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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2000-11-06BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. November 6, 2000 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (5) - Beach, Leonardo, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Korherr OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy Clerk – Korherr Deputy City Controller - Thayer Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel EXCUSED: Commissioner Vargas-Mendez 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 the October 11, 2000 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the October 11, 2000 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALK: Denial of Appeal for Curb Cut at 221 Eddy Street By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Beach WHEREAS, Alfred Rosa has requested an additional curb cut for his property at 221 Eddy Street to allow four additional off-street parking spaces, which is required by current zoning to expand the residential use from 14 to 16 occupants, and WHEREAS, the Landmarks Preservation Committee has determined that one additional parking space in the existing parking area is unsuitable for esthetic reasons, and have not yet reviewed the current proposal for additional parking nor the loss of the 50” horse chestnut, and WHEREAS, Department of Public Works staff has reviewed the request and has denied it for access management reasons (the process of controlling street access to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars on the street or entering the street, while maintaining street capacity) and in order to preserve on-street parking in an area where it is in high demand; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby confirms the denial of an additional curb cut at 221 Eddy Street. Carried Unanimously PARKING AND TRAFFIC Parking Garage Operations By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works is collecting new data on parking garage use during hours when the garages are not staffed, and WHEREAS, staff is proposing to re-establish longer staffing hours in the downtown lots and garages to cover the hours of 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. in order to collect revenues from customers using the lots during revenue hours (previously established as 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday at downtown facilities and 24 Board of Public Works – November 6, 2000 - Page 2 hour per day, seven days a week at the Dryden Road facility) and that the operations at Dryden Road Garage will have continual coverage during breaks and lunch periods, as well as other methods to secure revenues; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the additional staffing to cover the proposed new hours provided that staff has analyzed the data and knows that the revenue collected will offset the additional expense for staffing and requests that B&A and Common Council establish the necessary positions to meet the staffing plan. Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: Funding for Thurston Avenue Bridge over Fall Creek By Commissioner Beach :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, a Project for the rehabilitation of the THURSTON AVENUE BRIDGE OVER FALL CREEK, B.I.N. 2210630, P.I.N. 375322 for $1,210,312 (“the Project”) is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code as administered by the Federal Highway Administration (“FHWA”), as amended, that calls for the apportionment of the costs such program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20% non-federal funds, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca desires to advance the Project by making a commitment of 100% of the non-federal share of the costs of Scoping, Design (Phases I-VI), Construction, and Construction Inspection; now, therefore, the Board of Public Works, duly convened does hereby RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works hereby approves the above-subject project; and it is hereby further RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works recommends that Common Council hereby authorize the City of Ithaca to pay in the first instance 100% of the federal and non-federal share of the cost of Scoping, Design (Phases I-VI), Construction, and Construction Inspection for the Project or portions thereof; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works recommends in the event the full federal and non-federal share costs of the project exceeds the amount appropriated above, Common Council of the City of Ithaca shall convene as soon as possible to appropriate said excess amount immediately upon the notification by the NYSDOT thereof, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works recommends that the Mayor of the City of Ithaca, of the County of Tompkins be and is hereby authorized to sign all necessary Agreements with NYSDOT to secure Federal Aid and Marchiselli Aid on behalf of the City of Ithaca and the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to sign all necessary construction documents, contracts, certifications and reimbursement requests, and be it further RESOLVED, that this project be undertaken with the understanding that the final cost to the City of Ithaca will be roughly five percent (5%) of the final approved project cost, currently estimated at $60,515.60 of the $1,210,312 authorized for this project, in monies and in-kind services as managed by the Superintendent of Public Works and monitored by the City of Ithaca Controller, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works recommends that the Common Council authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to administer the above project, and be it further RESOLVED, that this resolution shall take effect immediately. Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works – November 6, 2000 - Page 3 Superintendent Gray stated that amendments to this project reflecting the need to accommodate multi-modal transport will be presented to the Board within the next year. Commissioner Korherr questioned the ability for Cornell to assist with the funding. Superintendent Gray stated that the cost to the City is not excessive, the City owns both the street and the sidewalk and that cooperation with the project provides leverage in future negotiations. Cecil A. Malone Drive Pedestrian Bridge By Commissioner Korherr :Seconded by Commissioner Beach WHEREAS, the Mayor asked staff to develop a proposal to accommodate pedestrians on Cecil A. Malone Drive west of Wegman’s Plaza, and WHEREAS, after reviewing the item, the Board feels that the addition of a separate pedestrian bridge would be beneficial; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby recommends that Common Council approve funding for the installation of a pedestrian bridge on Cecil A. Malone Drive, which is currently estimated at a project cost of $126,000.00. Deputy Clerk Korherr stated that the Bicycle Steering Committee is evaluating Cecil B. Malone Drive as a component of an East- West route option for a City bike path. Motion to Table By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, That the item be tabled. Carried Unanimously Mayor Cohen stated that the issue should be taken to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee for their review. WATER AND SEWER: Request for Reduction in Water and Sewer Bill By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Beach WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Gallucci approached the Board of Public Works requesting some relief for high water and sewer bills for their owner occupied duplex at 105-107 West Yates Street, and WHEREAS, the board reviewed the recent bills as well as back up information supplied by both the Gallucci’s and the staff, including a history of steps taken by the Gallucci’s to resolve the matter through plumbing repairs and their belief that a six year old neighbor has used an excessive amount of water through a hose this summer, a three year history of billing and a recent mid term meter reading which indicated that consumption is now normal, and WHEREAS, the recent billings during 2000 appears to show that water consumption peaked early in 2000 and was being reduced by the Gallucci’s efforts to repair fixtures and monitor consumption, while the most recent quarter (May 4, 2000 to August 7, 2000) consumption for the owner occupied unit (107 West Yates) spiked at a figure more than twice the highest consumption figure in the preceeding three years; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works believes that this unusually high usage was probably caused by the outdoor use of water by a next door neighbor’s child and agrees to reduce the sewer portion to the average of the last four quarters sewer bills ($170.17, $67.32, $78.54, $59.50) or $93.88, making new combined water and sewer bill for 107 West Yates ($201.11 + $93.88 =) $294.99 for the quarter of 2000, and be it further Board of Public Works – November 6, 2000 - Page 4 RESOLVED, That the Board requests that the Chamberlain’s Office accept payment for the second quarter bills for 105 West Yates ($126.48) and 107 West Yates ($294.99) without penalty for a period of 30 days after the date of this resolution. Carried Unanimously UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mayor Cohen stated that he has sent a memo to Dan Hoffman regarding Giles Street and has not received a response. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel reported that a simulation of the new diverter design has been shared with staff and Fire Chief Wilbur. The Fire Dept. input resulted in minor adjustments at South and Fair Streets. Pavement cutting and installation will commence on November 8, 2000. Mayor Cohen stated that signage must be clear for City Court to enforce violations. NEW BUSINESS: Superintendent Gray stated that there have been complaints relating to vehicles in Collegetown parking in front of driveways and that a possible solution is the placement of “no stopping signs” in the problem areas. He added that he would talk with Chief Basile about the attitude and possible concerns of the officers that would enforce this issue. Mayor Cohen stated that discussions relating to reverting Cayuga and Aurora Streets back to two-way traffic are forthcoming. The Board of Public Works would be involved in initial detailed discussions with the end result being a full recommendation to Common Council. The following are concerns that have been highlighted: 1. Reduction of on street parking spaces. 2. Intersections with handicapped access eliminated. 3. Costs. 4. Poles at certain intersections won’t support the weight of additional lighting necessary for two-way traffic. Mayor Cohen stated that two different studies have recommended that this change in traffic patterns take place. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board that, based on a one week trial period, extending the downtown parking lot hours by two hours earlier and later than the current schedule would generate $ 83,000 additional revenue dollars per year. Dryden Road would generate approximately $ 30,000 by staffing the evening hours. Other gaps in staffing did not warrant significant revenues above the respective labor costs. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor