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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2012-03-12BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. March 12, 2012 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (6) – Acharya, Darling, Goldsmith, Jenkins, Leccese, Morache OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney – Lavine Superintendent of Public Works – Gray Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin Executive Assistant – Gehring DAC Liaison – Roberts EXCUSED: Common Council Liaison – Fleming 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 at this time. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Tsvi Bokaer, City of Ithaca and Fall Creek Association representative, addressed the Board to request a temporary exemption from the Use of City Property License Fee currently imposed for the use of property next to Fall Creek Pictures. He further requested that the requirement of returning the property to its previous condition be waived. Albert Smith, owner of “The Hot Truck,” addressed the Board to request that he be allowed to move his hot truck from Stewart Avenue to 410 College Avenue. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Supt. Gray responded to Mr. Bokaer’s request to waive the requirement of returning the property to its previous condition by explaining that the Planning Department would need to be consulted. The 1985 site plan review would note the modifications made to the property. However, if Mr. Bokaer does not want to change the zoning of the city’s property, and would retain the parking lot for public use, he may not be required to modify the property. Commissioner Acharya agreed with Supt. Gray and stated that Mr. Bokaer should file a request with the Board of Zoning Appeals. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the zoning requirements for maintaining the theater, requiring that the property be restored to its original condition if Fall Creek Association does not continue to utilize it, the possibility of preserving the parking lot that was constructed by Fall Creek Association for use by city residents, and notifying Mr. Bokaer that he will need to apply for an exemption from the Planning Department’s site plan review requirement. Mayor Myrick suggested discussing Mr. Smith’s request this evening as Item 9.3A. No Board member objected. REPORTS Superintendent and Staff Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that crews began dredging Linderman Creek to remove the hydrilla that was not killed by the application of chemicals in the inlet last fall. He further stated that the floor of the small pavilion at Stewart Park has been poured, and that the golf course would open for the season on Thursday, March 15th. Board of Public Works Page 2 March 12, 2012 Regular Meeting VOTING ITEMS: Water and Sewer: Award of Bids for “Water & Sewer Division Pipe and Materials Bids” – Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Morache WHEREAS, bids were received on March 6, 2012 for pipe and materials to be used during the 2012 construction and maintenance season, and WHEREAS, the bid package consisted of 7 separate bid items, each to be awarded separately, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the six bids received and made recommendations for award, and WHEREAS, the low bid for Item 5, valves, was determined to not meet specifications so staff has recommended award to the second low bidder, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards Bid 1 for water main pipe, Bid 2 for water main fittings, Bid 5 for valves, and Bid 7 for residential water service components to HD Supply Waterworks of Binghamton, NY, for a total contract of $99,752.70, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards Bid 3 for hydrants and accessories to Ti-Sales, Inc. of Sudbury, MA for a total contract of $47,718.66, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards Bid 4 for street valve boxes to Blair Supply Corp. of Rochester, NY for a total contract of $6,606.50, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards Bid 6 for tapping sleeves to Martisco Corp. of Syracuse, NY for a total contract of $5,008.50. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS: New Sidewalk Construction Priorities: Supt. Gray explained that he was unsure whether the Board completed their discussion of this topic during their last meeting. If the Board had finished their discussion, the next step to having new sidewalk built would be the public hearing scheduled for April 2, 2012. DAC Liaison Roberts stated that whatever process that is established for the sidewalk program, it must be clear to property owners what their exact responsibilities are. He explained that most home owners misread or misunderstand the documents they receive. He further expressed that the current process for choosing which sidewalks need to be replaced does not make sense to him. Commissioner Goldsmith noted the serious financial constraints the sidewalk program is facing, unless the fees are imposed on homeowners. DAC Liaison Roberts left the meeting at 5:25 p.m. Request to Install a Temporary Batting Cage at Cass Park’s “Cal Ripken Field” Supt. Gray explained that the temporary batting cage would be mobile because it will return each spring for the baseball season. The Board agreed to allow Supt. Gray to handle this request administratively. Request to Relocate the “Hot Truck” from Stewart Avenue to 410 College Avenue Mayor Myrick asked the Board whether their preference would be to discuss first mobile vending in the city at large or address Mr. Smith’s request to relocate the “Hot Truck” to College Avenue. The Board agreed to discuss Mr. Smith’s request first. Board of Public Works Page 3 March 12, 2012 Regular Meeting Commissioner Morache expressed concern that the requested location is too near other commercial businesses in Collegetown. He is also concerned regarding the lack of on- street parking in the area, and noted that parking the “Hot Truck” on that block would reduce the parking even further. Commissioner Goldsmith noted that a request in 2010 for a mobile trailer to vend in Collegetown was denied by the Board because of the narrow streets and sidewalks, the pedestrian traffic, and the lack of parking. Commissioner Acharya would like to know what the rent would be for the “Hot Truck” if it were relocate to College Avenue. Supt. Gray stated he would check the fee schedule created by the appraisers to determine the fee for hot trucks in the Collegetown area. Commissioner Acharya further noted that allowing the “Hot Truck” in Collegetown would add vibrancy to the area, which would be beneficial. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the possible number of mobile vending trucks that would be allowed on College Avenue, the amount of space required for a mobile vending truck, the lack of space in the area, and hot truck mobile vendors competing with local restaurants. Mayor Myrick noted that he read a study that stated 5-10,000 pedestrians travel the College Avenue sidewalks each day, which would make the location Mr. Smith requests to move to one of the most traveled areas in the city. Mayor Myrick created a running list of questions that would need to be answered before any decisions could be made regarding the request to relocate the “Hot Truck.” The list included the following questions: • How much would be charged for rent? • How many hot trucks would be allowed per city block? • How does the Board feel about competition between existing restaurants and hot trucks? • Should the hot trucks be mobile? • Do they get assigned a space and stay there? • Do the trucks need to be licensed, insured and registered according to NY State Law? • Should the trucks be self contained in terms of power requirements? • How would fluid leaks be handled? • Do food truck vendors need to have general liability insurance? • Can the City treat the “Hot Truck” uniquely because of its grandfathered status? • How would the streets and sidewalks be cleaned? • How would the City maintain the capacity for pedestrian use of the sidewalks? • How would the City ensure pedestrian safety? • How much can hot trucks be treated as unique compared to restaurants? Discussion followed on the floor regarding the history of hot trucks in the City, and the current hours of operation of the “Hot Truck.” Mr. Smith stated that at this time, the “Hot Truck” is open less than 20 hours per week and only late nights on the weekend. Mr. Smith further stated that he allowed the vehicle registration for the “Hot Truck” to expire because the license plates were routinely stolen. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the requirement that all food trucks must be aligned with a registered and inspected kitchen, liability insurance requirements, treating the “Hot Truck” uniquely because of its grandfathered status, other departments that would need to participate in the creation of a city-wide mobile vending policy, and the differences between the Stewart Avenue location and the College Avenue location. Supt. Gray explained that mobile food trucks fill a need different from the brick-and- mortar restaurants because they can drive to locations that do not otherwise have food available for purchase, like a construction site during lunchtime. Commissioner Jenkins expressed support for allowing the two existing food trucks to remain stationary, but she Board of Public Works Page 4 March 12, 2012 Regular Meeting would like to ensure that any new food trucks are mobile. Commissioner Morache agreed, stating that the two current trucks are unique with their “grandfathered” status. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding discussing this request with the Planning and Development Department, other locations that Mr. Smith might move the “Hot Truck” to, choosing vending locations, and ensuring that the City is able to clean the streets and repair sidewalks as needed. Mayor Myrick suggested that as many questions from the list above be answered for the Board’s next meeting on March 26, 2012. No Board member objected. Mobile Vending: Mayor Myrick suggested creating a special committee of the Board, along with members from the list of possible stakeholders, to discuss creating a policy for food truck mobile vending within the city. He stated the goal of the committee would be to propose changes to the City’s code that would either allow or prohibit food truck mobile vending within the city, depending on the outcome of the sub-committee’s work. He further stated that Common Council would declare itself lead agency for this work. Discussion followed on the floor regarding Tompkins County Health Department’s role enforcing mobile food vending rules relating to food trucks, which city committee or board would determine the allowed vending locations for food trucks within the city, and the process that would be followed by the sub-committee in determining recommendations for the Board to consider. Commissioners Darling and Leccese volunteered to serve on the sub-committee. Mayor Myrick stated he would provide an outline of what the sub-committee’s tasks would be at the Board’s March 26, 2012, meeting. He further stated that a representative from Common Council, the Planning and Development Department, and other city staff as appropriate would join the sub-committee to work on a recommendation. New Business: Supt. Gray mentioned that Junior Transportation Engineer, Kent Johnson, provided the Board with a memorandum regarding the TCAT bus shelter on Linn Street. He stated that the process TCAT follows to determine new bus shelter locations is very extensive, and residents should address questions and concerns to TCAT. Mayor Myrick requested that Supt. Gray respond to residents by explaining the updates to the current process and what changes in neighborhood notification would be made for future bus shelter requests. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Svante L. Myrick Executive Assistant Mayor