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