HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1999-03-03BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 4:30 p.m. March 3, 1999
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (5) - Ehrhardt, Leonardo, Vargas, Gutenberger,
Jenkins
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
Common Council Liaison - Hershey
TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS:
By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca has adopted
both a traffic calming policy and a bicycle plan; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of either of these policies is
closely related to the implementation of the other in terms of
the effects of particular engineering choices on the success of
both programs; and
WHEREAS, the close relationship of these polices to each other
requires that engineering attention to both be significant and
simultaneous and that the implementation measures taken to
achieve them be balanced respect to the objectives of both
policies; and
WHEREAS, implementation of both policies is an urgent priority
and demanding engineering task; and
WHEREAS, the workload of the Traffic Systems Engineer includes
numerous responsibilities and projects apart from traffic
calming, pedestrian safety, and the bicycle plan; now, therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the Ithaca Board of Public Works recommends that
Common Council create the temporary position of Neighborhood
Traffic-Calming and Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Specialist
within the Department of Public Works reporting to the Traffic
Systems Engineer and that this position exist for a period not to
exceed two years unless re-authorized by Common Council; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Traffic-Calming Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
Specialist be responsible for providing engineering support for
the integrated implementation of both the traffic calming policy
and the bicycle plan in the form of specific engineering
proposals; that this Specialist work with the Ithaca
Neighborhoods Council, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Council, the Neighborhood Planner, the Board of Public Works and
the Traffic Systems Engineer to oversee engineering projects to
achieve the objectives of the traffic calming policy and the
Ithaca bicycle plan; and that this Specialist assist the Traffic
Systems Engineer in advising the Board of Public Works on issues
of neighborhood traffic management, pedestrian safety, and
bicycle transportation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Specialist’s working time be applied solely
to technical support and follow-through for the traffic calming
program, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and neighborhood traffic
issues; and be it further
Board of Public Works – March 3, 1999 - Page 2
RESOLVED, That funding for this position be sought from TEA-21
monies and multi-modal transportation monies as well as from the
general fund; and be it further
RESOLVED, That during the time period that this Specialist and
the Traffic Systems Engineer are engineering these projects that
the Board of Public Works retains its authority under the City
Charter to proceed prudently with interim measures to calm
traffic, facilitate safe bicycle transportation, and improve
pedestrian safety with the assistance of the Traffic Systems
Engineer and this Specialist, with the understanding that these
interim measures may be altered, retained or removed as a
consequence of the implementation of the final plan.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen
Depity City Clerk Mayor