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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BPW-2002-11-20BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. November 20, 2002 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (5) - Beach, Leonardo, Tsegaye, Gutenberger, Dotson OTHERS PRESENT: Administrative Secretary - Payne Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Ferrel Common Council Liaison - Hershey EXCUSED: Commissioner Jenkins The following comments were expressed during the Committee of the Whole meeting that pre-empted the special meeting: COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Alderperson Pryor requested that Superintendent Gray present a concise summary of the proposal on the floor the South Plain Street bridge and traffic calming. Rick Grossman, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board on the issue of the intersection of South Plain and Wood Streets. He supports traffic calming and had asked that the bridge opening be delayed until calming efforts could be mutually agreed upon between staff and residents. He requested that four way stop signs on S. Plain and Wood Streets be temporarily placed and that the streets be clearly lined. The solutions that Commissioner Dotson has proposed are not viable options since the data on the traffic circle have yet to be completed. Rick Grossman read a prepared statement authored by Paul Kimble, City of Ithaca. In the statement, Mr. Kimble clarified that he has participated in numerous public meetings and neighborhood discussions relating to the traffic calming measures that would be implemented at the intersections affected by the opening of the Plain Street Bridge. His concern is that the bridge would be opening soon and mitigation planning has yet to be finalized. Jesse Grossman, City of Ithaca resident and avid bicyclist, stated that the bridge would provide additional risks to him and his friends that bike in the area. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: Commissioner Beach reminded the Board that preliminary discussions included four way stop signs and posted 20 mph speed limits as traffic-calming measures. He added his support of the installation of a four way stop at Plain and Wood Streets due to the increased volume of traffic. Once the changes are made, effects on traffic can be measured and staff and the Board can use that data to determine the success or failure. Commissioner Dotson stated that her reasoning for calling the special meeting was due to the fact that the bridge was opening and that calming measures are limited to the bridge site. She added that the Board should review the resolution that has been presented PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Leonardo called the Special Meeting to order and led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Board of Public Works – November 20, 2002 - Page 2 HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALK: By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Beach WHEREAS, the opening of the South Plain Street Bridge to motor traffic will create a change in traffic patterns in its vicinity, especially, but not limited to, along South Plain Street north and south of the bridge, and WHEREAS, because of this undeniable effect on traffic patterns, various staff and bodies of the City of Ithaca have expressed general support for implementing traffic calming in the vicinity of the Plain Street motor vehicle bridge on a expedited schedule relative to the traffic calming planned for city neighborhoods in general, and WHEREAS, the Plain Street bridge construction is done and the bridge is ready (or very close to ready) to be opened to motor traffic, and WHEREAS, it is not possible to construct the permanent traffic calming devices planned for the vicinity of the Plain St. bridge before the bridge is ready to be opened to motor traffic, WHEREAS, Sue Kittel of IURA reported on November 19, 2002 that the contract for installation of two raised crosswalks across Plain St. at Cleveland Avenue is about to be signed and the contractor projects that the crosswalks will be installed by the end of the year, WHEREAS, Tim Logue of the Planning Department staff indicated that money from the traffic calming capital project is available for reasonable preliminary test installations of planned traffic calming measures; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to install a temporary version of the traffic button proposed for the intersection of Plain and Wood as a visible step in the implementation of traffic calming in this location, as well as a physical assessment of the workability of this device in this location, as a temporary measure until installation of a permanent traffic calming measure at or near this location or June 1, 2003, whichever comes first, and RESOLVED, That BPW directs staff to complete installation before the bridge is opened to motor traffic. Superintendent Gray stated that the bridge design is not complete, and that neighborhood discussions and planning efforts conducted by staff are continuing. He added that communications with NYSDOT would need to occur to evaluate the appropriate signage. Installing a stop sign would be done only if traffic studies deem it necessary. Because the bridge has stop signs at either end precludes the installation of additional signs at either intersection directly adjacent to the bridge. Commissioner Beach questioned the absence of street lighting. Superintendent Gray stated that bridge lighting is equally as important and that both would be installed soon. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, that the following language replace the moved resolved clauses: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to install a four-way stop at the intersection of Plain and Wood as a temporary measure until installation of a permanent traffic calming measure at or near this location or June 1, 2003, whichever comes first, and be it further RESOLVED, That Board of Public Works directs staff to complete installation by Monday December 2, 2002.” Board of Public Works – November 20, 2002 - Page 3 A discussion relating to signage, including children at play signs followed. Alderperson Pryor stated that the client committee had been assured throughout the process that accommodations would be made to provide safety to the neighborhoods. She requested that the Board review the S. Plain and Center Street intersection for calming measures, similar to what is being discussed, due to the presence of Southview Housing Authority apartments. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Beach RESOLVED, that the following resolutions replace the moved resolved clauses: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to install a four-way stop at the intersection of Plain and Center streets as a temporary measure until installation of a permanent traffic calming measure at or near this location or June 1, 2003, whichever comes first, and be it further RESOLVED, That Board of Public Works directs staff to complete installation by Monday December 2, 2002.” Ayes: (2) Dotson, Beach Nays: (3) Leonardo, Gutenberger, Tsegaye Motion Failed Vote on Amending Resolution: A vote on the first amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Amending Resolution By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Beach RESOLVED, that the amended resolved clauses be replaced by the following: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to install a four-way stop at the intersection of Plain and Wood as a temporary measure until installation of a permanent traffic calming measure at or near this location or July 1, 2003, whichever comes first, and be it further RESOLVED, That Board of Public Works directs staff to complete installation by Monday December 2, 2002.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended: A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Superintendent Gray clarified that a temporary four way stop and speed limit signs would be installed prior to the time that the bridge opens. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Donna Payne Alan J. Cohen Administrative Secretary Mayor