HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1999-09-08BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. September 8, 1999
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
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
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
Common Council Liaison - Hershey
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American flag.
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Ehrhardt added the following items to the agenda:
Staging Area at 407 College Avenue-Possible Resolution
Slate sidewalks vs. Concrete sidewalks-Discussion
Ferris Place and Quarry Street-Discussion
Prospect and Aurora Street crosswalk striping-Discussion
Mayor Cohen added the following item to the agenda:
Parking regulations for West Fall Street
No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Kathleen Foley, City of Ithaca, commented on the removal of slate
sidewalk sections on Court Street in the Dewitt Park Historic
District, without notifying the Landmarks Commission in advance.
She asked for an explanation for the lack of communication, and
requested that the Department of Public Works work with Ithaca
Landmarks Preservation Commission in the future.
Mary Tomlan, resident of Ithaca, architectural historian and a
member of the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission described
the history of replacing wood and gravel walks with slate. She
confirmed the need for an inventory of slate sections and
volunteered to complete this project herself. She clarified the
process for property owner compliance with maintenance issues,
and the spirit of the landmarks preservation ordinance.
David Nutter, bicycle enthusiast, spoke before the Board
regarding the Bike Plan public hearing. He supported Commissioner
Korherr’s idea of Lake Source Cooling efforts assisting the City
with path creation and striping if necessary. He felt that
nothing would replace the use of the Cayuga Street bridge as a
main route. The Tioga Street section on the map would allow for
two way bike traffic. One way bike traffic is dangerous in that
bicyclists will adopt their own two way flow regardless.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
Commissioner Korherr addressed the comments made by Mr. Nutter
and stated that he would not support the use of the Cayuga Street
bridge as a bike route.
Board of Public Works – Sept. 8, 1999 - Page 2
407 College Avenue – Staging Area
By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
WHEREAS, special circumstances will exist during the construction
of 407 College Avenue: now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That a subcommittee be formed to work on the staging
area for the 407 College Avenue construction project and assist
the Superintendent of Public Works in his deliberations regarding
the authorization of permits. The subcommittee members shall be
Commissioner(s) Korherr, Gutenberger and Leonardo.
Carried Unanimously
Commissioner Ehrhardt stated that a developer has special
circumstances relating to the construction at 407 College Avenue.
The Planning Board could not support the idea of an open sidewalk
while an overhead crane would be in operation. Removing bump outs
and removal of daytime only parking would be acceptable during
the crane operation.
Mack Travis was in attendance to describe the area and explain
the need for exceptions in order to accommodate construction
needs. East Hill Plaza has allocated space for staff parking.
Bill Gray noted that an area of Taber Street would be available
for plank storage. The staging area would be restored at the
developer’s expense. The crane would be in operation for an
eight-week period and completion of this phase is scheduled for
mid-April, 2000.
Mayor Cohen confirmed the property completion date of August 1,
2000. Startup is scheduled in two weeks. The crane will be on the
site for a total of four months.
Asst. Supt. Ferrel stated that all materials must be delivered to
the site via College Avenue so the covered sidewalk can’t be
constructed until much later.
Superintendent Gray suggested that his office, the Building
Department and the property owners could set guidelines or the
guidelines can be negotiated at the Board level. Commissioner
Ehrhardt questioned the timing since bids were received today.
Acting Building Commissioner Radke confirmed that the project
scope would allow for covered sidewalks, minimal disruption in
traffic flow and a safe environment. Insisting the contractor
replace the bump outs is also acceptable. The covered crosswalk
should accommodate pedestrian traffic as much as possible.
Mayor Cohen requested the covered walk from the start to finish
of the project with the understanding that while the crane is up
it is closed. The chain link fence must enclose the entire
construction area and moved toward the building once the crane is
gone. Mayor Cohen asked for very clear signage at crosswalks
directing pedestrian traffic.
Commissioner Korherr stated that staff should be given the power
to develop the guidelines themselves. Mayor Cohen confirmed that
resident concerns should be included in staff decisions at this
level. Commissioner Ehrhardt stated that the item is before the
Board because the staff were not able to establish the
guidelines.
Commissioner Leonardo suggested forming a subcommittee similar to
the 312 College Avenue working group. Commissioner(s)
Gutenberger, Korherr and Leonardo volunteered to work with Bob
Ripa, Bill Gray and other city staff on the guidelines.
Mack Travis offered purchasing ramp permits to the vendors in the
area for their customers due to the lack of parking.
Board of Public Works – Sept. 8, 1999 - Page 3
Removal of Slate Sidewalks
Commissioner Ehrhardt questioned why the City is removing private
property and City of Ithaca slate sidewalks at the same time.
Superintendent Gray stated that this is not the first time that
this issue has come up. The City is responsible for street
maintenance as well as sidewalk maintenance when the surface is
obstructive to pedestrian safety. The City does not maintain
private property. Slate sidewalks create several hazards that
become safety issues. The City must repair these hazards at the
property owner’s expense if the owner is not accountable. This
information has been shared with Leslie Chatterton of the
Planning Department. The questions are still open. Inspections of
slate sidewalks are made in the Spring.
Mayor Cohen stated that the City Attorney’s office should be
involved in interpreting the two sections of code relating to
sidewalk replacement and the inclusion of the Ithaca Landmarks
Preservation Commission where any alteration to historic
preservation property is authorized.
Mayor Cohen recommended that Ms. Tomlan request that Alderperson
Blumenthal add the clarification of the two code sections, and
possible additional language to the sidewalk section,to the next
Planning and Economic Development Committee agenda. The Board of
Public Works should be granted the opportunity to review these
changes as well.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID
WASTE ITEMS:
Request for Encroachment at 341 Spencer Road.
By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received and reviewed a
request for an encroachment agreement from the property owner of
341 Spencer Road ,and
WHEREAS, the existing house encroaches in to the street right-of-
way by 1.5 feet; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the
requested encroachment for the house and other existing
pertinences at 341 Spencer Road contingent upon the approval of
the City Attorney, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board reserves the right to direct that the
encroachment be removed at no cost to the City if the department
requires use of the property, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Mayor to enter into an
agreement with the usual terms and conditions.
Carried Unanimously
Superintendent Gray stated that a pertinence in this case is a
railroad tie wall.
CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS
Approval of “City of Ithaca Community Forest and Street Tree
Inventory Report”
By Commissioner Vargas :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WHEREAS, City Forester Andy Hillman presented a street tree
inventory report to the Board of Public Works at their meeting of
August 18, 1999; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby adopts the “City
of Ithaca Community Forest and Street Tree Inventory Report” as
presented by City Forester Andrew Hillman, and, be it further
Board of Public Works – Sept. 8, 1999 - Page 4
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works thank the City Forester,
his staff, the Shade Tree Commission and many volunteers for the
continued health of the urban forest.
Carried Unanimously
TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS:
Renaming of 700 Block of West Clinton Street
By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas
WHEREAS, Gino Bush, resident of Fayette Street, has presented a
proposal to the Board of Public Works to change the name of the
700 block of West Clinton Street between Meadow and Cherry St to
Cecil A. Malone Drive to honor the former Bishop Malone, and
WHEREAS, Bishop Malone dedicated himself to community service
assisting young people, senior citizens, the infirmed, the
imprisoned and others in need of assistance, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works believes that changing the
name of the street would be a fitting gesture of appreciation for
the work that Bishop Malone did for the community and a reminder
to future generations of his example of community service, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works held a public hearing on
September 1, 1999 to receive both written an oral input on the
name change of the street, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That based on the input from the property owners and
the church congregation, the Board renames the 700 block of West
Clinton Street to Cecil A. Malone Drive, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the dedication ceremony for renaming of the street
be on February 9, 2000, which is the 20th anniversary of Bishop
Malone’s death, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the name be posted as “Cecil A. Malone Drive” with
additional signage of “Formerly Known as West Clinton Street” for
the period of one year after the dedication.
Amending Resolution
By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas
RESOLVED, That the following language be added to the resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the property owners on West Clinton Street, the
United States Postal Service, The Ithaca Fire Dept. and any and
all other affected parties be immediately notified of the Board’s
action.”
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion As Amended
A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
PARKING AND TRAFFIC
Request for “No Parking” signs on Columbia Street.
By Commissioner Ehrhardt : Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, Peter and Carol Seligmann, owners of property at the
corner of Hudson and Columbia Streets, have requested the
installation of signage that reads “No Parking From Here to
Corner” next to their driveway, and
WHEREAS, according to section 60.3 of the City Code, these types
of installations are granted upon payment of $50 for each sign
installation, and
WHEREAS, based on staff’s input, this fee has been imposed on all
installations of the signage that is being requested; now
therefore, be it
Board of Public Works – Sept. 8, 1999 - Page 5
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the
request for waiver of the fee for the installation of “No Parking
From Here to Corner” signs.
