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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1997-12-17BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 7:30 p.m. December 17, 1997 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen (present for votes as indicated) Commissioners (6) - Ehrhardt, Seligmann, Smith, Vargas, Gutenberger, Jenkins OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy City Clerk - Kaupe Deputy City Controller - Thayer Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Assistant City Attorney - Kennedy EXCUSED: Common Council Liaison – Gray 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 2. MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the August 27, 1997 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the August 27, 1997 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Approval of the Minutes of the November 19, 1997 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Gutenberger : Seconded by Commissioner Vargas RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the November 19, 1997 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously 3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: 4. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: 5. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Public Hearing – Esty St Sidewalks Commissioner Ehrhardt opened the Public Hearing at 7:35 PM. Bill Benedict of TG Miller’s asked the cost basis of the sidewalk assessment. Superintendent of Public Works Gray explained that the cost was based on square feet and linear feet. Jack Ellsworth of Countywide Appliance asked why the City Charter was not changed. Commissioner Ehrhardt replied that the Board of Public Works delayed action on the sidewalks for a year to give Common Council time to change the Charter, but that Council did not do so. When Mr Ellsworth asked why, Commissioner Ehrhardt referred him to his Council member for an answer. Mr Ellsworth argued that the Esty St sidewalks should have been part of the Route 96 contract. Superintendent of Public Works Gray replied that it was the city’s choice to add Esty St to the project and that property owners on other streets has been previously assessed. Ellie Ellsworth of Countywide Appliance said that she lost a driveway and apron and received no credit for it. Ms Ellsworth also conveyed a protest from Seeley Booth of ID Booth. Commissioner Ehrhardt declared the meeting closed at 7:42 PM. Nels Bowen, IURA Community Development Planner, expressed the IURA board’s approval of the Buffalo St parking resolution and supported the decision not to charge fees for its use. He expressed concern with the inclusion of a funding request for maintenance in the resolution. 6. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC 7. REPORT OF CITY CLERK: 8. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY: 9. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: Deputy City Controller Thayer reported on the following matters: City Golf Course financial status – breaking even for year, net loss of $30,000 compared to 1996. 10. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: 11. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS: 12. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: A. Water Treatment Evaluation Study. By Commissioner Vargas : Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Water System Evaluation, prepared by O’Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc. identifies alternatives 2A and 3B as promising regional alternatives, and WHEREAS, Alternative 2A eliminates the city water treatment plant, using Cornell and Bolton Point to supply city customers, while Alternative 3B projects a new 3MGD plant at the present city water plant site, and WHEREAS, in order to compare regional proposals an advanced feasibility of design and a detailed cost for Alternative 3B is necessary, and WHEREAS, the board and staff believe that a more detailed review of construction of a new plant on the existing site will produce a number of cost proposals which will be valuable in the comparison of alternatives and in any future negotiations for a water purchase agreement; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works wishes O’Brien and Gere Engineers, Inc. to continue with facilitated Joint Workshops and to undertake a City Water Treatment Plant Preliminary Design Development for an estimated Board of Public Works – December 17, 1997 - Page 2 cost of $5,000 and a cost not to exceed of $75,000 respectively as outlined in an attached letter of November 4, 1997, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to execute an amendment to the existing agreement with O’Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc. for this work, which is covered by existing funding from Capital Project 505. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Approval of TCAT Agreement - RESOLUTION. By Commissioner Vargas : Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the draft agreement dated November 22, 1997 to form a joint venture d.b.a. Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) which is a significant change from the current city mass transit operation known as Ithaca Transit, and WHEREAS, the board believes that proposed TCAT agreement formalizes and advance the existing public transportation system serving the city and Tompkins County, and WHEREAS, the board supports the current efforts to improve efficiency through and consolidation of operations, maintenance, purchasing and planning, and WHEREAS, the board and staff believe that the joint TCAT operation will be better positioned to obtain federal and state funds, apply for grants, and influence legislation funding and policies; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends the concept of the joint venture TCAT to Common Council and directs the Superintendent to work with the Assistant City Attorney and the Mayor to complete a final draft of the agreement for adoption by Common Council. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 13. TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS: A. All-way Stop and Installation of Traffic Island at University, Lake and Willard Way. By Commissioner Gutenberger : Seconded by Commissioner Vargas Recently the Stewart Avenue Bridge over Fall Creek underwent repairs. Included with the detour for the project was a temporary installation of an all-way stop at University Avenue, Lake Street and Willard Way. Upon the removal of the temporary all-way stop, several requests were received to replace it. Data was collected by the Traffic Systems Engineer and recommendations were given to the Board of Public Works. WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received requests for the implementation of an all-way stop at University Avenue, Lake Street and Willard Way, and WHEREAS, data has been collected by the Traffic Systems Engineer and recommendations have been made which do not support installation of an all-way stop at the time; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the staff to implement the following changes to the intersection of University Avenue, Lake Street and Willard Way on a 90 day trial basis, subject to further long-term approval: 1) Install a traffic island at the south east corner of the intersection, in order to define traffic turning lanes and assist pedestrian crossing. 2) Install a new curb line at the south west corner of the intersection to close down and better define the intersection while relocating the related “Stop” sign as necessary. and, be it further RESOLVED, That the board directs the Traffic Systems Engineer to monitor traffic speed, volume and accidents at the intersection within 90 days of making these changes. Motion to Table By Commissioner Ehrhardt : Seconded by Commissioner Vargas RESOLVED, That this item is tabled until the relevant boards, commissions and departments have been notified. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. BPW Acceptance of IURA Parking Lot on West Buffalo Street. By Commissioner Gutenberger : Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the IURA, with help from the city and CDBG funds, built a parking lot at 611 West Buffalo Street in order to respond to the near term impacts of the NYSDOT’s Route 96 project, and WHEREAS, the IURA has made a number of operational suggestions, including annual fees for permits; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby accepts the property at 611 West Buffalo Street from the IURA provided that Common Council increases the DPW budget by $3,200 to cover only the annual operating expense associated with the lot, and be it further RESOLVED, That the parking lot will be added to department’s responsibility and will be managed and maintained in a manner consistent with the department’s and the city’s needs. Board of Public Works – December 17, 1997 - Page 3 Discussion followed regarding maintenance of the parking lot and increasing Department of Public Works responsibilities and funding for increased activities. The board insisted on the importance of delivering this message to Common Council. Cynthia Yahn and two other neighborhood residents were present for this item. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Ehrhardt : Seconded by Commissioner Smith RESOLVED, That the first RESOLVED clause be amended to read: RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby accepts the property at 611 West Buffalo Street from the IURA, and be it further And, be it further RESOLVED, That a third RESOLVED clause be added as follows: RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the Department of Public Works budget be increase by $70,500 to cover the cost of maintaining the four new neighborhood parking lots which have been built in the last year. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the AMENDING resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (5): Ehrhardt, Jenkins, Gutenberger, Vargas, Smith Carried (5-1) Nays (1): Seligmann Amending Resolution By Commissioner Smith : Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the second WHEREAS be struck from the resolution. A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Amended Resolution The resolution as amended follows: WHEREAS, the IURA, with help from the city and CDBG funds, built a parking lot at 611 West Buffalo Street in order to respond to the near term impacts of the NYSDOT’s Route 96 project; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby accepts the property at 611 West Buffalo Street from the IURA, and be it further RESOLVED, That the parking lot will be added to department’s responsibility and will be managed and maintained in a manner consistent with the department’s and the city’s needs, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the Department of Public Works budget be increase by $70,500 to cover the cost of maintaining the four new neighborhood parking lots which have been built in the last year. A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously C. Traffic Regulation and Enforcement By Commissioner Ehrhardt : Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, traffic regulation and traffic enforcement in the City of Ithaca should serve the purpose of improving the quality of life in the city’s neighborhoods and, WHEREAS, the existing traffic laws are routinely violated by many drivers and this disregard for the law continues to diminish the quality of life in Ithaca’s neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, the 30 MPH speed limit is too fast for many of our residential streets, because of their narrow width, steep slope and dense population, and WHEREAS, the law which permits drivers to turn right on red after coming to a compete stop behind the crosswalk and yielding the right-of-way to all other users of the street is routinely violated, resulting in an unacceptable level of disregard for and danger to pedestrians, and WHEREAS, the Task Force on Traffic Issues strongly recommended increased enforcement of existing traffic laws, and WHEREAS, the Task Force on Traffic Issues also suggested that the City of Ithaca seek state legislation enabling