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
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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
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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.
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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