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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2010-10-20 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