HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2014-01-13BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:49 p.m. January 13, 2014
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Commissioners (4) – Acharya, Darling, Jenkins, Morache
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin
Director of Engineering – West
Common Council Liaison – Fleming
Executive Assistant – Gehring
EXCUSED:
Commissioner – Goldsmith
City Attorney – Lavine
DAC Liaison – Roberts
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Darling requested the addition of item 8.4, entitled “Resolution of Appreciation
for Department of Public Works Employees.”
No Board member objected.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Myrick expressed gratitude to the Department of Public Works for the unbelievable work
the crews did to avert the ice jams and prevent widespread flooding. He stated that the last
time Ithaca had ice jams as bad as these were in the 1920’s.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
No members of the public appeared to address the Board.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
No response was necessary.
REPORTS
Council Liaison
Alderperson Fleming reported that Council’s first meeting of 2014 was held on January 8,
2014, and two new members were welcomed.
Board Liaisons
Commissioner Acharya welcomed the new Superintendent of Public Works, and invited him to
the next Planning and Economic Development Board meeting at the end of January.
Superintendent and Staff
Introduction of Michael J. Thorne, Superintendent of Public Works
Supt. Thorne introduced himself, stating he was proud to work with the Department of Public
Works. He explained that he jumped into the state of emergency last week due to the ice jams
and has learned a lot. He stated he looks forward to working with the City.
Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that crews had been very busy since the snow storms over a
week ago with the melting snow then the deep freeze that caused the ice jams. He stated it
was amazing how fast the City received resources when they needed them, and staff did not
anticipate how many volunteers would help with sandbagging. He further reported that
Hancock Street had been cleared, though Madison Street still had some ice.
Mayor Myrick reported that in two days, over 5,000 sandbags were filled and distributed, and
no injuries were reported due to the storm or ice jams. Commissioner Acharya complimented
the Department of Public Works on their plan to clear the ice that formed.
Board of Public Works Page 2 January 13, 2014
Regular Meeting
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the potential for stockpiling sandbags for future use,
how blasting the ice jams would cause more slush and would not necessarily help with the
water flow, and whether the lake level helped or hindered the ice jam situation. Asst. Supt.
Benjamin stated that cleaning the gravel under the bridges would help prevent ice from
jamming.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the December 23, 2013, Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes -
Resolution
By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Darling
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the December 23, 2013, Board of Public Works Meeting
Minutes be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS:
Public Hearing Regarding the Proposed Street Vending Policy
Resolution to Open Public Comment:
By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Morache
RESOLVED, That the public hearing regarding the proposed street vending policy be opened.
Carried Unanimously
The following people addressed the Board in opposition of the proposed Street Vending Policy:
Jason Henderson, City of Ithaca
Frost Travis, local landlord
Jerry Arsenault, General Manager of Hilton Garden Inn and Kilpatrick’s Pub
Rich Avery, Simeon’s Tavern owner
Dean Zervos, manager of Simeon’s Tavern
The following expressed support for the proposed Street Vending Policy:
Blake Fall-Conroy, Food Truck Vendor
Tomas Harrington, owner of Viva Taquiera
Kenny Broadwell, City of Ithaca
Chris Skawski, Ithaca High School student
Ducson Nguyen, City of Ithaca
John King, City of Ithaca
Lou Cassaniti, Lou’s Hot Dogs owner
Gary Ferguson, Downtown Ithaca Alliance Executive Director, offered the opportunity to
compromise. He stated there was a lot of interest in creating a food truck policy in the city, but
wanted to make sure one policy didn’t cause negative impact to downtown. He reminded the
Board that the policy discussion began with a 300 foot from restaurants rule, then went to 200
feet, and was now at 100 feet. He requested that the footage rule return to 200 feet.
Resolution to Close Public Hearing:
By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Morache
RESOLVED, That the public hearing regarding the proposed street vending policy be closed.
