HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2009-05-26 TOWN OF ITHACA
Public Works Committee
May 26, 2009, 9:00 a.m.
Present: Peter Stein,Bill Goodman,Rich DePaolo,Fred Noteboom,Dan
Walker, Rich Schoch, Gene Redman, Creig Hebdon,Wayne
Sincebaugh, Kristen Taylor,Jonathan Kanter, and Mike Smith
Guests: Michael Bend (President of Forest Home Improvement
Association), Sharon Beebe (Home Owner's Association on Penny
Lane), and Helen Baker
The meeting began at 9:00 a.m.
The April 28, 2009,minutes*ere approved.
Introductions were made of all attending regarding Penny Lane parking.
Peter Stein attended a meeting of Commonland residents regarding quality of
life issues,parking, etc. He invited representatives to attend this meeting.
Helen Baker reviewed problems with young people using access to water shed,
and there is a lot of cars, alcohol usage, etc. The residents have been complaining
for a number of years. She passed around photos of parking issues,partying, etc.
from this past weekend. Photos show huge crowd leaving this past Saturday
due to rain. She said that from September to April there is no problem; it's just
during the summer months. Helen said she appreciates that the Town is
exploring solutions. She doesn't want to call the police every day, and Ithaca
Police Department won't get involved out of their jurisdiction. Rich DePaolo
asked if the people are rowdy. Helen said they were; and they litter,leaving
papers, car parts,bottles, etc. There is lots of foul language directed at
immediate neighbors who take brunt of abuse. Police can only do so much with
lack of enforcement issue. Rich D. asked if restricting parking at access point
would help. Peter addressed this as a very long term problem. Access points
have changed with the years, now Penny Lane seems the most popular spot.
Parking on Route 79 attracts attention from law enforcement. Cars can now
legally park on Penny Lane. Helen said the road was widened to accommodate
parking. She asked why this was done. Fred Noteboom said the shoulder were
widened and maintained by the Public Works Department. He explained that in
the past, the Town Board approved "No Parking" there,but residents were
getting ticketed and the Town Board rescinded the law. He said the City of
Ithaca repaved Giles Street recently and put up delineators along shoulder with
Public Works Committee,May 26,2009 Page 2
no parking,which has people finding other places to park. Peter said the issue is
to block foot traffic to reservoir at that node. Fred feels that parking at reservoir
access is preferred, this shifts problem to a different area.
Can the Town have a residential permitted parking? Peter said no. Town Board
could have State Legislature pass a law to allow this, like a number of years ago
when the City passed an ordinance to keep Cornell University employees from
parking along City streets. Peter has talked to Barbara Lifton about this. Barbara
said a state law could be passed,but the Town needs to make formal request.
Peter suggested having a public meeting to discuss what is desired by majority
of the area residents. Sharon Beebe spoke with the Sheriff's Department
regarding what their policy is for ticketing/towing and how the road patrols are
assigned. The Sheriff said that a no parking ordinance would make their job
easier. Rich D. asked if demand for residents parking is related to holidays and
wondered if a seasonal ban would be better tailored to fixing the problem.
Sharon distributed a letter regarding suggestions as to what could be done. Her
letter outlines details of specific suggestions.
Helen's unit directly abuts the access walk. Sharon said the Community
Association will be doing some buffer plantings soon.
Off-street parking is required because the original planning approved was for
only one car per unit,which is not adequate today. Peter would like to evaluate
how much demand residents have for on-street parking. Helen said most of the
year there is plenty of parking available. This can be done easily with
Commonland residents,but harder with Commonland Crescent residents who
have less parking off-road. Jonathan Kanter discussed parking allowance with
current zoning and this is addressed by requiring only a certain number of
parking spots per unit.
The Committee discussed the reasoning behind having a stop sign on one side
and a yield sign on the other. Sharon would like to have the yield sign replaced
with a stop sign. Fred said this is doable with Town Board approval. It was felt
that sight distance coming down Lois Lane is a problem, so perhaps a four-way
stop is better.
There was a brief discussion of speed bumps. Peter was asked when action can
be expected, and Peter said a public meeting needs to be held first. Helen feels
they will have to go through another summer season of partying before a
resolution can be found due to the nature of the process.
A discussion on alcohol abuse proceeded as a avenue of enforcing law on alcohol
Public Works Committee,May 26,2009 Page 3
use. Jon discussed City's involvement in the past. Peter wanted to get on with
the meeting so discussion was stopped,and Sharon and Helen left the meeting.
Northeast Drainage
Creig was not available today. Dan said the meeting in June would be feasible in
two to three weeks. The presentation is not finished. An in-house preview of
this could be done in one to two weeks. Peter asked Dan to set up a time for the
presentation. Peter is free now that classes are over. Creig, Dan, Peter, Gene,
and Rich D should attend. Dan will set up meeting.
Forest Home Traffic Calming
Phase One was funded under the stimulus plan. Design must be accomplished
first. So that we don't loose the funding, the design must be done by mid-
September. We will be contracting it out as our Engineers are too busy.
Jon passed out MPO meeting information and updated the Committee with what
is planned. Due to recent funding decisions, money was freed up to begin the
Forest Home plan. The federal amount is $297,000. The Town's local share
would be around $37,000; somewhat more than approved in the capital
spending. Public Works Committee should pass a resolution regarding the
design and construction to move funding along. At the June MPO meeting they
will discuss paying for design out of project's federal funding. This is required
under the HP. There will be six entrance features and four mid-block speed
tables specifically addressed in the Traffic Calming plan.
Dan stated we must use contractors on County's "short list". Approval through
State DOT is first on Initiation Report. Overseeing the design process will also be
necessary. Survey work,preliminary design,public information meeting,final
design approval, and contract documents must be prepared. Jon said there is an
obligation process to channel funds to the design work. It was decided that 90
days are needed to get elements ready for the State's approval. Dan feels this
must come to the June Town Board meeting for how to approve contractor. Rich
D. wondered if private contractor could meet deadline. Dan estimated $20,000 to
design. Contract could state a timeline but contractors might not be as likely to
bid on this. Initial query of contractors should be done. Ten percent of project
cost is about$37,000. Close out of current funding is due by September 15th
under current authorization. Michael Bend stated Cornell University's original
contribution is about $90,000. He wondered if they could be approached to pay
for design. With the project funding at risk, this could convince Cornell to help
fund design. An RFP could be written quickly for Town Board's approval by
special meeting. Perhaps June 9th Town Board meeting would be sufficient. Jon
Public Works Committee,May 26,2009 Page 4
said Planning staff could do initiation letter as soon as possible with Fernando's
assistance.
Committee voted to approve this moving forward. Michael thanked Public
Works Committee for their support to move this project forward.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 a.m.
ghk