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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 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor