Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2002-07-31BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE July 31, 2002 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Beach, Gutenberger (arrived at 5:20), Jenkins, Leonardo, Tsegaye, Alderperson Hershey, Superintendent Gray and Assistant Superintendents Fabbroni and Ferrel. Comm. Leonardo chaired the meeting. There were no additions or deletions from the agenda. 1. Power To Act Items: A. Town of Ulysses Water – Moved By: Comm. Gutenberger, Seconded by: Comm. Tsegaye WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses approached the City of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca to supply water to the Town of Ulysses, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works declared itself lead agency for review of any action related to this request at its meeting on March 13, 2002, and WHEREAS, staff, in preparing an environmental review found that the Town of Ulysses and the Town of Ithaca had already had extensive discussion concerning sprawl, land use and zoning as well as the technical issues related to supplying water which mirrored questions raised by the city, resulting in the Town of Ithaca's approval, and WHEREAS, staff has completed its review of the requested action as an unlisted action under both City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance and the State Environmental Review Act and has determined that the proposed action will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment, as outlined in the attached environmental assessment form with attachment; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works finds that the sale of water by the City of Ithaca to the Town of Ulysses, through the Town of Ithaca will not result in any environmental impacts that have not been evaluated by the city or the two towns, or that do not fall under separate review due to the independent nature of this action and those that will or may follow it. Discussion followed concerning the future land use by the Town of Ulysses. Ulysses representative Sue Poelvorde was present and indicated to the board that the town has no intention of major development that would create sprawl. She added that there are no intentions of reducing the large areas of agricultural lands. In addition that water has been an issue for years and that as a directive from the residents, the town is trying to solve the problems. Carried Unanimously (4-0) B. Sale of Water to Town of Ulysses – Moved by Comm. Tsegaye, seconded by Comm. Beach WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses has requested water service from the City of Ithaca through the Town of Ithaca's distribution system, and WHEREAS, both the town and the city have completed their environmental reviews and the town has agreed to transmit the water, and Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole July 31, 2002 Page 2 WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed its concerns related to urban sprawl, land use with representatives of the Town of Ulysses on more than one occasion and found that the town shares its concerns and it developing the necessary tools to address these issues; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to work with the City Attorney's Office to develop a contract with the usual terms and conditions which is acceptable to the Town of Ulysses, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized to sign the contract or, if necessary, return it to the Board of Public Works because a mutually acceptable contract cannot be arrived at or because it differs significantly from the existing contracts. Carried Unanimously (5-0) 2. Overview of Downtown Development Proposals. Tim Logue of the Planning and Development Department was present to address the board on proposals being considered. He noted that there are three structures being included, the possibilities of either removal of or additions to the Green Street Garage, the installation of a TCAT transportation center and a new retail/housing/parking structure to be built on Parking Lot D. A traffic study has been done and impacts are being considered around the peripheral area. Mr. Logue noted that the project is on a short schedule with the hopes of the garage being opened in June of 2004. The client committee, being chaired by Alderperson Cogan, is looking to have a maximum cost estimate by October. Meanwhile, TCAT is being subjected to federal review. Comm. Beach questioned pedestrian safety and suggested that a pedestrian bridge crossing Green Street be considered. Mr. Logue indicated that one is being looked at. Mr. Logue informed the board that it is likely that parking rates will need to be raised while two hour free parking will probably be omitted. Comm. Gutenberger stated that she would like to revisit the topic of two hour free parking since the board was told that the money would be made up in sales tax. Supt. Gray noted that the contract with Ithaca Downtown Partnership would have to be looked into. Updates on these projects will be provided when available. 3. Power to Act – Continued. A. Phosphorus Removal Upgrade Project – Moved by: Comm. Leonardo, seconded by Comm. Gutenberger WHEREAS, a Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Upgrade Project to the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant has been submitted to the Board of Public Works for consideration, and WHEREAS, appropriate environmental review has been conducted, and WHEREAS, the proposed action is an unlisted action under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance, and WHEREAS, it appears that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the environment; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works, as lead agency in this matter, hereby does adopt as its own, the findings and conclusions more fully set forth on the Long Environmental Assessment Form dated July 29, 2002, and be it further Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole July 31, 2002 Page 3 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works, as lead agency, hereby does determine that the proposed action at issue will not have a significant effect on the environment, and that further environmental review is unnecessary under the circumstances, and be it further RESOLVED, That a statement shall be issued to constitute a notice of this negative determination and the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works for Water and Sewer Division, be and he is, hereby directed to file a copy of same with this resolution in the City Clerk's Office and forward the same to any other parties as required by law. Asst. Supt. Fabbroni told the board that with the addition of the upgrade, phosphorus will be reduced from 85 pounds to 15 pounds per day. Carried Unanimously (5-0) B. Amendment of Chapter 331 to Conform to Chapter 325 Relative Exterior Maintenance Agreement. WHEREAS, the Building Department has been charged with duties related to the enforcement of exterior property maintenance issues in the City, and WHEREAS, various ordinances have been changed or added to address these issues and the Building Department has requested a change in the Board of Public Works legislature, Chapter 311 "Garbage, Trash and Weeds" to make it consistent with Common Council's more recent legislation Chapter 178 "Exterior Property Maintenance"; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Chapter 331-1 A "Garbage, Trash and Weeds" of the City Code be amended as follows: "331-1. Cutting required; exception. A. Premises situated at street intersections or on curved streets shall be kept in such condition as to give a clear and unobstructed view of the intersection or curve. Grass, weeds or other vegetation on grounds and exterior property are maintained so that the height of vegetation is limited to nine inches, except for trees, bushes and other vegetation planted, maintained or kept for some ornamental or other useful purposes. Natural woodlands shall be considered an ornamental or useful purpose." Carried Unanimously (5-0) C. Children at Play Sign – Franklin Street. Supt. Gray reminded the board that the initial request in 1999 was for diverters and should possibly be considered. He explained to the board that while "Children at Play" signs may be politically correct, generally, they are not effective. Comm. Leonardo stated that having the signs would provide peace of mind to the neighborhood. He added that there is a concentration of day care centers on the street, creating a need for the signs. Moved by: Comm. Leonardo, seconded by: Comm. Beach WHEREAS, the residents of Franklin Street between Day and Auburn Streets have requested the installation of "Children at Play" signs due to the unusual concentration of day-care centers on the street; now therefore, be it Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole July 31, 2002 Page 4 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to install "Children at Play" signs at each end of Franklin Street, between Day and Auburn Street due to the unusual concentration of day-care centers on the street. Carried Unanimously (5-0) 4. Floral Avenue Parking Area Discussion. Supt. Gray noted that the board was provided with proposed sketches from Civil Engineer Tom West that show alternates to allow for additional parking on Floral Avenue. Discussion continued on paying for the construction of additional spaces and how the homeowner requesting the spaces is not guaranteed parking in those spaces. The consensus of the board was for staff to move forward on alternate one that would allow several continuous parallel parking spaces in front of 224 and 236 Floral Avenue. Asst. Supt. Ferrel stated that this could be used as fill in work as time allows. 5. Meeting Schedule. Supt. Gray requested that the board move their schedule back so that they would meet on the 21st and 28th of August due to a retirement party for Controller Cafferillo on the 14th. No board member objected. 6. Proposed Block Party on Oak Avenue. Supt. Gray noted that he received a request to close a portion of Oak Avenue for the St. Luke Lutheran Church to hold a "Welcome Back" party for the students. Discussion followed on how this could set a precedent and whether the Mayor and Acting Police Chief have seen the request. The consensus of the board was for the Supt. to meet with the Mayor and Acting Chief for their opinion on this request. The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Notes by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary