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