HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2004-10-13BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. October 13, 2004
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (6) -Tsegaye, Jenkins, Dotson, Chapman, Schlather, Romanoff
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 – Coles
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Information Management Specialist - Myers
Police Chief – Signer
Acting Deputy Police Chief - Graziani
IPD Lieutenant – Curatolo
IPD Officer – Barr
Alderperson Mackesey
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Vice Chair Tsegaye led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the Minutes of the September 8, 2004 Board of Public Works Meeting
This item was postponed until the October 20, 2004 Committee of the Whole meeting.
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Superintendent Gray requested that Item 13A – Request for Bricks be added to the
agenda.
No Board member objected.
Superintendent Gray further requested that the two requests he has received for the
use of Stewart Park be put on the agenda for the October 20th, Committee of the Whole
meeting.
No Board member objected.
Superintendent Gray requested the addition of a discussion concerning no parking in
the 400 Block of Columbia Street be added to the agenda.
No Board member objected.
Superintendent Gray requested the addition of a discussion of a Pedestrian Awareness
Program under Report of Superintendent and Staff.
No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Jutta Dotterweich, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the following concerns:
1) The Washington Park Neighborhood Association would like to request the
suspension of winter parking restrictions on West Court Street, Washington Street and
Park Place due to coal tar remediation work that is taking place. The combination of
construction and odd/even parking would leave no place for the residents to park.
2) The push buttons on the upgraded traffic signal at the intersection on West Buffalo
Street are not working.
Board of Public Works –October 13, 2004
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Gary Ferguson, Ithaca Downtown Partnership, thanked the Board for the work that was
done on the Commons by the Department of Public Works before the Apple Harvest
Festival to make it look nice for the festival. He further announced a meeting that will
take place on Friday, October 15th, at 8:00 a.m. with the Mayor, City Staff and
merchants to exchange information about the proposed parking rates.
Janet Shure, representing Historic Ithaca and the State Theatre, thanked the Board for
putting their request for use of bricks on the agenda. She reported on the history of the
project, and why bricks are needed.
Paul Friend, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board to ask that the City look at how money
is spent on consultants. He used the traffic circle at Plain Street as an example of
consultant work, and the lack of support for it that has been expressed by the
neighborhood as a means of traffic calming.
Susan Titus, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding a letter she wrote to the
Board expressing her desire to use the new Cayuga Garage for a celebration before it is
scheduled to open in May as a fund raiser for downtown.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
Superintendent Gray responded to comments made about the parking request for the
Washington Street and Park Place residents and stated that this request will come back
to the Board with a recommendation.
Commissioners Romanoff and Dotson responded to concerns raised about the traffic
circle at Plain and Center streets.
Mayor Peterson noted that there was nothing on the Board’s agenda today regarding
the State Theatre’s request for bricks. Superintendent Gray responded that he was
responsible for that, as he would like to have a general discussion with the Board
regarding bricks to see if requests such as these could be handled administratively.
REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
A. Pedestrian Awareness Program Discussion:
Mayor Peterson invited Chief Signer, Lieutenant Curatolo, Officer Barr and Acting
Deputy Police Chief Graziano to the table to address the Board.
Chief Signer noted that the Traffic Forum held by the Mayor was very helpful to their
department to raise awareness of the issues regarding traffic in the City. She further
stated that the department has limited resources and they prioritize as best they can.
She stated that the department is open to suggestions and that the re-organization of
the department will utilize middle management more effectively.
Chief Signer stated that she had met with the Washington Park Association and wanted
to bring a concern of theirs to the Board for the record. There is a light pole in the
middle of the park that needs a light bulb. She further noted that she is also on the
Disability Advisory Council and has met with Larry Roberts to discuss accessibility
issues as well.
Lieutenant Curatolo addressed the Board to report that he has submitted an application
for a Government Safety grant. The grant will be directed at both pedestrian and
vehicle safety education and enforcement. Officer Barr stated that Ithaca Police
Department does an excellent job of public service in answering questions and selective
enforcement is done in speeding zones, at stop lights, and that the staff at IPD do the
best they can with the resources they have.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor concerning pedestrian/traffic safety and
enforcement issues, funding for programs, staffing, and how the Board might be able to
assist the police department with their various programs.
13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT:
A. Request for Sale of Bricks- Power to Act:
Board of Public Works –October 13, 2004
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By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act on the Request for Sale of Bricks
for 103 Spring Lane and the Request for Sale of Bricks to Historic Ithaca at their
Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for October 20, 2004.
Carried Unanimously
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1) Discussion regarding Intersection of Plain and Center Street –
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board that he is waiting for a report from staff on
this intersection. The Board directed Superintendent Gray to proceed as they had
previously directed with the necessary installation of yield signage at this intersection.
NEW BUSINESS:
1) Discussion on Parking on the 400 Block of Columbia Street:
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the recently installed “No Parking 9
a.m. to 12 p.m.” signs on this block. Alderperson Mackesey addressed the Board to
bring to their attention the concerns of the residents of the block. She stated that
signage is not appropriate as daytime parking is not an issue; evening and weekend
parking is problematic. Superintendent Gray explained the history behind the
requirement for signage, as the street is too narrow for parking on both sides of the
street. The signage is a method to control parking. Further discussion followed on the
floor with questions raised by the Board for the Traffic Engineer. The Board felt that a
decision could not be made on this until they were provided with more information.
Power to Act:
By Commissioner Tsegaye: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act on the Signage on the 400 Block
of Columbia Street at their Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for October 20,
2004.
Carried Unanimously
The following agenda items were not discussed:
24. B. Review BPW notes – 9/15/04
C. Proposed action
D. 2005 Budget, Mayor’s Proposal
E. Impacts & opportunities
F. Finish any items from 10/6/04 discussion
Commissioner Tsegaye announced that Ithaca College School of Communication would
donate equipment for the Southside Community Center’s media workshop, which is
being conducted by him and Ithaca College staff. He further announced that there has
been a proposal to rename Southside Community Center as “Martin Luther King
Community Center” and a presentation will be coming forward to Common Council on
this name change.
Commissioner Schlather stated that he would like to see a commitment made to have
an extensive discussion on parking rates during the week of October 18th. This Board
needs to be heard and the deadline for the Mayor’s budget will take place before the
next voting meeting of the Board.
Commissioner Dotson stated that the sub-committee that was formed to work on
parking rates has met and there are questions that need answers.
Mayor Peterson stated that time is of the essence for this subject.
Commissioner Dotson announced that a meeting is scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m.
regarding renaming a community resource for Martin Luther King.
Board of Public Works –October 13, 2004
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Power to Act:
By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson
RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act on two requests for Lacrosse
Camps at Stewart Park at their Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for October
20, 2004.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson
Information Management Specialist Mayor