HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1999-01-20
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. January 20, 1999
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (5) - Ehrhardt, Leonardo, Vargas, Gutenberger,
Jenkins
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy City Clerk – Korherr
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 - Hershey
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 December 15, 1998 Board of Public
Works Meeting
By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the December 15, 1998 Board of
Public Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Mayor Cohen requested that Item 13A- City Wide Safety Equipment-
Resolution be added to the agenda
No Board member objected.
MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Cohen wished everyone a Happy New Year. He reported that
Commissioner John Perko has resigned from the Board, and
Commissioner Jenkins will be attending a class so the agenda
schedule may vary on occasion.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Michael Waldron, City of Ithaca, discussed problems that he and
his housemates are facing regarding the Residential Permit
Parking System. The fact that they live within the R-3 zone
makes their block ineligible to join the system. The residents
in their building believe they should have the opportunity to
purchase permits giving them the ability to park on City
streets.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
Commissioner Ehrhardt stated that the Residential Parking policy
was never intended to treat residents of designated areas
differently, and noted that a few members of Common Council
should be involved in these discussions also.
Mayor Cohen stated that the system won’t allow petitions in the
R-3 zones due to the dense population. Parking spaces on the
street allows residents the option to pursue parking options.
Streets are designed for traffic flow, not strictly housing
vehicles.
Superintendent Gray noted that the only option available to Mr.
Waldron would be to petition re-zoning of the street that they
live on, however if the parking overflow of other areas is
causing the problem then re-zoning won’t solve the problem.
Board of Public Works – January 20,1998 Page 2 of 5
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Mayor Cohen stated that the single family zones need to be
maintained for a friendly neighborhood environment. He informed
the students that student parking can be obtained at off-campus
sights through the Traffic Division located at Maple Avenue on
Cornell campus.
Superintendent Gray will submit the presented material to
Alderperson Patricia Vaughn to inform her of these difficulties
as well.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID
WASTE ITEMS:
City Wide Safety Equipment: Item 13A
By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
WHEREAS, the majority of City owned and maintained buildings are
equipped with Simplex fire and smoke detectors, alarms and
control equipment, and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City for reasons of
efficiency, compatibility and economics to standardize fire and
smoke detectors, alarms and control equipment from a single
manufacturer, as more fully spelled out in the following items:
1. Several city buildings, namely, G.I.A.C., Ithaca Youth
Bureau, Southside Community Center, City Hall, Ithaca Police
Department and Central Fire Station presently have Simplex
detection / alarm systems. Use of standardized equipment
will allow for simplified inventory and will permit City
staff to make quick response, short term repairs.
2. This equipment will make it possible to assure compatibility
with all similarly equipped City buildings.
3. Maintenance and service contracts for a single type of
equipment Citywide will be easier to manage and should be
more cost effective. Simplex is unique among detection
system in that it utilizes and services only Simplex
equipment - there is no mixing and matching of components.
4. Simplex equipment is very highly regarded by the Ithaca Fire
Department and is readily available. It is commonly used in
many other public buildings.
5. Simplex will guarantee a credit for existing new equipment in
the Ithaca Police Department for the current system upgrade;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That pursuant to section 103, subdivision 5-A of the
General Municipal Law of the State of New York, the Board of
Public Works hereby request that Common Council authorize the
standardization on Simplex equipment as the type of equipment to
be used and purchased by the City of Ithaca during 1999 and 2000
for fire and smoke detection as well as related alarm and
control equipment.
Carried Unanimously
TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS:
Request for Installation of “Blind Person Area” Sign.
By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas
WHEREAS, Mr. Thomas Lister is requesting the installation of
“Blind Person Area” signs on Buffalo and Court Streets, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lister has received a note from his doctor stating
that he is legally blind, and
Board of Public Works – January 20,1998 Page 3 of 5
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WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed this request as
well as considered a number of similar situations of handicap
residents in the city; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves of the
installation of “Blind Person Area” signs on Buffalo and Court
Street as requested.
Commissioner Ehrhardt explained that Traffic Systems Engineer
Dan Cole originally denied this request as the addition of this
sign would not add anything to an area which already has
adequate signage.
Superintendent Gray noted that voting no to this would reinforce
the denial of this request.
Commissioner Gutenberger stated that she investigated the area
and found that multiple signage does not exist in the area.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows
Ayes(0)
Nays(5) Gutenberger, Leonardo, Jenkins, Ehrhardt, Vargas
Motion Failed
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
Meetings Schedule for the Board of Public Works.
By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
WHEREAS, The Board of Public Works has proposed a change in
schedule in an effort to better accommodate the public, Board
memberss schedules and other City committee and board schedules;
now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves of the
following schedule for the Board meetings:
Committee of the Whole - First Wednesday of every month
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Regular Meeting - Second Wednesday of every month 4:30 pm -
6:30 pm
Committee of the Whole - Third Wednesday of every month
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm.
Carried Unanimously
Vice-Chair of Board of Public Works Election:
By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That nominations be open for the position of Vice-
Chair
Carried Unanimously
Commissioner Gutenberger nominated Commissioner Ehrhardt to the
position of Vice-Chairperson to the Board of Public Works.
Close Nominations for Vice-Chair
By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas
RESOLVED, That nominations for Vice-Chair be closed.
Carried Unanimously
Commissioner Ehrhardt was unanimously elected as the 1999 Vice
Chair to the Board of Public Works.
Thank You to Albert Smith:
By Mayor Cohen: Seconded and presented by Commissioner(s) All
WHEREAS, Albert Smith was appointed to the Board of Public Works
in January 1993, and
Board of Public Works – January 20,1998 Page 4 of 5
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WHEREAS, Albert participated directly in improving the Newman
Golf Course, a series of Parking Garage and Meter Improvements,
and the development of agreements to support business in the
downtown area, as well as many other projects, and
WHEREAS, Albert’s interest in the community and concern for the
community s economic viability was evident based on his input at
meetings and his acceptance of many appointments to working
committees; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby thanks Albert
Smith for his dedication to the City of Ithaca board during his
tenure, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the board will miss the historical perspective of
a native Ithacan, and the business perspective of a downtown
merchant in its deliberations, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the board wishes Albert the best of luck with his
future endeavors.
Commissioner Smith expressed his enjoyment serving on the Board
for the past six years. He hopes that the Board will pursue
completion of projects such as altering the speed limit on route
13. He wishes the remaining Board members all the luck in the
world.
REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the
following matters:
Snow removal: NYS DOT has a salt surplus that the City could
borrow if needed. Current usage is 1,300 tons. Budget
restrictions are not a problem as yet, however there are
concerns about the snow removal overtime account. Since
Christmas one half of the overtime budget has been exhausted.
Sidewalk crews have been brought in as needed. Long-term cleanup
effort continues, the downtown area and College Ave. are
crucial. Parking ramps require close monitoring for safe winter
access.
Town of Ithaca, dumpsite replacement: The appraisal on the
property is much lower than the Assessment Office reported. The
owners will proceed in April when they return to the area.
Commissioner Gutenberger expressed her concerns that the streets
outside of the City were clear but the City streets were poorly
maintained. Downtown is very dangerous without salt application.
Superintendent Gray stated that the salt resolution adopted by
Common Council has explicit directions regarding the application
of salt. Common Council would need to alter their policy before
a change could take place.
Commissioner Jenkins expressed concern that the VFW Post plows
the snow from their parking lot into the street and wanted to
know what could be done to prevent this from happening. Asst.
Superintendent Farrell stated that this practice is against
highway law as well as City law. His office will draft a letter
to the VFW to let them know it is unacceptable to plow snow into
the street.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Board of Public Works – January 20,1998 Page 5 of 5
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Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen
Deputy City Clerk Mayor