HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2011-02-16BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. February 16, 2011
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Wykstra, Acharya, Warden, Goldsmith
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney - Hoffman
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Benjamin
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
Common Council Liaison – Zumoff
Information Management Specialist - Myers
Traffic Engineer – Logue
Acting Fire Chief – Dorman
EXCUSED:
DAC Liaison – Roberts
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA:
Supt. Gray requested that item 7.1 entitled 7.1 “Departure of Fellow Board of Public Works
Commissioner – Resolution” be postponed until the February 23, 2011 Board of Public Works
meeting so that former Commissioner Brock can attend the meeting.
No Board member objected.
Supt. Gray also requested an addition under “Administrations and Communications” to update the
Board on the progress of the City’s meeting with Cornell University regarding means restrictions for
bridges.
No Board member objected.
Supt. Gray requested the addition of “Award of Bids for Water & Sewer Division Pipe and Materials
Bids” to the agenda.
No Board Member objected.
Mayor Peterson noted that City Attorney Hoffman distributed a brief outline of what needs to be
done and things still pending regarding fees for use of real property.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD
Jane Marcham, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the proposal to convert Aurora
Street to two-way traffic to better accommodate vehicles as the City undertakes the reconstruction
of the Clinton Street bridge and Prospect Street. She urged the Board to make this a temporary
conversion until the project is completed. She further gave a brief history of why the City converted
Aurora Street to one-way traffic which enabled traffic to move twice as fast downtown, and still
provides that efficient flow of traffic today.
RESPONSE TO PUBLIC
Commissioners Warden and Acharya responded to comments made by Mrs. Marcham. They
expressed their appreciation for the background history of the conversion of Aurora Street to one-
way traffic that she provided.
Commissioner Jenkins arrived at 5:05 p.m.
REPORTS
There was discussion on the status of meetings between the City and Cornell concerning bridge
means restriction. The discussions, so far, have centered only on the design of the barriers and
not about the safety, cost, and concern whether the barriers will be effective.
The architects for the project will be in town on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, and would like to do a
presentation of the design to Common Council and the Board of Public Works. Some Board
members noted that they would be unavailable on March 2, and would be more interested in
meeting to discuss the costs, plans for construction, and whether the barriers will be effective.
Mayor Peterson noted that it may not be possible to incorporate their presentation into the March
Common Council meeting.
Further discussion needs to be held on this topic.
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February 16, 2011
It was also noted that Cornell University will most likely proceed with construction of the proposed
barriers on their bridges, and how that would work if the City did not do the same. Environmental
review and site plan review also need to take place.
CC Liaison Zumoff arrived at 5:20 p.m.
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
Departure of Fellow Board of Public Works Commissioner – Resolution
This item was postponed until the February 23, 2011 Board of Public Works meeting.
VOTING ITEMS
Buildings, Properties, Refuse, and Transit
Consent to Lead Agency Designation for Seneca Way Apartments – Resolution
By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra
WHEREAS, 6 NYCRR Part 617 of the State Environmental Quality Review Law and Chapter 176.6
of the City Code, Environmental Quality Review, require that a lead agency be established for
conducting environmental review of projects in accordance with local and state environmental law,
and
WHEREAS, State Law specifies that for actions governed by local environmental review, the lead
agency shall be that local agency which has primary responsibility for approving, funding or
carrying out the action, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board has one pending application for
site plan approval for the Seneca Way Apartments, located on 140 Seneca Way, Trowbridge &
Wolf, LLP, Applicant for Owner, Fall Creek Development of Ithaca, LLC, and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board has indicated its intention to act as lead agency for the
environmental review of a proposed site plan for Seneca Way Apartments, and
WHEREAS, the applicant is proposing to construct a mixed use building with 63,400 total gross SF
with 5 stories and a 14-space basement level parking area on the .78 acres site. The building
proposal includes 9,311 SF of first floor commercial space and a mix of 32 one-bedroom and six
two-bedroom apartments on the 2nd-5th floors. Other proposed amenities include a fitness center
and a roof terrace. Proposed site development will include two surface parking lots with a total of
41 spaces, landscaping, and a paved entry plaza. The applicant is proposing to consolidate the
nearly continuous existing curb cut into two curb cuts; one accessing the east surface parking lot,
and the other accessing the western surface lot and basement level parking, and to install a
sidewalk and tree lawn along the length of the property. Site development will require the
demolition and removal of the existing building (the former Challenge Industries). The project is in
the B-4 Zoning district and is contiguous to the East Hill Historic District. This is a Type I Action
§176-4(h)[4], (k), and (n) under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance and the
State Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental review. This project
requires a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and variances for height, setbacks, and parking,
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works may be an involved agency for the purposes of
environmental review of this action, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby consents to the designation of the Planning
Board as lead agency for the environmental review of the proposed Seneca Way Apartments.
