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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1999-09-15BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE September 15, 1999 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Ehrhardt, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Leonardo, Vargas, Mayor Cohen, Alderperson Hershey, Superintendent Gray and Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni. Comm. Ehrhardt chaired the meeting. Additions to the agenda: 407 College Avenue Staging Area Environmental Review - Giles Street There were no deletions from the agenda. 1. Traffic Control - Enhanced Visibility at Cayuga and Cascadilla Street. Traffic Systems Engineer, Dan Cole distributed the five year history of the intersection. He noted that the accident ratio is very low and that there are no recommended solutions. Supt. Gray indicated that the bridge handrail is obviously an obstruction but that short of a redesign, there are no recommendations. Comm. Korherr noted that changing the handrail is not an option and that no changes be made since the accident rate is low. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that he would like to see "Blind Intersection Ahead" signage. 2. Request for Traffic Calming on Franklin and Dey Streets Sam Leonardo, resident of Franklin Street, was present to address the board. He explained that there is an increased number of "cut through" traffic on Franklin Street, including buses and large trucks. He noted that there are three day -cares in the area and that he is concerned with the safety of the children. One resident indicated that speeding is not a problem but that it is the volume and size of vehicles. Mayor Cohen suggested changing the street to one -way. Traffic Systems Engineer Cole indicated that a one -way configuration may increase speed. Mayor Cohen told the board that recent legislation allows parts of New York City to reduce their speed limit, which he will look into. Alderperson Taylor spoke to the board about her concerns for the neighborhood and requested that "Children At Play" signs be installed. Traffic Systems Engineer Cole explained that those signs are not recommended for installation in residential areas by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and therefore cannot be installed. They are used in cases only where children are not expected to be. Discussion followed on use of the street and possibilities of traffic calming. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni passed around a sketch showing the closure of the intersection at Short/Auburn/Franklin to keep vehicles entering the neighborhood from Route 13. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that this sketch could be used as a short term solution. He noted that IFD, IPD and the neighborhood should give input on the proposed change. This item will continue at a future meeting. Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole September 15, 1999 3. Abandonment of Right of Way on Oakwood Avenue. County Representative Barbara Blanchard was present to address the board. She noted that the right of way was used for access to the water tank but that there is an alternative access route. She noted that the adjacent owner has an easement for use of it as his driveway and that if sold to the property owner, the city could maintain an easement. Supt. Gray noted that the land was purchased based on plans that the Town of Ithaca had which have been changed. Mike Thompson, adjacent property owner, noted that he would like to improve the area by paving it. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that this item should be negotiated and then return to the board for final approval. 4. Dead Ending of Ferris Place - Board had Power to Act. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that the request to dead end the street came as a way to preserve the street. Nancy Schuler, Ferris Place resident and County Board of Representative, was present and noted that the residents were not concerned with dead ending of the street, but rather preserving the cobblestones. Supt. Gray noted that the dead ending would be a temporary solution until the street could be repaired. In the meantime, it would remain accessible to services such as deliveries, snow plowing and other city services. Alderperson Hershey noted that he didn't want to see this street closed permanently since one street closure can affect many other streets in the area. Discussion followed on alternatives to reduce further damage to the road. It was agreed that this item will be acted on at the board's special meeting on September 22, 1999. 5. Request for Change in Parking Regulations on West Falls Street. Mayor Cohen explained to the board that West Falls Street residents are experiencing parking problems due to the location of a construction company and overflow parking from Ithaca High School. Residents from the street spoke in favor of restricting on- street parking. Resolution Moved By: Cohen, Seconded by: Gutenberger WHEREAS, parking and traffic demands have been changing over time in the north end of the Fall Creek neighborhood due to the growth of the Ithaca School Complex and local businesses, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has had this brought to their attention recently due to the overflow of school parking in East Falls Street, as well as East and West York Streets, construction parking on East Falls and East Lincoln Streets and construction business parking on West Falls Street, and WHEREAS, the City Traffic Systems Engineer has the power to install and adjust parking regulations in areas where demands are increasing or changing, or where adjacent land uses create disproportionate parking impacts in one area; now, therefore be it Page - 2 Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole September 15, 1999 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to work with these neighbors to educate them on the available time restricted parking to reduce and distribute the impacts of the current parking demand, and be it further RESOLVED, That staff move forward to implement parking changes on West Falls Street as soon as possible and to make additional changes to East and West York Street and East Falls Street if internal criteria trigger a need for changes, or if analysis of an external request (petition) confirm the need for changes. Carried Unanimously 6. Environmental Review - Giles Street Brid e Supt. Gray introduced Hernando Gil, Bridge Systems Engineer, who has replaced Rick Brennan. He indicated that he is required to provide a resolution to DOT naming a lead agency for the environmental review of the project. This item will be voted on at a Special Meeting on September 22, 1999. 7. 407 College Avenue Staging Area Comm. Gutenberger told the board that she attended a meeting concerning the staging of the building at 407 College Avenue. She noted that a 150 Ton crane will be utilized for the project. They do not intend to use it every day, but it will disrupt traffic for about two days, every 10 days for a total of 14 days. She explained that Civil Engineer Tom West suggested to close off the one block of College Avenue from November until mid December. The street would be open to emergency vehicles and deliveries. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that the closure is not for the benefit of the community but for one individual building a structure. Discussion followed concerning impacts on businesses and TCAT while the block would be closed. The consensus of the board was to close one lane of the street. 8. Staff Reports. Asst. Supt. Ferrel reported on the following: Two crews are working on East York street with curb repairs and striping pavement to prepare for a gravel base. Expect to pave binder next week and move on to Tioga and Aurora. West State Street work is pretty much completed with next step being installation of brick pavers. Storm Sewer crew is busy with the new truck. Water in Stewart Park is stagnate which has resulted in the male swan becoming ill. It has been taken to Cornell for treatment and both swans are expected to spend the winter at another location. There was a dedication ceremony for the Cascadilla Creek footbridge. AW New Parks and Forestry truck is now in service. Seasonal employees are finishing up for the year. Page - 3 Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole September 15, 1999 Mowing crews are active with recent rain. Seasonal change over of equipment will begin soon. Salt boxes and plows will be checked over, repaired if necessary and installed on trucks. Discussion followed between the board and staff on various items the crews are working on including Cleveland Avenue, recent bids, maintenance of the triangle on Spencer Road and striping of the intersection of Aurora and Prospect. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Page - 4 Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary