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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1998-06-16BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 5:30 p.m. June 16, 1998 PRESENT: Vice-Chair Ehrhardt Commissioners (4) - Leonardo, Vargas, Gutenberger, Jenkins 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 EXCUSED: Commissioner Smith PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Ehrhardt led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Commissioner Ehrhardt expressed Mayor Cohen’s recommendation that the following item be deleted from the agenda: 13D :Request for Stop Sign at Wait and Wyckoff No board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Jean Finley, of 211 Schuyler Place, was cited for growing long grass on her property. She stated that she has been intentionally growing a variety of wildflowers in her yard between the sidewalk and the street. She wishes to keep the area as a wildflower preserve with Board approval. Regi Teasley, of 207 S. Titus Avenue, spoke in support of the truck route enforcement item. The area that she lives in has had many large trucks using S. Albany and Titus Ave. The vibrations have caused cracked foundations, tremendous noise at night, and raised safety issues for children in this residential neighborhood. Her plea to the Board is to take action on enforcement. David Joseph, Cliff Street, expressed his concerns over the limited visibility that vehicles parked on Cliff Street sidewalks have created. Continuing to allow this has created a dangerous situation for residents exiting their driveways. Mirrors could improve the vision of residents. John Beach, 614 S. Albany Street, insisted that the City display improved “no truck route” signs in the area of S. Albany, Titus, S. Geneva and S. Meadow Streets. The Superior Disposal trucks are a large offender. The County Assessment Office recently lowered his property assessment and has attributed it to increased traffic problems. Chris Delucca-Beach, 614 S. Albany Street addressed the Board on the issue of traffic patterns in the S. Albany Street area. Improving signage on the streets is not enough, traffic patterns must be changed before a tragedy occurs in this residential neighborhood. Southwest Park development will increase the problems. Board of Public Works – June 16, 1998 - Page 2 RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Commissioner Ehrhardt stated that the mountable curbs were installed on Cliff St. to improve ambulance accessibility. The Police Dept. should enforce the parking violations through the complaint process. TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS: Truck Route Enforcement By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the existing ordinance regarding through-truck traffic in the City of Ithaca is not actively enforced and residents have requested that illegal truck traffic be removed as much as possible from their neighborhood streets, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has met representatives of the Six Mile Creek Traffic Crisis Team, the Department of Public Works, the Ithaca Police Department, the City Prosecutor’s Office, the City Judge, and the Mayor to ascertain the reasons why the law is not actively enforced, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has determined from these consultations that the practical enforcement of the truck-route ordinance requires the placement of thorough, clear, appropriate signage, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works believes the truck-route ordinance should be enforced to the extent practical to protect the residential quality of life in the City of Ithaca, and WHEREAS, the existing network of truck routes is sufficient for the conduct of commerce in the City of Ithaca, and WHEREAS, the number of signs required to enable enforcement of the truck-route ordinance is approximately forty, about twenty- four to indicate “No Trucks” and about sixteen to indicate “Truck Route”, at an overall cost of approximately $4,000; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Traffic Systems Engineer and Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities to construct and install the signage required to enforce the truck route ordinance, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs its sub- committee for traffic issues to work with the Traffic Systems Engineer and Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities to determine appropriate locations for these signals, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that Common Council and the Mayor amend the Department of Public Works’ budget to include this expenditure. Commissioner Leonardo discussed the difficulty that the IPD will have in enforcing the offenders who claim they didn’t see the signage. The $4,000 expense will not be enough to improve the problem. General practice for the NYS Dept of Transportation is not to post signs without a documented reason such as a high percentage of trucks in a traffic stream or neighborhoods burdened with trucks that are damaging houses. A coherent city-wide plan should be submitted to the State for approval. Even if NYS doesn’t approve Route 13 signage, the “no truck route” enforcement could be firm. The procedure would be to issue 30 day warnings to the Board of Public Works – June 16, 1998 - Page 3 major offenders then continuously issue tickets. Proper signage would enable the Police to enforce the situation. Alderperson Marcham questioned where the $ 4,000 would be coming from. Commissioner Ehrhardt responded that this money would be derived from the Department of Public Works operating budget. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, That the last two Resolved clauses be replaced with the following language: RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs its sub- committee for traffic issues to work with the Traffic Systems Engineer and Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities to determine appropriate locations for these signals and seek the cooperation of the New York State Department of Transportation to assure the location of the signs where they will be most effective. Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously BUILDINGS,PROPERTIES,TRANSIT,PARKS,WATER,SEWER/SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Appeal of Grass Violation at 211 Schuyler Place. By Commissioner Vargas :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, Robert Finley, owner of 211 Schuyler Place has received a violation for tall grass and noxious weeds in his front lawn, including the area between the curb and sidewalk (Section 325- 23.B.(2)(c)[5] of the City Zoning Ordinance), and WHEREAS, Ms. Finley wishes to appeal the violation based on her appreciation for wild flowers that she has planted in her front yard; now, therefore, be RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the violation, the appeal, the zoning ordinance and the front lawn, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board denies the request based on its review and feels that this decision is consistent with past decisions, and be it further RESOLVED, That the terms of the Building Department notice become effective one week after the passing of this resolution and the Department of Public Works may be directed to mow the vegetation in order to comply with the city zoning ordinance resulting in a bill to the Finley’s for the work in addition to any other expenses related to the violation. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Gutenberger stated that the height of the vegetation makes it difficult for use of the walkway and is out of character for the neighborhood. Commissioner Ehrhardt reminded the Board that a previous decision allowed for a preserve in the back yard and that the front must be cut back to meet the 9” zoning regulation requirement. Request for Encroachment at 115 Linn Street By Commissioner Vargas :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received and reviewed a request for an encroachment agreement from Tamar Sherman as owner of 115 Linn Street, and WHEREAS, the existing garage and concrete parking areas encroach on the street right of way for University Avenue by 4.1 feet and Board of Public Works – June 16, 1998 - Page 4 0.8 feet respectively as shown on a property survey done for Jack and Tamar Sherman by Manzari and Reagan Land Surveyors, Dated January 17, 1997; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the requested encroachment for the property at 115 Linn Street contingent upon the approval of the City Attorney, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board reserves the right to direct that the encroachment be removed at no cost to the city if the department requires use of the property, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement. Carried Unanimously Request for Use of Wood Street Park. By Commissioner Vargas :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the First Assembly of God church has requested the use of Wood Street Park on June 30, July 1 and July 2, 1998 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. for a rally service; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the request from the First Assembly of God to use Wood Street Park on June 30, July 1 and July 2, 1998 and reminds the church that other permits are required for the event as planned. Carried Unanimously Approval of Skateboard Facility Location in Wood Street Park. By Commissioner Vargas :Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works, in its resolution of February 26, 1997, approved a site at the Ithaca Youth Bureau for the location of a skateboard facility, and WHEREAS, the Planning Department has proposed that the site be changed to Wood Street Park since it seems to complement the spirit of the other activities within that park; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves of Wood Street Park for the location of the proposed skateboard facility. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Gutenberger questioned the available location of comfort stations, the concerns of the Titus Towers residents and the relocation of skate boarders from the City Hall parking area to this facility. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER & SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Approval of East Clinton Street Bridge Project. By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, staff has recommended a project to remediate the scour beneath the footing of the East Clinton Street bridge which will eliminate the “yellow flag” placed on the bridge during a recent NYSDOT inspection, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works recognizes that Common Council at their meeting of May 6, 1998 has created a Capital Project for $120,000 to fund this work, contingent upon the board’s approval; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the recommended project, and be it further Board of Public Works – June 16, 1998 - Page 5 RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent to enter into the necessary contracts to complete this work in a timely manner. Carried Unanimously Request for Stop Sign at First and Hancock Streets. By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has been requested to approve installation of four-way Stop signs at the intersection of First Street and Hancock Street, and WHEREAS, neither the traffic volume, speed, accident history, nor pedestrian count warrant four-way Stop signs at this location according the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has determined that no special circumstances beyond those specified in the MUTCD exist at this time in this particular intersection which would warrant changing the signage at this intersection from the existing two-way Stop to a four-way Stop; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies the request to install four-way Stop signs at this intersection. Carried Unanimously TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, PARKING, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS Request for Handicap Parking on Fourth Street. By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has been requested to approve installation of a residential Handicapped Parking sign for the new owner at 113 Fourth Street, and WHEREAS, the city has used a limited number of signs in the central business district to meet what it believes is a need of the moderately handicapped population in a commercial area, and WHEREAS, the city has a policy and a legal requirement not to dedicate public parking to individual purposes, which this request appears to be; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works refers this request back to the Traffic Committee for it follow up review and recommends they contact the Disability Advisory Council for input on developing a city policy on use of on street handicap spaces. Carried Unanimously Request for Odd/Even Parking Exemption. By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, Rosanne Taub, 508-508 1/2 West Court Street has requested that she be exempt from the odd/even parking regulation because she does not have a driveway, one side of the street does not have parking and she feels that finding on-street parking is difficult because of people using the park, and WHEREAS, there is extensive on-street and off-street parking in the adjacent blocks, making parking readily available for both park users and local residents; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies Ms. Taub’s request that the 500 block of West Court Street be exempt from the odd/even parking regulation. Carried Unanimously ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: Award of Bid for Dump Body and Snow Plow System. By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas Board of Public Works – June 16, 1998 - Page 6 WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works received bids on May 12, 1998 for a 1998 Dump Body and Snow Plow System, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and recommends that the bid be awarded to the low bidder; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid for a 1998 Dump Body and Snow Plow System to Roberts Equipment, 6803 Manlius Center Road, P.O. Box 489; East Syracuse, NY 13057 for their low bid of $29,683.00, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent for Streets and Facilities be authorized to enter into an agreement with Roberts Equipment. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, That The first Resolved clause be replaced with the following language: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid for a 1998 Dump Body and Snow Plow System to Roberts Equipment, 3250 Route 20E, P.O. Box 328, Casenovia,NY 13035 for their low bid of $25,752, and be it further.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows Carried Unanimously REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters: The Mayor’s budget guidelines have been distributed to staff. The Department of Public Works will compile a 0% budget. Superintendent Gray doesn’t feel as though his department could create –3% and –6% budgets without closing facilities or cutting services. Cass Park Pool repairs are complete and the ball field emergency generator has been ordered. The Engineering group will be working with the Planning Dept. and the consultant on Southwest Park GEIS. Sprinkler work in the Southside facility was completed in addition to the current contract. Demolition of 312 College Avenue has started. The City’s web page portion of Department of Public Works related services is very informative. Interactive maps have been made available through the Engineering Dept. A schedule for the budget hearings was established. Commissioner Ehrhardt praised the efforts of Superintendent Gray and Asst. Superintendent(s) Ferrel and Fabbroni for efficient and honest budget building. Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following matters: The following are the list of projects that Streets & Facilities crews are currently working on: Seasonal Maintenance Curb installation and paving of Alice Miller Way Storm drains on Giles Street Mowing and inspection by NYS DOT at Flood Control Project Two Gorge Rangers have been hired Board of Public Works – June 16, 1998 - Page 7 Tree trimming and removal Mowing and mulching Graffiti removal Installation of new parking booth at Woolworths 161 trash violations since 1/01/1998, many repeat offenders Program Analysis presentation complete Budget preparation has begun. The following represents the budget reductions that must occur given the criterion: 0% reduction of $69,000 -3% reduction of $230,000 -6% reduction of $390,000 Ithaca Festival went smoothly despite the reduced Department of Public Works staff services. Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the following matters: Municipal resolutions of support are being drafted to gain cooperative sewer remediation for the State Bond Act application process. The sewer work North of Ithaca High School is complete. Work on the South side won’t begin until school is closed for the summer. Fall and York Street(s) work will begin next week. 1999 budget preparation is difficult due to the unknown future of water services and catching up with deferred maintenance. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb Steve Ehrhardt City Clerk Vice-Chair