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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2011-08-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:47 p.m. August 10, 2011 PRESENT: Commissioners (6) – Acharya, Goldsmith, Jenkins, Morache, Warden, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney – Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works – Gray Assistant Superintendent of Public Works – Whitney Common Council Liaison – Zumoff Executive Assistant – Gehring EXCUSED: Mayor Peterson Assistant Superintendent of Public Works – Benjamin DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: Supt. Gray mentioned the handouts that were provided concerning Item 9.3, entitled “Resident Request to Amend Parking Regulations in the 400 Block of Worth Street.” 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. REPORTS: Board Liaisons: Commissioner Acharya reported that the Planning and Development Board held a special meeting to approve the continuation of Phase 2 of the Collegetown Terrace project, resulting in five votes in favor and two votes opposed. Council Liaison: Alderperson Zumoff reported that a meeting was scheduled for Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the South Hill/Emerson Power Transmission Remediation Project and that members of the Board of Public Works were invited to attend. Superintendent and Staff: Asst. Supt. Whitney provided an update on the water tank rehabilitation project, which should be completed by mid-October. He further reported that progress on Seneca Street was taking longer than anticipated, a water main break was recently repaired on Floral Avenue, and the preliminary site plan review for the water treatment plant should be presented to the Planning and Development Board in September 2011. Commissioner Warden arrived at 4:49 p.m. Supt. Gray reported that the concrete deck for the Columbia Street Pedestrian Bridge had been recently poured and was curing. He also reported that there were a number of projects undertaken by City crews, including the repaving of three blocks of North Tioga Street, and that proposed departmental budgets for 2012 had been submitted August 1st . Discussion followed on the floor regarding the construction currently taking place on Seneca and Green Streets. Supt. Gray reported that the crews working on Seneca and Green Streets are NYSEG contractors, and noted that these streets are state arterial routes so the City is not responsible for major construction on either street. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the July 20, 2011 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes – Resolution: By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Acharya Board of Public Works Page 2 August 10, 2011 Regular Meeting RESOLVED, That the minutes of the July 20, 2011 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as proposed. Ayes (5) Acharya, Goldsmith, Jenkins, Morache, Wykstra Nayes (0) Abstension (1) Warden Carried DISCUSSION ITEMS: Resident Request to Amend Parking Regulations in the 400 Block of Worth Street Junior Transportation Engineer Kent Johnson joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Supt. Gray began the discussion by explaining that there is a Residential Parking Permit System in place on East Hill that residents can choose to participate in to alleviate some parking issues caused by commuters. He stated that if parking is strongly impacted by commuters, where more than 75% of a city block is utilized on a daily basis, residents may petition the City to put the system in place. Junior Transportation Engineer Johnson explained the request from the resident on Worth Street and stated that the resident does have off-street parking for personal use. Supt. Gray noted that a large housing project had been approved for the end of Worth Street, which may cause extra traffic in this neighborhood. Discussion followed on the floor regarding available parking options, including implementing the Residential Parking Permit System. The Board expressed interest in offering the permit system to the residents of Worth Street, and expressed concern that if parking was limited on the block, traffic speeds might increase. Junior Transportation Engineer Johnson noted that there were discrepancies between the Vehicle and Traffic Schedule and the parking signs currently posted on the street in this neighborhood. He requested guidance from the Board as to whether the Schedule should be changed to match the signs or the signs changed to match the Schedule. The Board agreed that the Vehicle and Traffic Schedule should be modified to match the physical signs posted on the street. Proposed Fall Creek Stream Corridor Project – Possible Resolution: City Attorney Hoffman provided a short history regarding the parcel of land owned by the City located next to Fall Creek, across from the High School, that is currently being used as a parking lot for access to Ithaca High School. He further provided a summary of a proposal by the Tompkins County Planning Office to upgrade the Fall Creek Stream Corridor, including the City’s parcel of land. He explained that the proposal would eliminate the parking and install a vegetation barrier between the lot and the street. He noted the issues related to the County planting vegetation on the City’s property and provided several options for the Board to consider. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the proposed project. The Board expressed a strong desire for the City to retain full ownership of the parcel of land, and for the environmental review to include the entire project, not individual phases. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding expectations to be included in the license agreement. City Attorney Hoffman agreed to contact County Planner Scott Doyle to provide an update of this conversation to him. Vendor Sales of Trash Tags: Supt. Gray explained that City Chamberlain Debbie Parsons would like to update the agreements with local retail stores that sell trash tags as a convenience to the residents. The Board agreed that this is an administrative task. Modification to the State Arterial Maintenance Agreement: Supt. Gray provided a summary of the proposed State Arterial Maintenance Agreement and a history of the previous agreement provided by the state. He explained that in January 2011, New York State Dept. of Transportation (NYSDOT) wrote to the City stating that the State was taking over the maintenance of the traffic signals on state routes within the City. The State’s most recent proposal was for the City to pay the State the same amount that the State used to Board of Public Works Page 3 August 10, 2011 Regular Meeting pay the City for maintenance through the previous agreement. Supt. Gray recommended, and the Board agreed, that the City accept the proposal. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: Budget Discussion/Update: Supt. Gray explained that Asst. Supts. Whitney and Benjamin had worked hard to determine which portions of the 2012 budgets in Public Works could be cut. He noted that public works is a seasonal business, with the majority of work being completed during the spring and summer months, requiring seasonal labor. He further noted that the age distribution of the Department is leaning toward older workers, providing experience but not longevity. He expressed a strong desire that the City offer retirement incentives, not lay off employees. Commissioner Acharya addressed Alderperson Zumoff to urge Common Council to not make substantial cuts to the City budgets. He further encouraged the City to consolidate services with other municipalities on a long-term basis. Supt. Gray stated that he had contacted Tompkins County Administrator Joe Mareane to discuss consolidating and utilizing each other’s services. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor