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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BPW-1994-01-12 1 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. January 12, 1994 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (6) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Smith, Brandford OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities - Ferrel Asst. Superintendent of Water & Sewer - Fabbroni Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Conley Holcomb Alderperson Gray PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of the December 8, 1993 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the December 8, 1993 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: New Business Mayor Nichols requested the addition of Item A - Snow Removal - discussion. Commissioner Gerard requested the addition of Item B - Authority of the Board of Public Works to Implement Traffic Changes - discussion. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Election of Vice-Chair Resolution By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard RESOLVED, That Commissioner Carol Reeves be elected to serve as Vice Chair to the Board of Public Works in 1994. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Gerard voiced his concern over the routine nature of past agenda items and suggested that the Board become more involved in some of the larger issues facing the City and the Department of Public Works. Commissioner Brandford suggested that a work plan be created for the Board at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. Committee Assignments Buildings, Properties and Transit - Rusoff Creeks, Bridges and Parks - Gerard Highways, Streets and Sidewalks - Smith Parking and Traffic - Tripp Budget, Administration & Communications-Reeves Water, Sewer and Solid Waste - Brandford BPW Minutes January 12, 1994 2 Liaison Assignments Bicycle Advisory Council - Tripp Capital Projects - Reeves Commons Advisory Board - Smith Conservation Advisory Board - Tripp Disability Advisory Council - Gerard Energy Commission - Reeves Parks Commission - Reeves Planning Board - Rusoff Six Mile Creek Committee - Tripp Special Joint Sewer Subcommittee - Brandford, Reeves, Nichols, Johnson Youth Bureau - Gerard PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS: Proposed Increases for Parking Rates By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed recommendations by staff for changes in parking permit rates, and WHEREAS, the Board has requested and received comments from DII; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the following increases as proposed: Garage/Lot Existing Proposed Comments Seneca Street Covered $36.00 $42.00 Limit to levels 5,6,7 Uncovered $22.00 $22.00 Levels 8&9 Green Street Covered N/A $42.00 Level 2 Uncovered $22.00 $22.00 Level 3 Woolworth (Lot D) Uncovered $22.00 $36.00 Limit to south of standing lighting, adjacent to Clinton Street. Don't sell more than 50. Desired level is 25. and, be it further, RESOLVED, That these rates become effective February 1, 1994 for all permits sold after January 15, 1994. Beverly Apgar, Downtown Ithaca Inc. read a letter written by Emery Tutton, Secretary of DII which noted several security issues relating to the upper levels of the Seneca Street parking garage such as poor lighting, vandalism, no fencing, and lack of lot attendants or police call boxes. Ms. Apgar stated that she didn't believe the raise in permit fees would deter permit holders from parking in the lower levels of the Seneca Street garage until the security issues were resolved. Extensive discussion followed on the floor. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the first four lines under "Comments" be deleted. Carried Unanimously BPW Minutes January 12, 1994 3 Amending Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That improved lighting and other security measures be taken by June 1, 1994 on the upper levels of the Seneca Street Parking Garage. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the Amending Resolution be Amended to add a second Resolved clause that reads as follows: RESOLVED, That it is the intent of the Board of Public Works that long term permit holders be restricted to park on the upper levels of the Seneca Street parking garage after these improvements are made. Ayes (5) Rusoff, Reeves, Gerard, Smith, Brandford Nays (1) Tripp Carried Amending Resolution A vote on the Amending Resolution as Amended resulted as follows: Ayes (5) Rusoff, Reeves, Gerard, Smith, Brandford Nays (1) Tripp Carried Main Motion as Amended A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Request for Curbside Handicap Parking on Spencer Street By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request for curbside handicap parking on Spencer Street; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request as well as received input from the Disability Advisory Council and hereby denies the request. Commissioner Reeves stated that the Disability Advisory Council did not support this request because they felt it would set a bad precedent, as well as the fact that this space could not be reserved specifically for the Spencer Street resident, it would be available to the disabled public. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (5) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Smith Nays (1) Brandford Carried COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: David Nutter, Chair of the Bicycle Advisory Council addressed the Board regarding the placement of parking meters on Thurston Avenue. He stated that the BAC agreed with the parking meter plan with the exception of the area directly in front of Risley Hall. He requested that a "No Parking" zone be created in front of Risley Hall and extended to Fall Creek Drive to facilitate bicycle usage and safety. The Board asked staff to review this request and referred it to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion. BPW Minutes January 12, 1994 4 REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT: Superintendent of Public Works Gray reported on the following: Federal Highway Administration and NYS DoT will be reviewing the traffic signal system Fifteen applications have been received for the Traffic Engineer position City Court facility has experienced serious heating problems Municipal Pool contract is being closed out Emergency Preparedness Plan Trash Tag program CDBG work on Wood Street will begin this Spring West Inlet project - proceeding Walmart project - proceeding REPORT OF ASST. SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER & SEWER: Asst. Superintendent of Water & Sewer Fabbroni reported on the following: Snow removal - pump stations, tank sites, fire hydrants, assist DPW crews Water Main breaks - Aurora Street, Elmwood/Dryden Road Utility Bridge work RFP's for water system Modeling study - mapping 65% complete Water & Sewer had thirteen employees with perfect attendance in 1993 REPORT OF ASST. SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS & FACILITIES: Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities Ferrel reported on the following: Snow Removal - DPW crews worked 970 hours of overtime, $16,000. has been expended to date in salaries, overtime, equipment rental (3 dump trucks) and Manpower (3 laborers hired to shovel sidewalks) Plow Truck/Salt truck down for repairs Tree planting grant preparation - Old Elmira Road Green Street Ramp repairs Stewart Park railroad crossing island City Hall basement renovations REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Audit Report By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract # 1 General Fund...........................................$ 24,143.96 Water and Sewer Fund...................................$ 2,207.21 Joint Activity Fund....................................$ 0.00 Capital Projects.......................................$ 26,069.38 Solid Waste............................................$ 8,490.15 Trust and Agency Funds.................................$ 0.00 and be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved. BPW Minutes January 12, 1994 5 Carried Unanimously REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Parks Commission Commissioner Reeves reported that discussions are ongoing regarding the Southwest Park substitute park lands. The Commission is reviewing the option of either renovating the Stewart Park tennis courts, or removing them. Discussions have taken place regarding moving the courts to another section of the park. The Parks Commission is unhappy with the DoT crossing gate plans for the railroad crossing at Stewart Park because of the recent renovations to the entrance of the park. Alderperson Schroeder has approached the Commission about the park that will be created on the Pogo parcel. They would like to keep the park near the creek, and have the housing units surround the park. NEW BUSINESS: Snow Removal Assistant Superintendent Ferrel noted the number of complaints he has received regarding the department's snow removal efforts during the last storm. He asked the Board to review a list of snow removal operations and prioritize them as a guide for the department. Further discussion followed on the enforcement of odd/even parking during snow emergencies. The Board referred this matter to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion. Authority of Board to Implement Traffic Changes Commissioner Gerard stated that City Attorney Guttman informed him that the Board of Public Works has the authority to implement traffic changes without the approval of the Police Chief. Superintendent Gray confirmed this finding, however the Board does not have the authority to run test periods on traffic changes. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb Benjamin Nichols Deputy City Clerk Mayor