Loading...
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 Board of Public Works Page 2 August 27, 2012 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 Board of Public Works Page 3 August 27, 2012 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. Board of Public Works Page 4 August 27, 2012 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