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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2011-06-15BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. June 15, 2011 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (6) - Jenkins, Wykstra, Warden, Goldsmith, Acharya, Morache 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 DAC Liaison – Roberts Information Management Specialist - Myers Traffic Systems Engineer – Logue Alderperson Dotson Alderperson Clairborne ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Mayor Peterson requested the addition of a discussion item to the agenda regarding a proposal for Thompson Park from Alan Vogel. No Board Member objected. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS The Mayor had no communications for the Board at this time. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD No one appeared to address the Board. REPORTS Superintendent and Staff Supt. Gray reported to the Board that Department Heads received the Mayor’s 2012 budget message/guidelines this week. He stated that it will be a very difficult budget to prepare as it calls for developing two different budget scenarios – one with a 0% increase and the other with a -7% decrease; the proposed budgets also need to include any pay increases related to labor contracts. He further stated that department heads will also need to provide an unusual amount of back-up material with their budget submissions regarding each line item expense. He noted that current activities at the State level regarding a possible property tax cap, increased pension costs, as well as increased health insurance costs are to blame for the bleak budget outlook for the city. Discussion followed on the floor regarding how the budget for the department of Public Works would be prepared and the Board’s role in that work. The Board requested that additional budget review meetings be scheduled in order for them to be more involved with the budget preparation and to provide their input and recommendations to staff. Mayor Peterson requested that any additional budget meetings of the Board be clearly advertised to the public and held in accessible locations as well. Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that crews would finish work on West Court Street next week, and then move on to Columbia Street for re-paving work. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that Water and Sewer crews completed water main work on East Seneca Street, and will be continuing work on the sewer main portion. He noted that NYSEG is also doing work in this area as well, and that work should be completed by August. He further reported that repainting of the Cornell Street water tank should be complete by the first week in August, the repainting of the Oakwood Street water tank by September, and the Maple Avenue water tank by October 15, 2011. 2 June 15, 2011 Supt. Gray reported that the Seneca Street parking garage would be shut down on June 20th for ten days for repair work. He stated that the City is working with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, and the Hilton Garden Inn on providing parking at the other garages during the work. He further reported that the City’s forestry team has installed mylar ribbon in the trees in the tree grove on The Commons, which seems to be working to keep the birds away because the daily clean up of the area is becoming less and less. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the May 25, 2011 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes – Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Morache RESOLVED, That the minutes of the May 25, 2011 Board of Public Works meeting be approved with noted corrections. Carried Unanimously HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS Approval for the Removal of the Fair Street Traffic Diverters – Resolution By Commissioner Warden: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from the Ithaca Housing Authority to remove the diagonal diverter at the intersection of Wood Street and Fair Street, and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Fire Department and the Board of Fire Commissioners has requested that the Board of Public Works remove said diverter as well as the diagonal diverter at the intersection of South Street and Fair Street, as well as the speed bumps on South and Wood Streets, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works held a public hearing on the removal of the diverters on March 9, 2011, and WHEREAS, the City Transportation Engineer has conducted traffic counts and made a recommendation to remove the two “diverters,” now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby directs the Department of Public Works to remove the two “diverters” on Fair Street and to restore the intersections as appropriate, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the City Transportation Engineer conduct a follow up study to monitor traffic volumes and speeds on Wood and South Streets and make a recommendation for any further action, if any, within the next year. Traffic Systems Engineer Logue, Alderperson Dotson, and Alderperson Clairborne joined the Board for discussion of this item. Alderperson Dotson noted that the neighborhood is very concerned about the diverters being removed without something else put in to help slow traffic through the neighborhood. She also wondered what the City’s cost would be to remove the diverters and how large a project it would be for staff to complete. Supt. Gray responded that it would probably cost $3,000 to $5,000 to remove the diverters. Asst. Supt. Benjamin noted that the rock garden would be removed, the curb reveal would be cleared, and crews would make sure drainage was adequate. Discussion followed on the floor regarding information provided to the Board about traffic counts in the neighborhood. Traffic Systems Engineer Logue stated that he would be surprised if the traffic increased more than 10% in the neighborhood once the diverters are removed. He explained that construction of the round-about, and the widening of Spencer Street that have helped in decreasing traffic flow in the neighborhood as well. 3 June 15, 2011 Disability Advisory Council Liaison Roberts questioned whether the sidewalks and curb cuts in the area could be improved since crews would be there removing the diverters. He stated that these amenities would greatly assist the residents of Titus Towers. Commissioner Morache expressed his concern for the lack of a back-up plan if traffic increases after the diverters are removed, and the concerns that have been raised from the neighborhood regarding the possibility of increased traffic or speeding in the neighborhood. He stated that he would like the resolution to also address neighborhood concerns. Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra RESOLVED, That the first Resolved clause be amended to read as follows: “RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby directs the Department of Public Works to remove the two “diverters” on Fair Street, restore the intersections as appropriate, and install four-way stop signs at both intersections, and be it further” Traffic Systems Engineer Logue stated that the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” instructs municipalities to conduct a traffic study or obtain crash history information for the intersection before the installation of four-way stop signs. He noted that at this point it would be hard to justify the need for such signs. He further stated that a traffic study could be conducted of the intersection if needed. Supt. Gray stated that the reaction from the neighborhood about the removal of the diverters is normal. He further stated that they were installed as a temporary means of traffic control, and that once they are removed the intersection can be monitored closely to see if traffic increases or not. He further noted that the current traffic counts for this neighborhood are relatively low for being so close to a New York State highway. He cautioned that what is done in one area of the city will have impacts, either positive or negative, on other areas of the City that need to be considered as well. He further explained why it would be good to keep the resolution as written with no amendments, in an effort to balance all the needs of the area. Disability Advisory Council Liaison Roberts left the meeting at 5:55 p.m. Supt. Gray stated that this is not something that will get dropped, if traffic should increase in the neighborhood. He is sure that the City would be notified immediately by the neighborhood should that occur. A Vote on the Amending Resolution Resulted as Follows Failed (0-7) Traffic Systems Engineer Logue stated that he would do traffic counts of the neighborhood in the Fall; however, if traffic dramatically increases, he will report back to the Board sooner. He further stated that it would probably be good to get traffic counts in the Spring as well. Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Acharya RESOLVED, That the last Resolved clause be amended to read as follows: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the City Transportation Engineer conduct a follow up study to monitor traffic volumes and speeds on Wood and South Streets and that if traffic increases by 10% or if speeds increase over 30 mph after 6 months, City Traffic Systems Engineer will explore new traffic calming options with the neighborhood, with the intent of implementing such options if traffic volume and speed increases persist after one year.” Ayes (2) Morache, Acharya Nays (5) Peterson, Goldsmith, Jenkins, Wykstra, Warden Abstentions (0) Failed 4 June 15, 2011 Call The Question: By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra RESOLVED, That the question be called on the second amending resolution. Ayes (4) Jenkins, Warden, Goldsmith, Wykstra Nays (3) Morache, Acharya, Peterson Abstentions (0) Failed City Attorney Hoffman noted that all actions taken by a governing body need to be in compliance with environmental review laws. He explained that under a Type II action no environmental review would be required for the installation of the diverters; however, it does not talk about what, if any, action is required for removal of diverters. Traffic Systems Engineer Logue responded that the diverters are not a traffic control device, they are a traffic calming device, so they could be a Type II action. Commissioner Wykstra further noted that the diverters were a temporary traffic calming means. Supt. Gray stated that the Six Point Traffic Plan, which included the installation of the diverters, involved extensive environmental review, and that the City does have a lot of that background information if it were ever questioned. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted As Follows: Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS: Request For Site Plan Review And Landmarks Commission Action On Proposal For Decorative Chains In Dewitt Park – Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra WHEREAS, the DeWitt Park Restoration Committee, a community group that includes military veterans, has made a proposal for action that is intended to discourage inappropriate use of and further damage to several memorials to local war veterans that are located in the central plaza of DeWitt Park; and WHEREAS, the proposal is for the installation of decorative chain fences approximately thirty inches high and located approximately one foot from the front of the Civil War, World War I and World War II monuments, which placement is intended in particular to discourage the riding of skateboards along the front base of said monuments, which activity has been causing physical damage to the monuments; and WHEREAS, the Restoration Committee has indicated that it is prepared to pay for the cost of installing the proposed fences; and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works, on behalf of the City, wishes to pursue this possibility, for the purpose of protecting the monuments; and WHEREAS the owner of DeWitt Park, namely, the First Presbyterian Church, from whom the City of Ithaca leases the park, has indicated in a letter from its pastor, dated June 2, 2011, that the church supports the proposal; and WHEREAS, according to the City Attorney, the proposed action is exempt from environmental review, but requires site plan review (as a “project of limited scope”) and, because it would occur within the DeWitt Park historic district, either a report or a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (depending on whether the proposed change is deemed to be to an improvement owned by the City, or owned by someone else – e.g., the church); now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby requests that the City’s Board of Planning and Development (or the Director of Planning and Development, for expedited review) facilitate and commence site plan review for the proposed chain fences, as soon as is practical; and be it further 5 June 15, 2011 RESOLVED, That the Board hereby requests that the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission facilitate and commence the appropriate review of and action on the proposed chain fences, as soon as is practical, so that the Board can vote on the proposal in the near future. Carried Unanimously Viet Nam Veteran and DeWitt Park Restoration Committee member, Holly Hollingsworth, thanked the Board for their time and support on their request. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Curb Lawn Gardens This item was not discussed. Cornell Bridge Means Restriction Mayor Peterson stated that the Planning and Economic Development Committee would be discussing this item at their meeting this evening. Commissioner Goldsmith stated that e-mails from “Ithaca is Fences” to Common Council and the Board of Public Works have been contentious, and noted that he understands the frustration of the writers. He also felt that Cornell University decided early on that the suicide barriers were needed and then they became “means restrictions”. He stated that a discussion needs to be held regarding whether or not means restriction is needed, because so far the discussion has only concentrated on their design and how they will look. He felt this was a Common Council matter, and now it is before the Board of Public Works for their recommendation. He was under the assumption that the decision had already been made about what was going to be done, and now he is a little bewildered. City Attorney Hoffman responded that the decision as to whether or not to allow the barriers on city bridges would fall to the Board of Public Works, unless Common Council determined otherwise, except that Common Council did establish the May 31, 2011 deadline for the submission of proposed designs of the barriers. Commissioner Goldsmith stated that if the Board of Public Works had known it would be responsible for the decision, then it would have been having more serious discussions as to whether or not barriers should be installed on the bridges. He noted that to date, the Board has only had presentations about proposed designs. Common Council Liaison Zumoff stated that the City Charter says that the Board of Public Works is responsible for all city bridges. There are social implications here that go deeper, and everything else being equal this is a request to modify the bridges that the Board of Public Works needs to make. Mayor Peterson stated that there would be monetary decisions that will need to be made as well. The City is trying to determine how to start this conversation, get the community to weigh in, and review a lot of information that has been presented. Commissioner Warden stated that when the bridge means restriction discussions started, and he was appointed to the means restriction committee that the “cons” about the proposal were not heard for a long time, only the “pros” of the proposal. He is also frustrated with the tone of the emails that have been received from “Ithaca is Fences” as well, and the fact that Cornell University’s findings are being disputed. He further noted that there is real hesitation on the Board’s part to not support because then they will be labeled as not caring about preventing suicides. It is a difficult conversation, and the Board of Public Works needs to hear all sides and read all the information, other than that provided by Cornell University, so it can make a decision. Mayor Peterson stated that the Planning and Economic Development Committee needs to determine who will make the decision. She believes the intent is for Common Council to make it. 6 June 15, 2011 Commissioner Wykstra expressed concern regarding Common Council making the decision rather than the Board of Public Works. He feels that it is the Board’s charge to consider all the information that has been provided (i.e. the proposal for the installation of netting under the bridges), input from staff, and provide its recommendation to Common Council. Mayor Peterson noted that Cornell University provided an opportunity for the Board to attend a presentation or have the presentation given to them at a meeting here, but the Board did not want to do that. Commissioner Acharya stated that he does not feel, fundamentally, that this is a Board of Public Works matter. He feels that Common Council needs to take charge of it and make the decision because he feels it goes beyond the Board’s control. Mayor Peterson stated that Common Council has not held its own public hearing, which is another part of the decision process. She further stated that whatever the Planning and Economic Development Committee decides tonight will impact how the decision making process should move forward. Commissioner Goldsmith stated that Cornell University offered a presentation, but that there are overriding issues which need to be discussed by Common Council before discussions take place regarding proposed designs for the barriers. Common Council Liaison Zumoff noted that Common Council will need to make the final decision since it has policy and financial implications. He noted that Common Council would like the Board of Public Works to provide them with their recommendation, as well. NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Peterson invited Alan Vogel to provide a brief presentation to the Board regarding his proposal to construct and install a mobile pagoda/pavilion in Thompson Park. Mr. Vogel explained his idea of a modest and moveable pagoda or pavilion to be installed in a city park. He would like to install it at Thompson Park near where his late son lived. He went on to show other examples of small moveable structures that he has designed and built in Trumansburg as part of a small children’s village. He has presented his idea to the Parks Commission, who is supportive of it as well. He distributed pictures of structures that have been built and of the proposed structure for Thompson Park. He further explained that he is looking for the Board’s support of the request so that he can proceed, with what he would like to call a “community project” that could expand to other parks in the city. He stated that he and his wife would pay for the materials for the structure and he would construct it himself. ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor