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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2003-02-19BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. February 19, 2003 PRESENT: Commissioners (6) - Beach, Leonardo, Tsegaye, Jenkins, Dotson, Gutenberger OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy Clerk – Korherr City Controller - Thayer Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison - Hershey PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chair Leonardo led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of Board of Public Works Meetings By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the December 12, 2002 and the January 15, 2003 meetings of the Board of Public Works be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Superintendent Gray requested that the following item be added to the agenda: Power To Act – Commons Street Lighting Project No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Jim Houghton, Town of Danby resident, addressed the Board on the Spencer Street traffic conversion and the effect it would have on the Dahl property and the proposed parking alternatives on S. Cayuga Street. Larry Beck, Business Office located in the City, expressed his support of Plan B for the West Spencer Street traffic conversion. He asked that additional parking be added to the area in front of his rental property. Stanton Loh, W. Spencer Street resident, stated his support for having the Dahl’s home relocated. Adrienne Loh, W. Spencer Street resident, expressed her desire for the preservation of the neighborhood and the quality of life for its residents. Lauri Dahl, W. Spencer Street resident, asked that the Board preserve the neighborhood as they vote to alter the traffic flows. She stated that she would endorse proposed Plan B that relocates their home and would proceed with negotiations to have the City move it to another location. She requests that accurate traffic counts be sent to her to answer her concerns for additional traffic as a result of Cayuga Green. John Rogers, S. Cayuga Street resident, spoke in support of all comments made and addressed parking issues resulting from the conversion. Board of Public Works – February 19, 2003 - Page 2 Steve Ehrhardt, S. Albany Street resident, asked that as the Board decides on the W. Spencer Street design that they preserve the neighborhood to ensure that the street does not become a highway. He added that the proposed option of a parking lot on a hill may be problematic and that the City should act with fiscal responsibility when voting on the options of relocating residences. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Commissioner Beach thanked the members of the public and requested that copies of alternative Plan B be distributed to Board members. He requested confirmation of the level of authority that Common Council retained as a result of their actions on the West Spencer Street configuration and what should be extended to the Board of Public Works. Alderperson Hershey suggested that City Attorney Schwab attend the Committee of the Whole meeting on February 26, 2003 to discuss the Board’s authority. Superintendent Gray stated that his staff would develop a timeline for the project. A discussion on the effects that the changes would have on the community and the need to communicate the information to other City committees followed. Civil Engineer West shared comments received by other committees and agencies with the Board. Superintendent Gray stated that this form of street design infrastructure alteration would not need formal site plan review. HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALK: Award Of Bid for Traffic Signal Upgrade By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, bids were received for the upgrade of traffic signals at the Intersections of Buffalo & Albany, Buffalo & Plain, and Court & Plain Streets, and WHEREAS, staff recommends that the Board award the bid to the lowest bidder, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid of the Traffic Signal Upgrade at the intersections of Buffalo & Albany, Buffalo & Plain, and Court & Plain Streets, to O'Connell Electric Co., 830 Phillips Road, Victor, New York 14564-9747 for their bid of 4257,451.50, and, be it further RESOLVED, That this project be funded from Capitol Project 349 and 425, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an agreement with O'Connell Electric Co., Carried Unanimously West Spencer Street – Recommendation for Preliminary Design By Commissioner Jenkins : Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye WHEREAS, Common Council, after extensive sketch plan review and public input passed a resolution providing direction for the Board of Public Works in the design and reconstruction of West Spencer Street between Cayuga Street and Albany Street and funded the project for construction in 2003, now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants itself power to act on a resolution selecting design alternatives to complete preliminary design. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (5): Leonardo, Beach, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Tsegaye Nays (0) Abstentions (1): Dotson Carried Board of Public Works – February 19, 2003 - Page 3 Designation of Lead Agency Status for Environmental Review Of the Rehabilitation of the Stewart Avenue Bridge over Fall Creek Project P.I.N. 2210620 By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, State Law and Section 176.6 of the City Code require that a lead agency be established for conducting environmental review of projects in accordance with local and state environmental law, and WHEREAS, State Law specifies that for actions governed by local environmental review, the lead agency shall be that local agency which has primary responsibility for approving and funding or carrying out the action, and WHEREAS, the proposed adoption of the Bridge Rehabilitation Project Stewart Avenue over Fall Creek is a "Type II" Action pursuant to CEQR because it is the maintenance of an existing facility and therefore does not require the preparation of an EIS or any other determination or procedure under the City's Environmental Quality Review Ordinance; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Board of Public Works of the City of Ithaca does hereby declare itself lead agency for the environmental review of the proposed adoption of the Bridge Rehabilitation Project for Stewart Avenue Bridge over Fall Creek, and be it further, RESOLVED, That the board concurs with determination that the bridge replacement is Type II action and directs staff to ensure that the construction documents contain all necessary requirements to see that there are no long term negative environmental impacts resulting from the construction process. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (5): Leonardo, Beach, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Tsegaye Nays (0) Abstentions (1): Dotson Carried Superintendent Gray stated that he would ask the Conservation Advisory Council to comment on the project. Power to Act – Bids for Commons Street Lighting Project By Commissioner Leonardo : Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works grants itself the Power to Act on the bids for the Commons Street Lighting Project at the February 26, 2003 Committee of the Whole meeting. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Gutenberger left the meeting at 6:15 pm. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: Projects for Consideration During TEA 21 Reauthorization. By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye WHEREAS, The United States Congress is currently developing legislation to reauthorize the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21) and WHEREAS, The staff has developed a list of projects for consideration as "member items", now therefore be it RESOLVED, The Board of Public Works directs staff to forward the following projects as ones that represent the full range of projects, supported by TEA21, which are covered by the City's Transportation Improvement Program East State Street Reconstruction $2,400,000 East State Street (Rt79) from Mitchell Street east to city line Board of Public Works – February 19, 2003 - Page 4 Thurston Avenue Bridge $3,700,000 Vital vehicle/bicycle/pedestrian Link adjacent to Cornell Campus Cayuga Waterfront Trail $1,500,000 Third Phase of waterfront acres And neighborhood revitalization Effort connecting city and state parks A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (5): Leonardo, Beach, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Tsegaye Nays (0) Abstentions (1): Dotson Carried For the record, Commissioner Dotson stated that, without more information on the pool of projects and staff rationale for recommending these particular projects, she did not have enough information to support this resolution. A discussion regarding the removal of snow due to significant snowfall followed. Commissioner Beach requested confirmation that the Town of Ithaca as the property owner was in fact responsible for clearing the walkways in front of their building. Superintendent Gray stated that Building Department enforcement staff would fine the property owner if they did not comply with the City’s snow removal policy. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following matters: Recent storms have strained the department resources and the public has shared their praises and concerns with the media. He shared the detail of staffing levels required for the snow removal and stated that cleanup will take several additional days. The price of salt has increased and the supply allotment per day is limited. Concerns for proposed action to repair potholes were discussed. Alderperson Hershey suggested that staff submit an evaluation for projects such as potholes and snow related expenditures to B&A and request that contingency funds be accessed to meet these needs, prior to the funds being dispensed for other City purposes. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Robin L. Korherr Joseph Leonardo Deputy City Clerk Vice-Chair