Loading...
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