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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-06-05BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 5, 1991 NOTES Present: Commissioners Berg, Brandford, Cox, Reeves, Rusoff, Tripp, Mayor Nichols; Council Liaison Blanchard, Acting Supt. Gray, Acting Asst. Supt. Ferrel, Asst. City Atty. Kennedy. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following was an addition to the Agenda: Request from Recycle Ithaca Bicycles to use City -owned building on Inlet Island. The following were deletions to the Agenda: Downtown Visions Task Force suggestions to BPW (back -up information included): 1. Installation of improved signage on State routes directing visitors to the Commons. 2. Suggestion boxes on the Commons. 3. Emergency telephones on the Commons. 4. Review of times and places of trash removal on the Commons. Staff updates: 1. Scavenger Recycling Days - see attached memo from Bill Gray. 2. License fees discussion - see back -up information. a) McPherson license fee - see back -up letter. Review of City Hall HVAC report; Energy Engineering Technician summer position - representative from the Energy Commission present, back -up information passed out at 5/29/91 Committee meeting. Discussion of automated ticket dispensers in downtown ramps. Northside land use as it effects consolidation of the Department of Public Works - back -up letter from Bill Gray to Chuck Guttman passed out at 5/29/91 meeting. Dryden Road Parking Garage further discussion. Page - 1 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 5, 1991 (W 1. Elmira Road sidewalks review of feasibility study. Thys Van Cort, Director of Planning and Development, Peter Weed, consultant, and several business owners on the Elmira Road were present for discussion of Mr. Weed's feasibility study for installation of sidewalks on the Elmira Road. Mr. Weed noted that the study covered the area from the Norstar Bank building south to the City line (both sides). He noted that there is a currently well worn path along the east side of the Elmira Road from pedestrian traffic. He noted that his pedestrian survey revealed that about 4 to 6 pedestrians walk the Elmira Road an hour, while Frank Gombas' 1989 study revealed 8 to 10 pedestrians an hour. Discussion followed about what time of year these studies were done and Mr. Weed noted that his was done in April. Alderperson Blanchard's Titus Tower survey of residents noted that 54% might use the Elmira Road sidewalks while 46% definitely would not use the Elmira Road sidewalks. Mr. Weed noted the safety problems without sidewalks on the Elmira Road as many pedestrians have to walk in traffic at some locations. He noted that to install sidewalks may require the City radically changing some of their utilities to accommodate sidewalks. He also noted that if sidewalks are installed back behind the curb it could be difficult for motorists to see the pedestrians. Mr. Weed noted that he felt sidewalks would improve safety for pedestrians, improve property appearance and formalize pedestrian activity. He also noted that he would suggest using crushed stone strip to help reduce scattering of material, dark in color to help establish a pedestrian zone and he doesn't suggest carrying over the walks onto driveways. Mr. Weed also noted that a pedestrian bridge would have to be installed near Pizza Hut. The BPW decided to hold a public information session regarding this project to receive input from the public. The BPW will hold this on Tuesday, June 18, 1991 at 7:30 pm at Manos Diner. Staff will notify property owners and the news media of this meeting. 2. GIAC /School District further discussion. Thys Van Cort was also present to further discuss this item. He noted the current lease for this property between the School District and the City. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted that this is a ten year lease, signed in July of 1987 for no money. Thys noted that this lease covers the lawn and gravel topped parking lot located at the corner of Albany and Court Streets and that the pool will be going in over half of this parking area. He further noted that the lease is specific as to the School District maintenance of the area excluding the proposed pool fence area. Discussion followed about the School District's storing of bulk materials on their site which the neighborhood feels is an eyesore. Thys noted that the School District has no other alternative sites to store these materials and he still Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 5, 1991 suggests Southwest Park. Discussion followed. Acting Supt. Gray noted that this could be done in Southwest Park but other City committees may object. The BPW noted that they have asked the Parks Commission to review the long -term use of Southwest Park and that they will have the final decision as to the usage policies. The BPW was agreeable to the School District's request for parking of their construction vehicles as long as it didn't interfere with the construction of the pool. The BPW did not want to consider mowing the lawn in this area as staff has too much to do already. The BPW decided to make the School District aware that Southwest Park is being reviewed by the Parks Commission and is not available at this time but that the BPW would like to see the School District's storage materials removed from the area at Albany and Court Streets. 3. Parking permits review of sales. Debbie Parsons, City Chamberlain, was present for discussion. She noted that the demand for parking permits in the downtown ramps has decreased greatly and they are not selling out as in the past. She asked the BPW if they would like to consider selling the permits on an unlimited basis instead of people lining up at 7 am at City Hall the first morning permits go on sale. Discussion followed. Debbie noted that she and the Acting Supt. have discussed and noted that the Acting Supt. felt more permits may be sold if people did not have to stand in line for them, creating new problems in the ramps, possibly tying up the ramp with long -term parkers. Commissioner Reeves noted that she has heard complaints regarding both the lottery permit system and the standing in line system at City Hall. Commissioner Tripp suggested that the BPW consider trying unlimited parking permit purchases on a trial basis which the BPW agreed to with a review in October. 4. Request from Recycle Ithaca Bicycles to use City -owned building on Inlet Island. Andy Ruina, representing the Recycle Ithaca Bicycles (RIBS) program, was present to ask the BPW for permission to use the old Agway building on old Taughannock Blvd. for storage and repairs to bicycles that are donated to them. Commissioner Cox asked Mr. Ruina how long the program would like to use this site as this property will probably be recommended to be sold. Acting Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that he and the Building Systems Supervisor toured the building twice and that the roof is in need of repair and the building is a disaster. Mayor Nichols asked if there were any other suitable DPW sites. Acting Supt. Gray noted that as the DPW will probably lose the Golf Course storage area due to the construction of the Transit Facility, the DPW had earmarked the old Agway building for their own use. Commissioner Reeves asked about the insurance necessary for this project which Asst. Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 5, 1991 City Atty. Kennedy noted that the City insurance will not cover this unless the program was offered through the Youth Bureau. The BPW discussed issuing a lease agreement to the RIBs Project temporarily. The BPW agreed to enter into a three -month lease agreement with the RIBs project for use of the City building on old Taughannock Blvd. 5. Reggest from Farmers Market to sublet their property at steamboat Landing site. The BPW reviewed a request from Paul Houston and Barbara Lynch to rent the Steamboat Landing site on August 10th for their wedding reception. Commissioner Reeves noted that the Ithaca Farmers Market currently has a twenty year lease for use of this site three days a week. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted that the BPW has authorization to rent this site subject to the opinion of the Ithaca Farmers Market. She further cautioned the BPW about commercial use of City property as the City may lose its tax exempt status if this is done. Commissioner Rusoff suggested that the rental of Steamboat Landing be handled the same as the rental of the pavilions at Stewart Park. Acting Supt. Gray noted that he does not feel that the Steamboat Landing pavilion structure is public property as the Farmers Market did all the work on the pavilion. Council Liaison Blanchard asked what would happen if this pavilion is damaged. Discussion followed. Commissioner Reeves noted that there are people staying on boats in this area and some may object to the noise. Commissioner Brandford suggested that the boat yard residents be canvassed to see if there any objections to the noise. The BPW tentatively approved the request, pending review and input by the Ithaca Farmers Market and no objections from the boat yard residents. 6. Review of Inlet Valley Project. Dan Walker, Town of Ithaca Engineer, was present for discussion. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the Town has been planning to do water and sewer improvements in "Inlet Valley" for about a year and a half, but to do this requires approval from the BPW. He noted that the City would be gaining some benefits from these improvements, such as better water circulation at the Elm Street Tank. Town Engr. Walker gave the BPW the background for this project; it was part of the Town of Ithaca's 1989 Water Improvement Program and was originally intended to be done in 1989. He noted that under the West Hill Water Agreement, the City provides water to the Town in this area. He also noted that the Town population in this area is approximately 645 people including the motels along Route 13 in the Town, the Town highway barns, the Tompkins Co. highway barns and the Ithaca City School District bus garage. Town Engr. Walker noted that there are significant water problems in this area and the Tompkins Co. Health Dept. recommends the extension of water to this area. He Page - 4 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 5, 1991 further noted that the City service would be strengthened and the water quality would be improved by this project. He also noted that water meters will be installed at the City and Town lines for monitoring water usage. Town Engr. Walker described the sewer portion of the project to the BPW, noting that the sewage disposal will be discharged at the Floral Avenue sewer. He noted that he is aware of some of the City's weak service areas and that the Town is willing to work with the City to improve them. Town Engr. Walker noted that the BPW passed a resolution on June 14, 1989, naming the Town of Ithaca as lead agent for this project and that a long -form SEQR was done for this project with a negative determination of significance made. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy asked about the West Hill Water Agreement. Town Engr. Walker noted that this agreement needs to be updated and that it currently controls the rate of water and rental of sewer lines that the Town pays to the City. He noted that the Town is negotiating through the SJS committee for cost sharing of sewer lines to discharge at the IAWWTP. Acting Supt. Gray noted that a proposal for jointly owned sewer lines is being discussed so that all owners of the IAWWTP will jointly own the sewer lines. Acting Supt. Gray suggested that the Town submit a letter of intent to the City outlining the proposed improvements and updating of the West Hill Water Agreement and Intermunicipal Water Agreement. Town Engr. Walker noted that the funding is available for this project but that the Town will not take water or discharge sewer before the agreement is finalized. Discussion followed. The BPW approved the water and sewer improvements as proposed by the Town of Ithaca and requested that a letter of intent be submitted to the City for this project. 7. Shade Tree Advisory Committee update. Nina Bassuk, chair of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee (STAG) was present for discussion. She gave the BPW an update on what the STAC has been doing, noting that they work closely with the City Forester. She noted that the STAC has helped designate the City of Ithaca as a Tree City for the past 3 years for their preservation of trees. She also noted that the STAC was very involved in the Hudson Street landscaping project last year. Ms. Bassuk noted some of the upcoming STAC including Youth Bureau plantings, Dewitt Park plantings, Route 13 plantings and plantings at Baker Park and Route 13. She noted the organization of a citizen pruning program for volunteers which will assist the DPW with maintenance of City trees. The STAC will train the volunteers and provide materials and the work will be done under the supervision of the City Forester. Ms. Bassuk noted that the STAC has worked closely with the Interim Parks Commission over the past year and are in the process of working on a budget for projects. She also praised the City Forester, Dan Schmohe, for his efforts. Acting Supt. Gray noted that many of the City Forester's duties tend to change due to directives of the STAC Page - 5 tow BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE June 5, 1991 and Parks Commission. The BPW thanked Ms. Bassuk for updating them on the STAC's projects. 8. Flags, banners, yellow ribbons, etc. on City property. Commissioner Reeves noted the discussion regarding this item at the last COW meeting and that some BPW members were concerned about setting a precedent by allowing these items to be placed on City property. Acting Supt. Gray noted that he did a draft letter to Donna Brown regarding her request to hang a banner and yellow ribbons on City property but will not send it until the BPW approves. Commissioner Berg felt that he would be more comfortable if the items were placed only two days in advance of the event instead of one week which the BPW agreed to. Acting Supt. Gray will make Ms. Brown aware of the BPW's decision regarding her request. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 6