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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BPW-2003-12-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. December 10, 2003 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (4) - Beach, Jenkins, Dotson, Tsegaye OTHERS PRESENT: 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 Information Management Specialist - Myers EXCUSED: Commissioners Leonardo, Chapman PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. MINUTES: Approval of November 12, 2003 Regular Board of Public Works meeting Minutes of the November 12, 2003 were not available at the time of the meeting. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA Superintendent Gray requested the addition of item 14E - Power to Act on First Draft of Scope for Taughannock Blvd. No Board member objected. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Public Hearing for Proposed Installation of Sidewalks on Elmira Road and Meadow Street. Resolution to Open Public Hearing: By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing for Proposed Installation of Sidewalks on Elmira Road and Meadow Street be declared open. Carried Unanimously The following people addressed the Board in opposition to the installation of sidewalks on Elmira Road and Meadow Street: Richard Flavelle Rob Cutting Resolution to Close Public Hearing: By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing for Proposed Installation of Sidewalks on Elmira Road and Meadow Street be declared closed. Carried Unanimously 2 Public Hearing for Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District. Resolution to Open Public Hearing: By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing for Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District be declared open. Carried Unanimously No one appeared to address the Board Resolution to Close Public Hearing: By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing for Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District be declared closed. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD John Reese, business owner on The Commons, addressed the Board regarding the need for short-term parking for business owners on the southside of the parking garage. Currently, there are spaces for truck loading, but not for vehicles and business owners need to be able to load and unload items easily and close to their place of business without getting ticketed. Claudia Jenkins, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the traffic light at the K- Mart intersection and asked if there would be an arrow installed in the light to help traffic flow and improve safety. Alderperson Peter Mack addressed the Board to present a draft resolution that would add signage to the 200 block of Dryden Road that would honor Dino Neferis and read “DINO’S WAY, In Memory of Constantine P. Neferis.” Mr. Neferis had a very resounding effect on the community during his life and the residents would like to honor him in this way. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC Superintendent Gray and Commissioner Tsegaye responded to comments made concerning parking for business owners near The Commons. Mayor Cohen asked for volunteers to follow-up with this concern, and to work with the business owners to see if a permit type system could be created. Commissioners Tsegaye and Dotson volunteered to serve on the committee, and Mr. Reese also volunteered. Commissioner Dotson responded to concerns that were raised about pedestrian safety and installation of sidewalks on Elmira Road and Meadow Streets. Mayor Cohen stated that this meeting was going to be recessed until December 17, 2003 and that Alderperson Mack’s request regarding “Dino’s Way” could be discussed and voted upon at that meeting. 3 11. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON Alderperson Hershey stated that it has been a pleasure to serve with the Board and wished them Godspeed in their future endeavors. HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS Possible Power to Act Resolution to Approve Installation of Sidewalks on Elmira Road and Meadow Street – Resolution Mayor Cohen requested that this item be discussed now and further considered at the continuation of the meeting on December 17, 2003. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding safety concerns, financial impact on property owners and the Board’s role in decision making for this issue. Superintendent Gray stated that he would provide Board members with aerial photographs of the specific areas in question for review before next week’s meeting. Mayor Cohen explained to the Board that if this item is approved it needs to go before Common Council for the establishment of a Capital Project. He further stated that there is strong support to move forward with this project. He encouraged feedback from the public and the Board. Superintendent Gray explained that the Board could make the ultimate decision on this item if the cost was going to be paid by the property owners. Commissioner Dotson reiterated that safety is her main concern with the installation of sidewalks in this area of the City. This item will be considered at the December 17, 2003 continuation of this meeting. 15.2 Approval of Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District – Resolution By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District charges for 2004, and be it further RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain be requested to make the billing at the appropriate time. Mayor Cohen stated for the record that business assessment district charges are revised every year based on square footage build out. Deputy Controller Andrew stated that there are five more years left on this special benefit assessment district. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 15.3 Award of Bid for West Spencer Street Reconstruction – Resolution By Commissioner Doston: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, bids were received for the reconstruction of West Spencer Street on December 2, 2003, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and is recommending that the board award the bid to the only bidder; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid of the West Spencer Street reconstruction to R. DeVincentis Construction, One Brick Avenue, Binghamton, New York 13901 for their total base bid of $2,220,000.00 and Alternative 1 (South Cayuga, East and West Spencer Intersection) for $45,000.00 for a total bid of $2,265,000.00, and be it further 4 RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an agreement with R. DeVincentis Construction with the usual terms and conditions. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the timing of this project with the widening of the Meadow Street bridge, and Elmira Road Intersection projects. Concerns were raised about increased traffic in the southside, and south of the creek neighborhoods when construction begins. Further discussion followed regarding the fact that only one bid was received for this project and what impacts that might have. Motion to Table: By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That this item be tabled pending further discussion. Ayes (4) Beach, Jenkins, Tsegaye, Beach Nays (0) Abstention (1) Dotson Carried PARKING AND TRAFFIC Parking on the 100 Block of Fayette Street – Resolution By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Beach WHEREAS, following a petition and presentation by neighborhood representatives in the fall of 2002, the Board of Public Works directed staff to install restrictive parking in the 100 block of Fayette Street with no parking from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm, no parking 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on alternate sides, and WHEREAS, new representatives and new petitions appeared before the board following the installation of signs which sought to have the restrictions changed or removed, and WHEREAS, the board has heard several discussions of the parking impacts on the neighbors following the board’s effort to get wider participation by residents; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to remove the signs for restrictive parking and return the 100 block to normal city wide parking regulations. Carried Unanimously 25. ADJOURNMENT On a Motion the meeting was recessed at 5:45 p.m. until Wednesday, December 17, 2003 at 4:45 p.m. ______________________________ ______________________________ Sarah L. Myers Alan J. Cohen, Information Management Specialist Mayor