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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPw-2004-12-15BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting 4:45 p.m. December 15, 2004 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (6) -Tsegaye, Jenkins, Chapman, Schlather, Romanoff, Dotson OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison – Coles Disability Advisory Council Liaison - Roberts Traffic Engineer – Cole Assistant City Engineer - Gil City Controller - Thayer City Clerk – Conley Holcomb PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: The following people addressed the Board regarding the proposed increased parking rates: Kyllikki Inman, Town of Ithaca, submitted a petition with 789 signatures regarding the proposed parking rate increases. H. Aldenforff, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the parking situation on the 100 block of Fayette Street and requested a residential parking permit system. Gino Bush, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding Fayette Street parking concerns, and also requested information regarding the process for renaming a street in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Neil Oolie, City of Ithaca addressed the Board in opposition of the proposed parking rate increases. Susan Titus, Town of Ithaca, spoke in opposition to the proposed parking rate increases for parking meters, and suggested a $.25 fee for 20-minute increments. Joel Harlan, Town of Newfield, spoke in opposition to the proposed parking rate increases. Request to increase Thurston Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Capital Project By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, A Project for the rehabilitation of the THURSTON AVENUE BRIDGE OVER FALL CREEK, B.I.N. 2210630, P.I.N. 375322 for $8,200,000 (“the Project”) is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code as administered by the Federal Highway Administration (“FHWA”), as amended, that calls for the apportionment of the costs of such program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20% non-federal funds, and WHEREAS, The Policy Committee of the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council (ITCTC) approved a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) amendment on October 19, 2004 to increase funding for the current Thurston Avenue Bridge Project, and Board of Public Works – December 15, 2004 2 WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca desires to advance the Project by making a commitment of 100% of the non-federal share of the costs of Scoping, Design (Phases I-VI), Construction, and Construction Inspection, NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Public Works, duly convened does hereby RESOLVE, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the above-subject project; and it is hereby further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that Common Council hereby authorize the City of Ithaca to pay in the first instance 100% of the federal and non-federal share of the cost of Scoping, Design (Phases I-VI), Construction, and Construction Inspection for the Project or portions thereof; and be it further RESOLVED, That this project be undertaken with the understanding that the final cost to the City of Ithaca will be approximately five percent (5%) of the final approved project cost, currently estimated at $410,000 of the $8,200,000 authorized for this project, in monies and in-kind services as managed by the Superintendent of Public Works and monitored by the City of Ithaca Controller, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends in the event the full federal and non-federal share costs of the project exceeds the amount appropriated above, Common Council of the City of Ithaca shall convene as soon as possible to appropriate said excess amount immediately upon the notification by the NYSDOT thereof, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the Mayor of the City of Ithaca, of the County of Tompkins be and is hereby authorized to sign all necessary Agreements with NYSDOT to secure Federal Aid and Marchiselli Aid on behalf of the City of Ithaca and the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to sign all necessary construction documents, contracts, certifications and reimbursement requests, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the Common Council authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to administer the above project, and be it further RESOLVED, That this resolution shall take effect immediately. Ayes (5) Peterson, Chapman, Schlather, Jenkins, Dotson Nays (1) Romanoff Abstention (1) Tsegaye Carried 2005 City Parking Garage and Parking Meter Rates. By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Romanoff WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works formed a subcommittee to review and propose 2005 rates for municipal parking facilities in order to meet the adopted 2005 budget projection; and WHEREAS, the subcommittee has proposed rates for the following municipal parking facilities, both for the year 2005 and the year 2006, noting that the 2006 proposal is tentative and subject to revision based upon the actual numbers generated in 2005; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopts the proposed 2005 municipal parking rates, and notes the 2006 tentative rates, as follows: Board of Public Works – December 15, 2004 3 Actual Proposed Tentative 2004 2005 2006 MONTHLY PERMITS Seneca Street Garage (day and night) Upper levels 5-9 $40/mo n/a n/a All levels $50/mo $50/mo $60/mo Contract with Hotel1 n/a $40/mo $41.20/mo Contract with Ciminelli2 n/a $50/mo $60/mo Contract with Thomas3 $40/mo $50/mo $60/mo Green Street Garage (day and night) Upper level $40/mo n/a n/a All levels $50/mo $50/mo $60/mo Contract with Ciminelli2 n/a $45/mo $46.35/mo Contract with County (Library)4 $40/mo $40/mo see footnote 4 Contract with Thomas Assoc.3 $40/mo $40/mo $46.35/mo Cayuga Street Garage (day and