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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2014-08-25BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. August 25, 2014 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (3) - Jenkins, Darling, Morache OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Thorne Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Benjamin Common Council Liaison — Fleming Information Management Specialist - Myers Sidewalk Program Manager — Hathaway Parking Director — Nagy EXCUSED: Commissioners Ward and Goldsmith Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer — Whitney DAC Liaison — Roberts ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: The Mayor had no communications for the Board. 2015 SIDEWALK PROGRAM DRAFT WORK PLAN PUBLIC HEARING: Resolution to Open Public Hearing: By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the public hearing on the 2015 sidewalk program draft work plan be declared open. Carried Unanimously No one appeared to speak. Resolution to Close Public Hearing: By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Morache RESOLVED, That the public hearing on the 2015 sidewalk program draft work plan be declared closed. Carried Unanimously COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: No one appeared to address the Board. REPORTS: Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that there have been 2 retirements and 1 resignation in the department (2 Light Equipment Operators and 1 Mechanic). He has been working with the Human Resources department to start recruitment for the mechanic position, which he has been given approval to fill. Supt. Thorne responded that staff should review how many Light Equipment Operators the department has to make sure there is adequate staffing to operate equipment for snow removal. Director of Engineering West reported that deck coating work will begin next week at the Seneca Street parking garage. In addition, next Tuesday evening shot blasting will occur on the decks that will remove the old surface. This work will be noisy so will begin after 5 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m. Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes August 25, 2014 Director of Parking Nagy reported that the License Plate Reader (LPR) is up and running; there have been some image issues, and the consultant was here today to repair. In the last two weeks 82 additional tickets were issued that wouldn't have normally be done because of the new LPR's. The Dryden Road garage was very busy this past weekend with students moving in; he should have revenue totals for the weekend for the garage by Tuesday, August 26th. He further reported that 114 permits for the Dryden Road parking garage were issued which is more than ever before — double the amount normally issued. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Darling RESOLVED, That the minutes of the July 28, 2014 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE, AND TRANSIT: Temporary Construction Easement during Construction of Marriott Ithaca Hotel — Resolution By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Morache WHEREAS, Hotel Ithaca, LLC, (Hotel Ithaca) is the developer of a proposed 159 -key Marriott Hotel at 120 South Aurora Street, Ithaca, NY, and WHEREAS, Hotel Ithaca has requested permission to use City property during the course of construction as indicated in the drawing entitled "Temporary Easement Plan" prepared by Fisher Associates, and namely for construction staging, use of a crane on City property and within the City's air rights, and installation of a shoring system, and WHEREAS, Hotel Ithaca has also requested permission to install a shoring system underneath the City's Property during the excavation and construction of the Project, with such shoring system to be installed in accordance with plans submitted and approved by the Department of Public Works, and WHEREAS, prior to completion of construction, Hotel Ithaca shall cut off and remove the shoring below the surface grade in accordance with the plans submitted and approved by the Department of Public Works, and WHEREAS, Chapter 170 of the City Code authorizes the Board of Public Works to approve temporary easements of City Property, and WHERAS, upon consultation with Department of Public Works staff, the City property is not otherwise needed for other City purposes, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Mayor, subject to review by the Superintendent of Public Works and the City Attorney, is authorized to execute a temporary construction easement agreement with Hotel Ithaca for the purposes of permitting construction staging, installation of a shoring system, and use of a crane on and over City property. Discussion followed on the floor regarding impacts to traffic, buses and the bus stop at this location — which is being relocated temporarily to the 300 block of East State /Martin Luther King, Jr. Street and then will be rebuilt by the contractor on Aurora Street at the completion of the work on the hotel. In addition, discussion followed on the floor regarding specific details of the exact location for the easement and staging areas. Alderperson Fleming arrived at 5:05 p.m. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes August 25, 2014 HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS: Authorization to Use Sidewalk Improvement District (SID) Funds to make Necessary Grade Transitions to Aprons, Walks, and Driveways — Resolution By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Darling WHEREAS, Section C- 73.B(3) of the City Charter states that "The Board of Public Works or Common Council shall not include construction or repair of driveway cuts or aprons, which shall remain the financial responsibility of the abutting property owner," and WHEREAS, for the purposes of good design and constructability, sidewalk grades and elevation may change upon replacement of public sidewalk; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby authorizes use of SID funds to re- establish grade transitions in existing, permitted aprons /walks /driveways as work "necessary to the construction or repair of sidewalk," and be it further RESOLVED, That such authorization is limited to those transitions in which the sidewalk work itself creates or substantially enlarges the grade mismatch, and be it further RESOLVED, That any such transition shall extend no further outside the lines of the public sidewalk being constructed than required to permit the continued permitted use of driveway and sidewalk access to the abutting property as determined by the Superintendent of Public Works or designee, and be it further RESOLVED, That no such work shall be undertaken in aprons /walks /driveways without first obtaining from the Owner of Record of the private property at issue legal authorization for said work and indemnification from any resulting liabilities, all in a form approved by the City Attorney. Carried Unanimously A Resolution Accepting a NYSDOT Use & Occupancy Permit for the Route 13 Pedestrian Crossings Project By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Morache WHEREAS, a Project for the ROUTE 13 PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS AT THIRD STREET AND DEY STREET, P.I.N. 395035, (the "Project ") is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code, as amended, that calls for the apportionment of the costs of such program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20% non- federal funds, and WHEREAS, a portion of the Project is to be constructed on lands owned by the New York State Department of Transportation, who requires that the City accept a Use & Occupancy permit in order to use and occupy the lands with the Project, 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 NYSDOT Use & Occupancy Permit (Permit No. 33843) for $1 Payment Waived for the occupancy of the State's lands for a portion of the Project, 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 Project and any subsequent papers which might be required for this permit, and be it further Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes August 25, 2014 RESOLVED, That this resolution shall take effect immediately. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS: Request for Use of City Property from the Sciencenter: Supt. Thorne reported that the Sciencenter applied for a sign permit which required a zoning appeal; which was approved. When they went to install the new sign, the location was on city property — which requires permission from the City to use. He stated that if the Board supports the request, staff will prepare a resolution approving the use of city property for the placement of the sign for the next meeting. Board members expressed their support for the request. 2014 Sidewalk Program Work Plan Desiqn Constraints: Sidewalk Program Manager Hathaway joined the Board for discussion of this topic. Supt. Thorne explained that they have a contractor ready to begin work on the sidewalks; however, the sidewalks must meet ADA requirements. A lot of the required handicap ramps at intersections can't meet the requirements very easily. It is because the City of Ithaca has a lot of hilly areas; slopes, drainage problems, and in some areas they just can't meet the required dimensions. A lot of locations just have no easy solution - if the ramp is repaired to meet the requirements it will result in drainage problems; in some areas the ramp can't be fixed without going into the road, if you go into the road there are additional problems, etc. Supt. Thorne further explained that Sidewalk Program Manager Hathaway has been following up with every resource he can (i.e. Department of Justice, New York State Department of Transportation, the Disability Advisory Council, et al) for guidance. Sidewalk Program Manager Hathaway stated that making sidewalks and ramps in the City accessible is a high priority for everyone. He wants to make sure the work is done in a responsible way. Right now, he is categorizing some of the designs of the streets where the ADA requirements for sidewalks prevent the work. He will provide a summary of those to the Board at their next meeting. He is not sure whether the City is in a position to try to do the work without more guidance; maybe the work in these areas could be put off until later, and replaced with easier to complete sidewalks. Supt. Thorne stated that once they have the guidelines for the construction of the sidewalks and ramps they will bring them to both the Disability Advisory Council and the Board of Public Works for review /approval. They won't be able to 100% meet the requirements /guidelines but they will do their best. They will work diligently to find out what can be done to meet the intent of the ADA because there are some grey areas, and they are not sure where the line is. Board members thanked staff for the update and information, and provided information on some other resources that might be good to check regarding ADA requirements for sidewalks. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Svante L. Myrick Information Management Specialist Mayor N