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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2000-08-23BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting 4:30 p.m. August 23, 2000 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (6) - Beach, Leonardo, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Korherr, Vargas-Mendez OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy Clerk – Korherr Deputy City Controller - Thayer Superintendent of Public Works - Gray 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: Mayor Cohen requested that the following items be added to the agenda: State Street Capitol Project – Discussion Mayor Cohen requested that the following item be deleted from the agenda: Traffic Diverters South of The Creek and Long Term Traffic Management Planning for Southside and South of the Creek Neighborhoods- Resolution No board member objected. HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALK: Encroachment Agreement for 213 North Tioga Street By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca approached the Board of Public Works in the Spring of 2000 requesting an encroachment for a handicap accessible entrance which they needed to build their town hall, and WHEREAS, the Town has now submitted an encroachment agreement based on the board’s initial review of their request, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants the Town of Ithaca an encroachment of approximately three (3) feet for the steps of the Buffalo Street entrance, at 213 N. Tioga St., and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor is empowered to sign the Encroachment Agreement forwarded to the Board from the City Attorney’s Office on August 2, 2000. Carried Unanimously Commons Improvements – Pavilion and Power Washing By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr WHEREAS, the Ithaca Commons was built in 1975 to serve as a public gathering place and community center, and WHEREAS, a committee was appointed in November 1997 by Mayor Cohen to make recommendations concerning the physical design of the Ithaca Commons resulting in a final report published in April 1999, which contained a number of conceptual designs as well as Board of Public Works – August 23, 2000 - Page 2 immediate operations and maintenance recommendations, and WHEREAS, a capital project (CP#386, Commons Improvements) was adopted with the 1999 budget with an increase in 2000 to a current authorization of $352,000, and WHEREAS, the City, the committee and the Downtown Partnership would like to proceed with a number of maintenance repairs, while the larger capital improvements are being developed; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Superintendent of Public Works to work with the City’s Landscape Planner and the Planning Department’s consultant to undertake and complete approximately $50,000 worth of work in the fall of 2000, and be it further RESOLVED, the Superintendent is empowered to sign any contracts necessary to complete this work, provided however that the Superintendent will return for the Board’s approval for any contracts that result in changes or modifications to the Ithaca Commons. Carried Unanimously Award of Bid for West State Street Reconstruction Superintendent Gray initiated a lengthy discussion relating to the West State Street reconstruction bid. He stated that only one bid was received and it came in at approximately $600,000 over budget. There are excessive cost increase components that have made it difficult for contractors to bid competitively and the increase in construction work in the area has kept contractors profitable and their demand is at a premium. Superintendent Gray stated that the City could delay the work and re-bid the project in the Spring hoping for an increased availability of contractors although waiting may not necessarily mean that the prices will be drastically reduced. Mobilization, traffic control and soil conditions are the three main areas of high cost projections. Second bids have been submitted for projects in the past. Mayor Cohen stated that even if the Board decided to delay the work, the construction would not begin until after Memorial Day because of its effect on the businesses in the area. The Board is split on the issue and agreed to direct staff to attempt to negotiate with the sole bidder in the next 24 hours. The Board asked Superintendent Gray to bring a recommendation to Common Council at the August 24, 2000 Special Meeting for their decision on the matter. PARKING AND TRAFFIC Proposed Budget Adjustment for Security and Lighting Project – RESOLUTION PARKING AND TRAFFIC By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Beach WHEREAS, the City has undertaken the design of lighting and security improvements for the downtown garages and originally created a Capital Project #296 in 1995,which is currently funded at $250,000, and WHEREAS, during the design work it was discovered that the garages require emergency lighting which is difficult to do because of the large areas and limited exit locations, and WHEREAS, the City received one bid from Shisler Electric, Ithaca, NY, in the amount of $340,000 for the lighting and security improvements, making the project cost slightly more than $400,000 if built as designed, and Board of Public Works – August 23, 2000 - Page 3 WHEREAS, there is a strong public desire to complete this project in a timely manner, the design engineer indicates that the bid is below the engineer’s estimate for the current design, and the cost changes are largely due to the requirement for emergency lighting; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Superintendent of Public Works to: 1. Develop a post bid budget for submittal to B&A Committee for funding in August so that the project can proceed. 2. Research the possibility of combining the emergency power needs of City Hall with the emergency lighting system in the Green Street Garage. 3. Research the Contractor’s alternate bid for substitute light fixtures and any associated savings. And, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has power to act at its meeting of September 6, 2000 to award the contract for the Seneca and Green Street Parking Garages – Lighting Upgrades contingent on funds being made available by Common Council. Carried Unanimously Superintendent Gray stated that it is the only garage that requires emergency lighting due to its format. Property owners are held to similar code enforcement. There was only one bid received for this project and the contractor is eager to proceed with the work. The money for this project has been re-authorized since its 1995 original budget appropriation. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: Proposal to Amend Existing License Agreement By Commissioner Vargas-Mendez: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca entered into an agreement with Thomas N. Trenchard in May 2000 for licensed use of areas in Cass Park and Stewart Park to install seasonal access ramp and docks for a period of one year ending May 31, 2001, and WHEREAS, the intention of this agreement was to provide a base for the licensee’s concessions while providing improved waterfront access to the general public, and WHEREAS, Thomas Trenchard has approached the Board of Public Works to request use of the existing food concession stand in Stewart Park for his snack concession during the remainder of his license, now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works request that the Mayor, in consultation with the City Attorney and the Superintendent of Public Works, negotiate an amendment to the existing license agreement; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor is empowered to sign the amendment as long as it generally conforms to the terms and conditions of the existing license agreement. Motion to Withdraw By Commissioner Vargas-Mendez: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Resolution be withdrawn. Carried Proposal to Amend Existing License Agreement By Commissioner Vargas-Mendez: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca entered into an agreement with Thomas N. Trenchard in May 2000 for licensed use of areas in Cass Park Board of Public Works – August 23, 2000 - Page 4 and Stewart Park to install seasonal access ramp and docks for a period of one year ending May 31, 2001, and WHEREAS, the intention of this agreement was to provide a base for the licensee’s concessions while providing improved waterfront access to the general public, and WHEREAS, Thomas Trenchard has approached the Board of Public Works to request use of the existing food concession stand in Stewart Park for his snack concession during the remainder of his license, and WHEREAS, the Board is willing to allow Mr. Trenchard to recoup his initial investment by offering a reduced or no fee rental for the first year of operations, and WHEREAS, the Board is interested in having Mr. Trenchard operate under such conditions starting at the signing of the agreement through the full calendar year 2001, now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works request that the Mayor, in consultation with the City Attorney and the Superintendent of Public Works, negotiate a new license amendment; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor is empowered to sign the agreement with the usual terms and conditions. Carried Unanimously Mayor Cohen recommended that the separate license agreement incorporate Mr. Trenchard’s need to invest in bringing the facility up to code and to continue to function through the summer of 2001. Commissioner Gutenberger suggested that in the future a security deposit be paid in the event that severe damage results from negligence or malicious acts. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: COLLEGETOWN PARKING STUDY Superintendent Gray stated that the Collegetown Parking Study is completed. The types of parking offered and the police enforcement of meters were two main concerns. The Planning Board will have the opportunity to review the data and discuss their input. Commissioner Gutenberger stated that automation of the Dryden Road garage is included in the study but funding for the project isn’t budgeted. The Board members agreed to review the complete report and discuss it at a future meeting. Mayor Cohen stated that downtown parking changes would be brought to the Board for their review when further information is available. SOUTH OF THE CREEK – Discussion of public input Wider scope – traffic management Status of Planning Study Mayor Cohen led the discussion. Commissioner Leonardo expressed his desire to temporarily leave the diverters until a solution can be created. Commissioner Vargas-Mendez stated that the diverters were an emergency measure to improve a large problem in the area although public comment against their installation has been expressed. He added that he opposes gated communities and feels that their installation is forcing the traffic volume problem onto other Board of Public Works – August 23, 2000 - Page 5 neighborhood streets. He will strongly support a city-wide traffic study that can be implemented within a reasonable time. Commissioner Beach would like to maintain the effect of the diverters while the public safety issues from the public and the Fire Chief are being addressed. The diverters have made the public aware of the poor traffic structure in the neighborhood. Mayor Cohen led the group in a review of the pros and cons brought forward by the public at the hearings; 1. emergency response and public safety concerns 2. motorists lack of respect for the Titus Tower parking lot and its residents 3. general inconvenience 4. increase in traffic on other streets 5. increase in property values South of the Creek due to the decrease in traffic levels 6. philosophical view of special treatment for certain neighborhoods 7. preservation of neighborhoods Alderperson Hershey stated that Common Council will vote August 24, 2000 to eliminate the diverters as one of five elements of traffic flow improvement as outlined in the Southwest Park Design Guidelines. The timing of their removal is the short-term issue. Commissioner Beach suggested that the Cleveland Avenue area experienced tremendous commercial encroachment that led to the dead end designation of that street. The impending Southwest Park development would create a threatening encroachment to this neighborhood similar to Cleveland Avenue simply due to the commercial zoning change. Commissioner Vargas-Mendez stated that the timeline for Southwest is so vague that this decision should not be held hostage to the long process that commercial development in the area will dictate. Mayor Cohen stated that he will meet with Chief Wilbur next week to discuss his opinions and plans for providing emergency services to the area. He added that he supports neighborhood preservation and will bring back to this Board short term recommendations that address the safety concerns of the public. Commissioner Beach asked that Bangs Ambulance input be included in the discussions regarding emergency response. Commissioner Korherr stated that the NYS Department of Transportation involvement with traffic calming would be time consuming. The area in question is limited in size and the traffic altering options available may also be limited. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor