HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1999-06-09BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. June 9, 1999
PRESENT:
Commissioners (6) - Ehrhardt, Leonardo, Vargas, Gutenberger,
Jenkins, Korherr
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy Clerk – Korherr
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Common Council Liaison - Hershey
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Commissioner Ehrhardt led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance
to the American flag.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the Minutes of the May 12, 1999 Board of Public Works
Meeting
By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Korherr
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the May 12, 1999 Board of Public
Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Superintendent Gray requested that the following items be added
to the agenda:
Power to Act – Cleveland Avenue
Power to Act – TCAT Personnel item
Power to Act – TCAT Budget item
Asst. Superintendent Ferrel requested that the following be added
to the agenda.
Power to Act – Bid for Commons sweeper
No board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Steve Fontana, owner of Fontana Shoes at 401 Eddy Street,
addressed the Board regarding the schedule for attendants at the
Collegetown parking garage. Since staff are not scheduled for 24
hours/day, drivers have a small window of opportunity to gain
access and exit the parking garage for days at a time without
paying fees. This creates the loss of substantial revenues to the
City. He would like DPW to schedule another attendant so that the
garage is staffed 24 hrs./day which would increase revenues and
allow for available parking for customers to shop in the area.
Commissioner Jenkins expressed concerns that some residents
shared with her regarding the condition of the Fleet Bank
sidewalk area and the lack of visibility created by overgrown
trees at the Stewart Park entrance.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
Commissioner Gutenberger stated that she would like staffing
options at the Collegetown Garage reviewed. She felt as though
full staff coverage would be the solution.
Superintendent Gray stated that there is a garage parking permit
clause that limits access to 3 days. Chalking tires and
installing surveillance equipment are two options for insuring
compliance.
Board of Public Works – June 9, 1999 - Page 2
Alderperson Hershey suggested that the gate be lowered so that
vehicles are denied access to the garage completely.
TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS:
Request for Removal of 2 Hour Parking on South Geneva Street.
By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas
WHEREAS, a request from Eric Rosario, resident of 228 South
Geneva Street, between Clinton and Green Street across from
McGraw House, has requested that the current two hour parking
regulation be changed to odd/even parking in the 200 block of
South Geneva Street, and the Board of Public Works asked staff to
review the 100, 200 and 300 block, and
WHEREAS, the Traffic Systems Engineer has reviewed the three
blocks of Geneva Street as well as adjacent blocks, zoning,
current and proposed land use, and the general parking pattern
around downtown metered zones, and
WHEREAS, the Traffic Systems Engineer believes that a change to
odd/even parking within one block of metered parking and adjacent
to Henry Saint John’s, the McGraw House, and the Red Cross would
have substantial negative impacts on the neighborhood; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request
of the Rosario’s as well as potential impacts and denies the
request.
Superintendent Gray reviewed the suggestion that parking be
changed to include 2 hour parking between the hours of 8:00 am –
4:00 pm similar to that of other areas in the neighborhood but
determined that the current parking system was established based
on the land and neighborhood usage. The ability for the Rosario’s
to park in front of their house would alter the ability for
others to park.
Ms. Rosario stated that her household is the only one in the
block without a driveway. There are no overnight parking options
in the area.
Superintendent Gray stated that the City should not attempt to
accommodate parking needs for individual households. The City
cannot absorb costs associated with tailoring needs to a single
resident.
Amending Resolution
BY Commissioner Vargas :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the following language replace the existing
resolved clause:
“RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes that
parking between 228 Geneva Street and the corner with Clinton
Street be changed from 2 hour parking to 24 hour parking in the
zone.”
Ayes: (4) Jenkins, Ehrhardt, Vargas, and Gutenberger
Nays: (2) Korherr, Leonardo
Carried
Main Motion As Amended
A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows:
Ayes: (4) Jenkins, Ehrhardt, Vargas, and Gutenberger
Nays: (2) Korherr, Leonardo
Carried
Board of Public Works – June 9, 1999 - Page 3
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID
WASTE ITEMS:
Approval of Play Area at Steamboat Landing.
By Commissioner Vargas :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Farmers Market is proposing to design and
build a play area at Steamboat Landing, and
WHEREAS, Common Council approved of the concept at their March 3,
1999 meeting and forwarded the item to the Board of Public Works
for approval, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the Farmer’s
Market Lease with the city dated June 10, 1989 to consider
concerns related to insurance and liability issues; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the
installation of a new play area, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the board requires involvement of the City
Forester during the design phase of the play area and that the
board have final approval of the design prior to installation,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the board requests the City Attorney review the
leasee’s insurance to see that Articles 3b and 5 are met.
Carried Unanimously
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Presentation of Finalized Map and Description of Bicycle Routes.
Commissioner Ehrhardt presented the four routes for bicycle plan
implementation as developed by staff. Parking alterations and
NYSDOT involvement are identified in the presentation. Changes
can be made before taking the plan to the public.
Asst. Supt. Ferrel stated that NYSDOT has altered the far right
lane of Fulton Street to a right turn only lane.
Alderperson Hershey questioned the desire to alter or remove
parking all year long. Commissioner Ehrhardt confirmed that
permanent change needs to occur.
The Board made the following changes to the proposed
implementation options: Preliminary draft
Route 2 – East/West Commuter Route:
#2 Establish shared lane on the North side of the street, no
parking removed.
# 2,3,4,5 of Route #2 as well as Route #1 require NYSDOT
involvement in decision making.
Re-number 6 – 9 due to typo.
#9 The Board questioned the impact on lower Mitchell St. and
would like the Traffic Engineer to evaluate any parking changes.
They would like to view a sample of the M6-2 sign.
Route 3 – Stewart Park/Ithaca High School to Buttermilk Park
Route
#1 The Board questioned the number of lost parking spaces. The
Board proposed shared lanes and ultimately traffic calming
measures to accommodate safe bicycle travel. Elimination of
parking opposes traffic calming.
Board of Public Works – June 9, 1999 - Page 4
#2 Renamed High School Option 1.
Alderperson Hershey commented on the presence of #2 since
recommendations had been made to create an alternate route that
is presented on the mapped draft and avoid the Cayuga Street
bridge. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel confirmed that the bridge is
less than the 26’ wide description given, it is only 22’wide.
Commissioner Ehrhardt confirmed that the presence of the High
School Option 1 was due to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Council’s desire for a direct route to Ithaca High School. When
the public responds negatively then efforts up to this point
could be changed. Commissioner Ehrhardt also confirmed the
Board’s unwillingness to remove parking if the neighborhood
objected. High School Option 1 was removed due to lack of support
from the Board and replaced with the following:
At Cayuga and Fall Streets the route proceeds East on Fall Street
to Lake Street then North to Ithaca High School as a shared
roadway.
A discussion for Option 3 followed. Commissioner Gutenberger
confirmed that buses are 10’ wide, equal to that of the proposed
lanes. Buses regularly pass each other. Commissioner Gutenberger
stated that shared lanes should exist without the removal of
parking.
Several Commissioners suggested removal of any option relating to
addition of bike lanes that extend down Cayuga Street, include
10’ lanes and eliminate parking. Alderperson Hershey stated that
the neighborhood should not be dragged through an emotional
hearing that supports a wholesale removal of parking. They should
be presented with a plan that they could support.
Commissioner Ehrhardt objected that this action would be
tantamount to the dissolution of the bicycle plan as a whole,
which cannot be done by the Board. The Common Council resolution
was read to the Board.
Alderperson Hershey suggested that the Board’s difficulties in
implementation revert to the Planning Board for discussion.
Superintendent Gray suggested that at least some version of the
initial bicycle plan should be presented at a public hearing as a
goodwill effort for the work performed over several years.
Commissioner Ehrhardt confirmed that an additional public hearing
would need to be held in order to accommodate the concerns of the
students based on Common Council’s resolution. At the request of
the Board, Commissioner Ehrhardt will appear to the Planning and
Economic Development Committee to express the concerns of the
Board and obtain clarification of Council’s intentions when they
adopted the Ithaca Bicycle Plan.
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
Scheduling of Public Hearing - June 30, 1999.
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works calls a public hearing
on June 30, 1999 at 4:30 in the Common Council Chambers to
receive input on the proposed bicycle routes to be implemented
within the City of Ithaca.
No Action Taken
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion of 2-way Usage on North Aurora and North Cayuga
Streets. Discussion tabled until a later date.
Board of Public Works – June 9, 1999 - Page 5
Power to Act – Cleveland Avenue
By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves the
Power to Act regarding the Cleveland Avenue Design at the June
16,1999 meeting.
Carried Unanimously
Power to Act – Bid for Commons sweeper
By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves the
Power to Act regarding the bid for the Commons sweeper at the
June 16,1999 meeting.
Carried Unanimously
Power to Act – TCAT Personnel item
By Commissioner Ehrhardt :seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves the
Power to Act regarding a TCAT Personnel item at the June 16,1999
meeting.
Carried Unanimously
Power to Act – TCAT Budget item
By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves the
Power to Act regarding a TCAT budget item at the June 16,1999
meeting.
Carried Unanimously
REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the
following matters:
Water is a big issue for the Department of Public Works for the
past few weeks. Crews have been watering trees using a flusher
truck. The crews obtained retired hose sections from the Fire
Dept., cut holes in them and lowered them into creeks with holes
for watering purposes. The staff plan to use the same idea for
the Golf Course.
Ithaca Festival had a few difficulties mainly due to
communication problems.
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following
matters:
The Barnard Lake Source Cooling Project includes excavating a
large trench as granted by the City in the building permit. They
are dumping the excess at an unknown location on Rte. 34. The
related truck traffic using Rte 13 via Cayuga Heights Road down
University Ave and into Fall Creek neighborhoods has been a
problem. He doesn’t know of any solution but hopes that
availability of the trucking schedule will calm the residents.
Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni will make a Water and Sewer
presentation to the Program Analysis Committee. All Board of
Public Works Commissioners are invited to explore the future of
Water and Sewer services on Monday June 21,1999 at 6:15 pm at the
Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Bridge projects will be delayed due to the resignation of the
Bridge Systems Engineer.
Board of Public Works – June 9, 1999 - Page 6
Power to Act – Thanks to Rick Brennan
By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works commend Rick Brennan for
his outstanding service to the City of Ithaca as the Bridge
Systems Engineer at the June 16,1999 meeting.
Carried Unanimously
Superintendent Gray expressed his desire for Common Council
support of Water and Sewer expansion and development. The staff
are feeling crowded with the condition of the plant and
discouraged about the need for improvements. Water and Sewer
supply discussions city-wide should be pro-active. The Board of
Public Works is the first policy body that should be fully
informed and be willing to take action. Commissioner Ehrhardt
stated that he will bring the Board’s support for Water and Sewer
discussions to Council.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Robin L. Korherr Steve Ehrhardt
Deputy City Clerk Vice-Chair