Carried Unanimously
Superintendent Gray stated that research has shown that people do
pay for these signs and private waivers have been denied. He
stated that this clause should possibly be removed or altered to
accommodate public purposes.
PARKING AND TRAFFIC
Change in Odd/Even Parking Regulations.
By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has regulated parking on its streets
for many years with odd-even parking regulations, in order to
facilitate the removal of snow, the cleaning of streets and to
prevent the warehousing of vehicles, and
WHEREAS, the system has been a source of confusion and
frustration to community residents and visitors, and there is
interest in eliminating these regulations, and
WHEREAS, maintaining odd-even parking in the winter months to
facilitate snow removal is deemed important, and
WHEREAS, due to the infrequency of street cleaning and the
department’s practice of signing streets that are slated to be
cleaned, a seasonal imposition of these regulations would not
negatively impact on street cleaning efforts, and
WHEREAS, the imposition of a citywide 24 hour parking limit
Monday thru Friday would also serve to prevent the warehousing of
vehicles on city streets, and
WHEREAS, the Fire department has done an analysis of city streets
with an eye to the impact of eliminating odd-even regulations and
is satisfied that any streets where problems might result have
been identified and the situation corrected, and
WHEREAS, the Police department has reviewed the mechanics of
enforcement for seasonal odd-even parking regulations and a year
round 24 hour parking restriction, and has determined that it can
generate the same revenues as it does now by better focusing on
odd-even enforcement during the winter months, and that the 24
hour parking restrictions are from their point enforceable; now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby imposes a
citywide 24 hour parking restriction, effective Monday thru
Friday, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby eliminates year
round odd-even parking regulations and replaces them with odd-
even parking regulations effective November 1 thru April 1, and
be it further
RESOLVED, That staff is directed to update signage on all
roadways where those roadways enter the city limits, indicating
the new 24 hour parking restrictions and the new seasonal odd-
even parking restrictions, and to remove from city streets any
redundant signs that indicate a 24 hour parking limit on those
streets, and be it further
RESOLVED, That these new parking regulations will take effect no
later than April 1, 2000.
Asst. Superintendent Ferrell questioned the fact that this system
is only in effect Monday through Friday. Mayor Cohen confirmed
Board of Public Works – Sept. 8, 1999 - Page 6
that the language eliminates towing over the weekend from Friday
morning through Sunday evening.
Commissioner Leonardo questioned the street cleaning effects of
this.
Superintendent Gray stated that the Fire Dept. identified areas
that will need to be incorporated into this resolution between
now and implementation. Mayor Cohen confirmed that few additional
streets should be in question and Collegetown metered street
exceptions will occur.
Asst. Superintendent Ferrell confirmed that the size of signage
was dictated by a former city judge. Mayor Cohen stated that the
current judges should come up with the specifications.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas
RESOLVED, that the following language be added to the resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the Mayor notify the City Court Judges and
involve their input into the signage involved in this resolution
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion As Amended
A vote on the Main motion as amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
Scheduling of Public Hearing for Bike Routes on Sept. 29, 1999
By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works will hold a Public
Hearing on September 29, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Common Council
Chambers to receive input from the public on the Board’s proposed
Bike Routes.
Ayes: Commissioner(s) Gutenberger, Vargas, Leonardo, Ehrhardt,
Jenkins and Mayor Cohen
Nays: 0
Commissioner Korherr was absent from the vote
Commissioner Ehrhardt stated that changes relating to routes, and
the timing of public notice should be discussed.
Mayor Cohen stated that he, Alderperson Hershey and any other
appropriate people will address the notification issue.
Power to Act - Parking on West Falls Street:
By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants themselves the
Power to Act at the September 15,1999 Committee of the Whole
Meeting to consider the addition of time restricted parking on
West Falls Street.
Ayes: Commissioner(s) Gutenberger, Vargas, Leonardo, Ehrhardt,
Jenkins and Mayor Cohen
Nays: 0
Commissioner Korherr was absent from the vote
A discussion followed regarding commercial property vehicles and
Ithaca High School students dominating the available parking
spaces.
Power to Act Ferris Place
By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants themselves the
Power to Act at the September 15,1999 Committee of the Whole
Meeting to consider the Ferris Place resolution.
Board of Public Works – Sept. 8, 1999 - Page 7
Ayes: Commissioner(s) Gutenberger, Vargas, Leonardo, Ehrhardt,
Jenkins and Mayor Cohen
Nays: 0
Commissioner Korherr was absent from the vote
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen
Deputy City Clerk Mayor