Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2012-09-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. September 10, 2012 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (6) - Jenkins, Darling, Morache, Leccese, Goldsmith, Acharya OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Benjamin Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Common Council Liaison – Fleming Information Management Specialist - Myers Transportation Engineer – Logue EXCUSED: DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Supt. Gray requested the deletion of item 9.2 entitled “Solar Liberty Lease Program to Install Solar Panels on City Buildings – Update” because there was no update at this time. He further requested the addition of item 9.7 entitled “New York State Department of Transportation Easement at Access Road for Water Treatment Plant” No Board Member objected. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: The Mayor had no communications at this time. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Tom Hanna and Mark Babbage, on behalf of “Friends of Newman Golf Course”, addressed the Board to encourage them to consider and set the rates for next season as soon as possible. Once the rates are established they can begin to advertise, and perhaps offer (like last year) a 10% discount for those members who sign up early. Mr. Hanna also distributed information to Board members regarding membership, revenue, and statistics of the golf course for the past couple of years. Mayor Myrick requested that the establishment of rates for Newman Golf Course for the 2013 season be placed on the agenda for the September 24, 2012 meeting of the Board of Public Works. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC: Commissioner Goldsmith thanked Mr. Hanna and Mr. Babbage for the terrific statistical report provided to the Board. Supt. Gray noted that the Board of Public Works previously set golf course rates earlier than it has in the past few years. It would also be his desire to set rates early for the course on an ongoing basis. REPORTS: Planning and Development Board: Commissioner Acharya reported that there would be a special Planning and Development Board meeting on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. 2 September 10, 2012 Superintendent and Staff: Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that crews worked last week to pave the inside of the new salt storage building, and that work was completed today. He stated that six hundred tons of salt has been ordered to arrive soon. That includes a partial order from last year that was not used because of the mild winter. He also noted that with the new storage facility the City can order a years’ supply of salt at one time, which will be very helpful during storms because in the past salt often had to be rationed between trucks until the new order arrived. He further reported that some landscaping work that crews began working on at Ithaca Road. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that crews will be working on the 900 block of East State Street to install a water service, repair a valve, and do tree trimming work. The work will begin Monday, September 17th, and there will be a detour in place while the work is taking place. The work should be completed by the end of the day on Wednesday, September 19th. He further reported that after the State Street work is completed that crews will begin work to replace a sanitary sewer on James L. Gibbs drive by the Youth Bureau. This work will be done in conjunction with the repaving work planned by Streets and Facilities. The only access to the Youth Bureau and Stewart Park will be from Route 13. He noted that New York State has issued the City a beneficial residual use permit. The permit will allow crews to pipe sediments from the water reserve at Giles Street to settling ponds to dry. The dried sediment will need to be mixed with 20% compost material and then used as landfill. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the November 16, 2011 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes – Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Morache RESOLVED, That the minutes of the November 16, 2011 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published, and be it further Approval of the December 14, 2011 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes – Resolution RESOLVED, That the minutes of the December 14, 2011 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published, and be it further Approval of the April 23, 2012 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes – Resolution RESOLVED, That the minutes of the April 223, 2012 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS: School Speed Limit Study for North Cayuga Street Near Ithaca High School: Transportation Engineer Logue joined the Board for the discussion of this topic. He explained that the City has completed and submitted a grant application to fund the study, which will also include the proposed bike boulevards, speed zones, and education, etc. Mayor Myrick expressed his complete support for this project. Resolution to Amend the City of Ithaca Municipal Code Chapter 346 entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” Schedule III in Order to Create a School Speed Limit Zone on North Cayuga Street Along the Ithaca High School By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Morache WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Section 346-4 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code to adopt and to amend a system of schedules in order to administer the Vehicle and Traffic law, and 3 September 10, 2012 WHEREAS, the principal of the Ithaca High School has requested a school speed limit zone on North Cayuga Street, and WHEREAS, the Transportation Engineer has reviewed this request and recommended that the Board of Public Works approve such a school speed limit zone, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is in favor of such a school speed limit zone, now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby amends Schedule III of the City Vehicle and Traffic Schedules to add: Twenty (20) miles per hour on North Cayuga Street, from a point approximately 200 feet north of the centerline of York Street to a point 1,320 feet (0.25 mile) north of that point, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on school days. Carried Unanimously Solar Liberty Lease Program to Install Solar Panels on City Buildings – Update: This item was not discussed. The Creation of A New City of Ithaca Municipal Code Chapter 141 entitled “Bridges”: Supt. Gray reported that Common Council approved a new City Code provision designed to make it easier to deal with the installation of safety nets below the city's high bridges by Cornell this fall. The City has an agreement with Cornell that calls for them to cover all the City’s costs during the ten-year period of the agreement. These provisions make it possible to state the purpose of the nets, and to recover those costs which result from abuse, misuse, or vandalism. He explained that he would have normally brought this item to the Board for their review and recommendation to the Common Council; however, it slipped though the Council Committee system faster than he managed to put it before the Board. Mayor Myrick stated that Cornell University will also be installing cameras near the bridges to monitor them as well. Lead Agency for Commons Rehabilitation: Mayor Myrick reported that the consultants for the Commons Redesign and Rehabilitation, Sasaki & Associates, made a presentation at the September 5, 2012 Common Council meeting on the status of the project. He noted that their presentation is available on the city’s website so anyone who is interested can review the plans. The Board expressed their support for the Planning and Development Board being designated as the lead agent for this project, and for the Mayor to sign off on that request as needed. Loaves & Fishes Garden Site Request: Mayor Myrick reported that the proposed location for the Loaves & Fishes Garden on Titus Avenue will not be possible at this time because it is designated as parkland. He explained that the City Attorney’s office is researching out the regulatory framework that would allow certain things for certain times in parkland. Hopefully, that information will be available in time for the next planting season in 2013. He further stated that before any permission would be granted to use this park, that the request would need to be reviewed by the Parks Commission, the Planning and Development Board, and Common Council. He further noted that this will not be uncontroversial, and he would like a concession somewhere in the middle to allow gardens for community members. A brief discussion followed on the floor regarding other possible locations for gardens in the City. Supt. Gray stated that he would contact Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services to see if they might have any property that could be used for this purpose. He also noted that the same question is being asked of the City for possible alternative locations for the Community Gardens, should the City not renew its lease with that group. 4 September 10, 2012 Hydrilla Update: Supt. Gray reported that Roxy Johnston, the City’s representative for this issue, is currently attending a conference in Syracuse with State and Federal representatives to discuss how to address this issue. A brief discussion followed on the highly invasive nature of this plant, the cost to treat, the length of treatment, and the importance of treating it now to prevent its spread to other waterways. NEW BUSINESS: New York State Department of Transportation Easement Request: Supt. Gray explained that the driveway entrance for the Water Plant off of NYS Route 79 needs to be re-shaped because it is very steep. The State is proposing additional land to make the entrance onto the driveway a gentle slope. They will provide a culvert for drainage which requires them to obtain a permanent easement from the City for the maintenance of it. The Board of Public Works cannot grant an easement, but can provide a recommendation to Common Council. The Board expressed its support for the request, and recommended that Common Council grant the easement request. FUTURE AGENDA ITEM: The Board would like to discuss issues related to sidewalks at some point in the near future. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Svante L. Myrick Information Management Specialist Mayor