HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1999-08-18BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
August 18, 1999
NOTES
PRESENT: Commissioners Ehrhardt, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Korherr, Leonardo, Vargas, Mayor
Cohen, Alderperson Hershey, and Assistant Superintendent Ferrel.
Comm. Ehrhardt chaired the meeting.
Additions to the agenda: Power to Act on Request for Parking Changes on South Geneva
Street
Odd/Even Parking Discussion
Power to Act on Request to Close Dryden Road at Eddy Street
There were no deletions from the agenda.
1. Power to Act on Request for Parking Changes on South Geneva Street
Comm. Ehrhardt gave an overview on the history of this item. Comm. Ehrhardt recommended
that the resolution as presented be amended.
Change in Parking Regulations for 200 Block of South Geneva Street.
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received requests for parking changes to the 200
Block of South Geneva Street; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby changes the parking in the 200 block of
South Geneva Street to 2 hour parking from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. weekdays.
Discussion followed.
AMENDING RESOLUTION
By Comm. Ehrhardt, seconded by Comm. Gutenberger.
RESOLVED, That the following resolved clause be included:
"RESOLVED, That the unrestricted 24 hour parking space between 228 South Geneva Street
and the corner with Clinton Street, put in place by the Board of Public Works with their
resolution dated June 9, 1999, be retained."
Discussion followed. Comm. Korherr noted that he would not vote for the amendment since he
felt it was not a consistent regulation. He added that the board should take the recommendation
from staff since they are the professionals. Comm. Leonardo agreed stating that other property
owners also want a 24 hour space and that it is not possible. Comm. Ehrhardt explained that he
felt that this situation deserved an exception and that the board has taken appropriate action on
the issue.
A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows:
Board of Public Works
Committee of the Whole
August 18, 1999
Ayes: (5) Cohen, 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: (5) Cohen, Jenkins, Ehrhardt, Vargas, and Gutenberger
Nays: (2) Korherr, Leonardo
Carried
2. Request for "Na Parkin " SiL., is - 200 Block of Columbia Street.
Peter and Carol Seligmann were present to request the installation of "No Parking" signs near
their daughter's driveway in the 200 block of Columbia Street. Comm. Ehrhardt read the Traffic
System's Engineer recommendation along with an excerpt from the City Code. It noted that
installation of these types of signs are allowable at a cost of $50. Discussion followed concerning
whether previous requests for these signs were required to pay. The board will vote on a
resolution presented at their next meeting.
3. Presentation of "Master Plan and Tree invento Re ort ".
Andy Hillman, City Forester, was present to address the board. He noted that the Shade Tree
Advisory Committee had worked on this document and now needs approval from the board. He
explained that their goal is to maintain a diversified forest within the city. He added that if this is
not accomplished, diseases such as Dutch Elm disease could wipe out most of the trees in one
area. He noted that he is trying to have no more than 5% of any one species. Mr. Hillman
indicated that the committee has surveyed the entire city for possible planting areas in order to
fully stock the city. He explained that sometimes removal of trees are necessary due to safety or
the health of the tree. He told the board that quite often homeowners experience problems with
roots in their sewer lines. When this is the case, it is almost always the cause of a broken sewer
line. Mayor Cohen questioned if the tree ordinance is followed by the city crews. Mr. Hillman
indicated that the city is the biggest violator. He explained that acquiring a permit was mainly for
information purposes so that if in the future a problem occurs with the tree they may be able to
link it back to work done near it. This may result in the removal of the tree. The board will vote
to approve this report at its next regular meeting.
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Board of Public Works
Committee of the Whole
August 18, 1999
4. Odd/Even Parking Discussion
Officer Dan Slattery was present from the Ithaca Police Department. Officer Slattery told the
board that there seems to be problems with this regulation. He stated that he understands it is in
place for street cleaning but that cleaning doesn't seem to happen regularly. Mayor Cohen told
Officer Slattery that a sub - committee has been working on this item and that a proposal should be
brought forward soon. It was noted that the committee should meet with Officer Slattery prior to
giving their recommendation.
5. Power to Act on Request to Close Dryden Road at Eddy Street
It was noted that the Collegetown Merchant Association is planning to hold a freshman get
together to introduce them to the Collegetown area. They plan to block off a portion of Dryden
Road for a musical event. Discussion followed on the possibilities of granting this request.
Request for Street Closure at Eddy and Dryden Road.
By Mayor Cohen, Seconded by: Leonardo
WHEREAS, the Collegetown business community has requested that the City close portions of
Eddy Street and Dryden Road to traffic in order to accommodate a Cornell Freshman Orientation
Event on August 25, 1999; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works received the request less than two weeks ago and does
not have sufficient time to coordinate with the police department and fire department to close the
streets as requested and still provide for public safety; and
WHEREAS the Board of Public Works supports in concept the event which the Collegetown
business community wants to initiate; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies the request to close any portion of any
public street in Collegetown on August 25, 1999; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the use of Dryden Park for this event;
and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works will work with the Collegetown business
community to organize such events in the future, including possible street closings, when requests
to do so are made early enough to plan for public safety, at least sixty days in advance of the
event.
A vote resulted as follows:
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Carried Unanimously (5 -0)
Board of Public Works
Committee of the Whole
August 18, 1999
6. Miscellaneous Discussion.
Comm. Ehrhardt reviewed items for upcoming agendas.
Discussion followed concerning a recent board decision. The board had reviewed a request to
retain a second curb cut at Chabad House on Lake Street. The curb cut was to be removed in
conjunction with the rebuilding of the street during Lake Source Cooling. The board agreed to let
staff make the determination to remove the second curb cut. Common Council subsequently
made a decision to have the second curb cut installed despite staff recommendation not to. The
curb cut does not meet specifications and is therefore a liability to the city. Comm. Leonardo
expressed his displeasure with Council's overruling action. Alderperson Hershey distributed the
resolution passed by Council. He stated that the decision was not overruling the board but that a
decision needed to be made in a timely manner so Council took action. Based on the information
provided to Council it did not appear that any prior accidents were caused by the curb cut.
Comm. Leonardo reiterated that staff was directed to make the decision. Comm. Gutenberger
noted her concern on the legality of the installation and felt that the City Attorney should be
consulted. She added that the city's decision may result in a liability for the Superintendent /City
Engineer. Mayor Cohen noted that the city does not have to comply with the MUTCD if they are
able to establish a defensible rationale with compelling evidence.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
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Notes taken by:
Donna L. Payne
Administrative Secretary