Carried Unanimously
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
Mayor Myrick thanked all the speakers for addressing the Board, and stated that discussion of
possible modifications to the policy would be held off until after the subcommittee could meet
again. He expressed support for changing the minimum footage rule from 100 feet to 200 feet.
Commissioner Acharya expressed support for changing the footage from restaurants to 200
feet.
Alderperson Fleming suggested reconsidering the footage rule for schools, noting that food
trucks might provide good options for students.
Mayor Myrick requested the subcommittee meet again before next Board meeting.
Board of Public Works Page 3 January 13, 2014
Regular Meeting
Commissioner Morache expressed concern about what would need to happen with the footage
rules in downtown as more restaurants start up. He requested that each vending location be
reevaluated annually to ensure the locations should continue to be made available for vendors.
Alderperson Fleming requested that the proposed Mobile Vending Policy be presented to the
Planning and Economic Development Committee for their information and input.
VOTING ITEMS:
Creeks, Bridges, and Parks:
Resolution of Appreciation for Department of Public Works Employees
By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Morache
WHEREAS, in the face of continued reduced revenues, the City of Ithaca has had to make
hard choices in tough financial times reflected in the budget process, asking fewer City
employees to do more with less, and often less with less, and
WHEREAS, this past week the radical fluctuations in weather patterns severely challenged
the resources of the Department of Public Works, and all City departments, where the staff
has had to be flexible in meeting the demands of the day, or the moment, and
WHEREAS, the global movement in Sustainability has identified the challenge facing people
today of meeting the needs of the present while safeguarding the life-support systems of the
Earth, on which the welfare of current and future generations depends, and
WHEREAS, present efforts of the global Sustainability community are directed at developing
human resiliency and adaptability to meet this challenge in the years to come, and
WHEREAS, the efforts of the Ithaca community, and especially City employees, have shown
that they are resilient and adaptable, and
WHEREAS, despite over-time pay and compensatory time, one cannot get back those hours
or days that could have been spent with loved ones or on a favorite hobby, City staff were on
the job showing their dedication to Ithaca, and
WHEREAS, the cooperation between City departments was obvious in meeting the challenges
of the weather and successfully protecting life and property, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby expresses their deep appreciation for the
hard work and dedication of the entire staff of the Department of Public Works who always, but
especially in the past week, show that they are flexible in their resilience and creative in their
adaptability.
Asst. Supt. Whitney added that four Tompkins County employees worked heavy equipment all
night Friday. Mayor Myrick thanked Commissioner Darling for taking the initiative to submit
this resolution.
A Vote of the Resolution Resulted as Follows:
Carried Unanimously
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Appeal of Water Bill for 800 South Plain Street
Mayor Myrick explained the appeal, noting the recommendation from Senior Meter Technician
Barbara Fryceck to reduce the water bill. Asst. Supt. Whitney stated that a discrepancy was
found between the automatic register system and manual meter readings when the meter was
read. The meters were subsequently bench tested and it was found that the readers had been
out of sync since the meter was replaced.
Resolution
By Commissioner Morache; Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request to modify the water bill
for 800 South Plain Street, and grants the appeal based on the reading discrepancies found
between electric and manual readings, in the amount recommended.
Carried Unanimously
Request for Volunteers to Participate in the Sidewalk Past Work Credit Review
Committee
Board of Public Works Page 4 January 13, 2014
Regular Meeting
Mayor Myrick explained the request for volunteers and suggested that Commissioner
Goldsmith might be interested in participating. He stated he would send an e-mail to
Commissioner Goldsmith to ask for his participation.
Commissioner Darling stated that after Mobile Vending Policy was complete, he would be able
to participate in the committee.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the number of credit applications that have been
submitted.
New Business
Alderperson Fleming asked about status of the vacant Board of Public Works seat. Mayor
Myrick responded that he had received a couple of applications and would be meeting with
potential candidates.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:52 p.m.
Kathrin D. Gehring Svante L. Myrick
Executive Assistant Mayor