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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1995-06-14 1 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. June 14, 1995 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (4) - Seligmann, Tripp, Ehrhardt, Reeves, OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Kaupe Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison - Johnson EXCUSED: Commissioners Smith and Rusoff PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the May 24, 1995 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the May 24, 1995 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Commissioner Reeves requested that Item 16A be on the floor for discussion only. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Alderperson Mackesey reported the concern of the Board of Fire Commissioners that curb bumpouts and speed bumps might damage IFD equipment. The BFC requested that the Fire Chief be included in the planning of such street modifications. Commissioner Reeves responded that she had already written to the BFC and that the BPW had an internal policy which required such notification. Camilla Lappin of the State Theater Board of Directors requested that the BPW allow the use of donated State Street bricks for a beautification project behind the State Theater. The request will be placed on a future agenda. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: Deputy City Controller Thayer reported on the status of the City computer network and the rewriting of the golf cart lease agreement. Alderperson Johnson asked about connecting the relocated Youth Bureau offices and future network connections. Discussion followed on the subject of golf cart discounts and usage. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Alderperson Johnson reported on the following matters: Inlet Island, traffic management plan, Southwest Park land acquisition, City Court authority in land use matters, Commons banners, NYS Retirement Incentive Program CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: C. Request to use Basketball Court at Wood Street Park By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from GIAC's Basketball League to use the court at Wood Street park, and WHEREAS, input from the residents of Landmark Square has been received and reviewed; now, therefore, be it June 14, 1995 2 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the request for GIAC to utilize the court at Wood Street Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, from June 20 through August 10, 1995, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the participants in the league shall clean up and leave the court and adjacent area in a clean and orderly fashion upon completion of the games. Extensive discussion followed on the floor. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, that the second RESOLVED clause be amended to read: [...completion of the games, and, be it further, RESOLVED, That the request be approved for this summer only on an experimental basis.] Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (2) - Reeves, Seligmann Nays (2) - Tripp, Ehrhardt Motion Failed REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS AND FACILITIES: Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following matters: small and large buses acquisition, Maple Ave reconstruction, utility ditches, Seacord lot, roadside mowing, plantings, Haley Pool water usage, Conway Park improvements, ramp washing, skid steer loader arrival and use at Stewart Park, Mitchell St and Stewart Ave retaining walls, Elm St sewer, Mutual Housing. Alderperson Johnson requested information on construction on Water St affecting street conditions. Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni responded. Assistant Superintendent Ferrel later reported on a highway superintendents' conference REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER AND SEWER: Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the following matters: Silt Dam engineering, Route 96 coordination, DEC approval of dechlorination facility, DEC enforcement policies, Sciencenter coop project, sludge drying facility tour, sludge disposal, Sewer Use Law, Water Plant RFP, long-range employee reorganization, Interinstitutional Committee computer report REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT: Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters: Rt 96 meetings, Traffic Task Force, Drug-house meeting, transit consolidation, ILR School course on management issues, State financing of local projects, Youth Bureau budget (discussion). Alderperson Johnson asked about cleanup after the Ithaca Festival (no problems), College Ave traffic signs (installed) and ILR training (refresher training for staff is needed). Commissioner Reeves asked about Esty St/Allen St traffic issues (private property matter), Cornell's request for preliminary approval for the lake source cooling project (discussion - invite Cornell to BPW meeting), advice from City Attorney concerning decommissioning Lake Ave (waiting for response) and West End trash barrels (discussion). Commissioner Ehrhardt asked about traffic lights at S Titus and S Albany Sts (will be reprogrammed). Commissioner Tripp asked for June 14, 1995 3 clarification of the Conway Park meeting. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: A. Request for Encroachment at 302-304 East State Street By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed and received a request for an encroachment agreement for 302-304 East State Street, and WHEREAS, the existing structure contains a set of stairs, an underground vault and two bay windows which encroach onto city property by as much as 3.3 feet; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the requested encroachment for the property at 302-304 East State Street contingent upon approval of the City Attorney, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the board reserves the right to direct the encroachment be removed if the department requires use of the property, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Investigation Prior to Repair the Commons Fountain By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt WHEREAS, the Commons fountain has been in need of repair for several years with particular attention to the failure of the waterproofing system, and WHEREAS, funds have been established to investigate the repairs of the fountain; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby authorizes Egner and Associates to investigate needed repairs and associated costs in order for the fountain on the Commons to become functional, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent be authorized to enter into an agreement for this work at an amount not to exceed $1,000. Discussion followed on the floor. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt RESOLVED, that the first RESOLVED clause be amended to read: [...RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby authorizes Egner and Associates to investigate needed repairs and associated costs, and, be it further...], and be it further RESOLVED, that the second RESOLVED clause be amended to read [...at an amount from Capital Project 302 not to exceed $1,000.] A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously C. On Site Treatment Program for Contaminated Soils By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt WHEREAS, in the course of removal abandoned fuel tanks at the former Streets and Facilities site at the corner of First and June 14, 1995 4 Franklin Streets approximately 50 cubic yards of contaminated soil were removed, and WHEREAS, on-site treatment of contaminated soil has been recommended by staff as both environmentally responsible and economically feasible, and WHEREAS, an on-site treatment program will be conducted with participation of both the Department of Environmental Conservation and Sciencenter as an educational demonstration for the public; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That staff is authorized to proceed with a program of on-site treatment of contaminated soils at the former Streets and Facilities site. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously TRAFFIC ITEMS: A. Amended Approval of Final Report from Task Force on Traffic Issues By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the Mayor appointed a Task Force on Traffic Issues to report on the City's traffic problems and propose solutions, and WHEREAS, the Task Force on Traffic Issues submitted a report to the Board of Public Works and the Planning Board in June of 1994 which identified problems throughout the city and suggested numerous possible remedies, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works reviewed in detail recommendations of the Task Force on Traffic Issues in detail with members of the Task Force at a series of meetings beginning in June of 1994, and WHEREAS, the board needs to adopt a consistent policy and procedure for handling traffic issues which continue to come before the board, including but not limited to, requests from city residents for traffic calming measures to be instituted in the city's residential neighborhoods; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works of the City of Ithaca thanks the Task Force on Traffic Issues for its careful and detailed work, and accepts for consideration and action the Final Report of the Task Force on Traffic Issues dated April 8, 1994. The board agrees with the Task Force that traffic management on Ithaca's residential streets is a problem and that virtually all streets in Ithaca are residential streets and that changes to traffic patterns on one street may affect residents of nearby streets. The board also agrees with the Task Force that residential neighborhoods along the city's more heavily traveled streets are especially threatened by the negative impacts associated with a high volume of traffic and that it is in the city's interest to preserve the residential character of these streets as well as that of less traveled streets. Therefore, the board joins the Task Force in recommending that the following general principles be used to guide the city's policy on traffic management in residential neighborhoods: First; that the board will, where possible, take action to mitigate the negative impacts of existing levels of traffic on the city's residents, focusing on those streets where the quality of residential life is most threatened by traffic, particularly, but not limited to, streets experiencing a heavy volume of traffic: Second; in the process of granting approval to traffic calming June 14, 1995 5 measures designed to benefit a target area, the board will make an assessment of the potential negative impacts on residents of nearby streets that may result from the effects of any such measures, singly or cumulatively, and will take steps to mitigate these significant negative impacts. When feasible, proposed changes to traffic patterns will be undertaken on a short term trial basis in order to gather data on the impacts of the proposed changes and the cost of mitigating such impacts prior to final approval: and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Department of Public Works and the Traffic Systems Engineer, working with the Commissioner for traffic issues, to present to the Board of Public Works, August 2, 1995 plans for considering the possible implementation of the four capital projects listed below, but not limited to those recommended on page 59 of the Final Report of the Task Force on Traffic Issues: 1. a modern, synchronized traffic-signal system to permit a smooth flow of traffic and safe pedestrian travel; 2. a plan to manage traffic flow between the area of the Commons and the commercial district of Elmira Road by means of the bridge crossing Six Mile Creek on South Cayuga Street and a two-way traffic pattern in the 200 block of Spencer Street including redesign of the intersections at Spencer and Prospect Street, Clinton and Cayuga Street, Elmira Road and Albany Street, and Elmira Road and Meadow Street; 3. a plan to manage traffic flow between areas north and south of the Commons by restoring two-way traffic flow along the full length of Aurora and Cayuga Streets; 4. a plan to incorporate into the existing schedule of rebuilding projects for "gateway streets" (so designated in the first paragraph of section 4 on page 46 of the Final Report of the Task Force on Traffic Issues) physical improvements which demarcate the transition to a residential area and emphasize the residential character of these streets; and, be it further RESOLVED, That the board requests that the Mayor appoint a committee consisting of two members of the board including the Commissioner for Traffic Issues, the Chairperson of the Task Force on Traffic Issues, Common Council's Liaison to the Board of Public Works, and the Traffic Systems Engineer to present to the board, by April 5, 1995, a draft procedure for the board to follow when processing requests for changes in traffic patterns in the city's neighborhoods. The board directs that the procedure provide a means for obtaining a technical analysis of the impact of proposed changes on traffic patterns along nearby streets, a means for notifying and obtaining comment from residents who would be impacted by proposed changes, and a means for obtaining feedback from the City's Police and Fire Departments about the effect, if any, of the proposed change on their operations. Discussion followed on the floor. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, that the third paragraph of the first RESOLVED clause be changed from [...steps to mitigate these significant negative impacts...] to [...steps to mitigate any significant negative impacts...] June 14, 1995 6 A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Request for Free Parking for Youth Bureau Clients By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau will be temporarily occupying the City Hall Annex while renovations are being made to the Youth Bureau, and WHEREAS, Youth Bureau staff is concerned about parking for the clients who are registering for sports programs, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has been asked to allow clients of the Youth Bureau to park for free in Lot D (Woolworth Lot), and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works recognizes the Youth Bureau's desire to provide free parking, and WHEREAS, the board also recognizes the high demand for parking in the downtown lots and ramps as well as the problems of equity and management involved in providing free parking for Youth Bureau clients; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the board is willing to review the situation with the Youth Bureau if parking becomes a serious problem for its clients. Discussion followed on the floor. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt RESOLVED, that the RESOLVED clause be amended to read [RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the request, but the Board is willing...] A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: A. Access to Stewart Park for Handicap Assistant Dogs In Training By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Common Council recently modified the regulations of Stewart Park as recommended by the Board of Public Works, and WHEREAS, the board has been asked for clarification on Section 336-11 concerning the prohibition of dogs, except those assisting the handicap; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works wishes to clarify that dogs in training for handicap assistance shall also be allowed within Stewart Park. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Approval of Ithaca Amateur Softball Association Contract By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Ithaca Amateur Softball Association (IASA) and the City of Ithaca have negotiated a one year contract for the use of Union Fields and Cass Park softball fields for the 1995 softball June 14, 1995 7 season, and WHEREAS, a schedule for the games at Union Fields have been approved by the Board of Public Works in order to assist in resolving objections to late night games; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an agreement with the IASA for use of the Cass Park softball fields for the 1995 season. Discussion of the contract followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: A. Superintendent/Engineering Office Reorganization Extensive discussion occurred on the floor principally involving possible partial implementation of the overall plan. Superintendent Gray presented information on staff time allocation and other personnel matters. Motion to give the Board Power to Act By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Board has POWER TO ACT on the Superintendent/Engineering Office Reorganization Plan as Committee of the Whole at the June 21, 1995 meeting A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Commissioner Tripp reported on: the Golf Course Committee, architect/engineer hired to assist in planning site consolidation, new pole barn for storage, roofing estimates for Water & Sewer Building. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Commissioner Seligmann reported on: Youth Bureau Recreational Partnership (Finance Subcommittee), program budgeting and expense issues. Commissioner Reeves reported on a previous request regarding ticket sales at Stewart Park. NEW BUSINESS: Superintendent Gray requested that the Board reserve Power to Act for job sharing arrangements at Water & Sewer. Motion to give the Board Power to Act By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Board has POWER TO ACT on job sharing reassignments at Water & Sewer as Committee of the Whole at the June 21, 1995 meeting A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:45p.m. William Kaupe Benjamin Nichols Deputy City Clerk Mayor