HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2003-12-17BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Continuation of
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. December 17, 2003
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (6) - Beach, Jenkins, Dotson, Tsegaye, Leonardo, Chapman
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy City Controller - Andrew
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
City Engineer - West
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Common Council Liaison - Hershey
Information Management Specialist - Myers
EXCUSED:
DAC Liaison – Roberts
RECONVENE:
Vice Chair Leonardo reconvened the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Mayor Cohen arrived at the meeting at 5:03 p.m.
HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS
Design Study for Taughannock Boulevard Extension:
Power to Act at the January 7, 2004 Committee of the Whole Meeting Regarding
the Design Study for Taughannock Boulevard Extension – Resolution
By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Beach
RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself power to Act on the Design Study for
Taughannock Boulevard Extension at its Committee of the Whole meeting on January
7, 2004.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding items that are of concern to the Board
including: feasibility study, scoping of issues, and costs.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Award of Bid for West Spencer Street Reconstruction – Resolution
By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye
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
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.
City Engineer West addressed the Board to explain that the City is currently underway
with the contract on South Meadow Street and the work involved with that project.
He explained that a lot of the work will be done during the winter. The bulk of the work
will take place as soon as street work can take place in early spring. He further
explained that the Spencer Street and South Meadow Street project will probably be
running simultaneously through the summer. South Meadow Street will be reduced to
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Board of Public Works Meeting
Continuation of 12/10/03 Mtg.
December 17, 2003
one lane in each direction with a turning lane in the middle; West Spencer Street will be
closed except to emergency and service vehicles and local residents.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the volume of traffic that will be
affected through this work and the increased traffic through neighboring residential
streets.
Commissioner Tsegaye thanked City Engineer West for all his hard work on this project
and his effort to include as many staff, board members and citizens in the decision
making process as possible.
Further discussion followed on the floor regarding meeting the needs of the low income
residents who will be losing their homes with the demolition of the Carpenter property
on West Spencer Street.
Commissioner Dotson read a statement from DAC Liaison Roberts regarding the West
Spencer Street Reconstruction and traffic circle and concerns regarding ADA and
ADAAG regulations being met.
City Engineer West responded to comments from DAC Liaison Roberts statement and
explained that concerns have been mitigated. All approaches have refuge islands in
between the two lanes approaching and leaving the round about and signage and
striping indicating pedestrian access/pedestrian signs/yield signs.
Discussion followed regarding the historical significance of the Dahl property on West
Spencer Street. City Engineer West responded that the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation
Commission had reviewed the property through the SEQR process and had made no
comment.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (5) Leonardo, Jenkins, Tsegaye, Chapman, Cohen
Nays (1) Dotson
Abstentions (1) Beach
Carried
Request to 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.” -
Resolution
By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye
WHEREAS, Constantine P. “Dino” Neferis passed away on November 14, 2003, and
WHEREAS, Constantine P. “Dino” Neferis resided on the 200 Block of Dryden Road
(the block from College Avenue to Linden Avenue) for the majority of his life, and
WHEREAS, Constantine P. “Dino” Neferis, over the course of his life, became an icon
and a fixture by befriending so many Ithacans, residents of Collegetown, and Cornell
Students, and touched their hearts on a daily basis, and
WHEREAS, a great portion of the population of the City of Ithaca mourns the death of
Constantine P. “Dino” Neferis, and his presence will be felt every day by Ithacans,
Cornell Students, and especially the residents and businesses of Collegetown, and
WHEREAS, there are currently signs marking Dryden Road on the southwest corner of
the intersection of Dryden Road and College Avenue, and the southeast corner of the
intersection of Dryden Road and Linden Avenue, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works of the City of Ithaca does hereby declare
the second name for the 200 Block of Dryden Road in honor of Constantine P. “Dino”
Neferis, and be it further
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Board of Public Works Meeting
Continuation of 12/10/03 Mtg.
December 17, 2003
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works of the City of Ithaca declares the honorary
name for the 200 Block of Dryden Road, “Dino’s Way,” and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works of the City of Ithaca hereby instructs staff
to affix two road signs, directly under the existing, aforementioned Dryden Road signs at
the two intersections of the 200 Block of Dryden Road which read, “DINO’S WAY”, In
Memory of Constantine P. Neferis.”
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Cohen stated that many people had an opportunity to know Dino and people
have always called him the Mayor of Collegetown. Dino had a surprising depth of
knowledge on city affairs, and was a great man who will be missed.
Approval of Installation of Sidewalks on Elmira Road - Resolution:
By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Beach
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs that sidewalks be installed on both
sides of Meadow Street and Elmira Road corridor 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 corridor and bring those plans to the Board of Public
Works for design approval prior to installation.
Superintendent Gray addressed the Board to explain that when the City re-aligns roads
and moves curblines out, the City has to re-locate existing sidewalks. In areas where
the city has not installed sidewalks, they would be installed at the property owner’s
expense.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the financial impact of this project
on property owners. Further discussion followed regarding the need for increased
pedestrian safety and the need for sidewalks in light of the new development that will be
taking place in that area of the city.
Motion to Table:
By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Beach
RESOLVED, That this item be tabled pending further discussion between property
owners affected by this project and the City.
After further discussion, Commissioner Dotson withdrew her motion.
Motion to Call the Question
By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
RESOLVED, That the Question be called.
Ayes (5) Cohen, Leonardo, Jenkins, Tsegaye, Chapman
Nays (2) Dotson, Beach
Carried
Main Motion:
A Vote on the Main Motion resulted as follows:
Ayes (4) Chapman, Cohen, Jenkins, Dotson,
Nays (3) Leonardo, Tsegaye, Beach
Carried
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NEW BUSINESS:
Condition of Stairs at Gun Shop Hill:
Superintendent Gray addressed the Board to explain to them that the stairs at Gun
Shop Hill have been abandoned. It would cost approximately $30,000 to replace the
stairs, and that money has not been budgeted. Assistant Superintendent of Streets and
Facilities Ferrel has been petitioned several times to repair the stairs, but at this time,
there is no intent to do that. Mayor Cohen noted that if the Board were in favor
Common Council would need to approve this project.
The Board agreed to put this item on their agenda for discussion at the next regularly
scheduled Committee of the Whole meeting on January 7, 2004.
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATION:
Superintendent Gray reported that the New York State Department of Transportation
has expressed an interest in funding the Thurston Avenue Bridge project.
Mayor Cohen reported that the City and Cornell University have been working with NYS
DOT to find the funding for this project.
Commissioner Beach asked about the status of the Stewart Avenue bridge.
Superintendent Gray responded that it should be open early the week of December
22nd.
Commissioner Beach addressed the Board to say that it had been a pleasure serving
on the Board and thanked the Board for the experience.
Mayor Cohen stated that it had been a pleasure serving with the Board, and that in his
appointments to this Board he has really tried to bring a diverse group of people
together on a variety of different matters. He particularly wanted to thank not only the
two potential outgoing Board members, Joe Leonardo and John Beach for their years of
service, but also to wish the rest of the Board good luck.
Common Council Liaison Hershey addressed the Board to say that it was very gratifying
to serve with this Board. He stated that it has been great to be here at this final meeting
and see these two projects come to fruition.
Mayor Cohen further stated that on behalf of Joe, John, and himself, it’s been a
pleasure to work with our fine staff. He feels that the Board has gotten an aggressive
agenda completed and he appreciates staff’s patience, and their willingness to think
outside the box and to look at new ways of doing things.
ADJOURNMENT
On a Motion the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
______________________________ ______________________________
Sarah L. Myers Alan J. Cohen,
Information Management Specialist Mayor