Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1998-10-20BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 7:30 p.m. October 20, 1998 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (6) - Ehrhardt, Leonardo, Smith, Vargas, Gutenberger, Jenkins OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – 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 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Truck enforcement – possible resolution Discussion regarding trash tag/garbage pickup planning and costs COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: David Kreinick, Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, addressed the Board on portions of the bike plan and shared Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee suggestions for the Turner/Prospect Intersection resolution. David Henderson, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the Turner/Prospect Intersection resolution and the need to reduce the speed and volume of traffic in the area. The 20 mile per hour rate of speed is ignored by most drivers and he supports the addition of “No Thru Traffic” signage. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: Commissioner Ehrhardt clarified that the older version of the map was circulating and he shared the correct version with the attending members of the public. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS: BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Request for Short Term Lease of Former Agway Site By Commissioner Vargas :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, Marina Realty of Ithaca, Inc. (MRI) is requesting to lease the former Agway Parcel at 506 Taughannock Boulevard for seasonal boat storage, and WHEREAS, MRI would like use of the property until May 1, 1999; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves of a short-term lease of the property at 506 Taughannock Boulevard to Marina Realty of Ithaca, Inc. for $ 200.00 per month, and be it further RESOLVED, That this approval is contingent upon approval from the City Attorney, and the New York State Parks and Recreation Department for appropriate use of park lands. Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works – October 20,1998 - Page 2 Encroachment for 127 Giles Street By Commissioner Vargas :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received and reviewed a request for an encroachment agreement from the estate of Marena Senderovich for property at 127 Giles Street, and WHEREAS, the southwestern portion of the house encroaches onto city property by approximately 4.5 feet as shown on the property survey completed by Lee Dresser on September 15, 1998; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the requested encroachment for the property at 127 Giles 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 TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS: Approval of Design for Spencer/Turner/Prospect Intersection(Tabled from 9/15/98) By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, a request was received for improvements to the intersection at Spencer/Turner/Prospect Streets; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves staff’s design to bring Spencer Street onto Turner Place at a 90 degree angle and Turner Place will intersect with Prospect/Clinton further west than its current configuration, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to take the necessary steps in order to implement the change to the intersection as soon as time and funds allow. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Ehrhardt stated that the Traffic Committee prefers alternative one and stated that it is the language included in this resolution. He confirmed the Traffic Committee’s involvement before final changes are implemented. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS Request for Dryden Road Parking Garage Improvements. By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, the city of Ithaca has a parking sticker program in the Central Business District whereby downtown merchants may purchase reduced-rate parking stickers to give to their customers for use in downtown parking garages, and WHEREAS, a request has been received from Collegetown merchants to implement a similar parking sticker program at the city garage in the Collegetown Business District, and WHEREAS, in addition to the parking sticker program, the merchants are requesting that free parking be given during the holiday season between December 20, 1998 and January 10, 1999 and that a summer rate of $.45 take effect between June 1, 1999 and August 15, 1999, and Board of Public Works – October 20,1998 - Page 3 WHEREAS, the merchants requested that repair of the existing lighting and striping of the facility be added to the 1999 work schedule, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the requests and finds that it has merit; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby implements a parking sticker program at the Dryden Road Parking Garage effective December 1, 1998, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the sale of parking stickers to Collegetown merchants at a rate of 45 cents per hour effective June 1, 1999 and August 15, 1999, and, be it further RESOLVED, That no more than four stickers per visit may be used by any ticket holder, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board reserves the right to periodically review the rate as well as administrative costs associated with the Dryden Road Garage Parking Sticker Program, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board will permit free parking in the Dryden Road Parking Garage December 20, 1998 to January 10, 1999 inclusive, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to add the repair to lighting and re-striping of the facility to the 1999 work program. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt RESOLVED, That the following language be added to the existing resolved clauses: “RESOLVED, That a summer rate of 45 cents take effect between June 1, 1999 and August 15,1999.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion as Amended Ayes (4) Ehrhardt, Smith, Gutenberger, Leonardo Nays (0) Abstentions (2) Jenkins, Vargas Carries Asst. Superintendent Ferrel shared a few sales issues with the Board that City Chamberlain Parsons had expressed to him that he felt they should be made aware of. Commissioner Ehrhardt spoke of the differences between the availability and demands of parking between Collegetown and downtown areas. Mayor Cohen led a discussion relating to possible variations to current permit hours and he noted the Board’s interest in the possibility of pursuing flexibility of permit hours in the future. Trash Tag/Garbage Pickup Planning and Costs Commissioner Ehrhardt led the Board in a discussion regarding trash tag rates, garbage pickup and delivery and related planning. Bi-weekly pickup schedules, city regulated trash bags, several tag types and altering staffing required for current schedules are all options that were discussed and could be evaluated in the future. Commissioner Ehrhardt stated that the Board of Public Works should be included at some level of the decision making process. Board of Public Works – October 20,1998 - Page 4 Request for More Parking on Eddy Street By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Smith WHEREAS, a request was received by the Traffic Systems Engineer to move the “No Parking Here to Corner” sign on Eddy Street at East State Street to increase parking by two spaces, and WHEREAS, Dan Cole, Traffic Systems Engineer, denied the request since additional parked cars would reduce the sight distance at the corner and create a dangerous intersection; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works agrees with the Traffic Systems Engineer and denies the appeal for the request to move the “No Parking Here to Corner” sign closer to the intersection of Eddy Street and East State Street. Carried Unanimously Request for Delivery Zone on Eddy Street By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, a request was receive by the Traffic Systems Engineer to install a 15 minutes loading zone in the 100 block of Eddy Street, and WHEREAS, the city’s policy is to not install loading zones within residential areas since parking is usually in high demand; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works supports the Traffic Systems Engineer decision to deny the request to install a loading zone in the 100 block of Eddy Street. Carried Unanimously Enforcement of City Truck Ordinance By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded By Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works recently approved a plan for the enforcement of the city ordinance concerning truck routes which called for the Department of Public Works to install signs which would direct truck traffic off of non-truck routes and on to legal truck routes, and WHEREAS, the City does not need permission from the NYS Dept. of Transportation to post the signage called for in the plan everywhere except within 200 feet of NYS Route 13 and the section of NYS Route 79 between the bottom of East State Street and the bridge at the flood control channel, now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Traffic Systems Engineer to select locations within the city’s jurisdiction for signs directing truck traffic off of non-truck routes and on to designated truck routes according to the general strategy recommended by the Traffic Sub-Committee of the Board of Public Works and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities to install the signs at the locations selected by the Traffic Systems Engineer, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs that all signs be posted before April 1, 1999, and be it further RESOLVED, That within 90 days of receipt of a response from NYS Dept. of Transportation to the city’s request for permission to post similar signs on roadways within the state’s jurisdiction, the Board of Public Works directs the Traffic Systems Engineer and the Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities to locate and install additional signs at sites where the city is permitted to do so and where the additional signs would be most Board of Public Works – October 20,1998 - Page 5 effective in legally directing truck traffic using roads under states jurisdiction. Carried Unanimously Mayor Cohen excused himself from the meeting. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the board on the following matters: Paving project completions: Mitchell and Cornell Streets, Forest Home Drive, West Fall Street, Short Street, driving lanes on N. Tioga Street Repair of sink holes Major project at Streets and Facilities yard, fuel dispensing system island has been removed for pipe replacement and upgrade for spill prevention which is mandated by the Federal government New equipment is expected Sign shop is striping the Seneca Street parking garage Routine seasonal maintenance for buildings – heating systems Northside Park for Mutual Housing work is underway Budget meetings went smoothly for the Department of Public Works although solid waste concerns are an issue Superintendent Gray reported to the Board of the following matters: Regional discussions for a composite water system are strong and dissemination of correct information is crucial. Department of Environmental Conservation meeting took place last week and a discussion relating to the clarification of the 7.5 million dollar grant guidelines and the potential distribution of funds took place. Their office supports the City’s efforts and the incentive to proceed is very strong. Equipment acquisition processes have been difficult in the past. Rentals may be an alternative for short-term equipment needs and availability is no longer an issue. The Department of Public Works submitted a 0% budget that included negotiated wage increases, therefore cuts in non-staff resources needed to be made. Police and Fire Departments were allowed to present a 0% supplies line budget without the reduction due to wage increases. Alderperson Marcham clarified that this was due to the emergency nature of their departments. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 pm. __________________ ___________________________ Robin Korherr Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor