HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PEDC-2020-03-11Approved at the
September 16. 2020 PEDC Meeting
City of Ithaca
Planning & Economic Development Committee
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 – 6:30 p.m.
Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 108 East Green Street
Minutes
Committee Members Attending: Joseph (Seph) Murtagh, Chair; Cynthia
Brock, Stephen Smith, Donna Fleming, and
Laura Lewis
Committee Members Absent: Alderpersons McGonigal and Nguyen
Other Elected Officials Attending: None
Staff Attending: JoAnn Cornish, Director, Planning and
Development Department; Addisu Gebre, City
Bridge Engineer; Jennifer Kusznir, Senior
Planner; Tom Knipe, Deputy Director for
Economic Development; and Deborah
Grunder, Executive Assistant
Others Attending: Joe Meschasci and Delta Engineers
Chair Seph Murtagh called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m.
1) Call to Order/Agenda Review
Chair Murtagh stated that due to the special meeting prior to the start of this
meeting he asked that we be mindful of the time.
2) Public Comment
Theresa Alt, 206 Eddy Street, she is glad to see the city is reviewing the short-
term rentals, i.e., AirBnBs. She looks forward to seeing further review of owner-
occupancy ADUs. She also reported on what she has been told by other people.
She suggested the City should begin to opt-in into the emergency tenant
protection act, particularly now with the COVID-19 pandemic. There should be a
moratorium on evictions.
Approved at the
August 19, 2020 PEDC Meeting
Alderperson Brock agreed with Theresa Alt’s comments.
3) Special Presentation – Cayuga Street Bridge Project
City Bridge Engineer Addisu Gebre provided a presentation on this project and
the three (3) different alternatives to be considered.
4) Announcements, Updates, Reports
There were no announcements, updates, or reports.
5) Action Items (Voting to Send on to Council)
a) Cayuga Street Bridge Project
South Cayuga Street Bridge Project - DESIGN ALTERNATIVES DECISION
(Alternative #2) Resolution
Moved by Alderperson Smith; seconded by Alderperson Fleming
to move both Alternative II and III to the whole Council.
South Cayuga Street Bridge Project - DESIGN ALTERNATIVES DECISION (Alternative #2)
-Resolution
WHEREAS, a project for the rehabilitation of the South Cayuga Street Bridge over Six Mile
Creek, P.I.N. 375616 (“the Project”) is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code as
administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), as amended, that calls for the
apportionment of the costs such program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20%
non-Federal funds, and
WHEREAS, the existing South Cayuga Street Bridge (“the Bridge”) is a single span, two-lane
multiple steel girder bridge carrying South Cayuga Street over the Six Mile Creek, and
WHEREAS, As part of the approved 2018 budget, Common Council already authorized
$155,000(80% Federal Share and 20% Local Share) to cover the cost of participation in
Scoping and Preliminary Design Phases and additional $25,000 (100% Local Share) to cover
project administration cost; and
WHEREAS, additional $210,000 (80% Federal and 20% Local Share) project funding for the
project made available by the New York State Department of Transportation to cover the cost
of participation in Detailed Design; and
WHEREAS, on June 6, 2018, the City of Ithaca Common Council amended CP#848 to add
$210,000 for a total of $390,000; and
Approved at the
August 19, 2020 PEDC Meeting
WHEREAS, currently, the City of Ithaca and project consultant (Delta Engineers, Architects,
& Land Surveyors, P.C.) are working on the Project, and
WHEREAS, three possible alternatives for this bridge are being considered: Bridge Alternative
#1, which includes bridge rehabilitation (13 ft. lanes/5-5” sidewalks), Bridge Alternative #2,
which includes bridge rehabilitation (13 ft. lanes/ 8ft. sidewalks) including widening the
substructure, and Bridge Alternative #3, which includes full bridge replacement (13 ft.
lanes/8ft. sidewalks), and
WHEREAS, Department of Public Works has decided to allocate $200,000 in Consolidated
Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) fund to be used as a local match to
cover construction cost of Alternative #2 ; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project costs for the alternatives are outlined as follows:
Design
Alternative
Estimated Total
Project Cost
City of Ithaca
Share
Federal Highway
Administration Share
CHIPS Fund
#1 $2,070,000 $434,000 $1,636,000 $0
#2 $2,564,000 $794,000 $1,570,000 $200,000
#3 $3,840,000
$2,026,000 $1,614,000 $200,000
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council has reviewed the 3 alternatives as presented
on March 11, 2020; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby selects Alternative #2 as the
preferred alternative with an estimated total project cost of $2,564,000; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby amends CP#848 to add
$2,174,000 for a total of $2,564,000; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That funds needed for said project shall be derived from the issuance of Serial
Bonds with the City’s estimated share of the project cost not to exceed 30.97% or $794,000;
and it is further
RESOLVED, that in the event the full Federal and non-Federal share costs of the project
exceeds the amount appropriated above, Common Council of the City of Ithaca shall convene
as soon as possible to appropriate said excess amount immediately upon the notification by
New York State Department of Transportation thereof, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca of the County of Tompkins be and is hereby
authorized to sign all necessary Agreements with New York State Department of
Transportation to secure Federal Aid and Marchiselli Aid on behalf of the City of Ithaca and
the Superintendent of Public Works is authorized to sign all necessary construction documents,
contracts, certifications and reimbursement requests, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Superintendent of Public Works be and is hereby authorized to
administer the above project, and be it further
Approved at the
August 19, 2020 PEDC Meeting
RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this resolution be filed with the New York State
Commissioner of Transportation by attaching it to any necessary Agreement in connection with
the Project, and it is further
RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately
South Cayuga Street Bridge Project - DESIGN ALTERNATIVES DECISION (Alternative #3)
-Resolution
WHEREAS, a project for the replacement of the South Cayuga Street Bridge over Six Mile
Creek, P.I.N. 375616 (“the Project”) is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code as
administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), as amended, that calls for the
apportionment of the costs such program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20%
non-Federal funds, and
WHEREAS, the existing South Cayuga Street Bridge (“the Bridge”) is a single span, two-lane
multiple steel girder bridge carrying South Cayuga Street over the Six Mile Creek, and
WHEREAS, As part of the approved 2018 budget, Common Council already authorized
$155,000(80% Federal Share and 20% Local Share) to cover the cost of participation in
Scoping and Preliminary Design Phases and additional $25,000 (100% Local Share) to cover
project administration cost; and
WHEREAS, additional $210,000 (80% Federal and 20% Local Share) project funding for the
project made available by the New York State Department of Transportation to cover the cost
of participation in Detailed Design; and
WHEREAS, on June 6, 2018, the City of Ithaca Common Council amended CP#848 to add
$210,000 for a total of $390,000; and
WHEREAS, currently, the City of Ithaca and project consultant (Delta Engineers, Architects,
& Land Surveyors, P.C.) are working on the Project, and
WHEREAS, three possible alternatives for this bridge are being considered: Bridge Alternative
#1, which includes bridge rehabilitation (13 ft. lanes/5-5” sidewalks), Bridge Alternative #2,
which includes bridge rehabilitation (13 ft. lanes/ 8ft. sidewalks) including widening the
substructure, and Bridge Alternative #3, which includes full bridge replacement (13 ft.
lanes/8ft. sidewalks), and
WHEREAS, Department of Public Works has decided to allocate $200,000 in Consolidated
Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) fund to be used as a local match to
cover construction cost of Alternative #3 ; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project costs for the alternatives are outlined as follows:
Design
Alternative
Estimated Total
Project Cost
City of Ithaca
Share
Federal Highway
Administration Share
CHIPS Fund
#1 $2,070,000 $434,000 $1,636,000 $0
Approved at the
August 19, 2020 PEDC Meeting
#2 $2,564,000 $794,000 $1,570,000 $200,000
#3 $3,840,000
$2,026,000 $1,614,000 $200,000
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council has reviewed the 3 alternatives as presented
on March 11, 2020; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby selects Alternative #3 as the
preferred alternative with an estimated total project cost of $3,840,000; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby amends CP#848 to add
$3,450,000 for a total of $3,840,000; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That funds needed for said project shall be derived from the issuance of Serial
Bonds with the City’s estimated share of the project cost not to exceed 52.8% or $2,026,000;
and it is further
RESOLVED, that in the event the full Federal and non-Federal share costs of the project
exceeds the amount appropriated above, Common Council of the City of Ithaca shall convene
as soon as possible to appropriate said excess amount immediately upon the notification by
New York State Department of Transportation thereof, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca of the County of Tompkins be and is hereby
authorized to sign all necessary Agreements with New York State Department of
Transportation to secure Federal Aid and Marchiselli Aid on behalf of the City of Ithaca and
the Superintendent of Public Works is authorized to sign all necessary construction documents,
contracts, certifications and reimbursement requests, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be and is hereby authorized to
administer the above project, and be it further
RESOLVED, That a certified copy of this resolution be filed with the New York State
Commissioner of Transportation by attaching it to any necessary Agreement in connection with
the Project, and it is further
RESOLVED, That this Resolution shall take effect immediately
6) Discussion
a) Short-Term Rentals
Tom Knipe asked the committee how they would like to go forward on short-
term rentals in addition to ADUs.
He stated that the County is seriously considering buying the software to keep
track of short-term rentals. The City will work along with the County.
Approved at the
August 19, 2020 PEDC Meeting
Alderperson Fleming stated she thinks short-term rentals should be regulated.
She would, however, like to see the short-term rentals longer than a week or
weekend, but more for a semester.
Also in agreement that short-term rentals should be regulated are Alderpersons
Murtagh, Smith, and Brock.
Alderperson Brock asked whether there be some saturation number of units.
She is very fearful that one individual manages several short-term rentals.
Tom Knipe asked for a consensus of the committee as to what they would like
to allow. What about a duplex and the homeowner is present but the other side
is used as short-term rental?
Alderperson Fleming would like to see the other side rented out all the time not
as an AirBnB.
A staff suggestion was to allow AirBnBs in the R1 and R2 zones.
Chair Murtagh stated that a 90-day rental restriction may be problematic. Many
homeowners need to rent out the other half of the duplex in order to afford it.
However, it is hard work. He would like to give homeowners more flexibility.
He does not support the owner-occupied restriction on an ADU.
Alderperson Brock stated with owner occupancy and enforcement, it’s
something to consider. She is very cautious of transient rentals.
Alderperson Fleming would like to see it in the R3 zone as well.
The committee agreed any AirBnB needs to be regulated and hold a certificate
to do so.
b) Accessory Dwelling Units / Short-Term Rentals
Alderperson Smith stated that there may be a significant land grab unless we
regulate it. He thinks a community meeting is the key.
Alderperson Brock stated she would like to see ADUs and Short-Term Rentals
at the same time.
Alderperson Lewis is in favor of going forward with the ADUs knowing that
short-term rentals would also be looked at.
It was decided that the ADUs will be looked at again.
Approved at the
August 19, 2020 PEDC Meeting
c) Mobile Home Zoning to Allow Chickens
Chair Murtagh stated that people in the mobile home park have asked about
raising chickens. The zoning states that six (6) hens may be allowed for each
parcel. Nates Alderperson is one (1) parcel. Brock stated that DEC has
confirmed that the surface soils at Nates Floral Estates does not meet our
registered standards and no gardening is allowed.
This will be looked at further.
7) Review and Approval of Minutes
a) December 2019 and January 2020 minutes were not ready.
8) Adjournment
Moved by Alderperson Smith; seconded by Alderperson Lewis. Carried
unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.