HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2016-04-25Board of Public Works Meeting Proceedings
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. April 25, 2016
Present:
Vice Chair Jenkins
Commissioners (4) Greene, Darling, Goldsmith, Warden
Others Present:
Supt. of Public Works – Thorne
Director of Engineering – Logue
Asst. Supt. S & F – Benjamin
Asst. Supt. W & S – Whitney
CC Liaison – Fleming
Information Management Specialist – Myers
Director of Parking – Nagy
Excused:
Mayor Myrick
Call to Order - Additions to or Deletions From the Agenda:
Supt. Thorne requested that item 10A entitled “A Resolution to Direct Staff for
Implementing a Portion of the Bicycle Boulevard Plan Along North Tioga Street
Between The Commons and Court Street” be changed to a discussion item and not a
voting item.
No Board Member Objected.
Communications and Hearings From Persons Before the Board:
The following people addressed the Board to voice their support for the proposal to
extend the bicycle boulevard on North Tioga Street between the Commons and Court
Street:
David West, City of Ithaca Resident and Chair of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory
Council (BPAC). He reminded the Board of the City’s Comprehensive Plan which
outlines the provision of pedestrian and bicycle amenities as a priority for the
community.
Fernando deAragon, City of Ithaca
Pete Monacelle, City of Ithaca
Marshall McCormick, City of Ithaca
Jan Schwartzberg, City of Ithaca and member of BPAC
Carolina Osoriogil, City of Ithaca
Sam Bosco, City of Ithaca and member of BPAC
Victoria Armstrong, City of Ithaca
Amanda Zerilli, City of Ithaca
Karim Beers, City of Ithaca
Daniel Keough, City of Ithaca (provided written comments for the Board’s information)
The following people addressed the Board to voice their opposition to the proposed
extension of the bicycle boulevard on North Tioga Street between The Commons:
Richard John, City of Ithaca and Legislator for Tompkins County representing the City of
Ithaca
Cynthia Brock, Common Council Member – 1st Ward
Jan Lawless, Town of Ithaca
Ann Sullivan, City of Ithaca
George McGonigal, Common Council Member – 1st Ward
Steve Williams, City of Ithaca and member of BPAC addressed the Board to report that
he has applied to become a member of the Board of Public Works; although he has not
heard anything back yet from the City about his application. The reason for applying to
become a member of the Board is so that he could be a liaison between the Board of
Public Works and BPAC, which is really needed at this time. Today’s meeting is a really
good indicator as to why there should be a liaison between BPAC and the BPW
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because creating the bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure for the City of Ithaca needs to
be reviewed and discussed between both these boards. He would very much like to
hear back about his application, but wanted it on record that he had applied.
Larry Roberts, City of Ithaca and Chair of the Disability Advisory Council, addressed the
Board to speak in opposition to what some of his friends have been asking for. The
Disability Advisory Council does not have a comment on this topic, except that when
parking is eliminated there is the possibility of eliminating accessible parking for many
people - especially people who can't walk. He explained that not being able to park near
and on the same side of the street as the Post Office, the County Courthouse, etc. will
affect how the public is able to use these municipal offices and services. He further
explained that the recent implementation of the new parking pay stations has not been
positively received by people with disabilities and people in the 55 and over
demographic, so to eliminate parking by these municipal offices would further prevent
these people from visiting downtown.
Response to the Public:
Commissioner Goldsmith noted that he was sorry more representatives from Tompkins
County did not attend today’s meeting to hear these comments. In addition to more
short-term parking in the garages, the City could have much more parking by taking
away the designated parking spaces in front of the County Courthouse. The City should
encourage Tompkins County to convert the parking lot behind the Courthouse into a
public parking lot and encourage their employees to park in the garage. He’d like to
encourage the Town of Ithaca to do the same thing.
Approval of February 9, 2015 and April 11, 2016 Board of Public Works Meeting
Minutes - Resolution
By Commissioner Warden: Seconded by Commissioner Greene
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the minutes of the February 9,
2015 and April 11, 2016 meeting minutes as published.
Carried Unanimously
Reports:
Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that crews began work on South Aurora Street today to
mill and repave the street from Hillview Street to the city line. The annual Spring Street
cleaning continues, and crews repaired the catch basin/storm sewer on Ferris Place.
Director of Engineering Logue reported that the work and crews are being mobilized to
begin the replacement of Lake Street Bridge over Fall Creek; the bridge cannot be
closed until May 16th, and there will be a signed detour in place until the project is
complete. The General Contractor and Electrician have been in the building and are
beginning the work to replace the Cass Park rink roof.
Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that crews have been working on a lot of new service
requests, including one from a new sub shop just north of “Five Guys” that will involve
both the water and sewer services. Work on the Marriott Hotel on South Aurora Street,
just north of the bridge, will mean that the street will need to be closed for just one day;
staff is coordinating that work with all involved agencies. Today, crews responded to a
totally collapsed sewer main on Park Road, which is across the inlet from Island Health
and Fitness.
Director of Parking Nagy distributed the first proof back from the vendor for the new
“Scratch-Off Card” for parking. He asked Board members to review it and send
comments back to him. Once all the feedback has been received, the proof will go back
to the vendor for revision, then back to the City for final approval before they are printed.
Commissioner Goldsmith asked whether the Board could have a brief discussion on this
topic later in the meeting; no Board Member objected, so it will be added under “New
Business”.
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Supt. Thorne reported that staff have set up regular meetings with the contractor and
NYSEG to coordinate all the construction/utility work that will need to occur on Dryden
Road. NYSEG and DPW staff are going to start meeting every 2 weeks, last Tuesday
was the first meeting and it was productive. There will be a lot of work to be completed
as well as inconvenience to motorists and businesses on Dryden Road as a result of
this construction season in Collegetown. In early to mid-June the City will be looking to
close the intersection of College Avenue and Dryden Road for maybe 2-4 weeks. They
still need to do a lot of coordination with TCAT, contractors, and NYSEG before that
happens. He just wanted to give the Board a “heads-up” about it. The City has
discussed the project with Cornell University, and June 13th will be earliest that the road
could be closed; it should remain open to pedestrians. Cornell University also has work
planned at the end of that block; information on these projects will be coming to the
Board as it becomes available. Staff is currently reviewing proposals for boat rental
concessions, they hope to have vendors selected and the concessions open at Cass
Park and Stewart Park by mid-May.
Highways, Streets & Sidewalks:
Approval of Sites for the Public Art Commission’s Rainwater Art Project -
Resolution
By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith
WHEREAS, the Public Art Commission (PAC) is interested in creating rainwater art at
several locations in and around downtown Ithaca; and
WHEREAS, this type of artwork is created by placing a stencil on an area of sidewalk
that is then sprayed with a paint that seals the concreate to moisture; during wet
weather, the area surrounding the stenciled design changes color from the moisture
while the stenciled area remains dry, revealing the artwork; and
WHEREAS, the artwork is temporary and will wear away in less than a year after
installation; and
WHEREAS, the members of the PAC will seek input from the community on possible
designs and will contact adjacent property and business owners prior to installation;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the following City-owned
sidewalks as potential sites for the City of Ithaca Public Art Commission’s rainwater art
project:
• North side of E. Seneca Street (between N. Aurora St. and N. Tioga St.)
• West side of N. Aurora Street (in front of Seneca Street Parking Garage)
• East side of N. Tioga Street (between E. Seneca Street and the Post Office)
• North side of E. State Street (at the intersection near Viva)
• South side of E. Green Street (between S. Cayuga St. and the Tompkins County
Mental Health Building)
• East side of S. Cayuga Street (between E. Green St. and E. Clinton Street)
• Six Mile Creekwalk
• Entrance to the Alex Haley Pool
• South side of W. Court Street (in front of GIAC)
Carried Unanimously
Award of Bid for 2016 Sidewalk Improvement District Work:
By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commission Darling
WHEREAS, bids were received on April 22, 2016 for the 2016 Sidewalk Improvement
District Work, SID Project #3; and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the seven bids received and made a recommendation
for award; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby awards the contract
for the 2016 Sidewalk Improvement District Work, SID Project #3, to John F. and John
P. Wenzel Contractors, Inc. for their low bid meeting specifications of $594,880; and, be
it further
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RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be and hereby is authorized to
execute these contracts and to administer the same.
Carried Unanimously
Creeks, Bridges & Parks:
A Resolution Accepting a New York State Department of Transportation
(NYSDOT) Use and Occupancy Permit and All Responsibilities for the Trail on the
Gateway Pedestrian Bridge
WHEREAS, NYSDOT currently has a Use & Occupancy Permit (#33669) with the City
of Ithaca for Gateway Pedestrian Bridge (the “Bridge”) spanning Route 13; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Ithaca is currently undertaking design of the Gateway Trail
Project, P.I.N. 3754.52 (the “Project”) which crosses Route 13 via the Bridge; and
WHEREAS, according to the Use & Occupancy Permit (#33669), the City of Ithaca (the
“City”) is responsible for maintaining the Bridge in a sound condition for its intended or
used purpose(s) and to ensure that the Bridge or its condition does not threaten the
integrity of the State’s highway system and/or its associated property. The City will
immediately notify the State if any such condition exists and will take immediate action
to rectify the situation to the satisfaction of the State. The City, at the City’s expense
and for the term of the permit, agrees to inspect the Bridge at least every two (2) years
or more frequently if required. These inspections must be conducted by a professional
engineer (PE) licensed to practice in the State of New York and are subject to periodic
audit by the State. Failure to comply with this condition may result in a ten (10) day
written notice of cancellation of this permit in accordance with condition 17 of the
permit”; and
WHERAS, in accordance with the City of Ithaca Charter Section 63, “The Board of
Public Works may enter upon any lands for the purpose of survey and examination;
may contract for, purchase and acquire, by grant, purchase, gift, condemnation or
otherwise, in the name of the City of Ithaca all lands, water rights, easements, privileges
and franchises and all other real and personal property whatsoever, either within or
outside of the corporation limits of the City of Ithaca, which are necessary, in the
judgment of the Board, for any of the purposes herein set forth and shall have the right
to enter upon, take possession of and appropriate all such property and to do any and
every act or thing that may be necessary to carry out the full intent and purpose of all
the provisions contained in this Charter”; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby accepts a new NYSDOT Use &
Occupancy Permit (#33669) for the Bridge including the Gateway trail for $1 Payment
Waived permit; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca accept all responsibility for the trail on the Bridge;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca, upon consultation with the City
Attorney, be and is hereby authorized to execute the NYSDOT Use & Occupancy
Permit for the Bridge and trail and any subsequent papers which might be required for
this permit; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That this resolution shall take effect immediately.
Director of Engineering Logue explained that the City of Ithaca already has a permit and
New York State is asking for the City to acknowledge that it still owns bridge. This
resolution does not necessarily need to be voted on today, and could wait until the
Board’s next meeting.
Director Engineering Logue stated that there are no changes suggested in the permit.
The bridge will be opened for the Gateway Trail and the City of Ithaca has to confirm it
owns bridge and will maintain the bridge and trail going forward - which it will. The City
will replace the deck because it is deteriorated and not safe. The Town of Ithaca will be
providing 20%, and the other 80% will come from federal funding for this work. The
bridge will open just north of Home Depot, and then the trail will head up to Stone
Quarry Road by way of the old railroad right-of-way.
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Common Council Liaison Fleming questioned the need for the deck replacement and
wanted to confirm whether the work would be completely paid for by the Federal funds
and the Town of Ithaca.
Director of Engineering Logue responded that the City of Ithaca has not been asked by
the Town of Ithaca to help fund the 20% local share of the cost. Once the bridge is
opened, the City will have to formally maintain it. The City of Ithaca paid for the
installation of bridge, and a lot of that funding came from a grant, the cost to the City
was about $150,000.00. He further explained that the City of Ithaca is proceeding with
the understanding that the Town of Ithaca is the sponsor of the project to re-do the
bridge deck.
Supt. Thorne stated that it will be the City of Ithaca’s responsibility to maintain the
bridge; but the City could also close it if no funding was available for its maintenance.
Board members requested that this item come back to their next meeting for a vote.
Discussion Items:
Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance for the Brindley Street Bridge
Replacement Project - Proposed Resolution
WHEREAS, State law and regulations and Section 176.6 of the City of Ithaca code
require that a lead agency be established for conducting environmental review of certain
proposed actions, in accordance with applicable law; and
WHEREAS, State regulations and the City Code specify that the lead agency shall be
that agency which has primary responsibility for undertaking, approving or funding the
action; and
WHEREAS, the existing Brindley Street Bridge is a single span, single lane multiple
steel girder bridge carrying Brindley Street over the Cayuga Inlet; and
WHEREAS, Brindley Street Bridge Replacement Project (“the Project”) involves the
replacement of the Brindley Street Bridge with a two lane structure with additional
accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians including necessary approach and
intersection improvement; and
WHEREAS, the preferred design alternative will involve the relocation of Brindley Street
by connecting Taber Street with the West State/Martin Luther King, Jr.
Street/Taughnnock Boulevard intersection together with the necessary intersection
improvement; and
WHEREAS, on April 11, 2016, the Board of Public Works declared to act as a lead
agency for the environmental review of the proposed project; and
WHEREAS, appropriate environmental review has been conducted including the
preparation of a Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF) Part I, II and III; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works of the City of Ithaca, acting as Lead Agency, has
reviewed the FEAF Part I, II, and III; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works, as lead agency in this matter, hereby
determines that the Project will not have a significant effect on the environment, and
that further environmental review is unnecessary; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That this resolution constitutes notice of this negative declaration and
requests that staff provide notice of the same to all involved and interested agencies.
Director of Engineering Logue explained that the Board of Public Works declared itself
lead agency for the new location; now the environmental forms are here for the Board to
review/change/edit, and there is a lot of time in which the Board can discuss the project.
The consultants have helped with the paperwork, the only real question mark is the
impact on historical and archeological elements of the area. That work still needs to be
completed; staff wanted to present the material they had to the Board today to see if
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there were any questions. He explained that the construction work on the project is
planned for 2017. The research into the archeological historical elements will be
completed in the near future, and he will bring that information back to the Board for its
review and discussion at that point.
When staff has the information related to the historical and archeological finds, the item
will be added to the next agenda for the Board.
Student Agencies Project - 201 College Avenue:
Information about this project was e-mailed to the Board after the agenda for the
meeting was distributed; hard copies of the information was placed on the desks of the
Board members prior to today’s meeting.
This item will be added to the agenda for discussion at the Board’s next meeting.
Parking & Traffic:
A Resolution to Direct Staff for Implementing a Portion of the Bicycle Boulevard
Plan Along North Tioga Street Between the Commons and Court Street -
Discussion Only
Commissioner Warden voiced his support for Commissioner Goldsmith’s suggestion to
have the City of Ithaca put pressure on Tompkins County and the Town of Ithaca to
make their private lots available to the public, and encourage their employees to park in
the parking garage. He supports bike lanes in general; however, this two block area is
very critical to people who visit downtown and need access to these buildings. He
agreed that a lot of people do have difficulty using the parking garage. He supports
leaving things the way they are until a better solution can be found. He agrees that the
provision of a safe way for people to bike to the Commons is important; however, these
two blocks of North Tioga may not be the best streets to accomplish that goal. He also
supports the comment made that nearby on-street parking near to these municipal
buildings is essential to certain people in the community with accessibility issues.
Commissioner Darling reiterated his comments from previous meetings that the City of
Ithaca needs a well thought out plan for implementation of bicycle boulevards
throughout the City; not only on these two blocks of North Tioga Street. He also noted
that the Board would have this discussion and feedback every time there is a proposal
to remove parking so it would be better to have a city wide plan in place so that doesn’t
happen. He would encourage the Board and the City to not continue to implement
bicycle accommodations piecemeal. In addition, not only should there be a north-south
route to and from the Commons, but there should also be a east-west route established
as well. He suggested the continuation of the bike lanes on Cayuga Street, especially
as the Chain Works project proceeds (on the former Emerson Plant on South Hill)
because South Cayuga Street will be the direct path downtown from that development.
He also stated that he is not ready to vote on this proposal at this time. In the
meantime, the City should proceed with its planned work on North Tioga Street to
repair/replace catch basins, construct curb ramps where needed and mill and re-pave
the street. He doesn’t want the lack of a decision on this item to prevent the City from
doing this much needed infrastructure work at this time.
Commissioner Greene expressed his support for Commissioner Darling’s comments.
He agreed that he does not want to slow the City from the work it has planned for these
two blocks of North Tioga Street. He also agreed with Commissioner Goldsmith’s
comments that the County and Town are conspicuously absent from today’s meeting
and discussion of this topic. He also thinks that the only way the City will truly know
what the impact of implementing this proposal will be is if something different is tried.
