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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2012-11-26BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:50 p.m. November 26, 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 Executive Assistant – Gehring EXCUSED: City Attorney – Lavine Common Council Liaison – Fleming DAC Liaison – Roberts 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: Judith Koch, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding on-street parking on Ithaca Road. She thanked the Board for allowing for Ithaca Road residents to enter into the Residential Parking Permit System. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC No response was provided. REPORTS Board Liaisons Commissioner Acharya, Planning and Development Board Liaison, invited the Board of Public Works to the next meeting of the Planning and Development Board. He reported that several topics related to public works would be discussed. Superintendent and Staff Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported on the following:  A section of the storm sewer was replaced on Schuyler Place.  City crews were continuing construction of the Stewart Park Tea Pavilion.  The snow crew had begun working nights to ensure streets were clear each morning.  The salt bay contained the salt that was left over from the 2011-12 mild. Discussion was held on the floor regarding using salt vs. salt/sand mixture.  City Forester Jeanne Grace gave birth over the weekend to a baby boy, 6.5 lbs; both mom and baby were healthy and doing well. Alderperson Fleming arrived at 4:57 p.m. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that five water main breaks had occurred recently on West Hill. Three of those were caused by the maintenance that was performed on the Oak Hill Water Tank. He stated the tank was over pressurized in an effort to maintain water pressure to residents, and an after-action training was conducted with all pertinent employees to prevent this incident from occurring again. Discussion followed on the floor regarding correct pressure rates, and over-night staff coverage. Supt. Gray reported that most Engineering projects had already been presented to the Board. These include the Commons Reconstruction Project, Old Elmira Road Rehabilitation, East State Street/Mitchell Street Traffic Signal, Seneca Garage Repairs. He stated the asphalt plants closed two weeks ago; crews must travel to Syracuse to obtain asphalt for patching. Board of Public Works Page 2 November 26, 2012 Regular Meeting ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: Commissioner Goldsmith announced his resignation from the Board of Public Works effective December 31, 2012. He will be abroad for a teaching assignment for six months. He would ask to be reappointed once he returned. The Board wished him well on his trip. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the November 5, 2012, Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes - Resolution By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Lecesse RESOLVED, That the minutes of the November 5, 2012, Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously VOTING ITEMS: Highways, Streets and Sidewalks: Call of Public Hearing for Installation and Assessment of New Sidewalks and Curbing during the Old Elmira Road “Complete Street” Project – Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Morache WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has been awarded $682,500 in Community Revitalization Program funding for improvements to the 100-200 blocks of Old Elmira Road that will include the construction of new sidewalk, driveways, and curbing along the majority of Old Elmira Road, in addition to numerous other improvements, and WHEREAS, Common Council passed a resolution on July 2, 2012, in support of this project, including assessing adjacent property owners for applicable sidewalk and curb work, an assessment estimated at $192,000, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby calls a public hearing for the installation of sidewalks, driveways, and curbing in the 100-200 Blocks of Old Elmira Road for their meeting on December 10, 2012, and be it further RESOLVED, That staff be directed to publicize this meeting as set forth in the City Code. Carried Unanimously Award of Contract for Professional Services for East State/Martin Luther King Jr. Street and Mitchell Street Traffic Signal – Resolution By Commissioner Lecesse: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith WHEREAS, a Capital Project for a new traffic signal and road widening at the intersection of East State/Martin Luther King Jr. Street was included in the City of Ithaca 2012 Budget as Capital Project #775 in the amount of $450,000, and WHEREAS, the Engineering Office received five proposals for design, with an option to add construction inspection services, and following review of the proposals recommended Creighton Manning Engineering, LLP as the consultant, and WHEREAS, the scope of work for the study is acceptable to the City of Ithaca and Creighton Manning Engineering, LLP a cost not to exceed $29,870 for the study and design, with an option for construction inspection services at an additional estimated cost of $22,550 and WHEREAS, funds for the study are available from Capital Project 775, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into contract with Creighton Manning, LLC for professional services related to the design and reconstruction of the traffic signal in Collegetown at a total project cost not to exceed $55,000. Supt. Gray reported that the developer of Collegetown Terrace was contributing to this project, including many improvements that have already been completed through the construction of the complex. An agreement with the developer was being finalized. Discussion followed on the floor regarding installing lead intervals to facilitate bicyclists and pedestrians moving to the front of vehicle traffic in order to cross East State Street to Mitchell Street. Further discussion was held regarding the option of installing a round-about at this Board of Public Works Page 3 November 26, 2012 Regular Meeting intersection and the intersection at the five corners. Transportation Engineer Logue stated that the topography and space limitations prevent the installation of a round-about. A Vote of the Resolution Resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Parking and Traffic: Resolution to Grant Hardship for Ithaca Road Residents to Enter the Residential Parking Permit System By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Darling WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works (BPW) has promulgated regulations, adopted June 9, 2004, for implementation of the Residential Parking Permit System (RPPS), which was established by Common Council on May 6, 1998 after an act of the New York State Legislature, and WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 260-4 of the City Code and in accordance with the BPW regulations, the BPW may grant hardship requests, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works, on April 23, 2012, approved the removal of on-street parking along the 100 to 300 blocks of Ithaca Rd. to facilitate the installation of an uphill bike lane, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has determined that this change may result in a hardship to some Ithaca Road residents who previously utilized the on-street parking spaces in these locations, now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants residents of the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Ithaca Road the ability to apply for and purchase permits for the Residential Parking Permit Systems, in accordance with the above-mentioned regulations. Carried Unanimously Creeks, Bridges, and Parks: Request for Reimbursement of Pavilion Fee from Ithaca Motion Picture Project and Friends of Stewart Park – Resolution By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Acharya WHEREAS, The Ithaca Motion Picture Project and the Friends of Stewart Park held an event in the park on October 13, 2012, to celebrate Silent Movie Month, rented the Large Pavilion from the Youth Bureau for the Event, and subsequently have requested that the cost of the rental be returned because the event was a celebration of the park held in collaboration with the City, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has a long standing pattern of turning down requests to waive or return fees for non-profits or similar private well-intended or socially motivated events because: the Board has no basis on which to judge the relative value of an event to the community; the Board has set rental fees which in no way reflects the cost of owning, operating, and maintaining the facilities in the park; the Board regards the modest fee structure as a method of distributing the availability of the facilities by allowing individuals or entities to make a decision about their need when renting the facility for their use; and finally that the system in place is fair, equitable, and simple but would break down if the Board started returning some of the rental fees based on a judgment of value to the community; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies the request to expunge the fee charged to the Ithaca Motion Picture Project for the rental of the Large Pavilion in Stewart Park for their event on October 13, 2012. A Vote of the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (5) Acharya, Darling, Morache, Myrick, Goldsmith Nayes (0) Abstentions (2) Jenkins, Leccese Carried Request to Increase Pavilion Rental Fees from Ithaca Youth Bureau – Resolution By Commissioner Lecesse: Seconded by Commissioner Morache Board of Public Works Page 4 November 26, 2012 Regular Meeting WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau was requested to review the pavilion rental fee structure in both Stewart and Cass Parks as part of their budget process because they handle the rentals and are most familiar with the current use or demand for the facilities in both parks, and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau has developed a new proposed fee structure which largely reflects a twenty percent (20%) rate increase in the current fees (which appear to date back to January 27, 1993), and this structure was indirectly adopted as part of the 2013 budget because the projected increase in revenues, estimated at $4,000 per year, was adopted as part of the budget, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopts the following rate structure for use at both Cass and Stewart Park: Current Fees (set in 1993) Proposed New Fees Cass Park  Up to 24 people $30.00 $36.00  25 – 74 people $60.00 $72.00  75 + people or Exclusive Use $75.00 $90.00 Stewart Park Small Pavilion  Up to 24 people $30.00 $36.00  25 – 74 people $60.00 $72.00  75 + people or Exclusive Use $100.00 $120.00 Stewart Park Large Pavilion  Up to 24 people $30.00 $36.00  25 – 74 people $60.00 $72.00  75 – 99 people $100.00 $120.00  100 – 149 people $125.00 $150.00  150 + people or Exclusive Use $150.00 $180.00 Carried Unanimously Water and Sewer: Approval to Move Water Service from City to Bolton Point for Beta Theta Pi Fraternity – Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Darling WHEREAS, the Water and Sewer Division has received a request from Beta Theta Pi fraternity, located at 100 Ridgewood Road, to move their water service from the city's water system to the Bolton Point System adjacent to their property in the Village of Cayuga Heights, and WHEREAS, their request is the result of a Cornell University program requiring the Greek houses to improve residential safety by providing a sprinkler system in their buildings, and the initial engineering investigation for designing the sprinklers finds that both the water pressure and the available flow in the city's system are too low to allow the sprinkler system to function, which has been confirmed by staff, and WHEREAS, the city and the Town of Ithaca have areas or individual addresses which have been operated on whichever water distribution system can provide the best or most appropriate water supply at that location and then makes water adjustments at year’s end to balance the water swaps, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That water service for Beta Theta Pi at 100 Ridgewood Road may be switched from the city's system to the Bolton Point System under the usual terms and conditions, with the understanding that the water service at this address will be restored to the city system when it is capable of supporting a sprinkler system at that address. Carried Unanimously Appeal of Water Bill by New York State Dept. of Transportation Third Street Office – Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Morache Board of Public Works Page 5 November 26, 2012 Regular Meeting WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has a sub-residency in the City of Ithaca on the Third Street Extension which has a long history of minimum water and sewer bills for that address, and WHEREAS, the water meter at that location was replaced as part of a city-wide change out of water meters on August 10, 2007, and there appears to have been a misreading of the old meter at that time resulting in the water and sewer bills for that address jumping from approximately $325 each per quarter to a one time billing of about $5,500 each for the next quarter, immediately follow by several quarters of minimum bills, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants the NYSDOT's (Cortland Office) request to expunge the outstanding bill for October 2007 as well as any outstanding late penalties which may have accrued, and replace it with a minimum bill appropriate for the date on which it should have been sent. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS: 9.1 Newman Golf Course GA asked about if the course was open on nice days in off-season, like the sunny Thanksgiving Day. Ray stated that all seasonal staff are not working any longer, but if the flags are still out, an honor box will be left out for users to pay their fee for use of the greens. BG suggested that if the city wants to promote entrepreneurship, it should allow a small business to sell concessions at the course. He further suggested taking back the rentals of the boat docks since Johnson Boatyard will be redeveloped. He noted that it would increase revenues for the course. BG noted that a public walkway along the edge of the water was proposed by the developers of the new apartments next to the golf course. SM stated that development in the waterfront district much be set back from the water at least 15 ft. but that space may not be required to be open to the public, if it is on private property. MD explained that the present manager would like to continue running the course for the next 3 years under the city’s present management to see if some of the proposed changes can occur. He further suggested rebuilding the club house and making it big enough to be rented out for events (i.e. weddings). SBG noted that the building is over taxed and ready to be torn down. GA asked about the requirement that concessions would have to have an annual profit of $48,000 just to break even. This amount may be the salary amount for the city employee that is in charge of the equipment. SM recommended that BPW allow Friends of Newman to do what they recommended with the emerging management model, but it should be done quicker than 3 years. RM stated that the bigger the facility, the more things it has to offer, the more appealing it will be to people to use. MD stated that the course provides a major ecosystem that is very important to the waterfront district. The land may not be able to be used for anything else than a golf course at this point. He also asked why the golf course is being required to break even when no other recreational program is. SM noted the concern, but stated that because the course can break even, it should. SBG suggested that the BPW ask the City Attorney about the designation of the golf course property. The previous City Attorney stated it was parkland, but the deed does not say that. If the property receives the title of “Parkland,” the State will become involved with the management of the property. SM stated he would be happy with revenue neutrality for the course, and he is happy to remain on the track they are on. Ray stated that rebuilding the base membership to what it used to be, meaning getting rates out early (like we are this year) will help. BG stated that he would like to Golf Course Report updated annually to show the progress at the course. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m. Board of Public Works Page 6 November 26, 2012 Regular Meeting Kathrin D. Gehring Svante L. Myrick Executive Assistant Mayor