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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1995-07-12 1 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. July 12, 1995 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (6) - Seligmann, Smith, Tripp, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Rusoff OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy City Controller - Thayer Senior Stenographer - Holcomb Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison - Johnson EXCUSED: Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the June 28, 1995 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the June 28, 1995 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Commissioner Reeves requested that Substitute Resolution 16A replace Item 16A on the agenda. No Board member objected. Commissioner Rusoff requested that Item 12B be removed from the agenda. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR Mayor Nichols reported on the installation of large "Welcome to Ithaca" signs by the Chamber of Commerce at the entry points to the City. His office has contributed $250 to the project. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Alderperson Johnson reported on the following: Southwest Park property acquisition; Council request to modify policy for sale of bricks to non-profits; BPW liaison for CU rezoning; personnel roster changes; Youth Bureau renovations; financing for purchase of buses REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT: Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters: Fire Dept equipment maintenance; windstorm damage; Conway Park; summer youth program; Southside roof problems and grant; Sign Shop work; small buses ordered; ESG busing and route maps; budget preparation; sidewalk program; bridge painting field trip; Youth Bureau renovation; Rt 96 project; Cass Park lighting - consulting/budget; sewer negotiations with Town of Dryden REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER AND SEWER: Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the following matters: roof repair - Franklin St DPW buildings; dam road work; flood lagoons cleanup; High School video; DEC letter - cleanup plan w/ Sciencenter; rechlorination - WWTP; water model study; sludge disposal design work; Threshold Plaza; consolidation study; silt dam; Rt 96; sewer mains; GIS; valve exercising 2 BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: 12A. Historic Ithaca's Request for State Street Bricks By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, Historic Ithaca has requested the use of State Street Bricks, and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Landmark Preservation Committee has approved of the use of these bricks, and WHEREAS, Historic Ithaca is requesting that the city donate the bricks in order to reduce the installation expenses, and WHEREAS, staff has indicated that there is an adequate amount of State Street bricks to allow such a request; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants the donation of State Street bricks with all the other usual terms and conditions, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to enter into an agreement with Historic Ithaca. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: 13A. Award of Bid for Sidewalk Program (Phase I) By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, bids for Phase I of the 1995 Sidewalk Contract were received and reviewed by staff, and WHEREAS, Bergman & Sons, Inc. Of Waverly, NY submitted the low bid of $37,266.00; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works awards the 1995 Sidewalk Contract to Bergman & Sons, Inc. Of Waverly, NY for their low bid of $37,266.00, and, be it further RESOLVED, that the Board authorizes the Superintendent to enter into an agreement for the project. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously TRAFFIC ITEMS: 14A. Change in Parking on Delaware Avenue. By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, residents in the 100 block of Delaware Avenue have requested that parking regulation be changed to modify parking patterns on the street, and WHEREAS, the Traffic Systems Engineer has reviewed the request and has recommended changes to the parking regulations which may be used to address the individual request, and WHEREAS, several neighboring streets have similar parking restrictions, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request and staff input to modify the current parking regulations; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the board directs staff to install signage in the 100 block of Delaware Avenue (between Mitchell Street and Oxford Place) which prohibits parking from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon), Monday through Friday. Discussion followed on the floor. 3 Amending Resolution By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, that the RESOLVED clause be amended to read: RESOLVED, that the board directs staff to install signage in the 100 block of Delaware Avenue (between Mitchell Street and Oxford Place) which prohibits parking from 12:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: 16A. Appeal of Code Violation for Yard Maintenance - Substitute Resolution. By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, Sue Kittel, the Community Service Officer, issued a violation of section 325-23 (B)(1)(b) regarding yard maintenance to Kathryn Dietz, the owner of 211 Columbia Street, and WHEREAS, Ms. Dietz appealed the violation on the basis that the tall grass is being grown for ornamental purposes and a hearing on the appeal was held at the Board meeting of July 5, 1995, at which time Ms. Dietz presented her arguments and information in support of the appeal and the Board reviewed photographs of the property and neighboring properties in addition to other evidence, and, both prior to the hearing and afterwards, Board members viewed the property and the neighborhood; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works upholds the action of the Community Service Officer and denies the appeal, finding that the yard maintenance is not consistent with neighboring yards and is not being maintained in accordance with the Ordinance, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Ms. Dietz has one week from the passing of this resolution to comply with the Building Department notice, and shall be considered to have met the minimal requirements of the Ordinance so long as the following conditions, which reflect the neighborhood standards, are maintained: 1) lawn and tree lawn (the lawn area between the sidewalk and the street) grasses of whatever type must be trimmed to a uniform height not to exceed six inches, with the exception that clearly marked patched of ribbon grass may be maintained at above that height, so long as the ribbon grass patches are used for border delineation and/or does not have other grasses intermixed in the patch; 2) any portions of the yard area which are intended to be gardens, rather than lawn area, shall be weeded to remove all non- ornamental flowers, grass, trees and shrubs and to visually delineate lawn from gardens and gardens from natural succession to forests; 3) any delineation of garden beds or protection of ornamental grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees must be done to neighborhood standards using only methods or materials consistent with neighborhood standards; 4) all vegetation must be maintained in a manner which leaves sidewalks clear and unobstructed. Mayor Nichols and Commissioner Reeves read letters from Ms. Dietz. Discussion followed on the floor. 4 Amending Resolution By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, that the following RESOLVED clause be added to the resolution: [, and, be it further RESOLVED, that, if Ms. Dietz does not comply with the Building Department notice within one week of the passing of this resolution, the Department of Public Works is directed to mow the vegetation on the curb lawn and front yard of 211 Columbia Street to achieve such compliance and that Ms. Dietz be held responsible for reimbursing the City for the cost of the mowing.] A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (5): Rusoff, Reeves, Seligmann, Ehrhardt, Tripp Abstentions (1): Smith Carried (5-0-1) 16B. Appeal of Denial for Second Curb Cut. By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, Anthony Tzivaeris, owner of 309 Hector Street, has been denied a second curb cut on his property, and WHEREAS, Mr. Tzivaeris has stated that not having the additional curb cut is a safety hazard since he or other residents at 309 Hector Street must park across the street; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies Mr. Tzivaeris a second curb cut due to concerns for general traffic, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and in accordance with the board's rules and regulations for driveways. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (3): Ehrhardt, Rusoff, Tripp Nays (4): Seligmann, Reeves, Smith, Nichols Denied (3-4) Motion to Uphold the Appeal By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, that the appeal be upheld and the permit be issued subject to the approval of the Superintendent of Public Works. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (4): Seligmann, Reeves, Smith, Nichols Nays (3): Ehrhardt, Rusoff, Tripp Carried (4-3) Mr. Tsivaeris agreed that he would not do any work before consulting with the Superintendent of Public Works to work out mutually acceptable solution. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Alderperson Johnson reported on: a proposed membership change in the Six Mile Creek Committee; the grade of the parking lot access at Six Mile Creek; Pakkala property purchase; creation of a Natural Areas Commission (discussion); water quality task force (discussion) Commissioner Reeves reported on: recreational needs assessments; intermunicipal water and sewer agreements. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:35p.m. 5 William Kaupe Benjamin Nichols Deputy City Clerk Mayor