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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2013-03-04BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. March 4, 2013 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Darling, Morache, Leccese, Acharya OTHERS PRESENT: Acting Superintendent of Public Works - Benjamin Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Common Council Liaison – Fleming Information Management Specialist - Myers Director of Engineering – West Transportation Engineer – Logue Acting Streets Supervisor – Murphy EXCUSED: Commissioner Paine DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Acting Supt. Benjamin requested the addition of another item under voting items entitled “Request to Place Two Creek Sampling Units from Eco-Logic” - Locations: Fall Creek and Six Mile Creek. No Board Member objected. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: The Mayor had no communications at this time. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: The following people addressed the Board in opposition to the proposed design of the project on Old Elmira Road to voice concerns regarding safety of pedestrians/bicyclists, increased flooding concerns, and economic concerns for the small businesses that will be impacted by the sidewalk assessment imposed upon them: Mike McLaughlin John Knapp William Card Brenda Westfall Jean McPheeters Dan Hoffman, City of Ithaca, voiced his support for the proposed complete streets redesign project for Old Elmira Road. Sonya Hicks, City of Ithaca, encouraged the Board to waive the bill she received for snow and ice removal at 335 West State Street. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC: The Board had no response to public comments made. REPORTS: Special Committees of the Board, Council Liaison, Board Liaisons, Superintendent and Staff, Other Department Heads There were no reports provided to the Board. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There were no minutes on the agenda for approval. 2 March 4, 2013 VOTING ITEMS: Highways, Streets, and Sidewalks: Resolution Directing the Department of Public Works – Engineering Division to Proceed with Design of Old Elmira Road Complete Streets Improvement Project By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Morache WHEREAS, Common Council established a capital project for the Old Elmira Road “Complete Streets” project on July 2, 2012, and WHEREAS, in accordance with the City Charter, the Board of Public Works held a duly advertised public hearing on December 10, 2012 regarding assessments for improvements to Old Elmira Road, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works authorized preliminary design of the Old Elmira Road Complete Streets Improvement Project on January 14, 2013, and WHEREAS, Engineering staff has developed several alternative schematic designs for curbing, sidewalks, drainage and other amenities along Old Elmira Road, and WHEREAS, Engineering staff presented design components at public meetings held on January 31, 2013 and February 19, 2013, and WHEREAS, Engineering staff has met on-site with property owners and business owners along Old Elmira Road on several occasions, and WHEREAS, staff has determined, and the Board concurs, that this project is a Type II action under SEQR and CEQR, and as such requires no further environmental review, and WHEREAS, property owners, business owners, and other concerned residents have expressed their concerns regarding improvements to Old Elmira Road, now be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works determines that curbing, sidewalks, drainage and other amenities should be constructed along Old Elmira Road, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs Engineering staff to continue to work with abutting owners and businesses and to develop design elements for improvements to Old Elmira Road in general conformance with Alternate 3 as presented to the Board on February 25, 2013. Transportation Engineer Logue joined the Board for discussion of this topic. He reported that a meeting was held on March 1, 2013 with Mayor Myrick, city staff, business owners on Old Elmira Road, and a couple of Board members. The purpose of the meeting was to provide an opportunity to review the project and provide input and communication between the affected property owners and staff on the three proposed alternate designs. He further explained that Commissioner Darling requested the following additional information after that meeting: comparison of traffic on Old Elmira Road and Route 13/Meadow Street, traffic counts, number of accidents, average speeds and peak traffic times. When it is appropriate to add bike lanes, the threshold, and whether, in Transportation Engineer Logue’s professional opinion, the need and workability of a protected bike lane. Transportation Engineer Logue provided the following in response to Commissioner Darling’s request: The peak traffic times for both streets will be about the same, 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m., with probably 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. being the one hour peak. The City has a 2006 count from Old Elmira Rd showing just under 10,000 ADT (average daily traffic). New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) did a count in 2011 showing 7,600 ADT. 3 March 4, 2013 In 2006, NYSDOT counted 21,000 ADT on Elmira Rd (the portion of Rt. 13). Neither the City nor NYSDOT have done a count since. He does not have speed data for either street; however, he estimated that both see a good percentage over 30 mph. He would expect the speeds on Rt. 13 to be higher by perhaps 5 mph. He does not have comprehensive crash statistics for Rt. 13; however, there are quite a few. Staff spent some time reviewing a three year crash history for Old Elmira Rd. This is what they found: From January 1, 2010 through March 4, 2013, there were 42 crashes reported to the police along Old Elmira Rd. Just over half (22) were actually crashes in parking lots of properties along the street segment - cars hitting cars, cars hitting light poles, etc. Of the remaining 20 reported collisions: 7 crashes near the intersection of Rt. 13 & South Meadow Street Extension: 3 sideswipes in the dual left lanes; someone turning right from the left only lane; a bicyclist hit riding in the crosswalk; a minor rear end; a truck turning from Rt. 13 clipped a car. 3 rear ends in the roadway: 2 rear end crashes of someone waiting to make a left turn into the Tompkins Trust Company bank; a rear end of someone waiting to make a left onto South Plain Street. 2 bike crashes: a bicyclist who crossed the center line trying to weave in & out of traffic hit a car head on; a bicyclist riding south along the road is over taken and then right hooked by a car turning into the Northside Shopping Plaza 2 deer crashes 2 collisions at the roundabout: a DWI; and two people who failed to yield the right of way 4 others: a driver tried to pass a tractor trailer on the right and then the truck turned right, sideswiping the car; a truck made an improper turn and was over length; a right angle pulling out of a parking lot; and a car than crashed into the carwash building. As far as bike lanes, there is no hard and fast threshold. That said, a commercial street with nearly 10,000 ADT would qualify as a very good candidate in his opinion for defined space for bicyclists. A protected dual direction cycle track/path on one side of the street is an interesting idea and is being considered more and more in Europe and in some US cities. Design concerns usually involved how to treat intersections and driveways and how to start and end it. Though he is interested in the concept in general, he has some concerns about its application for this project. He thinks having bike lanes on either side would work very well here. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the proposed design, whether a center turn lane might be included in the project, traffic speeds, bicycle and pedestrian safety concerns, the fact that the Board today is deciding whether to proceed with the proposed curb design (there were three alternate designs proposed), and that a lot more discussion needs to occur with property owners and the City regarding the design of the rest of the project. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted As Follows: Carried Unanimously (Commissioner Paine absent from vote) 4 March 4, 2013 Authorization to Place Sampling Equipment along Six Mile Creek and Fall Creek – Resolution By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Leccese WHEREAS, Cornell University has agreed to undertake a phosphorus modeling effort for New York State Department of Environmental Conservation which will help characterize the sources and distribution of phosphorus in the southern end of Cayuga Lake, and WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has been approached by Liz Moran, President of Eco Logic, requesting to install equipment along two creek beds as part of a Cornell-funded project to model Cayuga Lake phosphorus dynamics, and WHEREAS, the Upstate Freshwater Institute would like to install sampling equipment, and protective structures, along Six Mile Creek and Fall Creek, to begin the project in mid-March to capture snow melt data, and the data collection will end in October 2013, and WHEREAS, the structures will be placed on pavers that Upstate Freshwater Institute will install and remove at their expense, and WHEREAS, the structures will be anchored using ground stakes and/or cables to nearby trees, if available, to ensure their stability so they do not get removed or pushed into the creeks, and WHEREAS, the sampling units contain no hazardous materials, and they are powered by batteries, eliminating the need for electrical or other power drops, and WHEREAS, the Parks Commission has been conferred with on this request with and has provided no adverse responses so far, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That Eco Logic and the Upstate Freshwater Institute are hereby authorized, upon consultation with the City Forester and Superintendent of Public Works, to install the necessary sampling equipment, and the protective structures, along Six Mile Creek and Fall Creek to collect data in order to model Cayuga Lake phosphorus dynamics, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to assist with this project as required to help bring it to a successful conclusion. Carried Unanimously (Commissioner Paine absent from vote) Creeks, Bridges, and Parks: Authorization for Pony Rides during the 2013 Ithaca Festival – Resolution By Commissioner Leccese: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Director of the Ithaca Festival has approached the Board of Public Works for permission to have horses in downtown Ithaca on Friday, May 31, 2013, and Saturday, June 1, 2013, and at Stewart Park on Sunday, June 2, 2013, and WHEREAS, pony rides have been provided during the Ithaca Festival at Stewart Park for the past two years without problems, and WHEREAS, the owners of the horses have provided proper liability insurance and safety plan for the horses, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby authorizes horses to be in the downtown area during the Ithaca Festival as proposed above, and in Stewart Park, for the purpose of providing pony rides, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board also hopes horses will be included in the Ithaca Festival parade held on Wednesday, May 29, 2013. Carried Unanimously (Commissioner Paine absent from vote) 5 March 4, 2013 DISCUSSION ITEMS: Recommendation of a Special Capital Project for Water Main Replacement on Edgecliff Place Asst. Supt. Whitney and a representative from the fraternity at 1 Edgecliff Place, Zeta Beta Tau, explained to the Board that Cornell University has required that all fraternities and sororities have sprinkler systems installed by the end of 2013, with all plans for systems approved by the end of 2012, so they are past the deadline for that with this fraternity. There aren’t any alternatives to replacing the water main to accommodate the increased water needs for the sprinkler system. The Board supported Asst. Whitney’s proposal to recommend to Common Council the establishment of a capital project in the amount of $60,000 to pay for this work. The Board requested that a resolution to that effect be prepared for their consideration at the March 11, 2013 Board meeting. That way the resolution can be forwarded to the City Administration Committee for its March meeting, and on to Common Council for approval at its April meeting. Appeal of Snow/Ice Removal Bill for 335 West State Street Acting Supt. Benjamin stated that the pastor of the church located at 335 West State Street is appealing a bill she received for snow removal. He explained that the City received calls from the Police Department that people had fallen on the ice that had built up on the sidewalk. Police Officers reported that they had witnessed two people fall on the ice there. He further stated that crews found the sidewalk covered with thick ice that had to be shoveled. Commissioner Acharya stated that since the police department found this sidewalk in an unsafe condition, which required city crews to shovel and clear it for the safety and well- being of pedestrians, the property owner is responsible for the bill. Commissioner Jenkins noted that this property has a history of icing problems because of the lack of gutters on the building. She wondered whether the City could require that the property owner install them to prevent this from occurring in the future. Commissioner Morache stated that the lease with the tenants most likely requires them to shovel and maintain the sidewalk free of snow and ice. The tenant should request that the property owner install a gutter to divert the water from snow melting onto the sidewalk. He suggested that the Board include that recommendation in the resolution to deny the appeal. Resolution to Deny the Appeal for the Snow/Ice Removal Bill for 335 West State Street By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Morache WHEREAS, The Board of Public Works has reviewed the appeal, information provided by the tenant, information and photographs provided by staff, and WHEREAS, The Board of Public Works recommends that the property owner install gutters to divert water from the sidewalk in the future, now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the appeal for the snow/ice removal bill for 335 West State Street. Carried Unanimously (Commissioner Paine absent from vote) Request to Use DeWitt Park for Events: Acting Supt. Benjamin explained to the Board that because the Commons will not be available for special events this year due to its reconstruction, many organizers of small events have been requesting to relocate their events to DeWitt Park. 6 March 4, 2013 The Advocacy Center has submitted a request to the Board to hold the annual “Take Back the Night” event at DeWitt Park on April 26, 2013. Staff would like direction from the Board as to whether this park would be a good alternative to the Commons while it is under construction, whether amplified sound will be allowed, whether there should be any specific requirements imposed to ensure no damage comes to the monuments, and how to ensure the park remains a quiet, contemplative space. The Board also received the following resolution from the Commons Advisory Board, from their March 1, 2013 meeting, recommending that the Board of Public Works approve the use of DeWitt Park for the Advocacy Center’s event. Recommendation in Support of Allowing the Use of Amplified Sound at DeWitt Park for The Advocacy Center’s Annual “Take Back the Night” Event – Resolution By CAB Member: Kris Lewis: Seconded by CAB Member Lynda Thompson WHEREAS, The City of Ithaca Commons Advisory Board has reviewed the request from the Advocacy Center for amplified sound for their annual “Take Back the Night” event scheduled for April 26, 2013, and WHEREAS, This event has historically been held on The Ithaca Commons without any problems or complaints, and WHEREAS, the event will not be able to take place on the Commons this year because of the reconstruction project and will return to the Commons in the future, and WHEREAS, The Commons Advisory Board sees this request for the use of DeWitt Park as temporary in nature due to the reconstruction on the Commons, and WHEREAS, The Commons Advisory Board is very interested in seeing the use of DeWitt Park return and remain as a quiet, contemplative park, and recommends that there be no long term changes in the use of DeWitt Park, and WHEREAS, The Commons Advisory Board supports this national and local event that focuses on the support, care, and assistance to individuals affected by physical, emotional, and mental abuse, and WHEREAS, The Advocacy Center has requested the use of DeWitt Park for this annual event; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Commons Advisory Board hereby supports the request of The Advocacy Center and recommends that the Board of Public Works allow the use of amplified sound at DeWitt Park for this community supported event. Carried Unanimously Kristi Taylor, from the Advocacy Center, joined the Board for discussion of their request. She explained that the Advocacy Center recognizes that DeWitt Park is a quiet, contemplative park and is looking for feedback from the Board on how to address concerns that might be raised regarding the use of the park – especially for protection of the monuments and the use of amplified sound. She stated that they would have volunteers posted around the park, particularly by the monuments, to monitor and assure that they are not damaged or disrespected in anyway. The Board discussed concerns about the use of DeWitt Park by different events as an alternate location to the Commons. They do have concerns regarding maintaining the park as a quiet, contemplative use park and the need to make sure that the monuments are protected and the park preserved in its current condition. Commissioner Leccese suggested that Holly Hollingsworth be included in discussions regarding the use of DeWitt Park since he is a veteran, is at the park almost every day to clean and ensure that it is maintained in a clean and respectful manner, has a vested interested in the protection of the park, and its continued use as a quiet and contemplate park for people to enjoy. 7 March 4, 2013 The Board expressed their support for the Advocacy Center’s request for the use of the park for the annual “Take Back the Night” event scheduled for April 26, 2013. They also suggested that staff review and offer other possible alternate sites to event organizers as well – such as Washington Street Park, Stewart Park, Cass Park, and the Wood Street Park. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Svante L. Myrick Information Management Specialist Mayor