HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2014-12-22BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. December 22, 2014
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Commissioners (4) - Morache, Goldsmith, Jenkins, Darling
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works - Thorne
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
Director of Engineering - West
Parking Director – Nagy
City Forester - Grace
EXCUSED:
Commissioner Warden
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Benjamin
Assistant Superintendent for Water & Sewer - Whitney
Common Council Liaison – Fleming
REPORTS:
Parks Commission:
Commissioner Goldsmith reported that the Parks Commission expressed their concerns
and disappointment that they weren’t included earlier in the process of Lake Street
Bridge/Ithaca Falls Plaza project. They felt that their feedback was sought very late in
the process.
Mayor Myrick noted that this was initially a bridge project that later evolved into a park
improvement project.
Director of Engineering West explained that this project is still in the design phase and
no final decisions have been made. Further discussion followed regarding the process
involved in the development of a project.
Planning Board:
Commissioner Darling reported that the Planning Board also discussed the Lake Street
Bridge/Ithaca Falls Plaza and wanted to remind the Department of Public Works of the
Site Plan requirement.
He further reported that the Planning Board had discussed the traffic plan for the east
end of the Commons as part of the Canopy Hotel project. They suggested that the City
continue its efforts to obtain control of Green and Seneca Streets from the New York
State Department of Transportation.
Discussion followed regarding the City and State’s initiative to improve truck safety on
the hills surrounding Ithaca. Mayor Myrick reported that many recommendations are
being made such as re-routing trucks, and adding weigh stations and pull-offs. The
State will add additional signage on the downhill side of East State/MLK Street and
have made suggestions to the City regarding signage as well. A public meeting is being
scheduled for January, 2015. Research has shown that 94% of the trucks traveling
through Tompkins County have either originated there or have a stop in the area. Only
6% of the truck traffic is traveling through the area.
Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes December 22, 2014
2
SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Superintendent of Public Works Thorne reported on the following:
The City Attorney’s Office is working on the easements needed for the Cascadilla
Gorge Rim Trail project. Staff is looking into fencing options. The trail is
projected to be re-opened in late winter/early spring.
Water swap discussions are on-going with Cornell.
A Task Force is being created to discuss the scope of the Stormwater Study.
Bids for the Cayuga Waterfront Trail project came in under budget. The bid will
be awarded in January.
Parking Director Nagy reported on the following:
Transient Revenue
Sept final Number up 35%
Over Last Year up $22,010.58
Year to date up $151,652.07
Oct. thru 5 days up 11%
Over last year up $7,903.00
Year to date up $159,555.44
On Street Revenue for November
Down 10% $5,909.00
Coin Collections $46,098.00
Tickets and boots $6,747.00
Total Revenue $52,845.00
Issuance Down 38% 4751/2945
Boot Revenue
Boot Revenue DEC $1,107.00 $4,045.00 YTD
Letters DEC $3,532.25 $17,773.25 YTD
Dismissed DEC $1,823.25 $11,848.25 YTD
Total DEC $6,462.50 $33,666.50 YTD
LPR
Hits 1,239 YTD
Tickets 453 YTD
2 Hour 99 YTD
24 Hour 342 YTD
Boots 32 YTD
Bad Reads 129 YTD
2 hour free at downtown garages
Parkers 3,439 hours $2,235
DIA will pay $1,117.50 $1,117.50 Common Project will pay
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the November 24, 2014 Minutes
By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the November 24, 2014 Board of Public Works
meeting be approved as published.
Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes December 22, 2014
3
VOTING ITEMS:
8.1 Buildings, Properties, Refuse and Transit:
A. Request for Encroachment Agreement/License at 171 East State Street –
Proposed Resolution
By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Darling
WHEREAS, Scott Dolphin on behalf of TTH Associates LLC, which is the Owner of the
property at 171 East State Street, known as Center Ithaca (Tax Map Parcel No. 70.-4-
5.1), in the City of Ithaca, has requested an encroachment agreement/license from the
City into the adjacent airspace above the street right-of-way for East State Street; and
WHEREAS, the encroachment consists of the following:
A LED display marquee, at an elevation of 9 feet, 7 inches above the
ground and upward 3 feet, 6 inches, encroaching in the street right of
way starting from the north face of the building located at 171 East
State Street, and extending over the right of way to the north
approximately 4 feet, 1 inch for a span of approximately 15 feet, 5
inches running east and west, parallel to the building, thereby
encompassing an encroachment into the right of way by approximately
62.95 square feet, which is shown on a drawing entitled “171 State St –
Center Ithaca Proposed New LED Marquee” prepared by Scott Dolphin
Studio,
WHEREAS, it appears that the proposed overhang encroachment is inside the current
location of the existing public sidewalks on the south side of East State Street and will
not interfere with the sidewalk and right of way as currently constituted; and
WHEREAS, the applicant has submitted a sign permit application for the proposed LED
display marquee, and the Building Division has informed the applicant that the proposed
marquee will require a variance; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent does not anticipate any conflicts in the near future with
public works uses or needs; and
WHEREAS, the 2013-14 schedule of fees for use of City-owned property requires an
initial application fee of $100 for new licenses, and stipulates that annual use fee for the
Ithaca Commons, primary or secondary license fee category shall be calculated at
$2.77 per square foot resulting in an annual use fee of $174.37 with such rate thereafter
subject to adjustment by the consumer price index and property taxes assessed against
the City, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the request for an
encroachment at 171 East State Street, as proposed, contingent upon the following:
compliance with all requirements of the sign permit application process, including
obtaining any applicable variances, and any other City requirements as directed
by the Building Division, and
the execution of a license/agreement and submission of the required application
form and fee (and renewal fees for any subsequent terms) and proof of required
insurance, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor, upon consultation with the Superintendent and City
Attorney, is hereby authorized to execute a license/agreement allowing said
encroachment, revocable upon 90 days’ written notice by the City in the event that the
encroached upon City property is required for any City purpose, and containing the
usual terms and conditions, including those specified in Chapter 170 of the City’s
Municipal Code.
Carried Unanimously
8.2 Highways, Streets and Sidewalks
No Items were submitted.
Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes December 22, 2014
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8.3 Parking and Traffic
A. Amended 2015 Parking Rates – Resolution
By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Darling
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has considered the proposed 2015 rates for
municipal parking facilities in order to meet the adopted 2015 budget revenue
projection, and
WHEREAS, the following chart contains the entire rate structure for all rates within the
City for 2015, and
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby adopts the proposed 2015 parking
rates as follows in the attached table; and, be it further,
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works will revisit the parking rates no later than
its final July meeting in 2015; and, be it further,
RESOLVED, That all rates shall go into effect January 1, 2015, and shall remain until
the Board of Public Works directs otherwise.
Monthly Permits
Actual
2014 Rates
Effective
1/1/14
Proposed
2015 Rates
Effective
1/1/15
Amount
Changed
Seneca Garage, Day and Night
All Levels, Full Access (24/7) $90.00/mo $93.00/mo 3% increase
Contract with Hotel1 $52.00/mo $54.00/mo 3% increase
Contract with Cascadilla Plaza, LLC $90.00/mo $93.00/mo 3% increase
Worker’s Special (M-F/10 hrs/day,
210 hrs/mo) $76.00/mo $76.00/mo
No Change
Part time Special (24/7, 105 hrs/mo) $65.00/mo $65.00/mo No Change
Overnight Only Special (5pm-8am) $45.00/mo $45.00/mo No Change
Primo Part time Special (24/7,
68 hrs/mo) $41.00/mo $41.00/mo
No Change
Green Street Garage, Day and Night
All Levels, Full Access $79.50/mo $82.00/mo 3% increase
Contract with Ciminelli2 $54.00 $55.00/ mo 1.58%
increase
Worker’s Special (M-F/10 hrs/day,
210 hrs/mo) $67.50/ mo $67.50/mo
No Change
Part time Special (24/7, 105 hrs/mo) $58.00/ mo $58.00/mo No Change
Overnight Only Special (5pm-8am) $40.00/ mo $40.00/mo No change
Primo Part time Special (24/7,
68 hrs/mo) $37.00/ mo $37.00/mo
No Change
Cayuga Street Garage, Day and Night (before sales tax)
All Levels, including long-term storage$63.00/mo $65.00/mo 3% increase
Contract with Cornell2 $48.00/mo $52.66/mo
1.58%
increase
Contract with County (Library)3 $60.48/ mo $65.00/ mo
100% of
market
Premium Area Rates $116.00/mo$119.00/mo 3% increase
Dryden Road Garage
Full Access (24/7) $150.00/mo$150.00/mo
No Change until
July 1, 2015,
then increase
3% with new
school year to
$154.50
Discounted Hourly (250 hours)4 $120.00/mo$120.00/mo No change
Worker’s Special (M-F/10 hrs/day,
210 hrs/mo)
$125.00/mo
Discontinue
Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes December 22, 2014
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Part time Special (24/7, 105 hrs/mo) 68.00/mo $68.00/mo No Change
Overnight Only Special (M-F/6pm-
9am/ Free Weekends) 125.00/mo $125.00/mo
No Change
Primo Part time Special (24/7,
68 hrs/mo) $45.00 /mo $45.00/mo
No Change
Other Non-Meter Permit Parking
Contract with County (DSS)3 $48.00/mo $49.00/mo 2% increase
Weekly Rates
Actual
2014 Rates
Effective
1/1/14
Proposed
2015 Rates
Effective
1/1/15
Amount
Changed
Seneca Garage, Day and Night $22.75 $23.50 3% Increase
Green Street Garage, Day and Night $22.75 $23.50 3% Increase
Dryden Road Garage, 24 Hours $35.75 $37.00 3% Increase
Hourly Rates5
Actual
2014
Rates
Effective
1/1/14
Proposed
2015 Rates
Effective
1/1/15
Amount
Changed
Seneca, Green, Cayuga Street Garages6
Per hour $1/hour $1/hour No Change
Maximum $7/day $7/day No Change
Dryden Road Garage
0 – 24 $1/hour $1/hour No Change
Maximum $15/day $15/day No Change
Bulk Purchase: Garage Tokens or Tracer
Tickets
$26.00/
40 hours
$26.00/
40 hours
No Change
Special Event Rate (weekend day entrance fee, 24 hour parking limit)
Downtown garages $5 $5 No change
Parking Meters and Pay and Display
Surface Lot: Green Street Garage7
$2.00/hour
No max.
$2.00/hour
No max. No change
Downtown (begin As Pay Machines
are installed)
$1.00/hr
2 hr. max.
$1.50/hr
2 hr. max.
$.50/hr
increase
Collegetown (begins as pay machines
are Installed)
$1.00/hr
2 hr. max.
$1.50/hr
2 hr. max.
$.50/hr
increase
Thurston & Stewart Ave. & Edgemoor
(begins as pay machines are installed)
$0.50/hr
9 hr. max.
$0.75/hr
9 hr. max.
$.25/hr
increase
Foot Notes:
1 – Volume discount rate for 104 spaces – see contract dated June 6, 2006. Rate
adjustment annually on 8/1 based on average increase in other rates, but not more than
3%
2 – Up to 40 permits in Seneca Street Garage at posted rate (except handicap permits,
are at special Cayuga Garage rate); up to 100 permits in Green Street Garage, up to
150 permits in Cayuga Street Garage, total not to exceed 250 permits. Right to
purchase additional 150 permits at posted rates – see contract dated June 6, 2006.
Rate to change for first 250 permits after August 1, 2007, “from time to time” based on
percentage change in the CPI between adjustment dates. The rate was last changed
on January 1, 2013, based on August 2012 CPI. The percentage change in the CPI
from August 2012 to August 2013 was 1.58%.
Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes December 22, 2014
6
3 – The County’s Mental Health/Library agreement for 100 spaces in Green Street
Garage (and/or Lot D) has expired. The Board of Public Works agreed to transition the
rate charged to County employees to the full market rate over a period of five years.
The rate for 2014 is 92% of the market rate. County’s DSS agreement for 20 spaces on
West State Street (in “Fire Station lot”) expires December 31, 2016.
4 – The Dryden Road garage permits for only day use or only night use were
discontinued in 2011, and replaced with a monthly permit valid for up to 250 hours of
parking. In order to keep consistency between the garages, we will discontinue the 250
hour permit and keep the 210 hour permit at all three garages.
5 – Fees charged: Downtown garages, 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday:
Dryden Road garage and Green Street Surface Lot, 24 hours / 7 days.
6 – The City has an agreement with TC3 that allows TC3 to issue passes for students,
clients, and customers, for which the City charges TC3 88 percent of posted rates for
the accumulated parking fees.
7 – In 2011, the pay station for the Green Street Surface Lot was put on line, and the
hourly rate increased to $2 per hour.
8 – Rates include sales tax, which must be collected at the Cayuga Garage as it is not
owned and operated by the municipality. In 2014, $48.00 without tax equates to $51.84
with tax. In 2015, $48.64 without tax equates to $52.66 with tax.
Carried Unanimously
B. Award of Contract for On-Street Parking Pay Stations – Resolution
By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith
WHEREAS, Proposals were received on Thursday, November 20, 2014, for On-Street
Parking Pay Stations, and
WHEREAS, The request for proposals identified several criteria for selection including,
but not limited to, per-unit-cost, service accessibility, inter-communication capabilities
and validation options, and
WHEREAS, Pay stations will be purchased over a 3 to 5 year time frame at the price
established in this proposal, and
WHEREAS, Staff has reviewed all four proposals that were received and has made a
recommendation, and
WHEREAS, after review, the proposal from Cale America was deemed non-responsive
regarding merchant validations and the number of service locations in New York State,
and
WHEREAS, after review, the proposal from IPS Group was deemed non-responsive
due to lack of merchant validation, lack of ability to interact by phone and lack of
customer base in New York State, now be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works awards the contract for On-
Street Parking Pay Stations to Digital Payment Technologies for their cost per unit of
$8,810.77, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be hereby authorized to enter
into said contract under the usual terms and conditions.
Carried Unanimously
8.4 Creeks, Bridges, and Parks:
No Items were submitted.
Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes December 22, 2014
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8.5 Water and Sewer:
No Items were submitted.
Discussion Items:
Osprey Platforms at Stewart Park and Newman Golf Course
City Forester Jeanne Grace and Paul Paradine, NYSEG Utility Arborist, reported that a
pair of Osprey were trying to nest on the on the field lights at Cass Park over the
summer. A NYSEG crew constructed a platform that raised the nest up above the
electrical equipment but the birds eventually gave up on the nest. While the nest was
active, it attracted a lot of interest from park patrons and bird watchers. Due to the lack
of natural sites, osprey nests are often built on utility poles which are dangerous for the
birds and humans.
The Osprey is a large bird of prey native to North America. They are fish eaters only
and are not aggressive to humans or other birds. Ospreys migrate to South America
but return to nest within one mile from where they are born.
City Forester Grace and Mr. Paradine proposed building a few nest platforms around
Stewart Park, Cass Park, and Newman Golf Course area to accommodate the Osprey.
All materials and labor would be provided by NYSEG crews. If problems arise, the
NYSEG crews would remove the platforms. The nest platforms would be a minimum of
40’ with a 3’x3’ flat platform on top.
Commissioner Morache recommended approving all proposed sites so platforms can be
built as the demand for them grows. The Board of Public Works unanimously supported
this proposal.
Adjournment:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
Julie Conley Holcomb Svante L. Myrick
City Clerk Mayor