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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2018-06-19BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 6:04 p.m. June 19, 2018 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (5) – Greene, Jenkins, McCormick, Morache, Warden OTHERS PRESENT: Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin Director of Engineering – Logue Common Council Liaison – McGonigal Executive Assistant – Servoss EXCUSED: City Attorney – Lavine Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne Director of Parking – Messmer ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: None MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC REPORTS Special Committees of the Board Council Liaison Board Liaisons Superintendent and Staff Tim reported: a. Agreed to 2 ft encroachment for EV charging Station b. Applying for TAP for trail bridge across flood control channel for Black Diamond Trail in line with Cecil A Malone Dr. c. W. MLK Jr. project will begin Monday d. E. Spencer St. Retaining wall is thru final submittals, and e. Working with contractor for Spencer Rd. by Quarry. He further reported that the City was working with Limebike and Bike Walk Tompkins to expand Limebikes into Collegetown and hopefully the university, but due to narrow sidewalks, he asked if the board is okay with designating 6 parking spaces (4 in Collegetown, 2 Downtown) with bike racks and space for Limebikes. Anyone would be able to use the bike racks. The Board generally agreed to allow Staff to work with Limebike to try the expansion. It was noted that the parking spaces could be returned to vehicle use if it turns out to not be practical. Ray reported that Hector St. will be finished next week, then to Hancock St. to mill and pave; Pogo was on Forest Home Dr. reinforcing to hold next layer of shotcrete; Forest crew had to remove one tree due to storm over the weekend, mowing at Jungle area; Parks Dept. began treatment of Emerald Ash Borer this month. Erik reported that the biggest project is E. State St., noting that a standard flagger may be a better choice than traffic lights; Geotech soil boring is being done; a lot of interviews to fill Board of Public Works Page 2 June 19, 2018 Regular Meeting vacancies; working with contractors and quarry owners to find a site for fill from dredging near 60 ft. dam; and advertising for a sr. water meter technician. Other Department Heads HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: 9A. Environmental Review for the Street Redesign at University Avenue between Linn Street and Lake Street Project – Resolution By Commissioner RM: Seconded by Commissioner CJ WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has declared itself to be the lead agency for the environmental review for a project (“the Project”) entitled “Street Redesign at University Avenue between Linn Street and Lake Street” in accordance with Section 176 of the Ithaca City Code (CEQR) and in accordance with Article 8 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law (SEQR), and WHEREAS, the Project includes construction or reconstruction of roadway, water main, stormwater and sanitary sewer conditions on University Avenue between Lake Street and Linn Street, and WHEREAS, the Project is a Type 1 action according to CEQR and SEQR, and WHEREAS, a Full Environmental Assessment form was prepared by staff for CEQR and for SEQR, and WHEREAS, on _________, 2018, the Board of Public Works declared itself lead agency for a coordinated environmental review for CEQR/SEQR, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works, acting as lead agency, has, on May 2018, reviewed and accepted as complete Full Environmental Assessment Forms and Project plans prepared on behalf of the City by Erdman Anthony engineers, and other project materials, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works determines that the project for University Avenue Redesign Project located in the City of Ithaca will result in no significant negative environmental impact for purposes of Article 8 of the NYS Environmental Conservation Law be filed in accordance with the provisions of Part 617 of the State Environmental Quality Review Act and that a Negative Declaration for purposes of Section 176 of the City Code be filed in accordance with the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance. CU 9B. Release of Willow Ave Right of Way Easement – Proposed Resolution By Commissioner CJ: Seconded by Commissioner DW WHEREAS, presently before the Board of Public Works is a proposal requesting that the City release its rights to an easement located immediately to the west of Willow Ave, recorded by deed dated December 31, 1909 reserving for the City a 34 foot wide “…right of way for a railroad track along the west side of said 66 foot strip …”, and WHEREAS, City Harbor, LLC, the property owner of 101 Pier Road, tax map parcel 17.-1-1.2, has requested that the City release its rights to such easement for the three Willow Avenue properties subject to the easement right of way, namely 101 Pier Road, 702 Willow Ave, tax map parcel 16.-2-1.1, and 726-30 Willow Ave, tax map parcel 17.-1-2; and WHEREAS, on some of these tax parcels, permanent structures have already been constructed within the easement area; and WHEREAS, the City has no interest in constructing a railroad track, and City staff are supportive of releasing the easement, and WHEREAS, in consideration for the City’s release of this easement of limited value to the City, City Harbor, LLC has offered $6,500; and now, therefore, be it Board of Public Works Page 3 June 19, 2018 Regular Meeting RESOLVED, that the Board finds that the above-described City easement right of way adjacent to Willow Avenue is surplus for municipal purposes, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Board recommends that Common Council authorize the Mayor to complete the easement right of way release. A discussion followed on the floor regarding whether the fee for this release was standard or not, the width of the street outside the easement, the agreement for the easement was originally only to build a railroad that would go to the golf course, if the city chose to build it; and the land would not be sold. CU CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS: 11A. Approval of the Ithaca Reggae Festival Request to Re-Route Cayuga Waterfront Trail