night) All levels n/a $50/mo $60/mo Contract with Ciminelli2 n/a $40/mo $41.20/mo Contract with County (Library)4 n/a $40/mo $41.20/mo Contract with Thomas Assoc.3 n/a $40/mo $41.20/mo Contract with Holiday Inn canceled effective February 2004 Dryden Road Garage Day 6:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. $85/mo $90/mo $90/mo Night 6:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. $85/mo $90/mo $90/mo Day and night (24 hours) $170/mo $180/mo $180/mo Other Non-Meter Permit-Parking Facilities Contract with County (DSS)4 $40/mo $40/mo $41.20/mo HOURLY RATES5 Seneca, Green, Cayuga Street Garages6 Hourly 0 – 2 0 0 0 2 – 24 up to $2/hr $1/hour $1.50/hr Maximum $15/day $7/day $7.50/day Dryden Road Garage Hourly 0 – 24 $0.75/hr $1.25/hr $2.00/hr Maximum $24/day $12/day $15/day Dryden Road Summer Rates (June 1 – August 15) Hourly 0 – 24 $0.75/hr $0.75/hr $1.00/hr Maximum $24/day $12/day $15/day PARKING METERS Downtown $0.50/hr $1.00/hr $1.50/hr (2 hr. max) Collegetown $0.50/hr $1.25/hr $2.00/hr (2 hr. max) Thurston & Stewart Ave$0.25/hr $0.25/hr $0.50/hr (9 hr. max) & Edgemoor and, be it further RESOLVED That during 2005 the Board of Public Works shall monitor the revenues generated by and the use levels of these parking facilities in order to assess and determine the appropriate rates for 2006. 1 -- Volume discount rate for 110 spaces – see contract dated April 21, 2003. 2 -- Up to 40 permits in Seneca Street Garage at posted rate (except handicap permits, are at $40/mo); up to 100 permits in Green Street Garage at $45/mo with annual increase of 3%; up to Board of Public Works – December 15, 2004 4 150 permits in Cayuga Street Garage at $40/mo with annual increase of 3%; total not to exceed 250 permits. Right to purchase additional 150 permits at posted rates – see contract dated April 21, 2003 (same contract as in footnote 1). 3 -- Up to 150 total permits in Green Street and Cayuga Street Garages at lowest permit price available for those spaces; up to 50 permits in Seneca Street Garage at lowest monthly rate for Seneca Street Garage spaces (Seneca spaces are only available if Green Street and Cayuga Street Garages are full). Thomas is eligible for volume discount fee structure – not currently applicable. 4 -- The County’s Mental Health/Library agreement for 100 spaces in Green Street Garage (and/or Lot D) is subject to “good-faith” renegotiation now due to the construction of the Cayuga Garage. The County’s DSS agreement for 20 spaces on West State Street (in “Fire Station lot”) expires December 31, 2016. 5 -- Fees charged: Downtown garages, 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; Dryden Road garage, 24 hours, 7 days. 6 -- The City has an agreement with TC3 that allows it to issue passes for students, clients, and customers, for which the City charges TC3 88% of posted rates for the accumulated parking fees. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the inclusion of the projected 2006 parking rates in the Resolution. Commissioner Tsegaye voiced his concern with the inclusion of the projections as they are based on unknown factors. Commissioner Schlather felt strongly that as the city is in a phase of transition, and the projections should be shared to illustrate that the cost of parking is real, and will be increasing. Commissioner Schlather further noted that although parking permit and parking meter rates are increasing, the maximum parking rate in the garages is being reduced by half; the monthly parking rates are less than monthly transit fares; the first 2 hours of parking in the downtown garages is free; and there is free parking downtown every evening after 8:00 p.m., and all weekend. Commissioner Romanoff stated that the parking sub-committee worked very hard, and made extremely hard decisions. Superintendent of Public Works Gray thanked Commissioners Dotson and Schlather for all of their work in creating the parking rate table, and compiling all of the city’s parking information into one document. He stated that the city needs to begin to work comprehensively on transit, pedestrian, and bicycle transportation systems. Commissioner Tsegaye shared ideas received from a constituent about off-setting parking rate increases by selling advertising on parking meter poles, or by renting out the top floors of the parking garages during “down” times for various events and festivals. Mayor Peterson stated that very difficult decisions needed to be made. She voiced her concerns regarding the inclusion of the projected 2006 parking rates due to projected budget deficits, and fees that may require further review for 2006. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (6) Schlather, Dotson, Chapman, Jenkins, Romanoff, Peterson Nays (0) Abstention (1) Tsegaye Carried Board of Public Works – December 15, 2004 5 Request to NYSDOT to Modify the Traffic Signal at Seneca & Albany Streets By Commissioner Romanoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye WHEREAS, there was a traffic accident recently that occurred at the intersection of Seneca & Albany Streets that resulted in a pedestrian fatality, and WHEREAS, there have been other vehicle and pedestrian collisions at this intersection, and WHEREAS, there are no pedestrian “WALK / DON”T WALK” indications, and WHEREAS, there are numbers of pedestrians crossing this intersection to get to and from DSS and the Short Stop Convenience Market & Deli, and WHEREAS, this results in numerous conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to contact NYSDOT and request that they review this intersection, for improvements of the addition of pedestrian indications and an all red phase, pedestrian phase. Extensive discussion followed on the floor. Commissioner Dotson voiced her concern that the Resolution did not reflect that there are many more intersections that need to be reviewed. Commissioner Romanoff voiced her concern regarding the amount of time it would take the State to review all of the intersections and stated that additional police presence is needed downtown to address issues such as speeding and running stop signs. Commissioner Schlather shared correspondence that he has received from two people who were also struck at this intersection. He acknowledged the need for review of other intersections, but voiced his preference to focus on this intersection and this accident to attract the State’s immediate attention. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Chapman RESOLVED, That the Resolution be amended to read as follows: “WHEREAS, there was a traffic accident recently that occurred at the intersection of Seneca & Albany Streets that resulted in a pedestrian fatality, and WHEREAS, there have been other vehicle and pedestrian collisions at this intersection, and in the Seneca Street corridor between downtown and Meadow Street, and WHEREAS, there are no pedestrian “WALK / DON”T WALK” indications, at these intersections, and WHEREAS, there are numbers of pedestrians crossing this intersection to get to and from DSS and its major parking facility, and the recently expanded Short Stop Convenience Market & Deli, and WHEREAS, this results in numerous conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to contact NYSDOT and request that they review this intersection, for improvements of the addition of pedestrian indications and an all red phase, pedestrian phase, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that staff identify for future referral to NYSDoT other intersections for the installation of appropriate pedestrian indicators.” Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the number of pedestrian/vehicle accidents at intersections throughout downtown. Traffic Engineer Cole stated that Board of Public Works – December 15, 2004 6 pedestrian indicators could be handled internally, however an “All Red” pedestrian phase at the Seneca / Albany Street intersection would require DoT involvement. Superintendent Gray stated that improvements to these intersections need to be made through engineering, education, and enforcement. He further noted that the Seneca / Albany Street is most likely being used differently than when it was first signaled by the DoT. Disability Advisory Council Liaison Roberts stated that this issue is very important to people with disabilities. After further discussion Commissioners Dotson and Chapman withdrew the Amending Resolution, and Commissioners Romanoff and Tsegaye withdrew the original motion. Request to NYSDOT to Modify the Traffic Signal at Seneca & Albany Streets By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye WHEREAS, there was a recent traffic accident at the intersection of Seneca and Albany Streets that resulted in a pedestrian fatality, and WHEREAS, there have been other vehicle and pedestrian collisions at this intersection, and in the Seneca Street corridor between downtown and Meadow Street, especially since the construction of the pedestrian traffic generating Tompkins County Human Services building, and WHEREAS, there are no pedestrian “Walk/Don’t Walk” indications at these intersections, and especially notable is the absence of the same at the Albany/ Seneca Street intersection, and WHEREAS, there now are large numbers of pedestrians crossing these intersections, and especially the Albany/Seneca Street intersection involving pedestrians going to and from the Human Services building, its major parking facility located at the intersection and the recently expanded, locally popular Short Stop Convenience Market & Deli also located at the same intersection, and WHEREAS, this results in numerous conflicts, reported and unreported, between vehicles and pedestrians; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to contact NYSDoT and request that it review this Seneca Street corridor, and especially the Albany/ Seneca Street intersection, giving top priority to that intersection for improvements that protect pedestrians including the addition of pedestrian indications and an “all red” pedestrian phase in the traffic control devices, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests staff, in conjunction with the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council and the Disability Advisory Council to identify for referral to NYSDoT other intersections in the city where similar improvements may be warranted. Carried Unanimously Request to Fill Traffic Engineer Position Commissioner Tsegaye thanked Traffic Engineer Cole for his experience, wisdom and service to the city, and wished him and his family the best of luck in their future endeavors. Superintendent Gray stated that he has forwarded a request to the Vacancy Review Committee to fill this position. He further stated that the job description needs to be updated to include a good knowledge of the rights of pedestrians, bicyclists and other modes of transportation, along with language that would reflect the need to conduct educational workshops and presentations. Board of Public Works – December 15, 2004 7 Update on the Apprenticeship Program Common Council Liaison Coles updated the Board on the status of the Apprenticeship Program. She stated that a Resolution was passed by the Community Services Committee and will be considered by Common Council at the January meeting. As the Resolution is written, the city would require developers of projects over $500,000 to have an established apprenticeship program. She further explained that 25% of the project is exempt from the Resolution. Alderperson Coles stated that the benefit of this program to the community is tremendous, as it will include training and employment for local residents, women and minorities. All, except two, of the projects that the city awarded in the last two years were to companies that had apprenticeship programs. Alderperson Coles further extended her thanks to Commissioner Gossa Tsegaye for his dedicated years of service to the Board. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb Carolyn K. Peterson City Clerk Mayor