The reality is the City won’t know what impact it will have on changing behavior and
whether it is positive or negative change unless it changes the current status quo. He
would support the wait and see approach, and respects everyone’ opinion in that
regard. He would also suggest to other Board members to try the proposal for a season
with the caveat that accessible parking is still needed, and study the findings as a result
of the change. That is his idea or suggestion but he is comfortable waiting if that is what
the rest of the Board wants to do.
Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes April 25, 2016
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Common Council Liaison Fleming noted that she is struck by number of people
advocating to keep all the current parking as well as the number of people who were
advocating for removing it for bike lanes. She stated that if the City of Ithaca is serious
about the goals of its recently approved Comprehensive Plan (which include
implementation/provision of adequate bicycle and pedestrian amenities) then it needs to
stick to it. She also cautioned that the City needs to keep in mind the needs of the
disabled and the need for accessible parking. No matter what the City implements,
someone will be inconvenienced. She agreed that more data and discussion is needed
before a final decision is made, and urged the Board to keep to the Comprehensive
Plan. She questioned why one person has more of right to be inconvenienced than
another?
Commissioner Goldsmith encouraged the City to install additional signage around that
directs people to the parking garages. He would also support increasing the number of
spaces reserved on the first level of the parking garages for short term parking. He
would also suggest the use of sharrows on the long block, and to continue from the
previous block with as many speed bumps as allowed by NYSDOT. He would also
remove all the parking spaces in front of the Tompkins County Court House, and to
keep the rest of the parking in those two blocks as is to see what happens.
Commissioner Darling would recommend that all the parking in front of the Court House
should for accessible parking spaces.
Supt. Thorne noted that there have been such a wide variety of opinions shared as to
what should be done on these two blocks. He would suggest the creation of a working
group that would then produce several ideas following both the pros/cons that have
been shared. The City should also talk with the Town of Ithaca and Tompkins County to
see what, if any, accommodations they might be willing to make in their private parking
lots for short-term public parking. He does not think it is very productive to be throwing
out ideas in a public forum. In the meantime, the City needs to pave, repair catch basins
and construct the ramps on these two blocks.
Director of Parking Nagy reminded the Board that the City already has 3 committees
established that are discussing parking – one is an an advisory board, one to establish
locations for the placement of the new pay stations, and one to determine the location of
additional accessible parking spaces around the City. Does adding another working
group make sense?
Commissioner Jenkins encouraged the inclusion of representatives from BPAC and the
DAC in these discussions.
Commissioner Goldsmith stated that part of the problem is that there are 3 committees
meeting; however, they’re reporting to the City and not the Board of Public Works,
which they should be. He supports Supt. Thorne’s recommendation to establish a
working group and recommended it also include a couple of Common Council
members, staff, representatives from the BPW, as well as representatives from BPAC
and the DAC.
Board members supported that suggestion.
Director of Parking Nagy noted that when these two blocks are closed for the work by
DPW that the City would see where the parking goes. He would suggest that staff take
inventory on side streets before the work begins, and then during and after the work.
That data will provide an idea of how the removal of parking affects visitors and
bicyclists. He also noted that the parking revenue generated in front the County Court
House is one of the top three around the City. Traffic Engineer Logue noted that may
not be a true reading because we don’t know whether people are parking there to go to
court or they just need parking.
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Commissioner Darling reiterated that the bigger picture of parking needs around the
whole city need to be considered. They are bigger than just this one street. He agreed
that getting counts for surrounding street occupancy and use during the time that DPW
is completing its construction work on these two blocks will provide valuable information
about what the parking needs are in this location. This will also affect other areas of the
city because when you shift parking from one street it has a domino effect on other
streets.
New Business:
Director of Parking Nagy explained that he would like Board members to review the
information he provided to them regarding the new “Scratch-Off” cards for parking.
Please provide any feedback either positive or negative back to him.
Commissioner Goldsmith responded that having 8 different cards for various time limits
is not a good idea, he feels they will be confusing to the public as well as to those
enforcing the parking rules.
Director of Parking Nagy explained that the two hour parking limit is still going to be
enforced, that information will be added to the card so it is clear to the public. The rates
are all based on $1.50 per hour.
Director of Engineering noted that the scratch-off card provides an option to people who
would rather not use the pay stations; the public will choose what they want to use to
pay for parking.
Director of Parking Nagy stated that the response from the elderly about the proof of
scratch-off cards has been very positive.
Adjournment:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
______________________________ _____________________________
Sarah L. Myers, Claudia Jenkins,
Information Management Specialist Vice-Chair