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