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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2010-11-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:53 p.m. November 10, 2010 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (4) – Goldsmith, Jenkins, Warden, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney – Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works – Gray Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin Common Council Liaison – Zumoff Executive Assistant – Gehring Traffic Engineer – Logue EXCUSED: Commissioner Brock DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Supt Gray requested the Board review and approve item 8.1A, entitled “Award of Contract for Seneca Street Parking Garage – Slab and Beam Repairs,” at today’s meeting, because of the need to immediately begin this emergency work. He explained that the other resolutions on the agenda were not as time sensitive, and could be considered at next week’s meeting. He further noted that Traffic Engineer Logue prepared material regarding parking rates for today’s meeting as well. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Peterson requested adjustments in the order of the agenda due to the attendance of members of the public at the meeting. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: No one appeared to address the Board REPORTS: Board Liaisons: Commissioner Wykstra reported that the Special Joint Committee (SJC) passed a resolution authorizing a settlement for the First Energy lawsuit against the City. He further stated that the SJC was also moving forward with a performance contract for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant with Johnson Controls. Commissioner Warden updated the Board on discussions taking place at the Means Restrictions Committee meetings. He stated different design options for every bridge were being reviewed. Supt. Gray stated that he would distribute the packet of information that was provided at the last Means Restrictions meeting to Board members, and provide them with the website address set up by Cornell University to provide additional information. Discussion followed on the floor regarding design options for city-owned bridges versus Cornell-owned bridges. Superintendent and Staff: Supt. Gray reported that the asphalt plants were closing for the season. He stated that crews are transitioning into winter activities, collection of yard waste and work is continuing with the clean up after the recent construction and beautification project at Franklin Street. He Invited Board members to take a field trip to see the improvements made at Franklin Street. Board of Public Works Page 2 November 10, 2010 Regular Meeting APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the August 25, 2010 Board of Public Works Meeting – Resolution By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the August 25, 2010 Board of Public Works Meeting be approved as proposed. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS: Request for Expungement of Sidewalk Assessment for 218-220 University Avenue – Discussion Richard Thaler, attorney for the current property owner, and Scott Miller, attorney for the previous property owner, joined the Board for the discussion of this item. City Attorney Hoffman explained the request for expungement, stating that the sidewalk was replaced, and then the property was sold. The assessment that was sent to the new property owner did not reflect the fee associated with sidewalk replacement. He further explained that Attorney Thaler asserts that the new property owner should not be responsible for the sidewalk assessment fee. Commissioner Warden recused himself from discussion of this item due to a conflict of interest. Attorney Miller explained that he represented Peter and Sherry Newell during the transfer of title for this property, which took place in 2009, to Cook Properties LLC. He stated that after the property was sold, it was discovered that a sidewalk assessment was placed against the property. He further explained that Mr. Newell passed away two years ago, and his wife does not have any knowledge of the sidewalk assessment. He stated that a lien was not placed against the property at the time of the sale, so no one knew there was an amount owed prior to the sale. He advised that the City should have some regularity of process and service regarding potential assessments against properties. He stated there does not seem to be adequate proof that the previous owners ever received notice of the sidewalk assessment. Mr. Thaler explained that his client, Cook Properties, began the process of purchasing the property in 2008. He further explained that his clients then received a sidewalk assessment in December 2009 - for repairs that were completed in 2005. He expressed his opinion that his clients should not be responsible for the bill. He feels that the City took too much time to notify the new property owner of the assessment. Discussion followed on the floor regarding notification to the property owners prior to 2008 regarding sidewalk assessments. Tax searches are done at the time of the sale of a property, and any unpaid assessments are transferred with the property and become liens. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the property owner’s responsibility to disclose information to the buyer about any possible assessments that might be forthcoming, specifically related to sidewalk assessments. Mr. Miller explained that paperwork was sent to Mr. Newell in 2007, but it was not a bill. The City reconstructed the sidewalk in 2005, but the property owner was not billed for that work until 2009. He suggested the City consider updating their procedure for putting property owners on notice of any assessments, so that billing is done closer to the time that the work is completed. Supt. Gray and City Attorney Hoffman will meet with engineering staff by the end of the month to discuss this assessment. Board of Public Works Page 3 November 10, 2010 Regular Meeting CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS: Flooding of 333 Spencer Road – Discussion Property owner Robert Studtner joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Supt. Gray explained that the information provided to the Board shows stormwater problems that are outside the city limits. He further stated the Mr. Studtner understands the City is not able to assist with the situation, but hopes the City can be an advocate on his behalf with the Town of Ithaca and Emerson to help resolve the problem. Mr. Studtner briefly explained the problem with the overflowing creek and where the water flows during heavy rains. He is afraid that it will cause excess erosion and damage to the railroad. Discussion followed on the floor regarding possible solutions to drainage of the stormwater so that it does not flow through Mr. Studtner’s property. Supt. Gray volunteered to discuss the issue with the Town of Ithaca Public Works Superintendent. He noted that if it’s not a building or stormwater runoff issue, the Town may not provide be able to provide assistance. Mayor Peterson noted that the City Building Department has experience working on these types of issues as well and should be included in the discussions for a possible solution to this problem. VOTING ITEM BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE, AND TRANSIT: Award of Contract for Seneca Street Parking Garage – Slab and Beam Repairs – 2010 – Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, inspection of the Seneca Street Parking Garage has revealed defects to slabs and beams which require immediate repair in order to permit continued use of portions of the garage for parking, and WHEREAS, repair of some structural defects before winter weather conditions prevail constitutes an emergency, and WHEREAS, proposals to make emergency repairs were solicited from five contracting companies engaged in structural repairs of parking garages, and WHEREAS, proposals were received on November 5, 2010 for Seneca Street Parking Garage – Slab and Beam Repairs – 2010, and WHEREAS, the 2010 General Fund Budget includes capital funds for repairs to the Seneca Garage, and WHEREAS, Patterson-Stevens, Inc., 400 Sawyer Avenue, Tonawanda, NY, submitted the lowest qualified proposal of $36,555.00, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby awards the contract for Seneca Street Parking Garage – Slab and Beam Repairs – 2010 to Patterson- Stevens, Inc., for $ 36,555.00, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor be and hereby is authorized to execute this contract, and that the Superintendent of Public Works be and hereby is authorized to administer the same. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS PARKING AND TRAFFIC: Parking Revenues and Expenses – Discussion Traffic Engineer Tim Logue joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Board of Public Works Page 4 November 10, 2010 Regular Meeting Mayor Peterson explained that Common Council approved a resolution at their November 3rd meeting that directed the Board of Public Works to provide a solution for producing the parking revenue for 2011 by December 22, 2010, or they would determine the solution. Supt. Gray explained today’s meeting is for the introduction of material regarding parking rates and discussion of them. He then would provide a proposed resolution for the Board meeting on November 17, 2010. He expressed concern that if the Board waited until December to vote, the City Chamberlain and City Controller’s offices would have a difficult time incorporating any changes to the system by January 1st. Traffic Engineer Logue distributed additional information to the Board and explained the options that the City could implement to increase parking revenues. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the different options, assumptions that were made when projecting possible revenues for each option, where to locate the new parking meters, and utilizing monthly permits in municipal parking lots. Commissioner Goldsmith noted that the suggested options would be implemented in tiers, with additional pay stations being installed, and additional enforcement will be required in addition to preparation of agreements with the Police Department. Supt. Gray explained the assumptions in this year’s budget were $170,000 for downtown parking and $25,000 for west end parking. Traffic Engineer Logue explained the data that was distributed regarding the number of patrons per hour for the Green Street and Seneca Street parking garages. He stated that almost half were parked for less than one hour. He further explained the following options and the projected revenue increases for each option that the Board could consider: 1. Collect money where we don’t currently collect 2. Extend hours of collection both on-street and in the garages 3. Increase parking fees across the board 4. Increase the hourly rate in the garages 5. Eliminate the first hour free in garages 6. Charge for the first hour and have the second hour free in garages 7. Charge $.75 for every hour 8. Charge a standard fee up front for all-day parking in the garages 9. Increase the monthly parking permit fees Supt. Gray noted that the option to pay a flat rate up front for all-day parking would cover the cost of maintaining the garage for each vehicle parked in the garage. He compared it to parking in any surface lot in larger cities where motorists are charged $3- $6 and the attendant is gone by 2 p.m. because they have their money in advance. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the implementation of the chosen option(s), adding pay stations to surface lots and Collegetown, extra costs associated with extending parking garage hours, and parking in the west end. Commissioner Goldsmith expressed his support for eliminating the first hour free. Supt. Gray also expressed support for eliminating the first hour free and to adding fees to the west end parking lots. He further noted that it will take time to implement the approved options. Traffic Engineer Logue stated he would provide the Board with recommendations for them to consider at the November 17, 2010, meeting. Board of Public Works Page 5 November 10, 2010 Regular Meeting ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: BPW Meeting Dates for November/December 2010 – Discussion Discussion was held regarding moving the November 24th meeting to another date due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Board agreed to postpone the meeting scheduled for November 24, 2010 to November 30, 2010. PARKING AND TRAFFIC: Approval of Mitchell Street Uphill Bicycle Lane – Resolution By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has expressed interest in having the E. State St. uphill bike lane extended up Mitchell St. (to Ithaca Road) to better serve bicyclists traveling from the downtown Ithaca area to the Collegetown/Cornell/East Hill area, and WHEREAS, uphill bike lanes benefit bicyclists by allowing them to travel comfortably at their own pace without feeling that they are impeding overtaking motorists, and benefit motorists by allowing them to safely pass bicyclists without crossing the centerline, and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Bicycle Plan recommends the installation of a bike lane in this location, and WHEREAS, the recent elimination of on-street parking in this vicinity will easily facilitate the installation of such a bike lane, and WHEREAS, the Office of the City Engineer supports this proposal, and WHEREAS, the addition of this bike lane segment will increase the City’s total length of bike lanes by 16% (1,100 feet), and WHEREAS, the existing Bike Plan Capital Project #325 has sufficient funding remaining to cover the design and installation of said bike lane, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to design and install said bike lane. Carried Unanimously To Amend Vehicles and Traffic Schedule XII, Parking Prohibited at All Times, in regard to the 400 Block of Franklin Street – Resolution By Commissioner Warden: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works is progressing a project to redesign the north side of the 400 block of Franklin Street in conjunction with the redevelopment of the Water & Sewer Division’s yard on the street, and WHEREAS, the design for the street calls for parking on the north side of the street along a tree lawn and sidewalk and no parking on the south side of the street, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Section 346-4 of the City Code to adopt and to amend a system of Schedules in order to administer the Vehicles and Traffic Law, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is in agreement with this plan and the associated changes to the Schedules, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the north side of the 400 block of Franklin Street shall be considered Odd/Even parking and therefore, in accordance with Section 346-26 of the City Code, does not need to be listed in the Schedules, and be it further, RESOLVED, That Schedule XII, Parking Prohibited at All Times, be hereby amended to add the following entry: Name of Street Side Location (From/To) Franklin Street South Third Street to First Street Board of Public Works Page 6 November 10, 2010 Regular Meeting Amending Resolution By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Warden RESOLVED, that the second Resolved Clause be amended to read as follows: “RESOLVED, That Schedule XII, Parking Prohibited at All Times, be hereby amended to add the following entry, effective December 1, 2010:” Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended A Vote on the Main Motion as Amended Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously WATER AND SEWER: 8.5A Appeal of Water Bill for 205 Old Elmira Road – Resolution This item was not discussed. ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor