HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2012-08-27BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:51 p.m. August 27, 2012
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Commissioners (6) – Acharya, Darling, Goldsmith, Jenkins, Leccese, Morache
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin
Common Council Liaison – Fleming
Executive Assistant – Gehring
EXCUSED:
City Attorney – Lavine
DAC Liaison – Roberts
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Supt. Gray requested the addition of item 8.1B, entitled “Solar Lease Program Resolution.”
No Board Member Objected.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
The Mayor had no communications at this time.
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
Special Committees of the Board
David Nutter, Chair of Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council, addressed the Board regarding the
following topics: a possible all-way stop at the intersection of Cascadilla and Cayuga Streets;
modifications planned for the intersection of East State Street and Mitchell Street, noting that
Collegetown Terrace residents should be encouraged to walk or ride bikes rather than drive;
changing Fall Creek Drive to one-way traffic; the Bicycle Boulevard; and installing sidewalks
between the City and Ithaca College.
Mayor Myrick arrived at 4:55 p.m.
Board Liaisons
Commissioner Acharya reported that the agenda for the next Planning and Development
Board was lengthy and would include the completion of the environmental review for Pier Road
Properties, formerly Johnson Boatyard.
Superintendent and Staff
Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that the Ithaca Road Reconstruction Project was progressing
steadily with paving, and the street should be open by Friday, September 7th.
Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that water stopped flowing over the 60 foot dam due to the recent
lack of rain and the water temperatures were higher than normal due to the warm weather. He
further stated that there have been an extremely low number of water main breaks as
compared to other years, and the consultant was nearing 60% completion of design for the
Water Treatment Plant.
Supt. Gray reported that two main capital projects this year were the East Clinton Street
Bridge/Prospect Street Project and the Seneca Street Parking Garage Repair Project. He
stated that the Green Street Garage was being fully utilized since the Seneca Street Garage
closed, and the Cayuga Street Garage was being used, but was not full. Commissioner
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Regular Meeting
Morache noted that parking on Marshall Street from Farm to Yates Streets had increased as
well.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the August 6, 2012, Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes - Resolution
By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Darling
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the August 6, 2012 Board of Public Works meeting be
approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
VOTING ITEMS:
Buildings, Properties, Refuse and Transit:
Request for Encroachment License for 305 Esty Street – Resolution
By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Morache
WHEREAS, Wendy Fillmore, the self-represented owner of the property at 305 Esty Street
(Tax Map Parcel No. 51-5-3), in the City of Ithaca, has requested an encroachment
agreement/license from the City for one existing encroachment and one proposed
encroachment onto adjacent City-owned real property abutting the sidewalk along Esty Street;
and
WHEREAS, the encroachments consist of the following:
1. An existing staircase at the northern face of the building at 305 Esty Street, which
encroaches by a distance of approximately 1.5 feet for a span of approximately 10 feet,
and the corresponding airspace above, which is shown on a survey map prepared by T.
G. Miller, P.C., Engineers and Surveyors, dated September 15, 1988; and
2. A roof to be built over the staircase, which will also encroach into the public airspace
by a distance of approximately 1.5 feet for a span of approximately 10 feet; and
WHEREAS, it appears that the building in question has been in existence in its current location
for many years, and that the encroaching steps have been in their current location for at least
ten years, and that the steps are inside the current location of the existing public sidewalk (i.e.,
they do not interfere with the sidewalk as currently constituted); and
WHEREAS, the encroachment, which does not exceed 40 square feet, is a minor
encroachment as defined in Chapter 170 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent does not anticipate any conflicts in the near future with public
works uses or needs, due to the existing encroachment or additional proposed encroachment
at this location; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby authorizes the Mayor, upon consultation
with the Superintendent and the City Attorney, to sign a revocable encroachment
agreement/license for the existing steps and roof addition, containing the usual terms and
conditions (with the license for the steps and roof addition to be revocable upon six months’
notice); and be it further
RESOLVED, That the encroachment agreement shall not be subject to a fee at this time, per
Chapter 170 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code, which provides that the annual use fee shall
be waived for a minor encroachment.
Carried Unanimously
Award of Contract for City of Ithaca Solar Liberty Lease Program to Install Solar Panels
on City Buildings – Resolution
By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Darling
WHEREAS, Solar Liberty is a sole provider of leased solar panels to municipalities, and
WHEREAS, Solar Liberty has been installing solar PV (photovoltaic) systems since 2005, and
recently launching a lease program for municipalities, and
WHEREAS, through this lease program, Solar Liberty retains ownership of the equipment and
thus receives NYSERDA incentive rebates that the City cannot recover, and
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Regular Meeting
WHEREAS, Solar Liberty proposes to install two solar systems subject to a 15-year fixed
monthly lease fee, with the roofs of the Fire Department and the Ithaca Youth Bureau buildings
as intended site locations; and
WHEREAS, the equipment lease fee would be $125 per month per system, and would result in
a savings of approximately $350 per year for utility usage in the Fire Department Building and
$89 per year for utility usage by the Youth Department; and
WHEREAS, staff and the City Attorney’s office have reviewed the agreements to install and
lease solar panel equipment, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, The Board of Public Works hereby approves the lease program; and it is further
hereby;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor be and hereby is authorized to execute these contracts, and that the
Superintendent of Public Works be and hereby is authorized to administer the same.
Carried Unanimously
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the savings noted in the resolution, and whether the
small amount of savings projected through this program was worth the investment of installing
the solar panels. Supt. Gray explained that the deadline for submission of the contract was
September 1, 2012.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
BPAC Request for Complete Sidewalk between City and Ithaca College
Supt. Gray began the discussion regarding sidewalks between the City line and Ithaca College
by explaining that 25 years ago new sidewalk was installed along Hudson Street to the City
line with the understanding that the Town of Ithaca would extend the sidewalk further south.
The Town has not yet completed that project.
Commissioner Darling stated the walking paths and sidewalks from Ithaca College to
Coddington Road were in poor condition and expressed a desire to have new sidewalks
installed.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding installing new sidewalk along Coddington Road to
connect to South Hill Recreation Way and other trails that students are utilizing, and
encouraging pedestrians to use Hudson Street rather than Route 96B because it has less
traffic.
Supt. Gray noted that a lot of drainage work would need to be completed on Coddington Road
before sidewalks could be installed. He suggested connecting an existing path on campus to
existing sidewalk on Coddington Road or Hudson Street. The Board requested that options for
this project be brought back at a future meeting.
Court Street Parking Lot
Supt. Gray explained that the City tried to attach monthly permits and parking meters to the lot,
but it became a huge inconvenience for local businesses, and the City received no revenue
from the lot. He further explained that he had discussions with Tom Seaney, adjacent property
owner and former owner of the parking lot parcel, who is interested in purchasing the property
back. Supt. Gray suggested Mr. Seaney contact the New York State Real Estate Office to
begin the process. However, in the meantime, Supt. Gray suggested leasing the parking lot to
Mr. Seaney for use by the local businesses.
The Board approved leasing the parking lot to Mr. Seaney as negotiated with Supt. Gray.
Wood Street and South Street Diverter Removal – Update
Supt. Gray noted that the amount of traffic in the area had decreased significantly from several
years ago before Elmira Road was widened.
2013 Budget
Supt. Gray explained that the timeline for the submission of budget proposals was condensed
to allow Common Council more time to review departmental budgets. He stated that input and
thoughts from the Board could be forwarded to the Mayor and Council anytime before
November to influence their decisions.
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Regular Meeting
Supt. Gray explained that the directive for the 2013 budget was a 10% decrease in personnel
costs, and 1% decrease in other costs. For the Department of Public Works, personnel costs
would decrease by 7% by not filling currently vacant positions. The last 3% could be obtained
through charging capital projects for labor and administrative costs.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the progress in creating a storm water utility,
combine services with the County, Town and City to cut costs, and consolidating City
departments to save money. Mayor Myrick requested that a presentation be provided to the
Board at a future meeting to explain what has been completed on the creation of a storm water
utility and what has yet to be completed. The Board agreed.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding cities around the nation that have had to
declare bankruptcy, what increasing taxes would mean to the City, and state government
tracking how cities are being managed.
For Your Information
Supt. Gray explained that the board should be aware of issues noted in the letters from Ms.
Carlson, and stated that the issues would come up again.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
Kathrin D. Gehring Svante L. Myrick
Executive Assistant Mayor