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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2001-05-09BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. May 09, 2001 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (6) - Beach, Leonardo, Gutenberger, Korherr, Jenkins, Vargas-Mendez OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – Conley Holcomb Deputy City Controller - Thayer Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel 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: Commissioner Beach requested the addition of Item 15C - Tops Redevelopment - Resolution. Superintendent Gray requested the addition of the following items under New Business: Power to Act: Streets and Facilities Roofing Contract – Resolution Linn Street Bridge Contract Alteration - Discussion Commissioner Korherr requested an update on the use of credit cards at Newman Golf Course. No Board member objected. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Cohen announced the passing of Gary Gleason, Ithaca Area Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator. He offered remarks about Gary’s years of dedicated service to the City, and offered his condolences to the Gleason family. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca, expressed bicycle safety concerns as development and traffic increase. Scott Heald spoke in support of the traffic calming measures in the Washington Park area. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Alderperson Hershey described the sub-committee structure that was established to break the grid-lock of bicycle and pedestrian issues as it relates to the proposed bike plan. He added that Alderperson Pat Pryor, as Common Council liaison, will make a report to the Neighborhood and Community Issues Committee. Little progress has been made due to the complexity of several issues, and he hopes that a compromise can be made on low volume traffic routes. Commissioner Beach voiced his concern for motorist’s disregard for vehicle and traffic laws relating to pedestrians, runners, bicyclists, skaters, etc. Board of Public Works – May 9, 2001 - Page 2 Mayor Cohen gave input to the Board on the Ithaca Downtown Partnership traffic study. The plan would involve the loss of 24 parking spaces at a capital cost of $200,000. The parking impact will affect the 100 block of North Aurora as well as the 100 blocks North and South of Cayuga Street. Commissioner Jenkins arrived at the meeting at 5:00 pm. Discussion followed on the floor regarding loading zones, pedestrian traffic and intersection configurations affected by the traffic study impact. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: Deputy City Controller Thayer stated that the Tompkins County Trust Company staff has promised the delivery of the credit card equipment to Newman Golf Course on Friday, May 11, 2001. Commissioner Gutenberger stated that the pilot program should extend through the 2002 golf season to include membership purchasing. PARKING AND TRAFFIC Washington Park Traffic Calming Planning Director Van Cort, Neighborhood Planner Chatterton, City Planner Logue were present to discuss traffic calming. Planner Logue summarized the project from Fall 1997 to date. Director VanCort noted that the Planning Department’s involvement is to assist Common Council with the development of a City policy relating to traffic calming. Planner Logue stated that 96 of 257 surveys were returned from the residents of Buffalo and Court Streets. Although the majority (75%) of the responders supported the concept of traffic calming, 30% of the positive votes expressed some reservation with portions of the proposal. Commissioner Vargas-Mendez arrived at the meeting at 5:15 pm. Mayor Cohen confirmed that the Board’s involvement in the process is to review the details of the traffic calming methods to determine problems with the experimental measures that are being proposed that have not been thought of, and to make appropriate comments so that the issue can move forward. The logistical perspective, regardless of future financing, should be the Board’s focus. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel left the meeting at 5:30 pm. The Board raised many questions regarding costs, lasting impacts and the reversibility of changes. Planner Van Cort stated that the questions should be incorporated into the preparation of construction documents and that the City should possibly hire a consulting Engineer to design the actual improvements. He added that off-the-shelf designs are available and that temporary vs. permanent alternatives should be investigated. Superintendent Gray noted that a preliminary design stage with cost estimates would be the next phase that will be presented to the Board. Resolution By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas-Mendez RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Planning Department to proceed with the design of the Washington Park neighborhood traffic calming measures, and the other neighborhoods as they are completed, and be it further Board of Public Works – May 9, 2001 - Page 3 RESOLVED, That information on all of the neighborhoods will be brought back to the Board for review. Carried Unanimously BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT: Request for Driveway Easement – 315 Haller Boulevard By Commissioner Vargas-Mendez: Seconded by Commissioner Korherr WHEREAS, the property at 315 Haller Boulevard is in the process of being sold and the present and future property owners wish to clarify the issue of access to the property, and WHEREAS, the access to the driveway 315 Haller Boulevard is over a 25’ wide strip of land acquired in 1933 by the city from George and Minnie Hook “for highway purposes” to serve as access to the Haller Boulevard water tank, and WHEREAS, the City has provided similar driveway easements at several locations in the city where paper streets have not been improved to extend or create a municipal street; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants in principal a driveway easement to 315 Haller Boulevard, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Mayor, in consultation with the City Attorney and the Superintendent of Public Works, to sign an easement with the usual terms and conditions. Carried Unanimously Resolution – Tops Redevelopment Resolution Concerning Traffic Mitigation Monies from the Benderson Redevelopment of Tops Plaza By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Korherr WHEREAS, on March 20, 2001, the Planning and Development Board of the City of Ithaca granted preliminary and final site plan approval for the Tops Plaza redevelopment, and WHEREAS, as part of this approval, there will be fees established and paid in conjunction with traffic mitigation concerns, and WHEREAS, proposed traffic enhancements made by the developer will be credited against the established mitigation fees, and WHEREAS, the adjacent residential neighborhood from Clinton Street South and West of the South of the Creek neighborhood will be impacted in a major way by the increased traffic generated by all the new development and redevelopment in the Meadow Street, Elmira Road, Southwest Park Corridor, and WHEREAS, by unanimous vote on March 20, 2001, the Planning and Development Board of the City of Ithaca strongly recommended to the Common Council that the remaining balance of unspent traffic mitigation fees from this project be earmarked by Common Council specifically and solely for mitigation of the traffic impact in the Six Mile Creek residential neighborhood from Clinton Street South and West of Cayuga, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works supports the resolution passed on March 20, 2001 by the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board. Amendment By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Beach RESOLVED, That the following language be added after the last Whereas clause: Board of Public Works – May 9, 2001 - Page 4 “WHEREAS, the Board also sees it necessary to pay attention to the area West of Clinton between Cayuga and Turner Streets, and be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works supports the resolution passed on March 20, 2001 by the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works expresses its support to the Common Council to focus all of the remaining mitigation funds on the area bounded by Turner and Clinton Streets.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS: Award of Bid for Stewart Avenue Bridge Reconstruction By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Beach WHEREAS, bids were received on April 3, 2001 for the replacement of the Stewart Avenue Bridge over Cascadilla Creek, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed staff’s recommendation to increase the project budget for Capital Project 266, originally authorized in July 1998 at $526,000, to $1,270,000 which increases the city’s final cost from approximately $26,000 to $63,000 (5% of the approved costs), and WHEREAS, Common Council voted to increase the capital project to $1,270,000 at their meeting of May 2, 2001, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and recommends that the bid be awarded to the low bidder; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the Stewart Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project to Economy Paving, 1819 NYS Route 13, Cortland, New York 13045, for their low bid, including mobilization of $976,071.02, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an agreement with Economy Paving, following Council’s approval with the usual terms and conditions. Carried Unanimously Award of Bid for Gooseneck Trailer By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, staff received bids for a new and unused 2001 Gooseneck Trailer on April 24, 2001, and WHEREAS, staff is recommending that the Board of Public Works award the bid to the second lowest bidder because the low bidder did not meet specifications; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid of the new and unused 2001 Gooseneck Trailer to S.C. Hansen, Inc., 110 Old Ithaca Road, Horseheads, NY 14845 for their low bid meeting specifications of $38,338.00, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Assistant Superintendent for Streets and Facilities to enter into an agreement with the usual terms and conditions. Carried Unanimously Pud’s Run – Discussion Mayor Cohen noted that the Board expressed hesitation to approve a request for use of Stewart Park and a waiver of pavilion rental fee for 2000. The City of Ithaca is now an official sponsor of Board of Public Works – May 9, 2001 - Page 5 the event. Mayor Cohen is requesting closing the park for the event and waiving the rental fee. Discussion followed regarding closing Stewart Park to vehicular traffic. Last year the vehicles were allowed to enter the park and immediately turn right and traffic was only shut down for approximately 10 minutes. Alderperson Hershey suggested that the Board members compromise their position and announce the expected delay of traffic to the public in advance of the event. Mayor Cohen stated that the City relinquishes the use of Stewart Park to the Ithaca Festival and the festival closes the park to vehicular traffic. Mayor Cohen will draft a resolution for the June C.O.W. meeting agenda. Power To Act: Streets and Facilities Roof Construction By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves the Power to Act to review a bid for the Streets and Facilities Roof Construction project at their June 6, 2001 Committee of the Whole meeting. Carried Unanimously REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters: He has received a request to close Cascadilla Avenue for a one day multiple family garage sale. Alderperson Hershey stated that this is a low traffic volume street. Commissioner Beach noted that allowing the set up of tables on the street would prohibit emergency vehicle access. The majority of the Board approved the street closing contingent upon the incorporation of Commissioner Beach’s concerns. A request for the use of Dewitt Park for theater performances on Saturday nights from June through August, 2001 has been submitted to the Superintendent. Commissioner Vargas-Mendez suggested that the 1825 agreement with the church for the use of Dewitt Park be updated to reflect current usage. Sale of refreshments, clean up and usage by other groups were discussion items. The general consensus of the Board was to approve the usage excluding the request for refreshment concessions. Linn Street bridge contract terms stated that the road would be open by May 24, 2001 and contract completion would take place July 15, 2001. The contractor has stated that by not re-opening the road temporarily for Cornell graduation weekend, the contract completion could be available as early as June 30, 2001. The Board agreed to allow Superintendent Gray to act administratively with input from Police Chief Basile and Cornell staff. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb Alan J. Cohen City Clerk Mayor