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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1997-10-08BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE October 8, 1997 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Ehrhardt, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Seligmann, Smith, Vargas, Mayor Cohen, Alderperson Gray and Assistant Superintendents Fabbroni and Ferrel. Commissioner Ehrhardt chaired the meeting. Additions: Report of "South of The Creek" Neighborhood Request There were no deletions from the agenda. 1. Request for Expungement of Trash Violation. Joe Daley, owner of 142 South Aurora Street, was present to address the board. Mr. Daley received a trash violation and was told that a name was not found upon investigation of the recycling. Mr. Daley noted that in the past, he has received a phone call prior to the special pickup that would normally occur the next day. He told the board that he did not receive a phone call and would therefore like to have the bill expunged. Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that he was surprised to hear that he was not notified. He then explained that if the material is not removed from the curb, crews inspect the material for a name and bill for special pick up. It is possible that the trash was illegally dumped. Had it been illegally dumped, the police department could have been notified and the trash would have been picked up at no expense to the owner. Comm. Ehrhardt questioned if there is a policy for crews to determine whether material is illegally dumped. He suggested that a policy be made and then applied to this situation. This item will be referred to the Buildings, Properties and Solid Waste Committee and return to the board at a regular meeting. Comm. Smith requested that the board receive input from Jim Kelly. They requested that they be given the number of fines and man hours involved. This item will return to a future meeting. 2. Repairs to Sidewalk at 608 East Seneca Street. Steve Plescia was present representing the property owner of 608 East Seneca Street. Repair to Sidewalk at 608 East Seneca Street. By Commissioner Gutenberger, seconded by Commissioner Smith WHEREAS, Richard Holgate, owner of 608 East Seneca Street, replaced the sidewalk and driveway apron at that address without a permit, and WHEREAS, the repairs made do not meet specification according to the City Code in tw that the sidewalk has been modified to match the property owners desired driveway rather than matching the city street, and WHEREAS, the current sidewalk also results in increased liability for both the owner and the city; now, therefore, be it Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole October 8, 1997 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the Superintendent's direction to the property owner of 608 East Seneca Street to remove the existing sidewalk, obtain a street permit, and install the sidewalk as specified in the City Code and concurs with it. Discussion followed on this topic. Comm. Gutenberger stated she did not see a problem with the repairs to the sidewalk and driveway. Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that the design does not meet the standards; the sidewalk is to follow the grade of the curb. In addition, the design could create pooling causing a slipping hazard. Mr. Plescia noted that the design improves the drainage by keeping water from entering the neighbors yard. Comm. Ehrhardt suggested that legal advice be received to establish what liability there is if the apron and sidewalk is left in place. Mayor Cohen motioned to table the resolution, seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt. Carried Unanimously 3. Endorsement of Proposed Cascadilla Boat Club Community Facility. Approval of Proposed Cascadilla Boat Club Facility Grant. By Commissioner Vargas, seconded by Mayor Cohen. WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is applying to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for a grant under the Environmental Protection Fund and /or Clean Water/ Clean Air Bond Act for a community boat house, to be known as the Cascadilla Boat Club Community Facility, to be located at Cass Park; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby endorses the application of the grant for a park project known as the Cascadilla Boat Club Community Facility to be located in Cass Park. Discussion followed. Herb Godfrey, from the Board of Directors of the Cascadilla Boat Club, distributed information to the board. He explained that they've been trying to construct a grant application to receive half of the funding for the construction of the boat house. He noted that the budget has increased by $50,000. The proposed site in Cass park is on the east end of the parking lot near the Kiwanis fields (behind the pool). Joann Cornish was present and told the board that the Parks Commission has approved a resolution endorsing the proposed project. Mr. Godfrey noted that funding should be approved by spring. He added that the boat club will accept the operations Page - 2 Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole October 8, 1997 and maintenance of the building. Their main concern is that they are unsure of the utility costs. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 4. Report "South of The Creek" Neighborhood Request Comm. Ehrhardt explained that at the last Traffic Sub - Committee a request for additional traffic calming was reviewed. The request was for the area around Wood, Fair, South and South Titus Street area. The committee requested that staff make a recommendation on the installation of a "Stop" sign, potential alternatives and advise from the Attorney's Office of the consequences of unwarranted traffic control devices. Dan Cole, Traffic Systems Engineer was present to report his findings. He told the board that he collected accident data from the last five years and he noted that it is not a high accident rate location. In addition, he collected traffic counts which indicate a fluctuation in traffic; week day rush hour is higher than weekend traffic. Mr. Cole also took a pedestrian count which proved insignificant. After reviewing the gathered data, he suggested that increased enforcement from the Police Department would improve the situation. It was suggested that South and Wood Streets be blocked off from through traffic. Mr. Cole suggested that this not be done since traffic would go elsewhere increasing problems on other streets. Comm. Vargas agreed not to close off the street. Mayor Cohen noted that he is concerned with implementing a traffic plan and that decisions need to be made. Comm. Ehrhardt questioned if the board would support the traffic committee proposing a traffic plan for the city? He stated that if the answer is yes, he's willing to working with the traffic committee to present a plan to the board. The board agreed to reviewing a proposed plan. Comm. Vargas noted that he agrees with increased enforcement as a first step of solving the traffic problem around Wood and South Streets. Mr. Cole also indicated that there are a lack of sidewalks in the area and to increase pedestrian safety, the board should consider sidewalk installation. Comm. Smith noted that he believes all city streets should have sidewalk on both sides unless the topography does not allow. Rick Rogers, resident of Wood Street, was present and told the board that they need to keep in mind that the traffic is not local. He added that the timing of the traffic light on Wood Street is short and therefore traffic speeds to try to beat the light. Mr. Rogers agreed that enforcement will improve the speeding problem. He added that the city has several unwarranted traffic control devices and that before installing more, the city should receive legal advice on unwarranted signage. Mr. Rogers suggested that speed humps, or possibly slightly raised cross - walks, be installed. Comm. Ehrhardt suggested installing speed humps rather than installing unwarranted stop signs. The board agreed with the installation of speed humps The board will vote on a resolution requesting increased enforcement immediately and that the traffic committee respond within 30 days with a recommendation to the board. Page - 3 ° Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole October 8, 1997 5. Discussion of Commons Fountain. Mayor Cohen explained that he understood that after receiving recommendations to remove the Commons fountain, the board deferred action on it. He stated that he is interested in moving forward on this item by having the fountain removed. He added that he believed Supt. Gray's intentions were to number each granite block so that the structure could be assembled elsewhere at a future date. Comm. Gutenberger questioned what would replace the area. Mayor Cohen suggested that possibly State Street brick pavers could be installed. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that he is opposed to removing the fountain until there is a proposal for something to be put in its place. He added that he would like to see a fountain on the Commons. The board agreed to vote on a resolution at the next regular meeting. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni noted that the board needs to decide if they want a functioning fountain and if so, it may be cheaper to make repairs rather than remove and rebuild. 6. Re -use of Cascadilla Boat House. Comm. Ehrhardt told the board that he understands that the Youth Bureau would like to store canoes in the boat house. He stated that he would like input from the Landmarks Preservation Committee. The board agreed, this item should return for further discussion at a future date. 7. Report of Upcoming Traffic Hearing and Budget Hearing, Comm. Ehrhardt reported to the board that there is a Traffic Committee Meeting on October 21St. He noted that they will discuss a request from Pat Vaughan concerning East State Street, traffic issues from the Collegetown Neighborhood Association will be discussed, Wood /South/Titus /Fair Street traffic concerns and a city wide traffic plan. Comm. Ehrhardt reminded the board that there is a Budget hearing next week. He told the board that he has six points that he wishes to bring to Common Council. The first point is that the department has done more for less for several years. He noted that the department needs more funding in order to complete the required work. He stated that the department needs to have a city engineer in place. He added that $50,000 needs to be restored to the budget for seasonal labor. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that the $600,000 in charge backs for water and sewer that the board does not view the percentages as the city controller's office does. His final point was that the BAC's request for 2 percent of DPW's budget required feedback from the board. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that the city has large transportation problems that they are trying to deal with, the board agreed. Page - 4 Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole October 8, 1997 8. Report from Mayor. Mayor Cohen told the board that the issue of Treva Avenue has been brought up. He noted that the city owns a right of way for the raw water main at the location. Adjacent property owners have been using the right of way without permission. The Attorney's Office is taking legal action on the matter. The Mayor also commented on item number 2 of the meeting, sidewalk repairs at 608 East Seneca Street. He noted that the board did not want to penalize a property owner for trying to improve their property but the property owner did the work without a permit and that should be addressed. Discussion followed concerning a possible fine for doing work without a permit. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Page - 5 Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary