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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2012-09-24BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:54 p.m. September 24, 2012 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (4) — Acharya, Goldsmith, Jenkins, Leccese OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works — Gray Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer — Whitney Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities — Benjamin Executive Assistant — Gehring Assistant City Engineer — West Transportation Engineer — Logue EXCUSED: Commissioners (2) — Darling, Morache City Attorney — Lavine Common Council Liaison — Fleming DAC Liaison — Roberts ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: Supt. Gray noted that a substitute resolution for City of Ithaca Youth Bureau Roof Replacement Project was distributed. Commissioner Goldsmith proposed moving Item 9.1A, entitled "Newman Golf Course Membership Rates ", up to become Item 8.4A and a voting item, rather than discussion only. No Board member objected. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: The Mayor had no communications at this time. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: David Nutter, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the proposed Bicycle Boulevard Plan. He asked that the Board delay their adoption of the plan until it is revised. He expressed his opinion that the proposed plan would spend money unwisely; by installing traffic calming devices in areas that do not require them; the proposed path is not a direct route to popular locations; and only utilizes low volume streets. He further expressed concerns about public safety along the proposed route. JoAnn Myer - Foland, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the removal of on- street parking along Ithaca Road. She requested that on- street parking be returned to Ithaca Road because the only available parking is not within reasonable walking distance to residents' homes. She stated that professional services, such as landscaping and health care services, are not able to provide regular services along the road due to the lack of parking. She further stated that the new bicycle lane is dangerous for the bicyclists due to lowing hanging limbs from trees. Ed Gasteiger, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the removal of on- street parking along Ithaca Road. He expressed his opinion that the residents along Ithaca Road were not notified that on- street parking would be removed to install the bicycle lane. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: Transportation Engineer Tim Logue explained that plans for the redesign of the Ithaca Road Repaving Project began in early 2011. He explained that, letters were sent to adjacent property owners regarding the proposed project, but only a few comments were received back. When the bicycle lane was added to the design in 2012, letters were again sent to adjacent property owners to explain the new design. Further information was shared through neighborhood listservs and through the elected officials in the area. He mentioned the possibility of granting Ithaca Road residents permission to purchase residential parking Board of Public Works Page 2 September 24, 2012 Regular Meeting permits. He stated that since the installation of the bike lane, he has received several complaints from residents about the lack of parking along Ithaca Road. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the information contained in letters that were sent to adjacent property owners about the Ithaca Road Project, and the need to find a balance between accommodating bicyclists and parking demands on Ithaca Road. Commissioner Acharya noted that several public meetings were held with residents and Common Council members regarding the Ithaca Road project, prior to the start of the project. Mayor Myrick suggested the process for notifying residents of upcoming neighborhood projects be reviewed to see where improvements could be made so that as much information is shared with the public prior to the start of a project as possible. Supt. Gray stated this topic would be included in the October 1, 2012, meeting agenda. REPORTS: Superintendent and Staff: Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that crews are currently working to repave James L. Gibbs Drive, after Water and Sewer crews replace the force sewer main. Supt. Gray reported that the Seneca Street Garage was partially open, and the repair project is expected to be completed by the end of October 2012. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the September 10, 2012, Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes - Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Leccese RESOLVED, That the minutes of the September 10, 2012, Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously VOTING ITEMS: Buildings, Properties, Refuse and Transit: Access Road Easement Agreement with NYSDOT — Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed material from the city's consulting engineer for the water plant, O'Brien and Gere, showing the relocation of the driveway off Route 79 (Slaterville Road) which is designed to improve access to the city's water intake structure, and WHEREAS, that driveway relocation will intercept one of the New York State Department of Transportation's ( NYSDOT) highway drainage structures for Route 79 in a drainage easement, causing it to be extended out beyond the driveway, and has resulted in the NYSDOT requesting an extended easement on the city's watershed property for their drainage structure prior to their agreeing to the proposed change in their drainage structure, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs Department of Public Works staff and the City Attorney to work with the consultant and the NYSDOT to obtain the necessary forms, drawings and agreements for the driveway relocation, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests the Common Council grant the permanent drainage easement extension requested by the NYSDOT so that the city may improve the driveway to the city's raw water intake. Carried Unanimously Call for Public Hearing Regarding Public Works Use of Several City -Owned Properties — Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Leccese WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is considering the sale of several city -owned properties; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby calls a public hearing on October 22, 2012, to accept comments regarding the public works use and possible sale of the following city -owned properties: • 700 East Seneca Street Parcel Board of Public Works Page 3 September 24, 2012 Regular Meeting • Elmira Road Right -of -Way Parcels • 1105 Giles Street Parcel and be it further RESOLVED, That staff be directed to publicize this hearing as set forth in the City Code. Carried Unanimously Encroachment Request for Ithaca Marriott at 120 South Aurora Street — Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, 4250 Vets Highway, LLC, the owner of the property at 130 South Aurora Street, holding an option for the property at 120 South Aurora Street, which is currently owned by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (Tax Map Parcels No. 70 -4 -4.4 and 70.- 4 -4.3, respectively), in the City of Ithaca, has requested an encroachment agreement /long -term lease /permanent easement for a proposed, new hotel that would extend into the City's right -of -way for South Aurora Street, into a City -owned parcel of land at 100 South Aurora Street (Tax Map Parcel No. 70.- 4 -4.1) and the City -owned parking garage known as the Green Street Parking Garage as summarized below: • North lot boundary: Ground floor door swing covering an area of approximately 5' by 8', and a second floor meeting room and upper level canopy that encroaches from 0' to 12' -5" in a diagonal edge set to 20.220 degrees from the northern lot line fora total length of 35' -8.5" • West lot boundary: An encroachment of approximately 35' into both levels of the Green Street parking garage for a distance of 115' and Level 5 and up encroaches 11'- 7.25" toward west of the eastern lot line for a total length of 147'- 11.375" • East lot boundary: Ground floor revolving door, Second floor meeting room and upper level canopy encroaches from 3" to 3' -10" since the eastern lot line varies along Aurora Street for a length of 100' and the main entrance glass canopy encroaches 8' -8" to 10'- 3.5" since the eastern lot line varies along Aurora Street for a length of 25' -9" and the terraced street planters encroach 3' -8" for a length of 31'; and WHEREAS, the total area of the proposed encroachments appear to be approximately 8,610 square feet; and WHEREAS, these encroachments will be a permanent part of the proposed building and therefore should be treated as a long -term lease or a permanent easement, and therefore require Common Council approval according to Section 170, Use of City Property, of the City Code; and WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works has reviewed the request and does not anticipate any conflicts due to the proposed encroachment at this location, in the foreseeable future; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby recommends that Common Council approve the requested encroachment, providing the following concerns, and any others provided, are resolved: • Parking deck repairs • Ability to do deck repairs, including access to garage tendons • Private use of public parking • Doors violating of public space • Possible sale of east end of garage • Garage operations, including adequate circulation • Drop off /loading zone on- street operations • Bus stop operations and shelter location • Ensure adequate sidewalk width of 8 feet clear from curb • Ensure that the fee covers property rights lost due to building code requirements of 20 foot no -build zone to the north of the proposed hotel Asst. City Engineer Tom West and Transportation Engineer Logue joined the Board for the presentation of this item. Transportation Engineer Logue explained that because it is a permanent building, the encroachments would be permanent rather than a long -term lease of city -owned property to allow the owners access to their entire building. He further explained Board of Public Works Page 4 September 24, 2012 Regular Meeting that the project was previously approved through site plan review under "Hotel Ithaca," but because the design has been modified, approvals would need to be obtained again through site plan review, Board of Zoning Appeals, building department and Board of Public Works. He explained the encroachment requests, detailing the locations around the proposed building where the encroachments would occur and why. 1. The first encroachment would be three feet along the east side of the building into the city's right of way beside the sidewalk. The proposed canopy that extends over the sidewalk where a revolving door would be placed. 2. The second encroachment would be in the air at the second story where a conference room would jut out over the north and east sides of the building. The same encroachment would repeat at the roofline. 3. The third encroachment would be along the north side, where two exit doors are proposed that would open out beyond the property line. The Building Department has stated that there is a 20 foot distance along the north side of the building where no structure could be built due to the building code requirements. 4. The fourth encroachment in the Green Street Garage, on the west side of the proposed building, would reconfigure the east end of the garage that would remove several parking spaces for a loading area next to the building. Transportation Engineer Logue suggested that the city determine the fees that would be expected from the Ithaca Marriott to cover lost revenues from the garage. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the requested encroachments, maintenance of the Green Street Garage, the loss of parking spaces within the garage, possibly selling the city -owned land rather than authorizing a permanent encroachment, possible implications from cars parking along the Aurora Street for loading or unloading at the hotel's entrance, and several additional issues that would need to be settled prior to executing the encroachment. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Award of Contract for Ithaca Youth Bureau Roof Replacement Project — Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith WHEREAS, bids were received on September 14, 2012, for the installation of a new Roof System on the Ithaca Youth Bureau Building located at 1 James L. Gibbs Drive, Ithaca, New York. 14850, and WHEREAS, Capital Project 722 includes funding to replace the existing roof system, to complete Alternate 1: Main Skylight Sealant Replacement, and Alternate 2: Main Skylight Shelf Modification, and WHEREAS, Tower Roofing Company Inc., 2009 East Main Street, Endwell, New York, 13760, submitted the apparent low bid for the base bid and Alternates 1 & 2, for the Youth Bureau Roof Replacement project of $90,000.00, and WHEREAS, Tower Roofing Company, upon review of Addendum # 1, has requested to withdraw their bid, and WHEREAS, Hale Contracting Inc., 2054 Grand Central Ave., Box 47, Horseheads, New York, 14845, being the next qualified bidder has submitted the apparent low bid for the Youth Bureau Roof Replacement project including Alternates 1 & 2 of $121,000.00, now therefore be it RESOLVED, The Board of Public Works hereby awards the contract for General Construction work related to the Youth Bureau Roof Replacement, including Alternate 1 & 2, for the lump sum amount of $121, 000.00, to Hale Contracting Inc., and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be hereby authorized to enter into and administer this contract. Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works Page 5 September 24, 2012 Regular Meeting Highways, Streets and Sidewalks: Environmental Review for an Action to Adopt and to Implement the Bicycle Boulevard Plan — Resolution By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Acharya WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has declared itself to be the lead agency for the environmental review for adopting and implementing a Bicycle Boulevard Plan (the "Plan ") 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 (SEAR), and WHEREAS, the Plan recommends a suite of pavement marking, sign, and traffic calming measures to a network of City -owned streets to improve conditions for bicycle users, and WHERAS, the Plan, and implementation of the plan, are Unlisted Actions according to CEQR and Unlisted Actions according to SEQR, and WHERAS, a Short Environmental Assessment form was prepared by staff for CEQR and for SEQR, and WHERAS, on August 6, 2012, the Board of Public Works declared itself lead agency for an uncoordinated environmental review for CEQR/SEQR, and WHEREAS, the Conservation Advisory Council has received a copy of the CEQR/SEQR short forms and a copy of the Plan, and WHERAS, the Board of Public Works, acting as lead agency, has, on September 24, 2012, reviewed and accepted as complete Short Environmental Assessment Forms Part I and Part II prepared by staff, and Project plans prepared by staff, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works determines that the adoption and implementation of the Bicycle Boulevard Plan will result in no significant negative environmental impact and that a Negative Declaration 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. Carried Unanimously Adoption of the City of Ithaca Bicycle Boulevard Plan — Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Leccese WHEREAS, on August 17, 2011, the Board of Public Works watched a video entitled "Portland's Bike Boulevards Become Neighborhood Greenways," produced by StreetFilms.org and discussed the concept of a bicycle boulevard plan for Ithaca, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works directed staff to produce a plan for bicycle boulevards in the City of Ithaca, and WHEREAS, staff drafted a proposed planning process to develop the plan, including outreach to neighborhood groups, elected officials, other City departments, and WHEREAS, staff presented a draft Bicycle Boulevard Plan to the Board on August 6, 2012, when the Board declared themselves Lead Agency for environmental review, and WHEREAS, the September 24, 2012, the Board of Public Works declared that adoption and implementation will not have a significant negative environmental impact; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby adopts the City of Ithaca Bicycle Boulevard Plan dated September 12, 2012, and prepared by the Office of the City Engineer. Transportation Engineer Logue explained that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council (BPAC) had discussed the proposed plan for several months, and concerns expressed by Mr. Nutter were not fully supported by other members of BPAC. He further explained the Bicycle Boulevard Plan and how the selected streets were chosen. He stated that research shows that reduced speed in motor vehicles does reduce the severity of a collision. Board of Public Works Page 6 September 24, 2012 Regular Meeting He stated that the city was applying for grant funding through Safe Routes to School to help pay for installing the signs and pavement markings to connect schools to residential areas. He further stated that the Fire Department requested that Plain Street not be utilized because it was often used by fire trucks to maneuver through the city. He stated that Corn Street was chosen for the Bicycle Boulevard instead. Commissioner Acharya suggested that the Public Arts Commission and BPAC collaborate to create artistic signage for the boulevard. Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith RESOLVED, That the Resolved Clause be amended to read as follows: "RESOLVED, That the BPW asks the Public Arts Commission and the BPAC to develop a plan to incorporate high quality and artistic signage for three purposes: way finding, aesthetics, and marketing, and that the plan will be presented to the Board of Public Works no later than its first meeting in December 2012." Carried Unanimously Transportation Engineer Logue noted that some regulations will need to be followed regarding signage. Commissioner Goldsmith expressed appreciation for the planned route along Madison Street and around Washington Park. Supt. Gray noted that the route was chosen specifically to incorporate the boulevard along quieter streets so that families would not be nervous about biking with their children. Mayor Myrick commended the Transportation Engineer Logue on the Bicycle Boulevard Plan and noted that it is a compromise between an exclusive bike route and riding among traffic at full speed. Main Motion as Amended A Vote on the Main Motion As Amended Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Creeks, Bridges, and Parks: 2013 Newman Golf Course Membership Rates — Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the rates and fees for 2013 as proposed by Friends of Newman outlined in the agenda. Carried Unanimously Friends of Newman representative Tom Hanna j i �Board for the discussion -of this topic. He explained the proposed rates and feesAan noted that they are for three years to assist the golf course with modifying rates throughout the season and for advertising purposes. Rates and fees will be included in the Board's agenda in a more formal manner at a future meeting. Commissioner Leccese left the meeting at 6:15 p.m. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Skate Park — Update: Asst. City Engineer West joined the Board for the discussion of this item. He explained that the project has been in progress for several years and the city agreed to fund, in part, a renovation of the skate park. The Skate Park Foundation was to acquire the rest of the funding. He stated the designer has provided a rendering that includes features skaters would like, as noted during a public meeting that was held that included about 30 skaters ranging in age from elementary school to adult. He explained that the new park would be 5,200 square feet; the existing park is 15,000 square feet. He stated that because the new park design is so much smaller than the existing park, it was decided to retain the existing park rather than demolishing it, which would save funds earmarked for the demolition. The new park would be installed next to the existing park with a connection so skaters and bikers would be able to easily move between them. Retaining the existing park would accommodate both skaters and bikers from inexperienced to experienced abilities. He stated that construction should begin in the spring 2013. Commissioner Jenkins expressed appreciation for retaining the existing facility. Board of Public Works Page 7 September 24, 2012 Regular Meeting Supt. Gray noted that the green space would be reduced if both facilities are located in the park. The Board consented to the addition of the new facility and preserving the existing facility. Opportunity to Bring the Federally Recognized NHS System in Close Alignment with Our NHS+ System: Supt. Gray stated that the information was for the Board's information. He explained that the request to update the National Highway System was made with such a short timeline, it could not be presented to the Board beforehand. He explained the proposal from the State to designate specific roads as principle arterials and part of the National Highway System, and stated that the city had accepted some of the recommendations. Discussion followed on the floor regarding truck traffic along Route 96B, and the requirement that a truck route be designated between all state numbered routes. 2013 Rates and Fees: Parking Rates: This item was not discussed. Water and Sewer Rates: This item was not discussed. Trash and Yard Waste Tag Rates: This item was not discussed. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m. athrin D. Gehring Svante L. 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