment until they are paid in full for the initial installment of the equipment. He further explained that staff from Streets and Facilities will install meters in the lot until the equipment is repaired. DIA Director Mr. Ferguson suggested placing signs that direct traffic to other parking areas while the surface lot is closed. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the contractor repairing the existing equipment and installing meters to accept increased fees for parking. Commissioner Tripp suggested that the barricades be removed with a sign displayed that the lot will be closed beginning Monday, March 8, 2010, until the meters are installed. No Board member objected. Water Plant Membrane Pilot Study – Discussion Asst. Supt. Whitney explained that the temporary building that will hold the membrane filtration pilot studies will be completed and ready to begin the pilot studies by March 29, 2010. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the electrical requirements, the type of building planned for the pilot units, and the types of membrane filtration devices that will be studied. Asst. Supt. Whitney explained that both pressurized and submerged membranes would be studied. Commissioner Brock noted that an engineering agreement had not yet been executed with O’Brien & Gere. She further stated that the agreement should be executed prior to the completion of the pilot studies. Discussion followed on the floor regarding expediting the execution of the contract. Commissioner Tripp suggested this topic be first on agenda for the March 10, 2010, meeting for continued discussion with Supt. Gray and Mayor Peterson. The Board agreed. Golf Course Rates – Discussion Commissioner Tripp expressed her desire to determine whether to increase the rates at the golf course. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the percentage of increase for the rates, other uses for the parkland, and obtaining the MSDS sheets for the fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides used on the golf course property. Commissioner Tripp requested a resolution that would propose increasing all fees by 25% for 2010. No Board member objected. ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor