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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2004-11-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. November 10, 2004 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (6) -Tsegaye, Jenkins, Dotson, Chapman, Schlather, Romanoff OTHERS PRESENT: City Controller - Thayer Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison – Coles Director of Planning & Development – VanCort City Chamberlain – Parsons Economic Development Planner - Kusznir Information Management Specialist - Myers PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the September 8, 2004 and October 13, 2004 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Romanoff RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the September 8, 2004 and October 13, 2004, Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published with noted corrections made to the October 13, 2004 minutes. (4) Ayes – Chapman, Dotson, Romanoff, Peterson (1) Abstentions – Tsegaye (0) Nays Carried Commissioner Jenkins arrived at 4:50 p.m. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Peterson reported that Common Council passed the 2005 budget at their meeting on November 3, 2004 and that there are a lot of projects to look forward to in 2005. Commissioner Schlather arrived at 5:10 p.m. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Tom Shelly, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board concerning a bill that he had received for repair of the sewer on his property and asked about any recourse that might be available to him. Betsy Magre, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding an appeal that she had made to the Board for an exemption to the Residential Parking Permit System that was denied. She asked if there was any other appeal process in place for her request. Guy Gerard, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board concerning the proposed increase in parking rates on at the parking garages and at meters. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Superintendent Gray responded to the concern raised regarding the bill for sewer work and explained the history of billing for sewer work done by the City on private property. He further stated that a meeting could be arranged with himself, Assistant Superintendent for Water & Sewer Fabbroni and Mr. Shelly to discuss his concern. He then responded to the concern raised about the Residential Parking Permit system appeal, and offered to provide the Board with the pertinent information and place this Board of Public Works – November 10, 2004 - Page 2 2 item on a future agenda. He stated that Mrs. Magre will be notified of the meeting date at which her concern will be discussed. Commissioner Dotson responded to the concern raised about the bill for sewer work and questioned whether or not this work is similar to sidewalk repairs which the owner can do themselves or have the City do the work and then bill the owner. Superintendent Gray explained that this is a different situation and that property owners cannot do repair work on City sewer lines. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Superintendent Gray reported to the Board that the 2005 budget process was the most pleasant process he has experienced in a decade. He stated that discussions were friendly and productive, and less stressful on staff. Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following matters: - This is a time of transition. City crews are working on construction projects to leaf and snow removal efforts. - Stone Quarry Road was paved and finished today. - He distributed the 2004 completed project list to the Board and reported that they still have some small projects to complete. - The crews paved 3 ¼ miles of city streets, and he is very proud of them and their accomplishments this summer. - There are a lot of leaves that need collection and other seasonal activities going on. - There are 3 pieces of snow removal equipment that need repair before snow removal activities commence. - The park crews picked up 200 trees on 11/8/04 and as of today had planted 100 – mostly in the traffic circle at Albany Street and the Route 13 corridor. The Board was impressed with the many projects that the crews have accomplished. Commissioner Schlather noted that even though crews were very busy at many intersections throughout the city, he observed them to be friendly and polite compared to private contractors on other projects. Commissioner Schlather also noted that the crews were very capable, competent, and sensitive to motorists. Commissioner Dotson thanked Assistant Superintendents Ferrel and Fabbroni for the work done. Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the following matters: - He thanked the Board for their recognition of the crew’s accomplishments. - Sewer work by Friendly’s should be completed today, and the driveway repaired. - Crews will be reduced by one-third next week because it is the beginning of hunting season. - There is a lot of activity at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. The base for the new tanks will be poured soon. They are waiting for the building phase to begin, but the project is moving along. Assistant Superintendent for Water & Sewer Fabbroni then responded to various questions and concerns raised by the Board. 13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT: A. Request for Waiver of Recycling Violation – 106 East Falls Street - Resolution By Commissioner Chapman: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, Harris Roberts, tenant of 106 East Falls Street has requested that the Board of Public Works waive the recycling fee incurred for placement of materials on the wrong week, and WHEREAS, Mr. Roberts claims that a warning sticker was not placed on his material by city crews making it difficult for him to know he was in violation of the recycling laws, while the city employee states that a sticker was used; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed Mr. Roberts’ request to Board of Public Works – November 10, 2004 - Page 3 3 waive the recycling violation he received for placing material at the curb on the wrong week, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board hereby denies the request for the waiver based on its review of the requirements of Chapter 196 of the City Code covering garbage and refuse, Common Council’s decision not to allow a first time waiver of recycling violations, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests the City Chamberlain to waive all late fees associated with the bill if paid within 15 days of the date of this resolution, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board expresses its thanks to Mr. Roberts for his pride in maintaining the appearance of 106 East Falls Street. Discussion followed on the floor regarding splitting the cost difference or waiving the fee completely. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Request for Waiver of Recycling Violation – 128 Farm Street - Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Chapman WHEREAS, Henry Hansteen, owner of 128 Farm Street has requested that the Board of Public Works waive the recycling fee incurred for placement of materials on the wrong week, and WHEREAS, Mr. Hansteen claims he received the notice one month after the violation and because he is a landlord it was not possible for him to know of the violation in time to correct it, and WHEREAS, Mr. Hansteen claims that a warning sticker was not placed on his material by city crews making it difficult for him or his tenant to know he was in violation of the recycling laws, while the city employee states that a sticker was used; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed Mr. Hansteen’s request to waive the recycling violation he received for placing material at the curb on the wrong week, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board hereby denies the request for the waiver based on its review of the requirements of Chapter 196 of the City Code covering garbage and refuse, Common Council’s decision not to allow a first time waiver of recycling violations, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests the City Chamberlain to waive all late fees associated with the bill if paid within 15 days of the date of this resolution, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board expresses its thanks to Mr. Hansteen for his pride in maintaining the appearance of 128 Farm Street. Carried Unanimously NEW BUSINESS: Commissioner Tsegaye reported that he talked with Gino Bush concerning renaming a community resource in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Mr. Bush will take it to his group for discussion as an alternative if a street cannot be named after Martin Luther King, Jr. Mayor Peterson reported that the Bernie Milton Plaque has been installed on the main pavilion on the Commons. Board of Public Works – November 10, 2004 - Page 4 4 ADJOURNMENT TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING: By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Board adjourn to a Committee of the Whole Meeting to discuss parking rates. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION OF PARKING RATES: The Board began the discussion of parking rates at 5:45 p.m. At this time City Controller Thayer, City Chamberlain Parsons, Director of Planning and Development VanCort, and Economic Development Planner Kusznir joined the Board for the discussion. Commissioner Schlather reported to the Board on the process that the committee had gone through to review the parking rates. He reported that there was a strong feeling by city staff to eliminate the two-hour free parking and that he and Commissioner Dotson had opposed this because of the inconvenience suffered by everyone in the downtown area during the past two years. He further reviewed the table that was provided to the Board showing the proposed parking permit revenue for 2005 and 2006, and the difference between the Mayor’s proposed revenue and the Board of Public Works proposed revenue for those years. In addition, he and Commissioner Dotson also recommended that the hourly rate at the Dryden Road garage be increased to $1.25 which would generate revenue in the amount of $55,000. This scenario would bring both the Mayor’s and BPW’s proposed revenues at approximately the same level. Commissioner Dotson reported that a lot of the parking permit rates are not under the Board’s control because of contracts that are in place. City Controller Thayer stated that the figures presented are just estimates and assumptions, and that the reality of supply and demand is what will matter. He further reported that the City is facing a good budget for 2005 however, future years will present million dollar gaps. He urged the Board to look comprehensively at the City’s future financial status. Extensive discussion followed on the floor concerning what impact increased costs might have on the public and the downtown merchants when they are also facing increased property taxes. Planning Department staff responded to questions and concerns raised about development in the city, traffic, and parking needs. Further discussion followed about the financial impacts the city will be facing in the future, and how revenue can be generated to mitigate them. Superintendent Gray stated that this item will be on the agenda for the Board’s Committee of the Whole meeting next week and that he would like to see a decision made in early December, so information can be published and distributed to the public by January 1st. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor