HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2000-10-11BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. October 11, 2000
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (5) - Beach, Vargas-Mendez, 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
EXCUSED: Commissioner Leonardo
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American flag.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the Minutes of Board of Public Works Meetings
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Korherr
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the July 12, 2000, August 23, 2000,
Special Meeting and September 13, 2000 Board of Public Works
meetings be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Cohen began a discussion relating to the diverter placement
on Wood Street. He reminded the Board of a letter submitted on
October 4, 2000 by Alderperson Pryor. The letter represented the
Titus Towers resident’s interest in having the Wood Street
diverter located near the entrance to the Titus Tower’s parking
lot and not at the alternate location that had been discussed as
an option. Letters written by Fire Chief Wilbur and Tim Bangs
were discussed. Alderperson Pryor stated that she would present
the new emergency service information to the Titus Towers
residents and determine whether convenience or safety was the
intent behind their vote.
HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALK:
Diverters at Wood and South Streets
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Mayor Cohen
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works directed the trial
installation of traffic diverters to take place at the
intersections of Wood and Fair Streets and South and Fair Streets
on March 15, 2000, and
WHEREAS, the Board has received extensive public input both
directly through public hearings and calls to the Department of
Public Works, and indirectly through the media, letters to the
editor and personal contacts, and
WHEREAS, the Board wishes to update the installation in response
to that input and the immediate concerns of the emergency
response providers in the community, and
WHEREAS, the Board has directed staff to draft proposed
modifications to the diverters for review by IPD, IFD and Bang’s
Ambulance in order to make the barriers penetrable by them, and
WHEREAS, the emergency response providers have provided review
comments for the board’s consideration; now, therefore, be it
Board of Public Works – October 11, 2000 - Page 2
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to update
the barriers on Wood and South Streets in conformance with
engineering drawings dated October 2, 2000 and revised October 6,
2000.
Mayor Cohen confirmed the Board’s decision to move the diverter
closer to Route 13 on Wood Street. He stated that the resolution
today relates only to the placement of the diverter and its move
back to the original location of Wood and Fair Streets.
Alderperson Hershey stated that there is $40,000 in the Mayor’s
2001 budget allocated for a traffic calming study for the
Southwest area which includes the area where the diverters are
located.
Commissioner Beach stated that the move back to the original
location would not meet the needs stated by Fire Chief Wilbur in
the letter presented to Superintendent Gray, therefore, a safety
concern still exists.
Superintendent Gray suggested that large-scale fire vehicles
aren’t able to navigate the corners between the curbs and the
diverters. He added that the diverter can not be re-designed for
left hand turn only from Wood Street into the Titus Tower parking
lot.
Mayor Cohen stated that he believes that Fire Dept. vehicles must
stop before they enter Titus Towers property so that they can
develop a staging area and that the vehicles don’t enter the area
at high rates of speed due to the close proximity to the corner.
Alderperson Hershey suggested a barrier that would allow it to be
illegal for persons to pass through since Titus Towers residents
have stated that they are most concerned with safety measures
rather than convenience of driving for themselves.
Alderperson Pryor stated that the access to the Titus Tower
driveway, not safety, was the basis for the resident vote
mentioned earlier.
Motion to Table:
By Commissioner Korherr: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, that this resolution be tabled until which time that
Alderperson Pryor is able to bring to the Board the Titus Tower’s
resident input on safety concerns versus convenience.
Carried Unanimously
Superintendent Gray stated that he would consult with Fire Chief
Wilbur regarding the altered configuration.
Power to Act
By Commissioner Beach :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves the
Power to Act regarding the placement of diverters at their
October 18, 2000 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Carried Unanimously
PARKING AND TRAFFIC
Holiday Parking in City Lots and Garages
By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded By Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works annually approves 2 hour free
parking in the city lots and garages for the holiday season; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby authorizes that
the first two hours of parking in the city’s downtown and
collegetown facilities be free starting November 24, 2000 and
continue through January 13, 2000, and be it further
Board of Public Works – October 11, 2000 - Page 3
RESOLVED, That the Board urges the IDP and Collegetown Merchants
Association to promote the two hour free parking to bring more
people into the city and request that they develop uniform retail
hours during the holiday season.
Carried Unanimously
Removal of “No Parking” Signs on East Falls Street
By Commissioner Beach : Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby directs staff to
remove the “No Parking” signs on the north side of the
intersection of East Falls Street and North Aurora Street.
Carried Unanimously
Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that staff has responded to
Board consensus from last week and the signs have been removed.
Miscellaneous Items
A lengthy discussion relating to the presence and absence of the
authority of the Board of Public Works followed. A few
Commissioners voiced disappointment regarding the fact that Board
of Public Works actions have been resolved and then overridden by
Common Council at a later date. Mayor Cohen stated that only
political and policy decisions for Department of Public Works are
made by Common Council.
2001 Department of Public Works Budget
A discussion relating to the Mayor’s 2001 budget took place.
Commissioner Gutenberger stated that she had been waiting for a
list of needed items that staff was anxious to maintain in the
budget. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that he has not had
the opportunity to review the Mayor’s final budget as he just
received it. Commissioner Gutenberger noted that the Department
of Public Works budget is a tool and that the Department of
Public Works would have to request funding from Common Council
for money that is needed later on but is removed from the Mayor’s
budget in this stage of the process.
Mayor Cohen stated that contingency monies for overtime are
budgeted due to surpluses carried over from low snow accumulation
years. Mayor Cohen added that there is a Health and Safety
Officer position in the 2001 budget.
Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that there are staff
retirements occurring in 2001 and those higher salaries could be
reapportioned to other areas. He added that they are constantly
stretched to take on more work, and at some point this will be
impossible unless there are additional staff positions approved.
Alderperson Hershey questioned the cost savings of bi-weekly
trash collection.
Superintendent Gray stated that the borrowing of time from the
solid waste crews would no longer be an issue. The street crew
staffing levels have been reduced in the past.
Mayor Cohen stated that he has included training money for garage
mechanics in his budget along with hazardous materials removal
training. The electrician’s crew has requested additional
training to accredit the staff for traffic signals maintenance.
All equipment requests remain in the budget. W&S additions for
staff were maintained and there is a slight increase for fund
transfers to accurately account for activity.
Water and Sewer rates are increased 5% each. The SJS rate is that
which is charged off to the other municipalities, not to the
individual ratepayers.
Board of Public Works – October 11, 2000 - Page 4
Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that the City has replaced
staff in positions but not the skills that those individuals were
capable of. Most of this training has taken place in house in the
past. He added that the Parks Division staff has not been at the
maximum staffing level for some time now.
Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni led a lengthy discussion relating
to the impossible task of promoting existing staff that are
working above and beyond the scope of the required duties in
their current job description.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen
Deputy City Clerk Mayor