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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BPW-1996-05-22BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. May 22, 1996 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (6) - Davidoff, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Seligmann, Smith, Vargas OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Kaupe Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Common Council Liaison - Mackesey Assistant City Attorney - Kennedy EXCUSED: Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. 2. MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the April 24, 1996 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Smith RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the April 24, 1996 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously 3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Commissioner Reeves requested that Items 15A and 17A be added to the agenda. No board member objected. 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: 5. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: A. Public Hearing - Esty Street Sidewalks Motion to Open Public Hearing (4:10 pm) By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Smith The following people addressed the board: Regina Lennox, Bill Benedict, David Nutter, Jack Ellsworth, Tracy Farrell Motion to Close Public Hearing (4:30 pm) By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves The following people addressed the board regarding the proposed Mitchell reconstruction: Michael Rooks, David Delchamps, Linda Koy, Mark Solomon, Cynthia Snedecker, Tracy Farrell, Bob Harris, Sue Hempsell, John Johnson, David Nutter, Natalie Ellis, Susan Blumenthal, Andy Ruina. Several letters were read from Mitchell Street residents. 6. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC: Commissioner Reeves read two letters in favor of the Esty Street sidewalks. Discussion of Mitchell followed. Commissioner Ehrhardt thanked the public for input on the issues. 7. REPORT OF CITY CLERK: 8. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY: 9. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: Deputy City Controller Thayer reported on the following matters: Golf Course contract 10. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Alderperson Mackesey reported on the following Common Council actions: Sciencenter request for the second parcel of land. May 22, 1996 - Page 2 11. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: 12. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS: 13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: 14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: A. Mitchell Street Reconstruction. By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works wishes to establish final plans for the reconstruction of Mitchell Street, and WHEREAS, public meetings have been held for input from the residents, and WHEREAS, staff is requesting the Board of Public Works to determine the pavement width (currently 26 feet) for the reconstruction project based on input received (24 feet requested); now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed information from staff as well as public input and has determined that a 26 foot wide pavement is required in order to accommodate traffic including bicycle traffic. Amending Resolution By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt RESOLVED, that the RESOLVED clause be amended to read, "...that a 24 foot wide pavement is required..." A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Executive Session The board went into Executive Session with Assistant City Attorney Kennedy at 5:40 pm to discuss legal matters involving Item 14B. The board returned to Regular Session at 5:55 pm. B. Approval of Feasibility Study for University Avenue Reconstruction. By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has conducted several meetings with Cornell University regarding responsibility for University Avenue between the Johnson Art Museum and East Avenue, and WHEREAS, due to the apparent need for reconstruction in that area, the two entities have reached an understanding that monies should be made available for an engineering study to determine the scope of the project; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works supports a feasibility study, conducted jointly with Cornell University, in order to determine the magnitude of needed repair on University Avenue and requests B&A provide funds in an amount not to exceed $10,000 or one half of the study, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent is authorized to undertake the study, cooperatively with Cornell University, once funds are available from the City and Cornell to cover their respective half of the cost. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (6): Seligmann, Smith, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Vargas, Cohen Nays (1): Davidoff Carried 6-1 The board took up Item 18A at this time. C. Request to Close Williams Street for Fundraiser. By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the Ithaca Lions club would like to hold a fundraising event in which May 22, 1996 - Page 3 numbered tennis balls will be released from the top of a hill and the first ball to reach the bottom wins, and WHEREAS, the Lions are requesting that Williams Street be closed (between Eddy Street and Stewart Avenue) for this event on Sunday, August 4, 1996 for three hours starting at 1:30 pm, and, WHEREAS, the Lions have surveyed the residents in the area for any objections to the event; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves of the closure of Williams Street from Eddy Street to Stewart Avenue for the Lions “Tennis Ball Race” fundraiser on Sunday, August 4, 1996, provided that the Lions accommodate all emergency services and reasonable requests by the residents. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously (5-0) 15. TRAFFIC ITEMS: A. Request for Change in Parking Restriction at Seneca and Cayuga Street. By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County has requested that a parking meter be removed and a 15 minute parking zone be installed; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request and approves of the installation of a 15 minute parking zone enforceable from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm on the south side of Seneca Street at the corner of Seneca and Cayuga Street. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously (5- 0) 16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: A. Planet Walk Proposal from the Sciencenter. By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Smith WHEREAS, the Sciencenter has proposed a scale model of the solar system as an exhibit with signage and monuments at various locations from the Commons to the Sciencenter, and WHEREAS, the Sciencenter has obtained assistance and guidance from the Art and Design for Public Spaces Committee and the Commons Advisory Board, and WHEREAS, the Sciencenter is raising funds for construction of the project as well as costs involved with maintenance and upkeep of the exhibit, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works reviewed the project at its Committee of the Whole meeting on April 17, 1996, and WHEREAS, the Parks Commission passed a resolution at its meeting on May 14, 1996 enthusiastically supporting the project; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works supports the project and looks forward to working with the Sciencenter and Parks Commission on this project. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously (5-0) 17. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Davidoff WHEREAS, Common Council passed a resolution establishing Capital Project #331 for construction of a parking area at 705 Cliff Street; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works reserves Power to Act on items related to May 22, 1996 - Page 4 the proposed construction of parking area such as environmental review and possible construction contracts at its meeting of June 5, 1996. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously (5-0) 18. WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: A. Request to Expunge Water and Sewer Bill at 424 North Cayuga Street. By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, Eleanor Cunningham, owner of 424 North Cayuga Street, received unusually large water and sewer bills for the third and fourth quarters of 1995, and WHEREAS, upon notification of the high water consumption, Mrs. Cunningham hired a plumber to investigate the problem, and WHEREAS, Mrs. Cunningham states that a leak was not detected, that neither she nor her plumber can explain the apparent high use periods followed by a current low (normal) use period and she is not financially able to cover the bill, and WHEREAS, the board reviewed the information provided by Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni to Mrs. Cunningham; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the expungement for the water and sewer bill, and directs staff to assist Mrs. Cunningham to set up a payment plan with the City Chamberlain. Discussion followed on the floor. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Smith RESOLVED, that the RESOLVED clause be amended to read: RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby reduces the water and sewer bill by $250.00, and directs staff to assist Mrs. Cunningham to set up a payment plan with the City Chamberlain, A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (5): Smith, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Vargas, Cohen Nays (2): Seligmann, Davidoff Carried 5-2 A vote on the amended motion resulted as follows: Ayes (5): Smith, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Vargas, Cohen Nays (2): Seligmann, Davidoff Carried 5-2 The board took up Item 14C at this time. Commissioners Ehrhardt and Seligmann were excused for the remainder of the meeting. 19. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: 20. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: 21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 22. NEW BUSINESS: Commissioner Reeves noted the need for discussion of traffic light improvements on Elmira Rd at the following COW meeting. 23. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm William Kaupe Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor