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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-07-260 m Q 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 r 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 1 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 173 1'74 2 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. 175 A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: 3 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. 176 4 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 1'7'7 5 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 179 7 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 180 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;