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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M.
PRESENT: .�
Mayor Gutenberger
Commissioners (4): Reeves, Cox, Sprague, Cannon
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ABSENT: Commissioner Daley (excused)
OTHERS PRESENT:
Acting Superintendent - Fabbroni
Purchasing Agent - Clynes
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
City Engineer - Gray
Common Council Liaison - Nichols
Acting Deputy Clerk - Holcomb
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July 26, 1989
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Gutenberger led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to
the American flag.
MINUTES:
Approval of Minutes of the June 28 1989 Board of Public Works
Meeting
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the June 28, 1989 Board of Public
Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
Approval of Minutes of July 12 1989 Board of Public Works
Meeting
The approval of the Minutes of the July 12, 1989 Board of Public
Works meeting were postponed until the August 16, 1989 meeting.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Highwav Items
Commissioner Sprague requested the addition of Item A - Award of
Transit Mix Concrete - Resolution
Buildings and Properties Items
Commissioner Cannon requested the addition of Item A - Ithaca
Transit State Assistance Funds - Resolution
New Business
Scheduling of Public Hearing
Asst. Supt. Fabbroni requested the addition of an item to
schedule a public hearing for abandoning a portion of South
Tioga Street.
R.S.V.P. Request
Commissioner Reeves requested the addition of a request from
R.S.V.P. to set up a table at Cass Park during the Empire State
Games.
Rescheduling of Committee of the Whole Meetinq
Commissioner Reeves requested a discussion in regard to the
possible rescheduling of the August 2, 1989 Board of Public
Works Committee of the Whole meeting.
No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:
Stop Sign on Lewis Street
Mayor Gutenberger reported that he has received a letter from
Carolyn Moravec in regard to a Stop sign on Lewis Street with
petitions attached protesting the removal of the Stop sign and
requesting its reinstallation. He reported that the letter
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mentions concerns about the proximity to the Fall Creek
Elementary School, day care facility homes in the area, and the
concerns for children and their safety. He requested that this
issue be referred to the BPW Committee of the Whole for further
consideration.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Stop Sign Removal on Lewis Street
Marilyn Moravec - 420 Utica Street, addressed the Board of Public
Works in regard to the removal of the Stop sign on the corner of
East Lewis Street. She reported that she is concerned for the
safety of the children in the neighborhood. Ms. Moravec stated
that the petition attached to her letter to Mayor Gutenberger
contains 81 signatures.
Alderperson Hoffman - 607 North Tioga Street, addressed the Board
of Public Works in regard to the removal of two of the Stop signs
from the intersections of Utica and East Lewis Street. He stated
that he received the recommendation from the Department of Public
Works staff for the removal of the Stop signs and was not aware
of how important that four -way Stop was to the neighborhood. He
stated that the residents of the area were not consulted prior to
the removal. He has received many calls from residents in the
area and has seen the petitions of most of the people who live in
that area protesting the removal of the Stop signs. Alderperson
Hoffman stated that on the basis of the calls he has received and
the petitions, he is supporting the request to re- establish the
Stop signs. He thinks it is important to consider the wishes of
the neighborhood. The needs of pedestrians, children and parents
must be weighed against the desirability of a smoother traffic
flow. In looking over the report of the Traffic Engineer, Frank
Gombas, Alderperson Hoffman stated that the last time two Stop
signs were removed in 1968 they were re- installed a few weeks
later after protest by the neighborhood and he would hope that
history would repeat itself in this case.
Alderperson Killeen- 111 Orchard Place, addressed the Board of
Public Works as Alderman of the Fourth Ward neighborhood in
regard to the State and Mitchell Street item that is on today's
agenda. Alderperson Killeen stated that he is delighted to see
this resolution and to urge, on behalf of the neighborhood, a
quick and speedy passage and implementation of the measure as
written. He also reported that not only is the neighborhood
pleased with the concern that this experiment will offer in terms
of pedestrian safety and local traffic it will affect the smaller
side streets as well. The State and Mitchell Street area is a
corridor for many commuters who work in our area and the out -of-
town visitors who come into our area will also be well served by
these improvements. Alderperson Killeen thanked the Board of
Public Works for dealing with this traffic issue.
Stop Signs at Lewis and Utica Street
Refer to Committee of the Whole
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon
RESOLVED, That the petition and letter presented to the Board of
Public Works in regard to the stop signs at Lewis and Utica
Street intersection be referred to the Committee of the Whole for
discussion and possible reconsideration at their next meeting.
Commissioner Reeves stated that she observed signatures of
persons who do not live in the City of Ithaca and asked Ms.
Moravec if they were parents of children whose day care
facilities were in the area.
Marilyn Moravec responded that there were six homes within a
block in any direction of the Lewis and Utica Street intersection
that provide day care.
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A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
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Carried Unanimously
Rescheduling of Board of Public Works Meetings for the Month of
August 1989
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox Seconded by Commissioner Cannon
RESOLVED, That the schedule of Meetings for the Board of Public
Works during the month of August 1989 be as follows:
August 2, 1989 - Committee of the Whole Meeting -
canceled
- August 9, 1989 - Committee of the Whole Meeting
- August 16, 1989 - Regular Meeting of Board of
CO Public Works
0 - August 23, 1989 - Committee of the Whole
Meeting
D
Go - August 30, 1989 - Regular Meeting of Board of
< Public Works
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF ACTING SUPERINTENDENT:
Assistant Superintendent of Public Works Fabbroni reported on the
following:
Court System Facility Proposal
The Court System Facility Proposal in regard to the mandate for
New York State will be presented to the Budget and Administration
Committee on Thursday, July 27, 1989. Acting Supt. Fabbroni
explained that the proposal" lays out three possibilities - 1)
adding on to the Hall of Justice; 2) a top floor feature to a
possible new parking garage; 3) some private space in and
around the general City Hall vicinity. This proposal seems to be
sufficient in terms of options and alternatives that have to be
identified at this time. This mandate for reporting back is a
time table that would call for planning and engineering over the
next two years, with construction in 1992, if new construction is
a result of the study.
Mayor Gutenberger asked Acting Supt. Fabbroni if there was
further study in regard to the possibility of building a new
parking structure on stilts across the street from the Hall of
Justice.
Acting Supt. Fabbroni responded that they had considered that
possibility. The site that seemed more feasible was east of the
building rather than on stilts west of the building. He further
reported that many preliminary possibilities have been looked
into.
Mitchell Street
Mitchell Street has been re- opened but is not completed. It has
been base paved and is marked as a construction zone. The road
is back in service for the Empire State Games.
Hillview Place
We will continue to work on Hillview Place for the next two
weeks.
Willard Way
We are working on the curb on one side of Willard Way. This
will not affect the passage of travel during the peak travel time
as the detour is already in place at the bridge at the top of
University Avenue.
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Special Assignments
Acting Superintendent Fabbroni reported that he has made the
following temporary assignments for the next four to six months
while he is Acting Supt. of Public Works:
Frank Gardner - to the position of Acting Assistant
Superintendent of Public Works;
James Miller - to the position of Special Assignment
Assistant;
Robert Edsall - to the position of Acting Building
Supervisor.
REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER:
City Enginer Gray reported on the following:
Sidewalks
Sidewalk work in the City is ongoing and is expected to continue
for the next two months.
Fire Stations
Fire stations' renovations and new fire station construction
projects are underway. The South Hill site re- grading will be
started next week.
Quarry Street
The Quarry Street retaining wall
the project is back on schedule.
structural work is in place and
Stewart Avenue Bridge
The old grating is being replaced on'Stewart Avenue Bridge.
Water Tanks
The painting of the Maple Avenue water tank is nearly completed,
however, it will not be in service during the Empire State
Games.
Gun Shop Hill Sidewalks
The Engineering Department is now in the planning process of
plans for the construction and reconstruction of sidewalks in the
area of the new housing complex on Gun Shop Hill.
Green Street Parking Garage
An application for a building permit for the space under the
Green Street Parking Garage has been received.
BUILDINGS AND PROPERTIES ITEMS:
Ithaca Transit State Assistance Funds
Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has submitted a request for a grant
of funds to the New York State Department of Transportation Act
of 1964, as amended, for a project to provide operating
assistance funds for transportation services within the City of
Ithaca and partly in two adjoining municipalities, provided by
the City of Ithaca Transit System for,, fixed route, scheduled,
open and available to the general public during the periods
January 1, 1989 to December 31, 1989, (PIN 3798.21.406),- now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the
Common Council authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement(s)
between the City of Ithaca and State of New York for the above
named projects; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board recommends that the Mayor be authorized
to act on behalf of the City of Ithaca to proceed and complete
the above named projects.
Carried Unanimously
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HIGHWAY ITEMS•
Award of Contract for Street Trees
Bids were received on July 20, 1989 for furnishing Street Trees.
Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
RESOLVED, That the contract be awarded to Schichtel's Nursery of
Orchard Park, NY, for furnishing the following trees: Ten (10)
Hedge Maple, ten (10) Wine -Leaf Sycamore Maple, ten (10) Grey
Dogwood, ten (10) Autumn Purple Ash, ten (10) Hesse Ash, and ten
(10) Ivory Silk Tree Lilac.
Carried Unanimously
Award of Contract for Transit Mix Concrete
Bids were received on July 21, 1989 for furnishing Transit Mix
Concrete.
Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
O RESOLVED, That the contract be awarded to Saunders Concrete Co.
of Nedrow, NY as being lowest bidder.
Carried Unanimously
M
Q PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS:
Mitchell and State Street Traffic Problems
The Board of Public Works has received several requests to
resolve the traffic congestion problem at the intersection of
State and Mitchell Streets.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
WHEREAS, reviewing a thorough traffic and pedestrian study done
by the Traffic Engineer, the Board preferred Plan B -1, on a trial
basis which utilizes a curbed traffic island for channelization
providing the existing traffic controls and a "Yield" sign at the
western tip of the proposed island for westbound traffic in
addition to the existing Stop sign on State Street, now therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to
implement Plan B -1 for improving the intersection at Mitchell and
State Streets, and be it further
RESOLVED, That this trial be implemented to cover a period of
time during the winter months, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the Ithaca
Transit drivers not stop at this intersection to discharge
passengers.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Engineer Gray stated that there
will not give the full effect.
barriers also be put in place.
is concern that just painting
It was suggested that physical
Mayor Gutenberger stated that he does not approve of the last
"Resolved" as the transit staff were not consulted in the
decision to not discharge passengers at this intersection. The
Mayor requested that the transit staff be consulted in regard to
this decision.
Commissioner Reeves stated that this is not a regular transit
stop.
Commissioner Cox stated that unscheduled stops contribute to
problems with the out -bound flow of traffic.
178
N.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
RESOLVED, That the last RESOLVED be deleted from the resolution.
A vote on the resolution as amended resulted as follows:
Ayes - (4) Reeves, Cannon, Sprague, Mayor Gutenberger
Nays - (1) Cox
Carried
CREEKS, BRIDGES PARKS ITEMS-
Allan H. Treman Marina Improvements
The New York State Department of Parks is proposing improvements
to the Allan H. Treman State Marina Park which has brought
concerns from the community to the Board of Public Works.
Resolution
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
WHEREAS, The Board of Public Works has discussed and reviewed the
proposed improvements with the Regional Director, and
WHEREAS, The Board found that the State Parks plan for this park
is sensitive to the needs of the community and to the
environmental impact it will have concerning "Hog's Hole "; now
therefore, be it ,
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works enthusiastically
endorses the State's plan for improvements to the Allan H. Treman
State Marina Park, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works respectfully urges
Common Council to concur with this endorsement.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Commissioner Cox asked about the visit to "Hogs' Hole" by some of
the BPW staff.
Alderperson Nichols responded that several persons met at "Hog's
Hole ". He stated that he has made several suggestions of ways
that the plan could be modified to satisfy several concerns and
they agreed to think about them.
Commissioner Reeves stated that she was impressed with the way
the plan was presented and felt the issues were covered and the
Board of Public Works could proceed to vote on it.
Alderperson Nichols responded that if he had been aware that
there was going to be a vote, he would have asked to have a
presentation made of some of the concerns. He feels that a
presentation would be the appropriate thing to do before the
Board voted.
Commissioner Cannon stated that he does not feel comfortable
voting on this resolution until he has further information in
regard to the concerns of the environmental impact.
_Tabling Motion
By Commissioner Cannon:
RESOLVED, That the Allan
resolution be tabled for
of the Committee of the
and the Chair of the
invited to attend.
WATER AND SEWER ITEMS:
Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
H. Treman State Marina Park Improvements
discussion at the August 9, 1989 meeting
Whole. . Planning and Development staff
Conservation Advisory Council will be
Carried Unanimously
a suaav ►711.0
Commissioner Cox reported that there was a request from Economy
Paving for short term use of a portion of the old Water and
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Sewage Treatment Plant site. We have received a draft from the
department on their needs of space and land. The present uses on
that site might be moved to another site and free up some land.
He reported that in the meantime, as opportunities come along for
short term use of the ,property that might bring in some income,
we might give them serious consideration.
Engi7ieer Gray reported that Economy Paving was a corporation that
has the Route 13 paving;; contract. They were looking for space
for their construction trailer and the Department of
Transportation trailer. He reported that the City did not
respond quickly enough.
Commissioner Reeves reported that a resolution will be presented
at Planning and Development Committee tonight (July 26, 1989)
suggesting an ad hoc committee consisting of one member from each
standing committee of Commorn Council be established to look into
the matter of City property. She suggested that the Board of
O Public Works might consider sending a statement to Planning and
Development that the land has not been declared surplus as yet.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
[C Audit Report
Q Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
RESOLVED, That the bills listed on the following Abstract be
approved for payment:
Abstract #14
General Fund. . . . . . . . . $75,235.92
Water and Sewer Fund. . . . . . . . $19,110.85
Joint Activity Fund . . . . . . . . $13,403.15
Capital Projects. . . . . . . . . . . $59,222.73
Abstract #65
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility Capital
Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,058.36
and be it further
RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered.
Carried Unanimously
NEW BUSINESS:
South Tioga Street
Acting Supt. Fabbroni reported that there has been several
discussions regarding the abandonment of a portion of South Tioga
Street and requested a Public Hearing to be scheduled.
Call for Public Hearing
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon
RESOLVED, That a Public Hearing be held 'at the Board of Public
Works meeting on August 16, 1989 for the disposition of a portion
of South Tioga Street.
R.S.V.P. Request Carried Unanimously
Commissioner Reeves reported on the R.S.V.P. request for
permission to set up a table to sell car sun visors at Cass Park
during the Empire State Games.
Acting Supt. Fabbroni reported that the City normally issues
season vending permits for five areas of the park at a cost of
$25.00 per season. He reported that this organization is a
totally volunteer organization and their request was for a
specific period of time. Acting Supt. Fabbroni stated that he
feels that this request warrants consideration, he does not
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object to an exception and suggested the fee be waived or pro-
rated as it is for a three -day permit.
Mayor Gutenberger stated that he was concerned due to requests
from many others. This must meet with the approval of the Empire
State Games organizers.
Acting Supt. Fabbroni stated that R.S.V.P. had been touch with
the games organizers and they had not objected.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon
RESOLVED, That R.S.V.P be granted permission to sell car sun
visors at Cass Park during the Empire State Games for a fee of
$5.00 for a three day permit.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:17 P.M.
o� /
Connie J. I�olcomb
Acting Deputy Clerk
Jo
Carried Unanimously
C. Gutenberger, Mayo;