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