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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-01-12BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. January 12, 2005 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Dotson, Chapman, Schlather, Romanoff OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni DAC Liaison – Roberts Building Commissioner – Radke Deputy Planning & Development Director – Cornish Historic Preservation & Neighborhood Planner - Chatterton Information Management Specialist - Myers EXCUSED: Common Council Liaison Coles PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Mayor Peterson requested that Approval of the Minutes of the December 8, 2004 Board of Public Works Meeting be removed from the agenda. No Board member objected. Mayor Peterson requested that Item 17A - Agreement to Swap Parking Areas – Resolution be moved up on the agenda as concerned parties and staff were in attendance at the meeting. No Board member objected. Superintendent Gray requested that New Business Item 23A – Request from Elizabeth A. Clune Montessori School for Use of DeWitt Park be added to the agenda. No Board member objected. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Peterson reported on the following concerns that have been brought to her attention: 1) Safety issues at the triangle intersection of South Meadow Street and Spencer Road. 2) Snow/ice plowed back onto narrow curb line by City near new roundabout, makes it very difficult for property owners to maintain sidewalks. 3) Snow/ice removal to keep sidewalks and crosswalks clear for pedestrians. Building Department is responsible for enforcement of owners maintaining their sidewalks clean and free from ice and snow. 4) Concern from employee at Dryden Road garage regarding the City recognizing Cornell’s handicap parking permits and allowing them to use handicap spaces at the garage. Students seem to be abusing this privilege. Board of Public Works – January 12, 2005 2 5) Issues for 2005 for the Board of Public Works, including construction work update process and how 2004 process can be expanded to include outside contractors and other entities so that their work schedules are communicated to city staff. 6) Low manhole covers, Mayor Peterson and Assistant Superintendent for Streets and Facilities responded to this complaint and the complainant responded back to them in a very negative fashion. 7) She has been meeting with Assistant Superintendent for Streets and Facilities Ferrel concerning gas/greenhouse emissions. They have been working with the Chicago Climate exchange and are awaiting more data. Mayor Peterson will keep the Board apprised of progress. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the problems that arise when sidewalks are shoveled by property owners, and then the City comes through to plow and puts snow back onto the sidewalk and at curb cuts. Further discussion followed on the possibility of using community service workers to clear snow from curb cuts and on the street near curb cuts. The Board agreed that they need to come up with a creative solution to deal with this issue that may include changing the current legislation. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Lynn Jackier, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board to let them know that she was at the meeting to answer any questions that might arise when they discuss the resolution concerning the Drop in Children’s Center. Guy Gerard, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding speeding on North Aurora Street. He stated that it is a residential street that acts as a highway shortcut between Route 96 and Route 13, and talked about traffic calming measures that might be appropriate for that street. Bill Olney, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding parking restrictions on East State Street below Stewart Avenue and how it negatively impacts the tenants on the street since many of the properties do not have driveways. 17. WATER AND SEWER: 17A. Agreement to Swap Parking Areas - Resolution By Commissioner : Seconded by Commissioner WHEREAS, The Drop In Children’s Center (DICC) has received 2003 and 2004 CBDG funding to expand their current daycare facilities by an additional 3600 square feet if substantially complete by September 30, 2005, and WHEREAS, the DICC has made arrangements to lease a 21 space off-street- employee- parking-area from the Bowl-a-Drome owners for a minimum of 10 years, and WHEREAS, shifting the proposed supplementary drop off location from Adams Street is viewed by many area homeowners to more effectively buffer the residential neighborhood to the south from potential impacts related to land use changes, noise, and safety along the Adams Street boundary; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works to work with the Mayor and City Attorney to execute an agreement for exchanging equivalent off street employee parking space use along with any associated legal instruments including but not limited to access easements and liability assignment for the period of time that the DICC lease for the employee lot is in force or until alternate mutually agreeable terms are reached between the DICC and the City of Ithaca but only if such action is in compliance with any associated required Planning Board and Board of Zoning Appeals approvals. Extensive discussion took place on this resolution before it was moved for discussion and voting purposes. Board of Public Works – January 12, 2005 3 Building Commissioner Radke explained to the Board the zoning implications of the proposed resolution. If the Board passes the above resolution as written it would require a use variance which means that if the variance is granted, the new use would follow the property in perpetuity. Extensive discussion followed on the floor with the Board asking the Building Commissioner and Planning Department staff questions about alternative parking and safety issues. Commissioner Radke explained the difference between a variance and a special use permit. The efforts of Asst. Supt. Fabbroni to find a good faith compromise in this complex situation were noted by Board members. The following resolution was moved for discussion and a vote: 17A. Agreement to Swap Parking Areas - Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Romanoff WHEREAS, The Drop In Children’s Center (DICC) has received 2003 and 2004 CBDG funding to expand their current daycare facilities by an additional 3600 square feet if substantially complete by September 30, 2005, and WHEREAS, the DICC has made arrangements to lease a 21 space off-street- employee- parking-area on Adams Street from the Bowl-a-Drome owners for a minimum of 10 years, and WHEREAS, shifting the proposed supplementary drop off location from Adams Street is viewed by many area homeowners to more effectively buffer the residential neighborhood to the south from potential impacts related to land use changes, noise, and safety along the Adams Street boundary; however, in order to do this, it would be necessary for the City of Ithaca Water and Sewer division to swap its parking area on First Street for the Drop In Children’s Center parking now leased from a private owner for the non-conforming parking facility on Adams Street – which then would become a permanent, grandfathered, non-conforming use in an already fragile neighborhood according to the City Building Commissioner and City Planning staff; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That upon consideration of and in balancing all of these factors, it appears that such an arrangement is not in the best long term interests of the neighborhood, the Board of Public Works declines to endorse such an arrangement. Carried Unanimously REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters: 1) The Traffic Engineer’s last day was January 7, 2005. 2) Assistant City Engineer Hernando Gil’s last day is January 13, 2005. The City has entered into a 2 year contract with Mr. Gil to provide management services for upcoming bridge work. Eight million dollars needs to be retrieved from the Department of Transportation and the Federal Government for these projects and he will be working on that as well. 3) He has submitted a proposal to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 12.2 million dollars for projects for the next 5 years. One project that was not approved, because they wanted more information, was the Southwest Area study. He will work to provide more information to the TIP on the Southwest Area study in the hope that it will be approved as well. He then answered questions from Board members concerning pedestrian and fire department access from the new Lowe’s parking lot into Nates Floral Estates. Board of Public Works – January 12, 2005 4 Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following matters: 1) Crews have been working on snow removal operations. They are pleased with this winter’s mild temperatures. 2) Pothole crews have been out everyday, they try to keep up with them by visual inspection and by complaint. 3) The Parks and Forestry crews have been removing snow from the Commons and ramps and will be picking up Christmas trees through the month of January. 4) The heating upgrade at Streets & Facilities is in progress and is 60-70% complete. 5) He has submitted a proposal to the State DOT planning for a Transportation Improvement proposal for reconstruction of East State Street from Mitchell Street to the City line and for Elmira Road, South of the new construction to the City line. He said that the State is interested in both projects and had questions because they thought his figures were too low. These projects would be done in 2008, 2009 and 2010. 6) He has spent a lot of time on paperwork for a court case, researching information, records and drawings, and working on Notice of Claims against the City. 7) Crews are waiting for their labor contract to be signed so they can get their pay raises. Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the following matters: 1) The addition to the Waste Water Treatment Plant is moving along. The weather has cooperated, and they are pouring concrete for the project in January. 2) He had a very positive meeting with the Town of Ithaca today regarding water main work to be done on First Street. 3) Work on Watershed Grants is ongoing. 4) A new Waste Water Treatment Plant Chief has been hired who is full of energy and is inspecting all aspects of the plant. 5) There were a lot of water main breaks over the holidays; a lot of the old cast iron pipes are wearing out. 14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALK: 14A. Request to ITCTC and NYSDOT for Safety Improvements Along Route 13- Resolution By Commissioner Romanoff: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received several requests from residents and planning committees to improve safety for both pedestrians and bicycles crossing Route 13 at the intersection with Dey Street, as well as the intersection with Third Street, and WHEREAS, these requests are the result of the success of the community’s Farmer’s Market, the current and future expansion of the Water Front Trail system, and a desire to improve park access (Stewart Park, Cass Park, Newman Golf Course, and eventually the state parks) contained in several adopted neighborhood plans, which are all in conflict with the increasing traffic on Route 13, and WHEREAS, the Board recognizes the importance of Route 13 as a vital transportation link, for the state and the county as well as the city, which helps keep traffic out of city neighborhoods if it works efficiently and safely; now, therefore be it Board of Public Works – January 12, 2005 5 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests the help of the Ithaca Tompkins County Transportation Council (ITCTC) and the NYSDOT in developing a comprehensive solution to this problem, which is the result of all the previously mentioned successes, by undertaking the following, among 1) The Board of Public Works requests that the NYSDOT review the traffic signal cycle length at the Third Street and Dey Street intersections with Route 13 and consider some means such as pedestrian buttons to lengthen the side street phase to allow pedestrians to safely cross the Route 13 pavement. 2) The Board requests that the NYSDOT consider extending the 40 MPH zone on Route 13 a quarter mile or more north of the Dey Street intersection and that the north bound traffic see “End 40 MPH Zone” signs, with the 55 MPH speed limit posted a half mile or more north of Dey Street. 3) The Board requests that the ITCTC work with the city and the NYSDOT to develop a comprehensive solution for alternate modes of transportation to safely cross the Route 13 corridor (such as grade separation using the Cascadilla or Fall Creek bridge crossings) in those areas which are apparent now or anticipated in the future in order to insure the success and full utilization of community assets and alternate modes of transportation while allowing Route 13 to function as a state wide asset. Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Schlather RESOLVED, That the following amendments be made to item numbers 1 and 3 and that a number 4 be added that will read as follows: 1) The Board of Public Works requests that the NYSDOT review the traffic signal cycle length at the Third Street and Dey Street intersections with Route 13 and consider some means such as pedestrian buttons and lights that meet ADA requirements to lengthen the side street phase to allow pedestrians to safely cross the Route 13 pavement. 3) The Board requests that the ITCTC work with the city and the NYSDOT to develop a comprehensive solution for safe multi-modal, e.g. pedestrian/bicycle crossing throughout the Route 13 corridor to safely cross the Route 13 corridor (such as grade separation using the Cascadilla or Fall Creek bridge crossings) in those areas which are apparent now or anticipated in the future in order to insure the success and full utilization of community assets and alternate modes of transportation while allowing Route 13 to function as a state wide asset. 4) That the existing signals be adjusted and maintained to trigger for bicycle cross traffic. Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended: A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously NEW BUSINESS: A. Request from Elizabeth Ann Clune Montessori School for the Use of DeWitt Park: Superintendent Gray brought this request to the Board for their input into whether or not he should grant a permit. The request involves children creating luminaries out of decorated shoe boxes and pulling them as sleds around DeWitt Park and then burning them in a barrel at the park. The Board recommended that the Fire Department give their approval for this request before a permit is issued. Board of Public Works – January 12, 2005 6 B. Power to Act: By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Schlather RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act at its Committee of the Whole meeting on January 19, 2005 on an Excavator Contract for the Water and Sewer Department. Carried Unanimously C. Request for Transfer of Funds: By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commission Schlather WHEREAS, the position of Traffic Engineer has become vacant as of January 7, 2005, and WHEREAS, the City Vacancy Review Committee has approved a request to fill the position, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works anticipates the need for interim traffic engineering services which will require contracting for professional services to cover the open period, now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the Superintendent of Public Works request the transfer of funds from the 100 lines to the 400 lines within the existing budget. Carried Unanimously D. Mayor Peterson stated that there will be a small interview committee made up to interview applicants for the Traffic Engineer position and asked if any of the Board members would be interested in serving on this committee. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor