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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 2 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 3 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 4 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