the city to lower the area speed limit to 25 MPH and prohibit right turns on red, and WHEREAS, residents of the City of Ithaca are demanding safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists, lower vehicular speed and more vigorous enforcement of traffic laws, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the Mayor direct the Police department to undertake immediately a vigorous and aggressive program of heightened traffic enforcement designed to give the City of Ithaca a permanent reputation as a city which does not tolerate violation of traffic laws, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the City Prosecutor and City Judge undertake a policy of strong punishment of those who violate the traffic laws, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that Common Council petition the legislature of the State of New York for permission to lower the local speed limit to 25 MPH and permission to prohibit right turns on red. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the city’s ability and the necessity to make the specified changes. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann RESOLVED, That the sixth WHEREAS clause be amended to read: Board of Public Works – December 17, 1997 - Page 4 WHEREAS, the Task Force on Traffic Issues also suggested that the City of Ithaca seek state legislation enabling the city to lower the area speed limit to 25 MPH, and And, be it further RESOLVED, That the third RESOLVED clause be amended to read: RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that Common Council petition the legislature of the State of New York for permission to lower the local speed limit to 25 MPH. A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried (5-2) Ayes (5): Cohen, Jenkins, Vargas, Seligmann, Smith Nays (2): Ehrhardt, Gutenberger Motion to Table By Commissioner Seligmann : Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt RESOLVED, That the resolution be tabled until comment is received from the Police Department. A vote on the motion resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously D. Approval of Assessments for Esty Street Sidewalks. By Commissioner Ehrhardt : Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works held public hearing on the installation of new sidewalks and curbing on Esty Street, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works and Common Council agreed that property owners would be responsible for the cost of the sidewalks and curbing, and WHEREAS, notices were sent to each property owner informing them of the cost for the newly installed sidewalks; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the finalization of the attached list of assessments, and requests Common Council to direct the City Chamberlain to collect such assessments. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 14. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: 15. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the board on the following matters: WWTP construction; Jet contract substantially complete; HIS easements; York/Falls St sewers; water study; Rt 96 lawsuit; Benderson water line agreement at Hollywood Video; WTP work; WTP cost analysis Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the board on the following matters: “Year in Review” Highways: snow removal – budget is OK; Cornell Walk storm sewer; street work: Mitchell St, Giles St, N Cayuga St, S Albany St, Spencer St, Stewart Ave, Alice Miller Way, S Aurora St St bridge, only repaving 100 block of N and S Cayuga St was not done Parks & Forestry: R1 tree removal; Stewart Park playground eqpt; Cass Park tennis courts; Stewart Park boathouse; Sciencenter Planet Walk; handball court; tree planting (500+ trees); Fire Dept training site Building Systems: cold storage bldg Other items: Highway Maintainer and Bldg Systems Supervisor positions lost Commissioner Smith asked about the provision of 5 parking spaces on W Seneca St. AS Ferrel replied that he had delivered a note to Traffic Engineer Cole to provide the spaces. Commissioner Ehrhardt suggested that Common Council hear AS Ferrel’s report. AS Ferrel replied that he would produce a summary. Superintendent Gray reported to the board on the following matters: Stewart Ave bridge repairs; Stewart Ave landslide; sidewalk work; Cass Park Pool; Frosh Alley; TCAT operations Cmte; cold storage bldg – questions with floor construction; Southside work; parking lot gates – IPD response to problems; traffic counts and modeling; tree planting; 2 labor contracts; new methods to do more with less 16. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: 17. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: 18. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 19. NEW BUSINESS: The following resolution was passed by unanimous consent of the Board of Public Works Thank You to Peter Seligmann WHEREAS, Peter Seligmann was appointed to the Board of Public Works in January 1995 and accepted a liaison assignment to the Youth Bureau, and WHEREAS, Peter demonstrated a strong sense of order, a conviction for social and personal responsibility, as well as a concern for fiscal prudence, and WHEREAS, Peter encouraged and strengthened the board by promoting timeliness, prior notice, adequate information, and WHEREAS, Peter expanded the board’s personality with his own sense of humor, desire to clarify issues and a sense of values demonstrated by a willingness to stand alone when he thought an issue warranted it; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works expresses its gratitude to Peter Seligmann for his support of the board and the department, while providing the community many hours of public service. Thank you. Board of Public Works – December 17, 1997 - Page 5 Mayor Alan J. Cohen Vice Chair, Steve Ehrhardt Commissioner Mary Gutenberger Commissioner Claudia Jenkins Commissioner Albert Smith Commissioner Leonardo Vargas-Mendez A signed copy is attached to these minutes 20. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. William Kaupe Steven Ehrhardt Deputy City Clerk Vice-Chair