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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-04-20BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. April 20, 2005 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (4) - Jenkins, Dotson, Chapman, Romanoff OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Common Council Liaison – Coles DAC Liaison – Roberts Information Management Specialist - Myers W &S Engineering Aid - Whitney EXCUSED: Commissioner Schlather Asst. Supt. W & S - Fabbroni ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: DAC Liaison Roberts requested the addition of a discussion regarding the Disability Advisory Council’s concerns relating to the audible traffic signals. No Board member objected. Mayor Peterson requested the addition of a discussion regarding the Ithaca Festival request for use of Stewart Park. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Doria Higgins, Town of Ithaca, addressed the Board concerning the parkland at Allen H. Treman Park remaining dog free. She stated that an unleashed dog park is a good idea, but not at Allen H. Treman Park. Robert Abele, Ithaca Rental & Renovations Manager, addressed the Board to see if they might have other variables that he should be using when he presents figures to them concerning the increased parking rates in Collegetown. Mayor Peterson asked that he e-mail her this request so that she can get the information from the appropriate staff and respond to him. Public Comment at BPW Meetings Recently BPW has allowed “public comment” at the start of the Committee of the Whole meetings as well as the Regular Board meetings. The question has been raised as to whether this is a permanent policy change. Mayor Peterson requested that this item be placed on the agenda so that the Board could make the decision as to which of their meetings would allow public speaking. She stated that if the Board will allow public speaking, it should be noted on the agenda. Otherwise, individuals should be invited to the meeting to address agenda items only. Discussion followed on the floor concerning the use of the Board’s time to conduct business, and how allowing public comment at every meeting opens up discussions on items that aren’t on the agenda and take time away from the meeting. The Board members stated their preference to have prior knowledge of issues, by way of requests/concerns being submitted in writing to the Superintendent who can inform the Board as to issues that may appear on future agendas. The Board members reaffirmed that they are available outside of regular meeting times for the public to bring concerns Board of Public Works April 20, 2005 - Page 2 to them in writing, by phone, personal meetings, etc. The Board felt that by limiting public speaking to their regular voting meeting on the second Wednesday of the month, it would allow them to conduct the business posted on their agendas in an efficient, productive, manner. Mayor Peterson requested that the agenda template be modified to add an explanation at the bottom of when public speaking is allowed at meetings, and how to get an item on the agenda for a Committee of the Whole discussion. Supt. Gray stated that he would draft this language for the agenda and bring it to the Board for review. West End Parking Update, meeting being scheduled by Planning for mid-May with owners Supt. Gray reported that Deputy Director of Planning and Development Cornish created a packet of information including a map of the area, concerning west end parking that he would distribute to the Board when he receives it. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the current parking lot that the City owns, that needs to be repaired, signed, and striped so that it can become an income making property. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the parking needs for employees and manufacturers in the area, and the new medical complex building that will be constructed. As a side note from last week’s meeting, Mayor Peterson reported that the Revised Parking Rate resolution that the Board passed in December indicated a reduced rate during the summer for the parking garages. Supt. Gray stated that he is still working on pulling together the financial information from the 1st quarter of 2005 for the Board. Rock Climbing Wall for Cass Park Proposal In addition, to the rock climbing wall concession proposal, Mayor Peterson reported that the Ithaca Festival has requested permission for a beer garden at Stewart Park on Sunday during the Festival. The City Attorney’s office has reviewed this request and approval is not needed from Common Council or the Board of Public Works. In addition, the Ithaca Festival has requested the use of Stewart Park on Saturday, 6/4 for disc golf. Superintendent Gray stated that he has discussed the use of city parks with the City Attorney and it is a complex issue. Extensive discussion followed on the floor concerning the use of city parks. The Board would like to see the Parks Commission involved in this discussion as well. The Board also wants to ensure that the green spaces in City parks are not overtaken by other uses. They would like to see a set of guidelines developed that can be followed for various requests that come in for the use of parks so that the Board doesn’t have to spend time on case by case requests. DAC Liaison Roberts requested that it be kept in mind during discussions that certain requirements under ADA need to be met for certain events. Concession operators need to provide ADA accessibility. The Board determined that they were not ready to give approval for the rock climbing wall at Cass Park because they want to have the policy in place first. Board of Public Works April 20, 2005 - Page 3 Lacrosse Tournaments in Parks Mayor Peterson reported to the Board that the City is waiting to hear back from the State Comptroller on this request. DAC Reaffirmation for Audible Traffic Signals DAC Liaison Roberts presented a resolution that was passed unanimously by the DAC at their April 2005 meeting that reaffirms that the referenced intersections were completed incorrectly and that audible crosswalks should have been installed when the reconstruction was done, and different tactile surfaces ought to have been installed at curbramps. The DAC wants these problems addressed, that retrofitting be done as needed, and that the intersections be brought up to ADA requirements. The DAC requested that the Board of Public Works place this item on an agenda and on the DPW’s 2005 work plan. Discussion followed on the floor regarding what action the City will take to respond to this request. Supt. Gray reported that NYSDOT doesn’t agree that audible signals need to be installed at every intersection. He stated that he would try to work with the State further on this issue and report back to the Board. Commissioner Chapman stated that this is a civil rights issue. The City has to provide audible signals and that he takes exception to what NYSDOT thinks is required. This item will be placed on the May 4, 2005 Committee of the Whole agenda. DAC Liaison Roberts left the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Update on Water Treatment Plant Study Mayor Peterson reported to the Board that she, Maria Coles, Bill Gray, Larry Fabbroni, Scott Gibson, Chuck Baker, Dan Cogan, Mary Tomlan, and Ray Schlather are on the Water Plant Committee. She stated that progress is being made and that scenarios are: rebuild at current site, build further up Six Mile Creek, build on a new site on the lake near Bolton Point or merge with Bolton Point. The committee is looking at operating costs from Bolton Point and environmental issues. The Committee will hold a public meeting and forum in the near future. She hopes that this item will be on the agenda for the Board in July. Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Discussion followed on the floor regarding water quality concerns of the Health Department and structural problems with the current 100 year old building. Further Discussion – 2005 Work Program Asst. Supt. for S & F Ferrel reported that he reconsidered the 2005 construction schedule. He stated that it was an aggressive schedule that didn’t leave room for emergencies. He is prepared to postpone Cliff Street work until the 2006 construction season, however, he will need three to four days of work on Cliff Street this season to do patch work. He further stated that over the winter a major section of Hudson Street unraveled, as well as a section on Elm Street. Deferring the Cliff Street project means that other areas of the City can be worked on. He still needs the plans for the retaining wall on Cliff Street, and this delay will give him time to have those plans in hand to begin work in 2006. Hudson Street is a large project; he has contacted NYSEG to see if they have work that needs to be done there as well and Asst. Supt. for W & S Fabbroni is checking to see if there are any water and sewer issues that could be done during the project. He wants to make sure that all of the work is coordinated and gets done at one time on this project. The work will take place from Columbia Street to Hudson Place. Commissioner Chapman reminded Asst. Supt. Ferrel to keep in mind ADA requirements when the curbs are rebuilt. He stated that he hopes this requirement will become a standard requirement for any construction work that the City performs. Discussion Board of Public Works April 20, 2005 - Page 4 followed on the floor regarding ADA requirements, guidelines, and civil issues. The DPW staff can do work that is requested as long as there is staffing, funding, and the season lasts long enough. The Board needs to keep these facts in mind when adding requests to projects because currently funding and staffing are problem areas for the Department of Public Works. Commissioner Chapman stated that some BPAC members had concerns about not being informed of projects and not being able to review plans and provide input prior to construction. Asst. Supt. Ferrel explained that plans are not needed when roads are being reconstructed. Upcoming Items – May 4 Agenda Waterfront Promenade - Upcoming Construction for Phase II ADA Requirements for Traffic Signals ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor