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
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