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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1998-02-17BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 5:30 p.m. February 17, 1998 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (6) - Ehrhardt, Vargas, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Leonardo, Smith OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – Conley Holcomb Deputy City Controller - Thayer Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison - Marcham Alderperson Vaughan PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the January 20, 1998 Board of Public Works Meeting Approval of the Minutes of the January 20, 1998 Board of Public Works meeting was postponed until the March meeting. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: New Business Commissioner Ehrhardt requested the addition of Item 19.C – IPD Mounted Patrol – Discussion. No Board member objected. REPORT OF CITY CLERK: City Clerk Holcomb reported on the resignation of the Deputy City Clerk, and noted that the distribution of Board minutes will be delayed until the Clerk’s Office acquires an additional staff member. TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, PARKING, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS: Right on Red Signage at Dryden Road and College Avenue By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, the intersection of Dryden Road and College Avenue is used by a large number of pedestrians many hours of the day and warrants restriction of the usual Right Turn on Red privilege, and WHEREAS, the existing “No Turn on Red” signs at this intersection are not presently placed for optimal visibility to drivers, and WHEREAS, the most effective placement of the “No Turn on Red” sign is for it to be suspended from the traffic signal, where presently is hung a sign directing drivers to the Dryden Road Parking Garage; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Department of Public Works to remove the sign presently hanging from the February 17, 1998 2 traffic signal at this intersection and to replace it with “No Turn on Red” signs, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Department of Public Works to utilize whatever materials and configuration for the “No Turn on Red” signs which allow for it to be hung from the traffic signal in a manner clearly visible to drivers and within the specifications for weight and wind- load for the signal pole in question, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Department of Public Works to maintain alternate signage directing drivers to the Dryden Road Parking Garage, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Department of Public Works to paint the crosswalks at this intersection in 1998 with diagonal striping to maximize visibility to both pedestrians and drivers. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the painting of crosswalk vs. bricking crosswalks or painting stop bars. The purpose of crosswalks is meant to back cars away from the intersection and funnel pedestrians into one walkway. Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Smith RESOLVED, That the last Resolved clause be amended to read as follows: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Department of Public Works to install brick crosswalks and provide stop bars at this intersection in 1998 to maximize visibility to both pedestrians and drivers.” Carried Unanimously Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the “No Turn on Red” sign installation in relation to the wind load of the poles. Main Motion as Amended: A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Request for Reduced Monthly Permit at Dryden Road Parking Garage By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, Cindy Wasleff has requested a discount parking permit for use of the Dryden Road Parking Garage for 60 hours per month, and WHEREAS, granting such a request would constitute an exception to the existing pricing structure and the Board of Public Works believes that it is unwise to set a precedent for making such exceptions; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies the request for a special discount parking permit for limited use of the Dryden Road Parking Garage. Mayor Cohen recused himself from the vote due to his working relationship with the person making the request. February 17, 1998 3 A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (6) Ehrhardt, Jenkins, Smith, Leonardo, Vargas Gutenberger Nays (0) Abstentions (1) Cohen Carried REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Superintendent Gray reported on the following matters: Stewart Avenue Landslide – the landslide project is nearly complete. Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported on the following matters: Highways: Stone Quarry Road sink hole repairs; Traffic Island Installation at Stewart Avenue and Campus Road; Adams Street Footbridge deck temporary repairs; Pothole patching Parks & Forestry: tree trimming/removal; Stabilization of Red Oak tree in City cemetery; Spring tree planting order has been placed; Structural Soil Video has been produced Electricians: Frosh Alley lighting preparations Transit: Transit Consolidation issues are being discussed; A route and fare change survey is being conducted; the signage project is underway Other items: Cold Storage building is under construction; Parking Equipment problem solving Discussion followed on the temporary traffic island installation At Stewart Ave & Campus Road. This project should be reviewed by the Board before it is made permanent. Items to be reviewed include the possibility of acquiring funding from Cornell University for pedestrian crosswalk and beautification purposes. Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer Fabbroni reported on the following matters: Stewart Avenue landslide – sewer replacement Water main installation in VIP/Cellular One Plaza Construction season preparation Water system improvements near Ithaca High School Sewer replacement – Falls Street, York Street area Sewer Plant improvements – 5th pump has been hooked up Safety Awards – received from the NYS Water & Environment Assoc.; Jose Lozano received a National Award for research from the Water & Environment Assoc. Pump Stations – equipment is out to bid Remote monitoring equipment for Wood Street, Elmira Road and Cherry Street pump stations; Stewart Park and Cass Park Pump Stations are scheduled for remote monitoring soon Water Treatment Plant – Policy negotiations – preliminary design is due in May Route 96 project paperwork preparation Moving from Greenhouse shop Lake Source Cooling project time table February 17, 1998 4 REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Commissioner Ehrhardt reported on the following matters: The Traffic sub-committee is considering significant traffic changes at the intersection of East Spencer/Turner/Prospect. The Bicycle Advisory Committee needs to be advised of proposal to solicit input. The Fire Department has responded to the proposed changes. The SJS will be meeting in May, June, August, October, December. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Alderperson Patricia Vaughan, Common Council Liaison to the Six Mile Creek Committee, reported on the following actions of the Six Mile Creek Committee: The Committee unanimously passed a Resolution requesting that they be informed in the City’s deliberations regarding the upgrade and/or consolidation of the water supply system in a timely fashion. They further requested the opportunity to participate in the consideration of specific proposed actions that could have a direct effect on the character of the Six Mile Creek natural area including, but not limited to, repair or upgrade of the raw water pipe line and related access needs, construction of pre-sedimentation basins in the upper reservoir, expansion or modification of the lagoon area, and decommissioning of existing facilities in the event that Six Mile Creek is abandoned as an active water source, with the goal of developing a cooperative approach that minimizes any possible negative impact. The resolution further urges Common Council to make a strong, unequivocal commitment that even if the City ceases to use Six Mile Creek as an active water source, there will be no diminishment in the level of protection now awarded the natural area, and no sale or conveyance of the land, now owned by the City in the natural area for purposes that could include development or reduced public access. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the Water System Working Group, and the future protection of the Six Mile Creek watershed. Natural Areas Commission Ordinance: The Six Mile Creek Committee endorsed the Natural Areas Commission Ordinance with the following amendments: “Addition of human made elements shall be as minimal as possible, shall primarily be in the form of hiking trails, educational aides, and measures for public safety.” Under the Six Mile Creek Nature area: “Measures necessary to maintain the water supply system.” The Six Mile Creek Committee has also asked that the wording regarding Committee consultation be amended to read as follows: “Except for necessary emergency repairs, no permanent changes shall be made in the natural areas without prior approval from the Board of Public Works or the Common Council, acting after soliciting the advice of the Natural Areas Commission.” Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the Six Mile Creek area being primarily the City’s main water source, and secondarily, a natural area. Superintendent Gray was February 17, 1998 5 directed to forward his comments to the Buildings, Properties, Transit, Parks, Water, Sewer & Solid Waste sub-committee which will report back to the Board of Public Works at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. NEW BUSINESS: 1999 Program Budget: The Department of Public Works’ Program Analysis Committee presentations will be held on June 8, July 13, and July 27, 1998. Superintendent Gray and Assistant Superintendent Ferrel will present this information to the Board of Public Works in May. Sidewalk Program Common Council members and members of the public are requesting sidewalk installations in the following locations: Cornell Street between East State Street and Belle Sherman School Meadow Street to West Clinton Spencer Road/Elmira Road – downhill side of Spencer Road Old Elmira Road from Baker Park to Ithaca Shopping Plaza. Further discussion on these sites will occur during the creation of the 1999 sidewalk program. Ithaca Police Department Mounted Patrol: Commissioner Ehrhardt led the Board in discussion regarding the Ithaca Police Department’s proposed horse patrol. Commissioner Ehrhardt voiced the following concerns: Who will clean-up after the horses, and to what degree? Comments have been made regarding using fresh horse manure as fertilizer for the downtown planters; Use of horses on the Commons / conflicts of current uses on the Commons; Use of CDBG funds for horse patrol; Increased liability risk for the City; Police Chief Basile responded that the mounted patrol would consist of two horses that would be active a few days a week and on special events. Chief Basile explained that the horse manure does not pose a health hazard, and in fact will simply dry up and blow away. Horse waste on the Commons would be cleaned up immediately. Horse waste in pedestrian areas, etc. will be cleaned by the Community Police Officers. Cleaning materials would be stored strategically with store owners for quick retrieval. The City’s insurance carrier will not require an increase in insurance coverage in conjunction with the use of horse patrols. The horses are docile animals will be tested and trained specifically for mounted patrol duties. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb Alan J. Cohen City Clerk Mayor