HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2003-03-19BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
COW Meeting 4:45 p.m. March 19, 2003
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (4) - Beach, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Dotson
OTHERS PRESENT:
Administrative Secretary - Payne
City Controller - Thayer
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
Common Council Liaison - Hershey
EXCUSED: Commissioners Leonardo and Tsegaye
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American flag.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT:
Commissioner Gutenberger led a discussion on the issue of
downtown parking during Cayuga Green construction and stated that
she did not want to continue two-hour free parking during the
construction process. She noted that there are not enough spaces
to supply current demand and proposed a one-hour free
alternative. Commissioner Beach suggested that the hourly rate be
increased. Gary Ferguson of the Ithaca Downtown Partnership was
present to address the Board. He explained that the committee had
concerns of short term parking as well as undue added pressure to
users. The committee suggested that in order to balance demand
that removal of permitted parking would be the best solution.
Mayor Cohen noted that discussion to date has included the option
of increasing the hourly and permit rates upon completion of the
garage and reminded the Board that Thomas Associates are
guaranteed 200 permits. Discussion followed on possible
incentives to surrender parking permits. Mr. Ferguson stated that
the parking committee wanted the public to feel that short-term
parking is affordable and available. Commissioner Gutenberger
confirmed that the Dryden Road Parking Garage rates are higher
based on supply and demand and the lot is fully utilized. Mayor
Cohen responded by saying he receives complaints from merchants
that the rates are too high. He added that the city is competing
with nearby shopping areas that have free parking.
Downtown Parking During Cayuga Green Construction
By Commissioner Beach :Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
WHEREAS, the parking committee is recommending that the Board of
Public Works establish a limit for the number of long term
parking permits in the Green and Seneca Street Garages in order
to accommodate the need for short-term parking, and
WHEREAS, the committee is also recommending that permit rates in
the Green Street Garage be set at $40 a month for both levels as
well as changes to the hourly fee structure, and
WHEREAS, staff has further recommended that the permit rate for
the upper levels of the Seneca Street Garage also be set at $40
per month, while the permit rate for lower levels remains at $50,
and
WHEREAS, the committee has made arrangements with the P&C on
Hancock Street and the nearby Bowl-O-Drome to provide parking for
a park and ride system that will allow commuters easy access to
the downtown area from a remote parking lot; now, therefore be it
Board of Public Works – March 19, 2003 - Page 2
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the parking
committee proposal to set the limit for parking spaces in the
Green Street Parking Garage to 275 and that Seneca Street Garage
permits be set at 200 for the top and 75 for the covered spaces,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board sets the Green Street parking permit
cost at $40 per month for either level, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board sets the Seneca Street upper level
permit cost at $40 per month, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board sets the hourly rate structure at: first
two hours free, $.50 each for the third and fourth hour or part
thereof, and $2 each for every hour or part thereof over four,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That these provisions recommended by the parking
committee continue throughout the duration of the construction of
the Cayuga Street Parking Garage.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes: (2) Beach, Dotson
Nays: (2) Gutenberger, Jenkins
Motion Fails
Mayor Cohen indicated that the Board couldn't change the free
parking due to an MOU with the Ithaca Downtown Partnership.
Discussion continued on the MOU. Mayor Cohen asked Mr. Ferguson
to obtain a copy of the signed MOU in order for the Board to
continue this discussion.
Intersection Reconstruction at Cayuga and Clinton
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed three preliminary
alternative designs for the intersection of Clinton and Cayuga
Streets which the DPW hopes to rebuild during the summer of 2003
in preparation for traffic changes resulting from implementation
of Common Council's Six Point Traffic Plan and the Downtown
Traffic Circulation Study especially the conversion of West
Spencer Street from one-way to two-way traffic, and
WHEREAS, the board would like to coordinate this construction
with other current project such as the construction of the Cayuga
Green Parking Garage on adjacent land or the replacement of
downtown traffic signals, including this intersection, and
WHEREAS, the redesign looks at the compromises of various design
elements in urban street layout such as street width, tree lawns,
snow storage, sidewalk placement, on street parking, lane width,
designated pedestrian crossings and other amenities that control
functionality, cost and impacts on adjacent property; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to develop
a final intersection design based on Alternative 3, giving
consideration to any ideas and suggestions during the design,
which will further improve the design considering the elements
listed above.
Discussion followed. Commissioner Dotson told the Board that the
BPAC discussed this issue and felt that Alternative 1 is more
appropriate.
Board of Public Works – March 19, 2003 - Page 3
Amendment
By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Mayor Cohen
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to develop
a final intersection design based on Alternative 1, giving
consideration to any ideas and suggestions during the design
which will further improve the design considering the elements
listed above.
Carried Unanimously
A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Installation of Bocce Court in Stewart Park
By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
WHEREAS, the Special Olympics has received a grant for design and
construction of a regulation size Bocce Ball Court for practice
and competition, and
WEHREAS, on November 6, 2002, the City of Ithaca Parks
Commission, after conversations with representatives of the
Special Olympics, passed a resolution recommending that the Board
of Public Works consider the installation of a Bocce Ball Court
in Stewart Park; now, therefore, but it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby directs staff to
work with the Special Olympics to install a Bocce Ball Court in
Stewart Park at the site of the abandoned shuffleboard courts as
time and staffing permits.
Carried Unanimously
Superintendent Gray noted that the Parks Commission confirmed
that the Special Olympics obtained a grant that would cover the
cost of materials and installation of the court.
Request for Use of DeWitt Park
By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Beach
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Downtown Partnership is requesting that an
annual summer concert series be allowed in DeWitt Park for six
performances this summer, and
WHEREAS, the partnership has contacted the church, which did not
object to the usage, and
WHEREAS, the music during the performances would be strictly
acoustic in order to keep with the quiet use policy of the park;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the
request from the Ithaca Downtown Partnership for the use of
DeWitt Park between June 14th and August 23rd on the second and
third Saturdays of each month from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the IDP will provide clean up after each
performance.
Carried Unanimously
Newman Golf Course Concession Stand
By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the
Superintendent of Public Work to extend the original contract for
Newman Golf Course Concession Stand operations with the current
vendor for an additional year based on the terms of the original
contract and prior extensions in order to coordinate the bidding
Board of Public Works – March 19, 2003 - Page 4
of the concession at the golf course with that at Stewart Park in
the winter of 2003-2004.
Amendment
By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the
Superintendent of Public Work to extend the original contract for
Newman Golf Course Concession Stand operations with the current
vendor for an additional year based on the terms of the original
contract and prior extensions in order to coordinate the bidding
and awarding of the concession at the golf course with that at
Stewart Park by February 1, 2004.
Carried Unanimously
A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Zolar Moving Request for Interim Parking
Supt. Gray explained to the Board that Zolar Parking has
requested permission to park in the cul-de-sac at Park Road
during the new garage construction. It was noted that the city
wouldn't be able to accommodate current parking agreements in the
new parking garage. Mayor Cohen suggested that Zolar could
contract for private parking. He noted that accommodating the
buses for the Holiday Inn would be a tough issue to solve as
well.
Mr. Ferguson returned to the meeting with a copy of an unsigned
MOU that would provide two-hours of free parking in the downtown
lots for a five year period ending December 31, 2005.
Downtown Parking During Cayuga Green Construction
By Commissioner Beach :Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
WHEREAS, the parking committee is recommending that the Board of
Public Works establish a limit for the number of long term
parking permits in the Green and Seneca Street Garages in order
to accommodate the need for short-term parking, and
WHEREAS, the committee is also recommending that permit rates in
the Green Street Garage be set at $40 a month for both levels as
well as changes to the hourly fee structure, and
WHEREAS, staff has further recommended that the permit rate for
the upper levels of the Seneca Street Garage also be set at $40
per month, while the permit rate for lower levels remains at $50,
and
WHEREAS, the committee has made arrangements with the P&C on
Hancock Street and the nearby Bowl-O-Drome to provide parking for
a park and ride system that will allow commuters easy access to
the downtown area from a remote parking lot; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the parking
committee proposal to set the limit for parking spaces in the
Green Street Parking Garage to 275 and that Seneca Street Garage
permits be set at 200 for the top and 75 for the covered spaces,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board sets the Green Street parking permit
cost at $40 per month for either level, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board sets the Seneca Street upper level
permit cost at $40 per month, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board sets the hourly rate structure at: first
two hours free, $.50 each for the third and fourth hour or part
thereof, and $2 each for every hour or part thereof over four,
and be it further
Board of Public Works – March 19, 2003 - Page 5
RESOLVED, That these provisions recommended by the parking
committee continue throughout the duration of the construction of
the Cayuga Street Parking Garage, and be it further
RESOLVED, That these changes become effective contingent upon
confirmation of the official signed MOU that reflects the date of
2005 on file in the City Clerk’s office.
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Cohen clarified that if the agreement is not until December
2005, the item would return for further discussion and decision
of the Board.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Donna Payne Alan J. Cohen
Administrative Secretary Mayor