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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-02-16BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. February 16, 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 Common Council Liaison – Coles DAC Liaison – Roberts Information Management Specialist - Myers APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the December 8, 2004 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Romanoff: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the December 8, 2004 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Approval of the Minutes of the December 15, 2004 Board of Public Works Meeting RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the December 15, 2004 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Approval of the Minutes of the January 12, 2005 Board of Public Works Meeting RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the January 12, 2005 Board of Public Works meeting be approved with noted corrections. Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the January 12, 2005 Board of Public Works meeting minutes be amended on page 3, top paragraph, to read as follows: “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.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion as Amended: A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Guy VanBenschoten, City of Ithaca Fire Department, addressed the Board to give recognition to the Public Works Department and Management for their mitigation efforts with the flooding work. The flooding could have been a lot worse if the City had not been proactive. He asked the Board to remember the flooding and the funding associated with the mitigation work during the budget process and provide funding as appropriate. The Board responded by thanking the Fire Department, for their efforts and hard work during the flood event as well. Commissioner Schlather arrived at the meeting at 5:15 p.m. Board of Public Works – February 16, 2005 Committee of the Whole 2 2005 Newman Golf Rates - Resolution By Commissioner : Seconded by Commissioner RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the following rates for the 2005 season at Newman Golf Course: MEMBERSHIPS: Type City Residents Non-City Residents Individual $395 $435 Senior 355 435 Domestic Couple 545 600 Family 600 660 Junior 180 200 Weekday 255 280 Weekday Dom. Couple 380 420 Senior Dom. Couple 495 600 NOTE: Residency shall be determined by address on driver’s license only, or comparable proof. DAILY RATES: Weekdays $14.00 Weekends 18.00 9 Hole – after 2:00 p.m. 11.00 Jr. and Sr. 11.00 Sr. – Sunday after 2:00 p.m. 8.00 Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the viability of the golf course and possible future uses. Further discussion followed regarding the impact on membership that raising fees would cause and the need for a Master Plan for this property. Discussion also took place on the floor regarding charging the Town of Ithaca for use because of town resident’s involvement in the Youth Bureau who uses the golf course for some of their programs. It was suggested that a sub-committee be formed to discuss the future of the golf course and to explore other uses. Commissioners Romanoff and Chapman volunteered to work with members of the Parks Commission to discuss the use of the golf course property. In the meantime, the Board proposed increases in the daily rates that be reviewed with the Golf Course Manager and voted on at their next meeting. Power to Act: By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Chapman RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act at its Committee of the Whole meeting on March 2, 2005 on the following 2005 Newman Golf Rates Resolution. Carried Unanimously 2005 Newman Golf Rates - Resolution RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the following rates for the 2005 season at Newman Golf Course: MEMBERSHIPS: Type City Residents Non-City Residents Individual $395 $435 Senior 355 435 Domestic Couple 545 600 Family 600 660 Junior 180 200 Weekday 255 280 Weekday Dom. Couple 380 420 Senior Dom. Couple 495 600 NOTE: Residency shall be determined by address on driver’s license only, or comparable proof. Board of Public Works – February 16, 2005 Committee of the Whole 3 DAILY RATES: Weekdays $18.00 $15.00** Weekends 24.00 20.00** 9 Hole – after 2:00 p.m. 15.00 12.00** Jr. and Sr. 15.00 12.00** Sr. – Sunday after 2:00 p.m. 12.00 10.00** **City Resident Discount (proof of residency required) Request for Funds to Cover Demolition Costs - Resolution By Commissioner Romanoff: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the City’s Building Commissioner has determined that the building at 413 E. Lincoln Street is in imminent danger of collapse and represents a danger to life and health, and WHEREAS, directives to the property owner to correct the defects and make the building safe have elicited no effective response from the owner, resulting in the Commissioner’s notification to the Superintendent of Public Works dated January 27, 2005 to have the building removed and the site made safe, and WHEREAS, the Building Commissioner had received an estimated cost for demolition of $27,500 from Taitem Engineering in December 2004 and the Engineering Office recommends a project budget of $35,000 to cover all costs including asbestos testing and removal; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that Common Council provide funds to cover the emergency demolition with the understanding that a statement of cost will be filed in accordance with clause 146-9 of the City Building Code and will appear as a lien on the property which accrues interest and is added to the tax rolls. Commissioner Schlather recused himself from voting on this resolution because of a conflict of interest with his law firm representing one of the parties involved. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding other possible options that might be taken to preserve the house and keep the city from spending money to demolish it. Superintendent Gray explained to the Board that according to the City Charter he is legally bound to act upon the Building Commissioner’s request to demolish this building. He further explained the liability the city could incur if action is not taken to demolish the house in a timely manner. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (4) Peterson, Dotson, Romanoff, Jenkins Nays (0) Abstentions (2) Schlather, Chapman Carried 2. Update on BPW Resolution A. Traffic at Seneca & Albany – passed 12/15/04 Superintendent Gray reported that he submitted a request to New York State DOT for the upgrade at the intersection of Seneca and Albany streets. He stated that he received a form letter informing him that they have received his request and that they will place this item on their list for review and consideration. He further explained that he needs to send the State DOT another letter regarding the intersection at Third/Dey/Route 13. 3 Bicycle Pedestrian Issues Material not available due to involvement with the Fall Creek Flooding event. Superintendent Gray stated that he would bring the cross-walk information to the Board for their meeting on March 2, 2005. Board of Public Works – February 16, 2005 Committee of the Whole 4 NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Peterson stated that there was a negative editorial in the Ithaca Times that needs to be addressed by an op-ed piece, regarding the relationship between the Board of Public Works and Common Council. Mayor Peterson further stated that the City would be responding to the editorial from the Ithaca Journal as well regarding the City’s response to the Fall Creek flooding. Mayor Peterson stated that the City Attorney wanted the Board to know that they would be discussing a resolution at their March 2, 2005 meeting regarding a possible driveway encroachment at 356 Floral Avenue. Mayor Peterson will make a copy of the back-up information for Superintendent Gray. CC Liaison Coles explained to the Board her frustration with the Ithaca Times editorial. She stated that it was not representative of all Council members, and that is why she will draft a response. Commissioner Schlather expressed his thanks for these comments. He also informed the Board that after the last meeting, one of the merchants came up to him and apologized for the way he and the other merchants had addressed the Board about the increase in parking rates. Commissioner Romanoff stated that the Board is used to being in the hot seat. It is a hard job to be a Board member and the Board does not need this kind of press coverage to be fabricated based on a comment made by one Common Council member. Superintendent Gray informed the Board that levels in all of the creeks are down and that Asst. Supt. Ferrel’s efforts in the lower portion of Fall Creek have worked to get the levels back down to “normal” winter levels. Residents are still experiencing wet basements. He further noted that he felt that operations in the EOC went well during the flooding events.. He further explained that the City has addressed the issue at 400 College Avenue with the contractor concerning the parking of cranes and vehicles. Superintendent Gray informed the Board that several large trees will be coming down in the near future, mostly sugar maples, because they are dead in the center core. Some of the trees are located on Aurora Street. Commissioner Romanoff informed the Board that there would be a Fall Creek Neighborhood meeting tonight and that one of the questions she would be asked is whether the large crane that the City rented is available in a timely manner, or should the City look at owning one itself? Asst. Supt. Ferrel responded that he would be attending that meeting as well. He explained that there were 2 vendors that had the cranes in their yards, and so they were readily available, however, availability depends on the work happening at the time. It would cost between $160,000-$170,000 to purchase one. CC Liaison Coles informed the Board that there would be a Neighborhood Forum in the near future which will attempt to answer questions that have arisen in the Fall Creek Community. She thanked Commissioner Romanoff and Sarah Adams for their work in setting up the neighborhood meeting during the weekend of the flood event and for setting the tone and explaining to the neighbors that the City was doing everything it could. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor