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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:51 p.m. October 20, 2010
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (5) – Brock, Goldsmith, Jenkins, Warden, Wykstra
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney – Hoffman
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin
Common Council Liaison – Zumoff
Executive Assistant – Gehring
EXCUSED:
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Goldsmith requested the deletion of Item 7.1, entitled “BPW Review of
Charter”. No Board member objected.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Peterson reported that three budget meetings remain along with the regular City
Administration Committee meeting which will discuss carry-over items. Common
Council will vote on the adoption of the proposed 2011 budget at their November
meeting.
Common Council Liaison Zumoff arrived at 4:56 p.m.
Mayor Peterson reported that Lisa Jackson, Director of the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), asked her to serve a two-year term on an advisory committee in
Washington, D.C. that would begin in November 2010. A press release will be sent out
in the near future that will explain the appointment in more detail.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Susan Blumenthal, 305 Mitchell Street, expressed her thanks to the Board for their
support of the parking resolution she submitted concerning changes to parking on
Mitchell Street. She urged the City expedite the installation of the “No Parking” signs on
Mitchell Street.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC:
There was no response to the public.
REPORTS:
Mayor Peterson reported that Common Council is in agreement that the first hour free
parking should not be removed, and they request that the Board of Public Works submit
a recommendation on ways to make up the $200,000 deficit in parking revenues by the
Board’s last meeting in December 2010. She further stated that should the Board not
submit a recommendation by the end of December, Common Council will make a
decision at their January 2011 meeting.
Commissioner Jenkins arrived at 5:09 p.m.
Asst. Supt. Benjamin noted that the southern end of the Inlet Island parking lot had
been paved and was ready for use. Commissioner Goldsmith suggested dedicating
one Board meeting to a discussion on parking, to include the city-wide parking policy.
Commissioner Brock suggested that an additional Commissioner join with her to meet
with staff to discuss parking policy and come up with recommendations for the Board to
discuss. Commissioner Goldsmith volunteered to join the parking policy committee.
Board of Public Works Page 2 October 20, 2010
Regular Meeting
Commissioner Brock, as Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Council Liaison, reported that
BPAC is requesting that the State DOT review the signage at the intersection of
Meadow Street and South Street, which was the location of a pedestrian death due to
being struck by a vehicle. She stated that the pedestrian was struck while crossing the
street in the crosswalk.
Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that the 1000 bock of West Seneca Street had been
paved; crews would begin planting trees on Franklin Street; tree crews are grinding
stumps so new trees could be planted this fall throughout the City; and West Court
Street between Meadow and Fulton Streets would be closed beginning Monday for coal
tar remediation that NYSEG would be completing. Discussion followed on the floor
about NYSEG’s plan for street closure and the schedule of work. Further discussion
followed on the floor about possible street paving projects for 2011.
Supt. Gray reported that the second annual pharmaceutical disposal day was held on
October 16, 2010, and that 1,100 lbs of pills and medications were brought in for
disposal. He further reported that inspections of the Seneca Street Garage were
currently underway; the shelter for the SWAT bus is being built; the Cass Park ice rink is
making ice; two soil borings have been completed at Alex Haley Municipal Pool that
have not detected any contamination; the solar hot water heaters are ready to be
installed in a city buildings; and the Cayuga Waterfront Trail is in its final stages of
construction. He further noted that the pedestrian bridges in Stewart Park over Fall
Creek have been upgraded with new decks and are available for use.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the Minutes of the September 15, 2010 Board of Public Works
Meeting – Resolution
By Commissioner Goldsmith : Seconded by Commissioner Brock
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the September 15, 2010, Board of Public Works
Meeting be approved as modified.
Carried Unanimously
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS:
BPW Review of Charter – Discussion Continued, start at C-62
This item was not discussed.
VOTING ITEMS
PARKING AND TRAFFIC:
Amendment to Vehicle and Traffic Schedule XII: Parking Prohibited at All Times in
regard to Mitchell Street - Resolution
By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Chapter 346 (“Vehicles and
Traffic”), Section 346-4 (“Schedules; adoption of regulations”), of the City Code to adopt
and amend a system of schedules in order to administer the provisions of Chapter 346,
and
WHEREAS, such schedules are intended to appear under “Part 2” of Chapter 346, and
WHEREAS, Engineering staff in the Department of Public Works has determined that
the current parking regulation allowing daytime parking in the 200 and 300 blocks of
Mitchell Street is inadvisable, due to the high volume of traffic (particularly truck traffic)
on that street, the somewhat narrow street width, and short sight distances that could
pose traffic hazards; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the entry for Mitchell Street in Vehicle and Traffic Schedule XII
(“Parking Prohibited at All Times”) be amended to read as follows, and that the City
Clerk be requested to ensure that Part 2 of Chapter 346 be modified accordingly:
Name of Street Side Location
Mitchell Street South From Ithaca Rd to the city line
Both Entire length (except for the pull-off in the 500 block)
Carried Unanimously
Board of Public Works Page 3 October 20, 2010
Regular Meeting
Discussion followed on the floor regarding including the installation of an uphill bicycle
lane on Mitchell Street when the new signage for “No Parking” is in place. The Board
requested that a resolution be prepared recommending the installation of the uphill
bicycle lane for their October 27, 2010 meeting agenda.
CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS:
Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance for East Clinton Street Bridge
Replacement and Prospect Street Reconstruction Project – Resolution
Bridge Systems Engineer Addisu Gebre joined the Board for the discussion of this item.
Commissioner Goldsmith expressed concern regarding the re-routing of traffic during
the construction period, stating that the proposed detour will cause the same traffic
concerns in residential areas that occurred this summer during the water and sewer
work on the same street. Supt. Gray explained that the City is obligated to create the
official detour because Clinton Street is a state numbered route and visitors to Ithaca
will follow the detour.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding unofficial detours that residents will take, the
difficulties with creating detours due to the topography in the area, and the installation of
temporary traffic deterrents to ensure motorists are not able to create their own detours.
City Attorney Hoffman suggested that the detour map include unofficial, unsanctioned
detours that might occur and to recommend areas for traffic calming measures.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding concerns with the Full
Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF) and the need to complete Part 3 of the form.
Mayor Peterson expressed her agreement with the resolution and requested that all
parts of the form contain consistent information.
Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:13 p.m.
Commissioner Brock expressed her belief that the City has fully satisfied the
requirements of Part 2, and that Part 3 of the FEAF is not necessary. She further stated
that she does not feel there is a significantly large impact to the environment because of
this project. City Attorney Hoffman suggested that a subcommittee of the Board review
the forms to ensure all parts agree. The Board agreed to include this item on the
October 27, 2010, agenda.
WATER AND SEWER:
Appeal of Water Bill for 109 North Cayuga Street – Resolution
By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith
WHEREAS, James Bilinski, representing the owner of 109 North Cayuga Street,
contacted several departments to protest the supplemental bill of $891.84 he had
received due to the incorrect meter head, which was installed as part of the city-wide
program to change to automated meter reading, and
WHEREAS, a review of the data showed that the water meter had not been changed
but a new register which would under register water passing through the meter by a
factor of approximately 5 had been changed, and that the four quarters before the
change showed an average water consumption of ¼ (199 + 168 + 254 + 207) = 207
units, while the four quarters after the changes was ¼ (36 + 17 + 16 + 18) = 22 units,
indicating that the register was significantly under recording actual consumption, and
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the services represented by a corrected bill
were received and consumed by 109 North Cayuga Street and should be recovered
through the supplemental billing, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the supplemental bill to 109 North Cayuga Street in the amount of
$891.84 is due and payable and that any penalties billed or accrued on this amount are
waived but will start to accrue after November 15, 2010.
Board of Public Works Page 4 October 20, 2010
Regular Meeting
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Warden
RESOLVED, That the second whereas clause be amended to read as follows:
“WHEREAS, a review of the data showed that the water meter had not been changed,
but that a new register which under registered water passing through the meter by a
factor of approximately 5 had been installed, and that the four quarters before the
change showed an average water consumption of ¼ (199 + 168 + 254 + 207) = 207
units, while the four quarters after the changes was ¼ (36 + 17 + 16 + 18) = 22 units,
indicating that the register was significantly under recording actual consumption, and”
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion As Amended:
A Vote on the Main Motion as Amended Resulted as Follows:
Ayes (4) Jenkins, Wykstra, Warden, Goldsmith
Nayes (0)
Abstentions (1) Brock
Carried (4-0)
Mayor Peterson absent
DISCUSSION ITEMS
CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS:
Cass Park Dock Use Summary – Update
Supt. Gray began the discussion regarding the observed use of the docks during the
summer. Commissioner Brock expressed her opinion that public land is held in public
trust irrespective of observed use, and lack of active use does not give permission for
granting a license for exclusive use. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the use
of parkland.
WATER AND SEWER:
Appeal of Water Bill for 205 Old Elmira Road – Discussion
Supt. Gray referred to the table and graph provided to the Board regarding the account
for 205 Old Elmira Road and explained that leak notices were sent to Mr. Lucatelli,
property owner, in March, June, and September 2009. He reminded the Board that Mr.
Lucatelli had reported that he found the leak when his water and electric bills
dramatically increased in the September 2009. He noted that the recommendation from
Asst. Supt. Whitney was to award $1,886 in credit for the water that leaked into the
ground and did not go into the sewer system. Commissioner Wykstra stated that it is a
good service that the City provides to warn citizens that there may be a leak, and he
agrees with giving the partial credit.
Appeal of Water Bill for 804 Stewart Avenue – Discussion
Supt. Gray referred to the data on the graph that was presented for this account. He
explained that the water meter was replaced with a meter that had under registered
water usage. He stated that there may be an issue that has not yet been found that is
causing excessive water usage. He further stated that the recommendation from Asst.
Supt. Whitney was to keep the water bill as is. He suggested adding a resolution to the
October 27, 2010 meeting agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor