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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2003-11-12BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. November 12, 2003 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (5) - Beach, Jenkins, Dotson, Leonardo, Chapman OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk - Holcomb Deputy City Controller - Andrew Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison - Hershey Disability Advisory Council Liaison - Roberts Alderperson Pryor EXCUSED: Commissioner Tsegaye 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. 2. MINUTES: Approval of October 8, 2003 Regular Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo RESOLVED, That the October 8, 2003 Regular Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes be approved as published. Carried Unanimously 3. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: A Public Hearing for the Proposed Installation of Sidewalks on Cecil A. Malone Drive Resolution to Open Public Hearing By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo RESOLVED, That the public hearing for the proposed installation of sidewalks on Cecil A. Malone Drive be declared open. Carried Unanimously The following people addressed the Board in support of sidewalk installations: Dave Peck, Super 8 Motel David Henderson, City of Ithaca Ken Feuro, Town of Ithaca Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca Andy Ruina, City of Ithaca, BPAC member Commissioner Dotson read into the record written comments regarding support for sidewalk installation from David Nutter who could not attend the meeting. 2 Board of Public Works Minutes November 12, 2003 Resolution to Close Public Hearing: By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing for the proposed installation of sidewalks on Cecil A. Malone Drive be declared closed. Carried Unanimously 4. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA Superintendent Gray requested the addition of Item 17.A – Installation of Sidewalks on Cecil A. Malone Drive – Resolution No Board member objected 5. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca, spoke in support of sidewalks on Route 13; speeding in Fall Creek; the Commons; and the new flags on the Commons. David Henderson, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the need for signs that state that vehicles need to yield to pedestrians. He further noted that pedestrian crosswalks need to be painted. Andy Ruina, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding inappropriate curbing, dangerous crosswalks/intersections at Collegetown Bagels, Oak Avenue/College Avenue. Ron Bergman, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding speed limits in City, and the possibility of expanding school zones to reduce the speed limits in the City. He further addressed the Board regarding shopping cart concerns. Valeria Pvan, addressed the Board regarding the need for a 4-way stop sign at the intersection of S. Plain and Center Street (traffic circle). 6. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC Commissioner Beach responded to concerns raised about pedestrian safety in crosswalks; and enforcement issues. He asked if traffic counts on S. Plain Street were available. He further responded to comments made regarding the Commons fountain repairs/vandalism/restitution. Commissioner Leonardo responded to concerns raised regarding safety and speed limits. DAC Liaison Roberts responded to comments made regarding curb cuts. He stated that curbcuts need to be addressed in a number of places in the City, and a plan should be created so that people could find alternative routes to use while these areas are being worked on. Commissioner Dotson suggested that the Board work together with the community to find the solution to the concerns raised regarding speeding and pedestrian safety. She also read written comments from David Nutter regarding vehicles yielding to pedestrians specifically on Route 89. Superintendent Gray stated that DPW would be happy to look at a list of curbcuts that need to be repaired, and that work could be scheduled for the Spring Work Program. 3 Board of Public Works Minutes November 12, 2003 7. HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS Possible Power to Act to Approve Installation of Sidewalks on Cecil A. Malone Drive – Resolution. By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Beach RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs that sidewalks be installed on both sides of Cecil A. Malone Drive between Route 13 and the flood relief channel and be it further RESOLVED, That the affected property owners will be given the opportunity to install, to city specifications, the sidewalks on their property, at their cost, by June 30, 2004 and be it further RESOLVED, That staff is directed to develop plans including connections and crosswalks for the aforementioned sidewalks and bring those plans to the Board of Public Works for design approval prior to installation. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding placement of sidewalks on both sides of the street to the creek; property owner notification; crosswalks and snow storage issues. Amending Resolution: By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo RESOLVED, That the following two Resolved clauses be added to the resolution: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to publish notification of a public hearing to be held at the next regularly scheduled Board of Public Works meeting for the installation of sidewalks for the remaining length of Cecil A. Malone Drive, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works strongly encourage the Common Council to create a capital project for the installation of a pedestrian bridge across the flood relief channel.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion as Amended: A vote on the Main Motion as Amended Resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Yield to Pedestrians Signs at Intersection of Cayuga Waterfront Trail and Route 89 near Cass Park Rink – Resolution. By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson WHEREAS, the Cayuga Waterfront Trail crosses NYS Route 89 near the entrance to the Cass Park Rink, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca and Tompkins County communities have supported the design and construction of this section of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, and WHEREAS, the Cayuga Waterfront Trail has become a well used and loved recreational trail by a wide cross section of community members, and WHEREAS, a painted crosswalk exists in this location, which according to state law creates a legal crosswalk and directs and encourages users of the trail to cross NYS Route 89 at this location, and WHEREAS, New York State law requires motorists to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and 4 Board of Public Works Minutes November 12, 2003 WHEREAS, Rick Manning, the designer of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, and others have requested signage reminding motorists of their responsibility to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk at this location, and WHEREAS, Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Council strongly supports Mr. Manning’s request, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works would like to visibly support and pedestrian use of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, including safe use of this crosswalk, and WHEREAS, the Village of Trumansburg and the Cornell Campus are currently using effective signage that reminds motorists to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca can use these local examples as models for our installation of such signage; therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs to identify and install signage appropriate to the location that reminds motorists of their responsibility to yield to pedestrians in the Cayuga Waterfront Trail crosswalk across NYS Route 89 near the entrance to the Cass Park Rink. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the location and placement of signs and the future use of the free standing, mobile signs in the crosswalk. Common Council Liaison Hershey stated that a community education campaign should be conducted. He agreed to draft a Public Service Announcement and collaborate with an expert on an op-ed piece. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 16. PARKING AND TRAFFIC: Power to Act on Fayette Street Parking Regulations: By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself power to act on the Fayette Street Parking Regulations at their November 19, 2003 Committee of the Whole meeting. Carried Unanimously 17. WATER AND SEWER A. Award of Bid for Phosphorus Reduction at IAWWTP. By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson WHEREAS, bids were received on August 19, 2003 for the Phosphorous Reduction at the IAWWTP, and WHEREAS, staff is recommending that the low bidders be awarded their respective contracts; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the General Construction Contract for the Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Upgrade Project at IAWWTP to Patrick Constructors, Inc. P.O. Box 188, Bloomfield, NY 14469-0188 for their low bid of $3,174,300, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the Electrical Contract for the Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Upgrade Project at IAWWTP to Schuler-Hass Electric Corp., 250 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620 for their low bid of $359,600, and be it further 5 Board of Public Works Minutes November 12, 2003 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the Ventilation Contract for the Tertiary Phosphorus Removal Upgrade Project at IAWWTP to King & King Mechanical, 16 Fairway Drive, Auburn, NY 13021 for their low bid of $107,600, and be it further RESOLVED, That the award of all three bids be contingent upon the approval of the Town of Ithaca’s budget for the project along with the local execution of Bond Act Contract from Albany, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works and/or Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer be authorized to enter into all three contracts with the usual terms and conditions and that the funds will be drawn from Capital Project 409J. Assistant Superintendent for Water & Sewer Fabbroni explained that this resolution was previously adopted, and the only change in this version is the authorization of Superintendent of Public Works to sign contracts. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 18. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Continuation of Discussion on Report from Mayor’s Task Force on 25 Mile-Per-Hour Speed Limit – Discussion Traffic Engineer Cole provided information on the streets identified for a reduced speed limit which included the length of the street, traffic volume, and number of accidents. He stated that there may be an issue with continuing Federal aid for roads that have reduced speed limits. He recommended that the City petition the State to have the speed limit reduced throughout the City instead of identifying specific streets. Discussion followed on the floor regarding accident rates and the factors involved. Commissioner Beach asked if the City could also petition the State to increase speed on Route 13 corridor to discourage the use of neighborhood streets. Superintendent Gray stated that it would be difficult to get the State to agree to Home Rule legislation to reduce speed limits. He further stated that speed is an enforcement issue not a public works issue. Alderperson Pryor stated that there should be a legal foundation of lowering speed limits on City streets. Substantial documentation is needed to justify lowering speed limits. She stated that Leslie Chatterton called NYS DOT regarding whether the city can regulate the speed limit on all streets except Route 13/Green/Seneca/Fulton/Meadow Streets. The DOT responded that no City can lower speed limit through the City lower than 30 mph, but that the City can reduce speed limits on certain streets to 25 mph. Mayor Cohen stated that according to The New York State Conference of Mayors, other cities have reduced speed limits, although not to this degree, and it has been upheld in court. He stated that the City Attorney would like to review the selection criteria, and research whether this is a Board of Public Works or Common Council decision. 6 Board of Public Works Minutes November 12, 2003 B. Possible Power to Act for 25 Mile-Per-Hour Speed Limit – Resolution By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Chapman RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act for 25 Mile-Per-Hour Speed Limit at their Committee of the Whole meeting on November 19, 2003. Ayes (4) Cohen, Dotson, Chapman, Jenkins Nays (2) Leonardo, Beach Carried 22. ADJOURNMENT: On a Motion the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. _____________________________ __________________________ Julie Conley Holcomb, Alan J. Cohen, City Clerk Mayor