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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2003-06-11 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. June 11, 2003 PRESENT: Acting Mayor Pryor Commissioners (6) - Beach, Leonardo, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Dotson. Tsegaye OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – Holcomb Administrative Secretary - Myers Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison - Hershey Civil Engineer - West EXCUSED: Mayor Cohen PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Acting Mayor Pryor led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Superintendent Gray requested that a substitute resolution for item 14A - Approval of West Spencer Street Final Design Resolution replace the one that was distributed with the agenda packets. No Commissioner objected. Assistant Superintendent of Water & Sewer Fabbroni requested the addition of a Power to Act item for the June 18, 2003 Committee of the Whole meeting regarding Phosphorous Removal. No Commissioner objected. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD The following people addressed the Board regarding the West Spencer Street Widening Project and voiced their concerns that plans and maps were not available prior to the meeting: Larry Beck David Henderson Rick Grossman Laurie Dahl Eric Bennett Fay Gougakis Catherine Lockwood John Fausatello Alex Perialas addressed the Board regarding his concerns about the construction at Clinton/Cayuga Streets and the impact it will have on his business. David Henderson addressed the Board to request that the stripping at Green and Cayuga Streets be made diagonal to indicate what is intended by the lights. Pursuant to State law it is illegal to cross diagonally unless the intersection is appropriately stripped. Fay Gougakis apologized to the Board for her behavior at last month’s meeting, and expressed concerns regarding the chemicals used in the Alex Haley Pool and the need for bike racks at the Youth Bureau building. 2 June 11, 2003 RESPONSE TO PUBLIC Commissioners Beach and Dotson responded to comments made regarding the West Spencer Street project and thanked Ms. Gougakis for her apology. Superintendent Gray distributed a timeline for City construction projects. The Spencer Street project will be advertised this week, the award of bid should be made by July 9, 2003. Construction is scheduled to begin July 28, 2003. Civil Engineer West presented plan drawings that show the major construction items. He explained that the only significant changes involve the further development of the parking lot at 402 S. Cayuga Street, and a further development of the intersection at South Titus/South Cayuga/East Spencer Street. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the construction drawings. 13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE AND TRANSIT A. Request to Name Commons Pavilion - Resolution By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has been approached by members of the community and family members with a request to name the center pavilion on the Ithaca Commons in honor of Ithaca native Bernie Milton, and WHEREAS, the Board has recently begun a separate program to consider naming bridges located throughout the community and, WHEREAS, the Board was referred this request to the Commons Advisory Board and their initial reaction is to request a review of the BPW bridge naming program so that they can help develop a broader procedure which is comprehensive and fair, as well as community oriented; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to develop a written summary of the existing naming programs for transmittal to the Commons Advisory Board, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests the patience of the community and family representatives of Bernie Milton and thanks them for their interest and community spirit. Discussion followed on the floor regarding criteria for naming bridges, pavilions and parks and forwarding this information to the Commons Advisory Board. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS A. Approval of West Spencer Street Final Design - Resolution By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works received copies of the final plans for the reconstruction of West Spencer Street as a two way street, which reflects the full range of input from the City’s Common Council and the six Point Plain, through the public meetings, and the board and staff review, and WHEREAS, staff has indicated that the resulting project which addresses this very public process for developing the final design has expanded the project scope and cost substantially, and WHEREAS, staff has presented the board with a project breakdown which outlines the current project cost and the difference with the original Six Point Plan’s Cost estimates, as well as the Common Council’s approved project budget; now, therefore, be it 3 June 11, 2003 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the West Spencer Street Final Design because the board feels that the design addresses the City of Ithaca’s objectives as outlined in the Six Point Plan and incorporates a number of improvements resulting from extensive public review, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board recognizes the budget issues associated with approval of the full design and request that staff structure the bid package so the Board has control of the project budget at award of contract. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding delegation of the project to the Board of Public Works by Common Council and how this responsibility needs to remain with the Board of Public Works. Further discussion occurred regarding the project cost and a proposed plan in case the cost exceeds what has been budgeted. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye RESOLVED, That the last Resolved clause be amended to read as follows: “RESOLVED, That the Board recognizes the budget issues associated with approval of the full design and requests guidance from Common Council through its B&A Committee and any necessary budget changes that may result from that guidance or proposed project changes.” Acting Mayor Pryor stated that if this proposed language is adopted the City will have essentially lost this construction season. Common Council Liaison Hershey stated that he would report the financial status of this project to Common Council so they are apprised on the situation. Commissioner Dotson expressed her desire that the Board of Public Works initiate an official notification to the Budget & Administration Committee regarding the potential costs of this project. A vote on the Amending Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (1) Dotson Nays (5) Gutenberger, Tsegaye, Leonardo, Beach, Jenkins Motion Fails Commissioner Beach inquired about the status of negotiations with the two property owners. Acting Mayor Pryor requested an advice of counsel session with Assistant City Attorney Dunn. REGULAR SESSION: Common Council reconvened into regular session at 6:35 p.m. Main Motion A vote on the Main Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (5) Gutenberger, Tsegaye, Leonardo, Beach, Jenkins Nays (0) Abstentions (1) Dotson Carried B. West Spencer Street Final Design Report to Budget & Administration Committee- Resolution By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger 4 June 11, 2003 RESOLVED, That The Board of Public Works directs their liaison to report on the West Spencer Street Final Design at the next B & A Committee meeting and keep that committee fully apprised of the Board’s discussions. Carried Unanimously 15. PARKING AND TRAFFIC A. Declaration of Lead Agency for Buffalo and Court Streets and South of the Creek Traffic Calming Projects - Resolution By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins 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 traffic calming project on Buffalo and Court Streets and in the South of the Creek neighborhood is a "Type 1” Action pursuant to the City of Ithaca Environmental Review Ordinance and an “Unlisted” Action pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act, which requires review under the City's Environmental Quality Review Ordinance; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works of the City of Ithaca does hereby declare itself lead agency for the environmental review for the proposed traffic calming project on Buffalo and Court Streets and in the South of the Creek neighborhood. Carried Unanimously B. Buffalo and Court Street Traffic Calming - Determination of Environmental Significance - Resolution By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is proposing the construction of traffic calming devices on Buffalo and Court Street, and in the South of the Creek Neighborhood and WHEREAS, appropriate environmental review for said project has been conducted including the preparation of a Long Environmental Assessment Form (LEAF), and WHEREAS, the proposed action is a “Type I” action under the City Environmental Quality Review Act and an “ Unlisted” action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works of the City of Ithaca, acting as Lead Agency, has reviewed the LEAF, dated May 8, 2003 and has determined that approval of the proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Board of Public Works, as lead agency in this matter, hereby determines that the proposed action at issue will not have a significant effect on the environment, and that further environmental review for the adoption of this plan is unnecessary, and be it further RESOLVED, That this resolution constitutes notice of this negative declaration and that the City Clerk is hereby directed to file a copy of the same, together with any attachments, in the City Clerk’s Office, and forward the same to any other parties as required by law. Carried Unanimously C. Declaration of Lead Agency for the Dey Street Traffic Calming Project - Resolution By Commissioner Tsegaye: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins 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 5 June 11, 2003 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 traffic calming project on Dey Street is a "Unlisted” Action pursuant to the City of Ithaca Environmental Review Ordinance and an “Unlisted” Action pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act, which requires review under the City's Environmental Quality Review Ordinance; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works of the City of Ithaca does hereby declare itself lead agency for the environmental review for the proposed traffic calming project on Dey Street. Carried Unanimously D. Dey Street Traffic Calming - Determination of Environmental Significance - Resolution By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is proposing the construction of traffic calming devices on Dey Street, and WHEREAS, appropriate environmental review for said project has been conducted including the preparation of a Short Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF), and WHEREAS, the proposed action is a “Unlisted” action under the City Environmental Quality Review Act and an “Unlisted” action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works of the City of Ithaca, acting as Lead Agency, has reviewed the SEAF, dated May 29, 2003 and has determined that approval of the proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Board of Public Works, as lead agency in this matter, hereby determines that the proposed action at issue will not have a significant effect on the environment, and that further environmental review for the adoption of this plan is unnecessary, and be it further RESOLVED, That this resolution constitutes notice of this negative declaration and that the City Clerk is hereby directed to file a copy of the same, together with any attachments, in the City Clerk’s Office, and forward the same to any other parties as required by law. Carried Unanimously E. Downtown Maximum Parking Rate and Free Two Hour Parking - Resolution By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain is recommending a new maximum daily fee of $15 for the downtown parking facilities; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, The Board of Public Works hereby adopts a new maximum daily fee of $15 for the downtown parking facilities to be effective immediately, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board agrees to implement the program for guaranteed two hours of free parking as requested by the Downtown Partnership. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding how the guaranteed 2 hour free parking program would be implemented. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 6 June 11, 2003 WATER AND SEWER A. Power to Act on June 18, 2003 on a Resolution Regarding a Phosphorous Removal Project - Resolution By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Beach RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works reserves Power to Act on a Resolution regarding the phosphorous removal project at its Committee of the Whole meeting on June 18, 2003. Carried Unanimously ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Power to Act on June 18, 2003 for Award of Bid for Stewart Avenue Bridge Over Fall Creek - Resolution By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Beach RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works reserves Power to Act for the Award of Bid for Stewart Avenue Bridge Over Fall Creek at its Committee of the Whole meeting on June 18, 2003. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT On a motion the Board adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Sarah Myers Patricia Pryor Administrative Secretary Acting Mayor