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.
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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
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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.
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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