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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1999-04-14BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. April 14, 1999 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (4) - Ehrhardt, Leonardo, Gutenberger, Korherr OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy 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 EXCUSED: Commissioner(s) Vargas and Jenkins PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes - Public Works Meetings: By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the April 1,1998, April 21,1998, May 12,1998, May 19,1998, June 16,1998, February 10, 1999 and March 3,1999 Board of Public Works meetings be approved as published. Carried Unanimously COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Chris Anagnost, 304 College Avenue, discussed the tree crew vehicles that park adjacent to his driveway. Northland Associates were allowed to purchase the parking spaces and visibility when entering and exiting his driveway is a real problem. City staff have not followed up with his numerous attempts to contact them. The building next door to Mr. Anagnost is scheduled to be power washed. The airborne cement pieces and insulation from the procedure will cause tremendous damage to adjacent properties and parked cars. He is interested in the Board of Public Works placing restrictions on the contractor rather than having the residents submit bills for damages directly to Northland Associates after the fact. The Building Dept. should be holding the contractor accountable for their actions. . David Nutter, 235 Cliff Street, discussed the share the road signs and the absence of cones in front of Beverly J. Martin School. Their presence reduces vehicular speed and ensures a safe environment for the children. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council supports Alternate 1 of the Elm Street construction options. The bicyclists, residents and vehicular traffic would benefit from this option. Any additional sidewalk construction should be paid for by the project, not the taxpayers. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Commissioner Ehrhardt expressed his sympathy to Mr. Anagnost and his concerns relating to the construction project and suggests that he contact the Planning Board and determine whether these issues were addressed in the site plan approval process. Violating the terms of building permit issuance is not allowed. Discussion followed on the floor regarding possible solutions to Mr. Anagnost’s visibility problems. Superintendent Gray stated that he specifically added to the agreement with the contractor that they not use the spots in front of the apartment complex owned by Mr. Anagnost. He will speak with the contractor. Board of Public Works – April 14, 1999 - Page 2 Commissioner Gutenberger stated that owners should be notified in advance if crosswalks are to be placed in front of their property. Mayor Cohen stated that the contractor wishes to construct a crane on the property in order to place a sign on the new building. The street would need to be closed for this process. The request was denied. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: Deputy City Controller Thayer reported on the following matters: Challenge Industries is interested in both of the proposals for the Stewart Park Carousel and food concessions. TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS: Approval of Elm Street Reconstruction Design. By Mayor Cohen : Seconded by Commissioner Korherr WHEREAS, staff has developed several designs for in-house construction for approximately one thousand feet (1000) feet in the 400 block of Elm Street, and WHEREAS, input from the public has been received which raised issues concerning traffic counts, traffic speed, pavement width and extent of use by bicyclists; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves of the recommended design provided by staff to include the following: - a 14 foot uphill lane with a 3 foot stabilized shoulder, to provide room for a shared bike lane, - an 11 foot downhill lane with a 6 foot stabilized shoulder, and, be it further RESOLVED, That staff is requested to track and report back the cost of the project expected to be at $88.50 per linear foot for a total length of 1000 linear feet giving a projected cost of $88,500. Commissioner Ehrhardt stated that this resolution endorses Alternate 1 in the plan. Some residents have supported Alternate 4 with changes. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council support Alternate 4 but suggest striping the 14’ uphill lane at the 10’ line, thus allowing for a 4’ bike lane. This passed at the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council meeting with a 5-2 vote. Commissioner Korherr expressed concern that narrowing the lane further adds a safety risk with large recycling trucks frequenting the road. Commissioner Gutenberger wished to support Alternate 4 due to the potential of increased speed and the residents support. The low traffic count minimizes the chance of accident. Commissioner Ehrhardt suggested that bike lanes be at least four feet wide as recommended in the Bicycle plan. Mayor Cohen confirmed that the frequency of the recycling trucks is minimal. The neighbors want a thinner road. Superintendent Gray stated that 10’ wide areas are extremely narrow for 8’ wide vehicles to travel. Snowplows and weekly trash vehicles are the only occasions when truck traffic will occupy the road. A 5’ bicycle lane is preferred. A temporary setup of 10’ traffic lane with a 4’ bike lane could be constructed and evaluated. Wide shoulders are not needed for support if a bike lane is present. Board of Public Works – April 14, 1999 - Page 3 Motion to Table By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Mayor Cohen RESOLVED, That the item be tabled. Motion to Withdraw By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Mayor Cohen RESOLVED, That the Motion to Table be withdrawn. Power to Act By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves the Power to Act regarding the Elm Street Reconstruction Design at their April 21,1999 meeting. Carried Unanimously BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Request for Waiver of Pavilion Fee By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo WHEREAS, the annual Pud’s Run is held in memory of Ithaca Police Office Michael Padula to raise money for a scholarship fund, and WHEREAS, the organizers of the run are requesting for a waiver of the pavilion fee in Stewart Park for their activities following the race; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby recognizes the value of the community, value of the memorial and the scholarship fund, but denies the request for waiver of the pavilion fee, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board’s decision is based on their policy to not grant waivers of the fee, including those requests from not- for-profit agencies because the fee is a modest charge which is used to pay a small part of the cost to maintain the seasonal buildings and park itself, while helping to control the demand for use of these facilities. Ayes(4): Korherr, Gutenberger, Leonardo, Ehrhardt Nays(0): Mayor Cohen abstained Carried Mayor Cohen confirmed that the only waiver the Board of Public Works has ever granted is for the City employee picnic. Officer Tim Williams stated that in the past Pud’s Run has been granted a waiver of the fee. Superintendent Gray stated that previous Board of Public Works minutes have been reviewed and the fee waiver was never formally approved by the Board. In the past the fees weren’t properly billed by the Youth Bureau staff. Request to Close Stewart Park By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr WHEREAS, the annual Pud’s Run is held in memory for Ithaca Police Officer Michael Padula to raise money for a scholarship fund, and WHEREAS, the organizers of the run are requesting that the Board approve eliminating vehicular movement to and from Stewart Park during the race in order to insure safety of the runners, and WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works receives several requests each year to hold foot races in the park and does not allow public use to be interrupted during those races but requires race sponsors to coordinate with the police; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the request to restrict vehicular traffic to and from Stewart Park for the annual Pud’s Run, and, be it further Board of Public Works – April 14, 1999 - Page 4 RESOLVED, That Stewart Park is a public facility and that access to the park is to be maintained at all times during regular operating hours. Mayor Cohen has coordinated events with the Police Dept. in the past and suggested as a compromise that traffic be restricted to the South end of the park only. This option would not completely upset the public usage of the park. Officer Tim Williams expressed their desire to restrict traffic into the park only during the first 45 minutes of the race. Parking is allowed on Pier Road and access to the park is via the footbridge. This would ensure the safety of all the people involved. The Sheriff’s Department halts traffic on James L. Gibbs Dr. and East Shore Drive while all runners start and large groups of runners finish. They intend to have a kid’s fun run as well as a mile run also. They expect 800 runners to attend. Commissioner Gutenberger suggested that the race begin and end at Ithaca High School, and the barbeque festivities would take place at the park. Mayor Cohen confirmed last year’s denial from Superintendent Gray that park closure couldn’t be granted. He wishes to develop a compromise solution to allow for a portion of the park to remain open and address concerns regarding access. During the time that James L. Gibbs Drive access is allowed an option would be to allow the public to enter the park and take a right hand turn only. Senior citizens and disabled persons needs cannot be met with the only parking availability on Pier Road. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Korherr RESOLVED, That the following language be substituted for the existing resolved clauses: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby authorizes the Mayor to work with the Police Department to achieve a satisfactory resolution which will accommodate the safety of the runners and retain public access to the park during the race.” ` Carried Unanimously Main Motion as Amended Ayes(4): Gutenberger, Korherr, Ehrhardt, Leonardo Nays(0): Mayor Cohen abstained Carried Outdoor Dining Program By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approve the Outdoor Dining Program under the same conditions as was allowed in 1998. Ayes (4): Korherr, Leonardo, Gutenberger, Ehrhardt Nays (0) Mayor Cohen abstained Carried Beverly Apgar, Ithaca Downtown Partnership, wishes to thank City Clerk Holcomb for her efforts in centralizing the permitting process on a temporary basis while the IDP Director vacancy exists. She wishes to request that the 1998 rates still remain in effect. Superintendent Gray stated that discussions have driven his suggestion that the season date restrictions not be limited. The Board should view the season extension as an enhancement to the downtown area. If insurance verification is received by City Hall then compliance issues could be handled during January and February with the season beginning March 1 if weather allows. Board of Public Works – April 14, 1999 - Page 5 Beverly Apgar further stated that John Schroeder of the Government Relations Committee would like to see the horizontal and vertical surfaces of pavilions and kiosks on the Commons power washed. Request for Encroachment at 312 College Avenue. By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from the owners of 312 College Avenue to obtain a permanent easement for an encroachment of the building’s cornice into College Avenue, a distance of approximately 1' - 4" at a height of 60 feet above grade, and WHEREAS, the Board has a history of granting revocable licenses for encroachment of commercial structures recently built in Collegetown, which resulted in discussion between the owners representative, the Director of Planning and the Superintendent of Public Works, and WHEREAS, none of the commercial or rentable space of the building encroaches into College Avenue which would benefit the owner’s directly while not necessarily improving the community itself, and WHEREAS, the structure could be finished without the full cornice which would have a detrimental impact on the community for an extended period of time while possibly benefitting the owners who would avoid an annual license fee and the risk of being directed to remove the cornice project on a year’s notice at no cost to the city, and WHEREAS, the City’s risk of accepting the encroachment 60 feet in the air is offset by the community benefit of the completed architectural elements in the facade; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Superintendent to negotiate an agreement for the encroachment, acceptable to the City Attorney, for the projection of the cornice of 312 College Avenue into College Avenue, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests the Planning Board to include a review of these elements and their potential impacts into the site plan review and building permit process so that these matters are addressed much earlier in the building process. Carried Unanimously Superintendent Gray wishes to have alternative architectural situations and the potential for an economic element of encroachment considered when the site plan review process for the building permit is initiated. The usage of large equipment and it’s lingering effects on the City should be included in the review process. Mayor Cohen stated that Commissioner Ehrhardt should refer this issue back to the Planning Board as an example of an item that the site plan review process should not overlook. Superintendent Gray stated that an unrevocable encroachment agreement could be written in a way that the 1'4” and 60’ high dimensions were clearly defined so that the encroachment will not be granted for the entire face of the building. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: Request for State Street Bricks By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Saint James A.M.E. Zion Church at 116 Cleveland Avenue has requested the use of State Street Bricks for a public memorial to the 27 free African-American soldiers from Ithaca who participated in the American Civil War, and Board of Public Works – April 14, 1999 - Page 6 WHEREAS, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Committee has approved of the use of these bricks, and WHEREAS, staff has indicated that there is an adequate amount of State Street bricks to allow such a request to be met; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants the request for sale of 1,750 bricks for a total price of $1.00 (one dollar) to pave a memorial; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an agreement with the Saint James A.M.E. Zion Church under the usual terms and conditions. Carried Unanimously REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the board on the following matters: Lake Source Cooling efforts will be intensive over the next two months. Ithaca City School District wishes to have the work done before school ends in June. The east side of IHS will be worked on first. Staff are working on WWTP regional alternatives which are being evaluated for the Regional Infrastructure Partnership. The best possible phosphorus removal possibilities are being evaluated. Discussions regarding the regional merger of water plant services continue. Environmental Facilities Corporation has met with staff to discuss funding line levels. The goal is to make available to the City low level interest rates for funding purposes. GPS equipment is available thanks to the cooperation of Cornell University. This will allow for the purchase of higher quality electronic mapping equipment than was originally authorized. The City’s laboratory has been certified to do both water and wastewater testing. The Environmental Laboratory is the name selected for this facility. Stream water testing is also being completed for Six Mile Creek purposes. The Mayor has asked that Asst. Superintendant Fabbroni represent the City in the regional Watershed discussions that represents 41 municipalities. Ironically, the fact that Cayuga Lake doesn’t have a watershed master plan has allowed for easy access to funding. Storm sewer construction from Dey St. to York St. and the Sciencenter to the High School will take place very soon. East to West sewer work on York will be completed in May. North Cayuga Street will be heavily used this Spring. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES Commissioner Leonardo stated that as much trouble that the crane caused Superintendent Gray, Bob Ripa and Northland Associates worked professionally and efficiently on the removal process. Commissioner Gutenberger stated that the Collegetown Neighborhood Council wished to have streets cleaned similar to that of the downtown areas. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that illegally parked cars restrict the evening sweeper crews’ ability to reach the curb lines and this inhibits proper cleaning. Commissioner Ehrhardt has the list of areas that shared roadway signs were supposed to be placed. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel was given the list and an update is requested for the next meeting. Board of Public Works – April 14, 1999 - Page 7 Commissioner Ehrhardt stated that the Planning Department is examining the site plan for North Campus freshman housing at Cornell. Locations of intersections in the area are being discussed. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor