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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 2 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 3 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 4 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