Carried Unanimously
HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS:
Wood Street and South Street Traffic Diverters – Discussion
Board of Fire Commissioner Chair Gilligan, Traffic Engineer Logue, and Acting Fire Chief Dorman
joined the Board for the discussion of this item.
Supt. Gray explained that the Board of Fire Commissioners have requested the removal of the
traffic diverters twice, in addition to a series of inquiries as to when they would be removed. They
were installed as part of the "Six Point Traffic Plan," prior to the major developments that went in
along Meadow Street, and in the Southwest area in the mid to late 1990's. These were to come
out once the larger and later parts of the plan were completed. Most of the plan has been built and
traffic in the area of Wood and South Streets has changed dramatically. Supt. Gray further
explained that the effort to remove these diverters ground to a halt when the neighborhood was
asked for their reaction, and they were against any change from the new status quo. Traffic in the
area has been reduced by a factor of three, far beyond any reasonable expectations for the
change resulting from the Six Point Plan at the time the diverters were installed. Supt. Gray stated
that he believes some traffic increase would follow their removal, but very little. They are no longer
intact, they are not being enforced, and the neighborhood residents drive over them all the time.
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February 16, 2011
Since their installation ten years ago there have been significant changes in traffic patterns,
especially with the construction of the round about on Albany Street, and the conversion of
Spencer Street to two-way traffic. The Ithaca Fire Department, Ithaca Police Department, and
Bangs Ambulance would like to see the diverters removed and have been requesting that of the
City for quite some time now. He further stated that residents in these neighborhoods are
concerned about the impacts removal of the diverters will cause as to increased traffic through
those neighborhoods. Supt. Gray would recommend that the Board hold a public hearing and then
make a decision as to balance the City’s needs for its transportation system with the desires of the
immediate neighborhood to control their environment, and the needs of emergency response
departments.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the history behind the installation of the diverters, the
problems they have caused for emergency vehicles, and the need to consider the possibility of
perhaps another type of traffic calming device being installed should the neighborhood see a
significant increase in traffic, with input from the emergency response departments before
installation.
There was support from Board members and the Common Council Liaison to remove the diverters;
although one member expressed concern about the removal of the diverter on Wood Street
because of the playground located there and concern for the safety of the children that play there.
PARKING AND TRAFFIC
To Amend the Vehicle and Traffic Schedules to Create Reserved Parking Spaces for People
with Disabilities on North Tioga Street and East Court Street along the Tompkins County
Court House – Discussion and Resolution
By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, the Engineering Office has received a request from Tompkins County to create two
on-street reserved parking spaces for people with disabilities (RPPD) near the Tompkins County
Court House, 320 North Tioga Street, and
WHEREAS, the County’s preference is to have one reserved space on North Tioga Street near the
Court House driveway and to have another reserved space on East Court Street near the
driveway, and
WHEREAS, both of these spaces would continue to be metered spaces, and
WHEREAS, the County Court House has an off-street parking lot, but is mandated by New York
State to provide employee parking and does not have enough room to provide public parking, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Section 346-4 of the City Code to adopt
and to amend a system of Schedules in order to administer the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and
WHEREAS, the City Transportation Engineer has recommended that the request be granted, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is in agreement with the request and recommendation, now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Schedule XXV, Reserved Parking for People with Disabilities, be amended to
add the following entries to the “metered” section:
Name of Street Side Location
North Tioga Street West One (1) space just north of the driveway
at the Tompkins County Court House
East Court Street South One (1) space just east of the driveway
between the Court House & the Old Jail
Traffic Engineer Logue and Tompkins County Administrator Joe Mareane joined the Board for the
discussion of this item. Supt. Gray explained to the Board that the County is looking for some
designated on-street handicapped parking. He further explained that the County has a good sized
off-street lot which could provide fully accessible parking for disabled individuals in the number
they are requesting (2) for the public they serve. The County dedicates all their off-street parking
to their private purposes, and depends upon the city’s off-street and on-street parking to supply
their public needs. There is a fair amount of dedicated parking spaces around (within a block of)
the Court House that provides fully and partially accessible spaces. If they need spaces right at
the Court House, then it seems that they should supply them immediately adjacent to the
handicapped entrance to their building, which is inside their parking lot. Alternately, we could look
at all the on-street dedicated spaces around the churches, Town Hall, and the Post Office which
are nearby and redistribute them.
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February 16, 2011
Traffic Engineer Logue stated that the City could look at off-street parking, but he is not clear what
space is there that could be made handicap accessible for the public. He is concerned about
removing parking spaces to serve a specific group, and whether it would best serve the needs of
the public.
Mr. Mareane explained that there are 109 parking spaces in the Court House parking lot. The State
Office of Court Administration reserves four spaces for judges, fourteen spaces for court staff, and
fourteen spaces are reserved until 9:30 a.m. each day for jurors, one space for a State employee
with a disability, and one for the Sheriff’s Department. In addition, the County has five cars that are
not take home cars, and there are six spaces for County legislators. That leaves sixty-four spaces
for one hundred twenty employees, and of those sixty-four spaces five are designated as needed
for employees or jurors with disabilities. He stated that leaves no capacity in the parking lot for the
public, which is why the County is requesting the off-street parking spaces.
Discussion followed on the floor on the availability of parking for employees in the nearby Seneca
Street parking garage and whether the County could make arrangements with the City for that
parking. Traffic Engineer Logue stated that the City added two handicap parking spaces for the
public and one for employees in its own parking lot next to City Hall to accommodate the needs of
the public for handicap parking. He further stated that, in his opinion, the County should make
accommodations for two handicap parking spaces in its own parking lot – similar to what the City
did because off-street parking is not the best answer to meet the need for handicap parking.
Amending Resolution:
By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith
RESOLVED, That the Sixth Whereas clause be removed from the resolution, and that the Seventh
Whereas clause be amended to read as follows:
“WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is in agreement with the request, now therefore be it”
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion As Amended:
A Vote on the Main Motion as Amended Resulted as follows:
Ayes (3) Wykstra, Jenkins, Peterson
Nays (3) Acharya, Warden, Goldsmith
Abstentions (0)
Failed
WATER AND SEWER:
Authorization for a Shared Services Agreement with New York State Department of
Transportation for Sewer Line Installation
By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra
WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) facility on the Third
Street Extension – known as the Cortland/Tompkins County Residency – is not currently
connected to the nearby Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWTF) and relies instead
upon an on-site wastewater treatment system (which is in need of replacement), and
WHEREAS, the estimated cost (to NYSDOT) of replacing its on-site system is approximately
$40,000, and
WHEREAS, other properties in this vicinity, including the so-called Steamboat Landing site (owned
by the City and leased to the Ithaca Farmers Market), the Cornell and Ithaca College boathouses
and the Andree Petroleum facility have also historically lacked a gravity sewer connection to the
IAWTF, and
WHEREAS, the City’s Department of Public Works and Cornell University have just completed a
new sewer connection for the Cornell Boathouse upgrade and expansion, which connection was
installed under the railroad tracks at an elevation that would allow users north (NYSDOT, Farmer's
Market, Andree Petroleum) and south (Ithaca College Boathouse) of the Cornell facility to use the
gravity sewer, and the sewer was extended to both property lines by Cornell to make it easily
available (and to avoid any future site disruptions) at a cost borne by Cornell (estimated by City
staff to be in the vicinity of $250,000), and
WHEREAS, the City and the NYSDOT Cortland/Tompkins County Residency have developed a
proposed, joint project that would extend the new sewer line north and east from Cornell’s
property, past the Andree Petroleum property and across the NYSDOT property, terminating at the
southeast corner of the City-owned Farmer's Market site, at a joint shared cost totaling
approximately $60,000, and
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February 16, 2011
WHEREAS, the City and the community will benefit substantially by having a municipal sewer
available to these locations along the Cayuga Inlet, through the elimination of onsite wastewater
treatment systems, the improved potential for future redevelopment of these waterfront properties,
and the full utilization of infrastructure expenses incurred by private parties along this route, and
WHEREAS, this proposed action appears to be an unlisted action, according to City and State
environmental review law, and the Department has completed a Short Environmental Assessment
Form (SEAF), in which all questions about potential impacts are answered in the negative, and
WHEREAS, the proposed, new, buried sewer line will be placed beneath the edge of Third Street
Extension for more than one-third of its route, will cross a narrow section of the former Cayuga Inlet
channel, then enter the NYSDOT property into a parking area, and run along the edge of an
internal roadway to a southeast corner of the Steamboat Landing property, such that only a very
minimal effect on existing vegetation is anticipated, and
WHEREAS, NYSDOT, the other involved agency in this action, has indicated in writing that it has
no objection to the City’s acting as lead agency for environmental review for this action, now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby declares itself to be the lead agency for the
environmental review of this action, and be it further
RESOLVED, That having reviewed the SEAF prepared for this action, the Board hereby
determines that the installation of the new sewer line as described herein will not have a significant
negative impact on the environment (and in fact is expected to have certain positive impacts, as
noted above), and that no further environmental review is necessary, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Work approves of this project and hereby authorizes the
Mayor, upon consultation with the City Attorney and Superintendent of Public Works, to enter into a
Shared Services Agreement with New York State, which agreement shall provide for each of the
parties to contribute labor and materials to the project, in roughly equal proportions and up to
$30,000 each, together with other, standard provisions for an arrangement of this type, and to
execute any other documents required to implement this project as described herein.
Carried Unanimously
Award of Bids for “Water & Sewer Division Pipe and Materials Bids”
By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, bids were received on February 15, 2011 for pipe and materials to be used during the
2011 construction and maintenance season, and
WHEREAS, the bid package consisted of 9 separate bid items, each to be awarded separately,
and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the six bids received and made recommendations for award, now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards Bid 1 for water main pipe to Blair
Supply Corp. of Rochester, NY, for a total contract of $22,562.00, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards Bid 2 for water main fittings, Bid 4 for
street valve boxes, Bid 7 for residential water service components, Bid 8 for sanitary sewer pipe,
and Bid 9 for residential sanitary sewer components to Ramsco, Inc. of Binghamton, NY for a total
contract of $33,750.60, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards Bid 3 for hydrants and accessories
and Bid 6 for tapping sleeves to Ti-Sales, Inc. of Sudbury, MA for a total contract of $45,073.20,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards Bid 5 for valves to Vellano Bros., Inc.
of Vestal, NY for a total contract of $56,935.20, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor be and hereby is authorized to execute these contracts, upon the
advice of the City Attorney, and that the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works be and hereby is
authorized to administer the same.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding whether or not the Mayor was required to sign these
contracts. Supt. Gray explained how supplies and equipment purchases are often grouped
together to bid to get the best price for the City.
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February 16, 2011
Amending Resolution:
By Mayor Peterson: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the last Resolved clause be amended to read as follows:
“RESOLVED, That the Asst. Superintendent be and hereby is authorized to execute these
purchase contracts, upon the advice of the City Attorney, and that the Assistant Superintendent of
Public Works be and hereby is authorized to administer the same.
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion As Amended:
A Vote on the Main Motion as Amended Resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Commissioner Achayra left the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Converting Aurora Street to Two-Way Traffic – Discussion
This item was not discussed.
Request for Awning at 215 Dryden Road - Discussion
This item was not discussed.
Fees for Use of City Real Property – Continued Discussion
Supt. Gray explained that the City is in the middle of a discussion of some of the aspects of its new
system for licensing the use of City property. He stated that the City is also considering possible
private use of some of the people powered craft dock space at Cass Park, the land that can
support docks along the Inlet at the Golf Course, and the use of the Stewart Park (Cascadilla) Boat
House. The City has recently discovered an expired annual agreement with (the former Agway
property) on Inlet Island along the waterfront that will benefit from these discussions. In addition,
staff requested the forms from Allen Treman Marina for their boat slip lottery, which have not been
filled (over filled) in recent years so slips have been available at a fixed price set in Albany. He
further explained that staff did not check prices of any private marinas.
City Attorney Hoffman explained that in December 2010, the Board of Public Works established
fees for use of City property for 2011-2012. He distributed (below) an outline to show what has
been completed to date and what tasks remain. He stated that the City Clerk’s office has already
mailed out applications with the new fee structure to mobile vendors and restaurants for outdoor
dining. He further stated Civil Engineer Yost reviewed the City’s existing licenses and recalculated
rates; although some are still uncertain because there are no current surveys available; the City is
requesting current surveys from the property owners.
Implementation of Chapter 170 (Use of City Real Property), as Revised
Update from City Attorney (2/16/11)
================================================================
A. BPW adopted new fee schedule on 12/22/10.
B. Tasks for implementation by staff (Attorney, Clerk, Chamberlain, Engineering):
1. Draft cover letters
2. Design applications forms
3. Confirm square footage of licensed properties
4. Confirm ownership
5. Assign each property to category
6. Calculate fees
7. prepare invoices (for Jan-March 2011, and 4/1/11-3/31/12)
8. Assemble and send mailing to licensees & permittees
[some have gone out, some still need to be completed]
C. Properties in question:
1. Cass Park docks
2. Stewart Park boathouse & adjacent docks
3. Docks next to Golf Course (which is parkland, according to 2010 legal opinion)
[Assumption: Will offer licenses for 2011-12, at new rates, with notice that current
use is not appropriate for parkland & will need to be changed before 4/12]
4. Other?
D. Properties that did not have licenses previously
1. North end of former Taughannock Blvd (parking lot operated by MRI)
[City has officially terminated no-fee “easement” that expired in 2006]
2. City parcel immediately south of Coast Guard Auxiliary bldg (boat storage & parking,
used by MRI)
[7-month lease expired in 1999; MRI has continued to pay $200/month]
3. Part of City parcel on York Street used for parking by Fall Creek Associates
[no prior written agreement, or fee]
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February 16, 2011
E. Suggested procedure:
1. BPW to vote (on 3/9?) on authorizing revised licenses (for continuing licensees),
and on licenses for new licensees (see D, above)
2. BPW to make recommendations to Council on how to handle Cass Park docks,
Stewart Park boathouse & docks, and (for post-March 2012) boat slips next to Golf
Course
3. If there are appeals by licensees, BPW will decide them in March
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the designation of the City Golf Course as Parkland, and
licenses which will be issued for the 2011 season for the docks located along the golf course.
Further discussion followed on the floor regarding Tompkins County taxing the City on the license
fee that it receives for use of the docks by the public, and how that cost should be reflected in the
new license fee.
City Attorney Hoffman explained that the Board of Public Works needs to make a recommendation
to Common Council on whether licenses should be issued for use of the docks and the rate. He
further explained that the ordinance on use of city property states that anything on park land being
licensed has to go to Common Council with a recommendation from the Board of Public Works. He
further explained that New York State Law says that a municipality may not issue a long term
license to a specific entity.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding use of the docks by Cascadilla Boat Club and the
Dragon Boat Club. These activities are extremely valuable opportunities to the community. They
are generally accessible and open to the public, and the Board would like a solution that would
encourage the continuation of them.
The Board requested that this item be placed on the March 9, 2011 to discuss and vote on a
possible resolution.
Alan Karasin, Dragon Boat member, urged the Board to work towards a resolution at their March
meeting so that it could be considered at the April Common Council meeting since boating season
will be upon us soon. He further asked whether the City would consider community service as
payment in kind for a license fee since the Dragon Boat club is a not-for-profit entity.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson
Information Management Specialist Mayor