through Stewart Park and Close the Road within Stewart Park – Resolution By Commissioner JG: Seconded by Commissioner RM WHEREAS, the Ithaca Reggae Festival will be held in the west end of Stewart Park on Ju ne 23, 2018, with proceeds going to local non-profit organizations to benefit Cayuga Lake, and WHEREAS, event organizers have requested to close the road within Stewart Park west of the tennis courts in order to fence off the festival area, and WHEREAS, the Special Event Committee recommends that the Cayuga Waterfront Trail remain open during the event, which will require the trail to be re-routed around the fenced area, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works discussed the request to close the road and r e-route the trail within Stewart Park on May 15, 2018, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the closure of the Stewart Park access road west of the tennis courts, contingent upon the Cascadilla Boathouse and Paddles - N-More concessions sites remaining accessible to members and customers, and be it further RESOLVED, That the organizers will work with the Director of Engineering Services to create a detailed detour plan to re-route the Cayuga Waterfront Trail through Stewart Park for the Ithaca Reggae Festival on June 23, 2018. CU 11B. Approval of Plaque Placement at Stewart Park Spraypad – Resolution By Commissioner RM: Seconded by Commissioner CJ WHEREAS, the City and Friends of Stewart Park are in the planning phas e of the Stewart Park playground project; and WHEREAS, in support of the project, Friends of Stewart Park has offered to fundraise and donate towards this project; and WHEREAS, Friends of Stewart Park has received an offer of a donation in the amount of $30,000 to support the construction of a spraypad area; and WHEREAS, the donor has requested a small plaque in the spraypad area that reads “Katie’s splash party” or similar wording, and Friends of Stewart Park recommends such a plaque; WHEREAS, General City Law §20(3) empowers the City to accept gift, grants, or donations upon terms and conditions between the donor and City; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That, contingent on Planning Board’s review of the final appearance of the plaque, the Board of Public Works supports and authorizes the City’s placement of the requested plaque. Rick Manning & Diana Reisman Rick stated that the splash pad would not be given the donor’s name, and a list of donors would be on a separate plaque. This is a special request so that the donor’s daughter, who spent a lot of time at the spray pad, could find the plaque separate from other plaques. Board of Public Works Page 4 June 19, 2018 Regular Meeting Diana stated that when they speak to potential donors, they are told that items in the playground would not be named for the donors, but donors would be recognized. Because this request was a little different, the Friends contacted the City Attorney’s office for permission. Discussion followed on the floor regarding placement of the plaque on the curbing of the splash pad. CU Friends of Stewart Park Playground Update Rick Manning reported that the Friends had been working with City Forester to install small temporary signs along CWT. Those signs are not working very well, so Friends would like to install better temporary signs that are more readable from a distance. Discussion followed on the floor regarding expanding the signs into Cass Park, the signs include the new park logo. The Board generally agreed to allow the Friends to move forward. Rick further reported that they are planning a community build in Sept. to begin building the new playground. They currently have $1.4 mil in funding, and working with Tim and Jeanne to redesign the bathrooms. Historic Ithaca is preparing a grant to redo the outside of the boathouse. Diana explained that Pam Kingsbury did a report on all the buildings in Stewart Park, and prioritized the repairs that were needed. They are working on the repairs and are now at the point of repairing and updating the building. June 30th at 11:00 am for a Ribbon Cutting of an accessible chariot and ramp at the Carousel. Free carousel rides. Rick further explained that the boathouse building is strong enough to occupy the lower level, but to use the 2nd floor more extensive work would need to be done . Wharton Studio Museum Update Diana provided a history of the Wharton Studio Museum project. Since becoming incorporated and obtaining museum status, have been operating as a museum without space, such as silent movie night, The DPW Maintenance building was originally the Wharton Studio, one of only a few silent movie studios in the country that are still standing. Rethought what the building could be. The issue was that if the museum took over the entire space, DPW would have to build a new space for park maintenance equipment. New plan is the transfer only 1,000 sf of the building that included park history, a gallery space, a welcome center, possibly a café. Hoping this would be a vibrant destination. Working on restoring Picnic Pavilion, and t ransforming the maintenance building could potentially bring people down to the lake. This restoration would cost $960,000, rather than $4 mil for taking over entire building. The cost would include putting an addition on the back of the large pavilion to store youth bureau equipment. Hoping to create a performance plaza so the parking lot could be used for parking during the day, but the colorful paving could be used during performances. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the updated plans, reclaiming the building, incorporating a café. Mayor expressed his approval of the plans. David agreed. Diana included that she is working on creating a film museum trail from Rochester to Ithaca to Auburn. George asked if the Wharton Studio Museum had enough historical items to keep people interested throughout the years. Diana responded that there would be enough items. They are still working obtaining pieces, and they plan to have a lot of interpretive and projected exhibits. Diana noted that the Wha rton studio Museum would be responsible for inside maintenance, and outside maintenance would be a combination of DPW and the museum. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Board of Public Works Page 5 June 19, 2018 Regular Meeting Kathrin D. Servoss Svante L. Myrick Executive Assistant Mayor