HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2011-04-20BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:58 p.m. April 20, 2011
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (3) – Acharya, Goldsmith, Wykstra
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney – Hoffman
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Public Works – Whitney
Assistant Superintendent of Public Works – Benjamin
Common Council Liaison – Zumoff
Executive Assistant – Gehring
EXCUSED:
Commissioners (2) – Jenkins, Warden
DAC Liaison – Roberts
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:
City Attorney Hoffman expressed a desire to discuss the handling of appeals and
protests submitted regarding the new Chapter. 170, Use of City Real Property,
ordinance. No Board member objected.
Supt. Gray explained that representatives from Cornell University would be speaking at
the Board’s meeting on April 27, 2011, regarding designs for bridge barriers. He
requested a discussion about what the Board would like to discuss with Cornell at that
meeting.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Peterson explained that a meeting had been held to discuss bridge barriers on
city-owned bridges with representatives from Cornell University. She stated the
following questions would be asked of Common Council, as well as the Board of Public
Works: Is the decision to put barriers on the city-owned bridges a decision for the
Board of Public Works or Common Council to make? To what extent does the Board
want to get involved with the discussion and decision making process regarding barriers
on city-owned bridges?
Supt. Gray explained that he came away from Cornell’s previous presentation with the
feeling that the Board would rather discuss proposals of means restrictions than designs
of barriers. Mayor Peterson noted that the working group involved in means restrictions
had selected a single barrier design for each bridge.
Commissioner Goldsmith responded that he would like to hear more information about
funding for installation and maintenance of the barriers, and Commissioner Wykstra
requested a summary of costs and maintenance. He expressed his belief that the final
decision should be made by Common Council.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding lead agency status, site plan review
requirements, and the determination of involved agencies.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
No members of the public appeared to address the Board.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
There was no response necessary.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the January 12, 2011, and February 23, 2011, Board of Public Works
Meeting Minutes – Resolution
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the January 12, 2011, and February 23, 2011, Board
of Public Works meetings be approved with noted corrections.
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Regular Meeting
The Board requested that approval of these minutes be placed on the agenda for the
April 27, 2011, meeting.
VOTING ITEMS:
Tabled Items:
Approval of Decorative Chain in Front of Monuments in DeWitt Park:
Holly Hollingsworth, representative of the DeWitt Park Restoration Committee, joined
the Board for the discussion of this item.
Supt. Gray explained that the Board previously expressed some interest in the
proposed decorative chain, but had concerns related to handicapped accessibility. He
stated that staff provided suggestions for other approaches to consider to protect the
monuments, including “skate stoppers.”
Mr. Hollingsworth thanked City staff for looking into other ways to protect the
monuments. He expressed concern about brackets being on the World War I
monument because people may trip on them, and since that monument was meant to
be used as a stage. He further expressed concern that the “skate stoppers” would not
work on the World War II and Vietnam Memorial monuments because the bases do not
have 90 degree angles. He noted the chain would discourage other activities besides
skateboarding from occurring, such as sitting, laying, and eating on the monuments. He
further noted the chains would be only 12-18” away from the monuments and would not
obstruct the viewing of the names.
Alderperson Zumoff arrived at 5:19 p.m.
Discussion followed regarding the location of the chain in front of the monuments,
aesthetic changes to the appearance of the monuments, and the intent of the chain to
keep skateboarders off the monuments, and not to keep visitors from viewing the
monuments. Further discussion followed on the maintenance of the chain, and whose
responsibility it would be for maintenance of it.
City Attorney Hoffman noted that DeWitt Park is in the Historic District and suggested
that the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission should be involved in this
discussion and proposal. He volunteered to speak to Leslie Chatterton, Historic
Preservation Planner, regarding the policies for making changes in DeWitt Park.
Creeks, Bridges, and Parks:
Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge Railing Upgrade (Custom Pedestrian Bridge
Fencing System (8 ft high)) – Resolution
Alternate 3
WHEREAS, Currently, the City of Ithaca and project consultants (LaBella Associates,
P.C. and Trowbridge & Wolf Landscape Architects LLP) are working on a project to
rehabilitate Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge over Six Mile Creek, and
WHEREAS, the Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge over Six Mile Creek is located in the
City of Ithaca and connects the west side of Six Mile Creek at Giles Street to the east
side at Ferris Place, and
WHEREAS, The project consists of rehabilitation of the Columbia Street Pedestrian
Bridge over Six Mile Creek (including removal and replacement of the bridge deck,
railing, bridge seats, bearings, and abutment back walls; rehabilitation of wing walls and
abutment stems; structural steel repairs and painting of structural steel; and aesthetic
enhancements to the approach plazas), water and sanitary sewer main removal and
replacement and modifications to other existing utilities, and
WHEREAS, upon the Board of Public Works request, the City of Ithaca together with
project consultants has recommended Custom Pedestrian Bridge Fencing System (8 ft
high) on the bridge ,and
WHEREAS, the proposed Custom Pedestrian Bridge Fencing System (8 ft high)
implementation includes design and fabrication of a post extension system that would
be connected to the top rail of the proposed woven steel mesh panels bridge railing
system in the current contract documents, and
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Regular Meeting
WHEREAS, the woven steel mesh panels would be replaced with a stainless steel wire
rope and mesh system (attached) which would be more aesthetically pleasing and will
be built of virtually maintenance free materials, and be it further
RESOLVED, That, as part of Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation Project,
the Board of Public Works hereby approves the implementation of an 8 ft high Custom
Pedestrian Bridge Fencing System on Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works recommends that Common
Council increase the bridge share (CP#743) of the Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge
Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $100,000 for the out of scope work included in
the project.
This item was not discussed due to the lack of quorum.
Special Requests from Ithaca Festival – Resolution
WHEREAS, the Director of the Ithaca Festival has approached the Board of Public
Works for permission to have extended hours in Stewart Park on Friday evening, June
3, 2011 in order to organize a Masquerade Ball which would run from 9 pm until 12 am,
now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works supports the concept of expanding the
activities of the Ithaca Festival to include a Friday night dance in Stewart Park and
recommends that the Superintendent, in consultation with the Special Events
Committee, grant the application for exemption from the park closing time as requested.
This item was not discussed due to the lack of quorum.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
West End Parking – Discussion
City Attorney Hoffman provided a short history of the discussions held regarding parking
in the west end. He stated that west end merchants expressed concerns that
implementing paid parking would cause issues such as patrons avoiding the area or
parking in inappropriate locations.
He explained that a concept was proposed for the merchants to pay for the paved
parking area and the triangle parking area near Castaways, which would keep the lots
free for patrons. He further explained that Inlet Parking Partners, created by the west
end merchants, would pay the city approximately $2,085 per month, the City would
maintain the parking lots, including signage, snow removal, repairs, etc.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding snow removal, requiring the businesses to
indemnify the City, the expected revenues from the parking lots for the calendar year,
and the loss of revenue for the first quarter of the year.
Stewart Park Master Plan – Update
Landscape Architect Rick Manning and Contractor Claudia Brenner joined the Board to
present the proposed renovation plan for Stewart Park.
Mr. Manning began the presentation by noting that a more in-depth presentation would
be held on May 16, 2011, in the Borg Warner Room at the Tompkins County Public
Library, which would be open to the public. He further noted that the 90th anniversary of
Stewart Park is July 4, 2011.
Ms. Brenner explained that the building study for Stewart Park began with Cascadilla
Boathouse. She stated that a review was completed on the building, and reported that
an additional means of egress and stairs would need to be installed in order to upgrade
the second floor of the boathouse so it can be utilized as a gymnasium again. She
noted the costs for these renovations are estimated at $30,000. Mr. Manning noted that
the Boat Club has expressed interest in being involved in the improvements.
Ms. Brenner further explained that the City has agreed to rebuild the Small (Tea)
Pavilion, which was the next building scheduled for improvement. She stated the third
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Regular Meeting
building in the plan is the restoration of the Wharton Building. She further stated that
before the Ithaca Film Museum could take over the building, the Department of Public
Works would need to move the equipment that is stored in the building, causing the
fourth project, a new Public Works Storage Building, to be constructed.
The next recommendation is to create a performance pier and trailhead plaza between
the large pavilion and the Wharton Building. Also in the plan is the construction of an
addition onto the large pavilion for storage for the Ithaca Youth Bureau, and upgrading
the restrooms. Mr. Manning noted that applications for grants have been submitted
three times to fund the building of this portion of the project. The requests have not yet
been approved.
It was noted that the concession building has been neglected and is not currently able
to be utilized. The building also needs a new roof and new support columns.
Ms. Brenner stated that options for enclosing the Carousel have been considered, but to
enclose the carousel and build aisles for maneuvering, the estimated costs are over
$100,000, so that project has been tabled for now.
Mr. Manning explained that a plan had been developed for upgrading the children’s
playground, to move it away from all overhead utility lines, using water conservation
means for the sprinkler area, and consolidating the play areas. Discussion followed
regarding the possible addition of “senior playgrounds” to the park.
Mr. Manning went on to explain that the Memorial Flagpole Garden was created in
1927, upgraded and restored in the 1980s, and is now in disrepair and could be easily
taken apart. The new design recreates the same square configuration that the original
1927 garden was constructed in. He noted that the Parks Commission had voted to
utilize $10,000 of the $27,000 Stallman Memorial Fund for the restoration of the garden.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding utilization of city staff, volunteer labor, and
hiring professionals to work on each project. Commissioners Wykstra and Goldsmith
expressed approval of the plan for restoration of the buildings.
REPORTS:
Superintendent and Staff:
Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that the Cornell Street Water Tank Restoration Project had
begun, and should be completed by June; the restoration of the Maple Avenue and
Oakwood Lane water tanks will follow. Discussion followed regarding the utilization of
other water sources during the restoration of the water tanks.
Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that concrete pads had been installed in the Inlet Island
parking lot for benches, that street cleaning was a week behind due to the extra snow
storm in early March, and that the Tea Pavilion would be deconstructed soon. He
further stated that a seasonal employee would be hired to clean or paint over the graffiti
in the downtown area.
Supt. Gray reported to the Board of the following items:
1. Generator sets are being installed at Streets & Facilities
2. The City Court Building Restoration Project requires a fund adjustment from
Common Council
3. There was no reported wind damage to trees from the wind storm over the
weekend
4. Talks are taking place between the Ithaca Brewery and the Chief Operator of the
Wastewater Treatment Plant about waste from the brewery being taken to plant
for treatment.
Asst. Supt. Benjamin further reported that the trial period for the Parkeon machines in
the parking lots had expired. Mayor Peterson requested revenue and expense
information from those machines. Supt. Gray noted that the machines are easier to use
and noted that they take dollar bills and credit cards. Commissioner Goldsmith asked
whether revenues were up for the parking garages.
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Appeal of Snow Removal Bill for 205 Thurston Avenue – Discussion
This item was not discussed.
Sidewalk Work Plan 2011 – Discussion
This item was not discussed.
Curb Lawn Gardens – Discussion
This item was not discussed.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor