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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-05-04BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. May 4, 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 Common Council Liaison – Coles DAC Liaison – Roberts Information Management Specialist - Myers Deputy Dir. of Planning & Dev. – Cornish EXCUSED: Assistant Superintendent of Water & Sewer – Fabbroni ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Mayor Peterson requested the addition of the following items to the agenda: - Presentation by David Henderson on Proposed Crosswalks - Discussion of Collegetown Parking Coupons for Possible Resolution No Board member objected. Superintendent Gray requested that Item #3 – ADA Requirements for Traffic Signals and Item #4 Addition to Wording on the Agenda form be deleted from this agenda and added to the agenda for May 11, 2005. Commissioner Chapman requested that Item #3 – ADA Requirements for Traffic Signals be left on the agenda for a brief discussion. No Board member objected. 210-212 Treva Avenue, Request for Permanent Right-Of-Way The City has received a request from Lili Chi, an interested buyer for the property on Treva Avenue for permanent right-of-way. Superintendent Gray stated that the City is interested in retaining Treva Avenue, where the bulk of the raw water main is located as it makes its way from the watershed to the treatment plant. Supt. Gray agreed to locate the existing agreement for 1101 Giles Street where the property owner requested approval to install a driveway on a “paper” street, to use as an example. The issue of sewer services (separate, joint, or relocated) for 1109 East State Street, and what ever is proposed for 210-212 Treva Avenue should also be considered. Extensive discussion followed on the floor with David Tyler, attorney and Lili Chi regarding the proposed permanent right-of-way. The City does not usually transfer property rights. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding obtaining easements from the property at 1109 East State Street. The Board requested additional time to review this request and to obtain counsel from the City Attorney’s office. Proposed Crosswalk Installations: David Henderson, representing both the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council and the Pedestrian Advisory Council, addressed the Board to give a presentation on the recommendations of those Councils on proposed crosswalk installations in the City. There are three main crosswalk installations that they recommend priority status for: Board of Public Works – May 4, 2005 - Page 2 2 1. Intersection of Clinton Street/Prospect Street/East Spencer Street 2. Intersection of Prospect Street/Hudson Street/Giles Street 3. Intersection of Quarry Street/East State Street Mr. Henderson explained that the law states that there is an implied crosswalk at every intersection, even if it might be dangerous. He further stated that having crosswalks clearly marked and having cars acknowledge them would be an incentive for pedestrians to use the crosswalks, and for cars to reduce their speed. Commissioner Dotson requested that the City Engineers review the proposed placement of the crosswalks. Commissioner Romanoff requested that crosswalks be installed in a uniform design throughout the city. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the fact that the Superintendent’s Office is short staffed right now, and some requests for projects need to be delayed. Superintendent Gray told the Board that his department could do whatever project(s) the Board deems as priorities, but that his department is unable to respond to every request for work at this time. Award of Bid for Side Walk Contract – Resolution The Board gave itself Power to Act during its meeting of April 13, 2005 on the award of a 2005 Sidewalk Contract. Bids were received and staff has recommended award to the lowest responsible bidder. Two bidders have been disqualified. Before the resolution was moved, Supt. Gray explained why he is recommending that the 3rd lowest bidder, Ross & Sons, be awarded the bid for a project cost of $330,000. Commissioner Romanoff stated that she has seen their work and it is very good. Commissioner Chapman stated that he would like to see the bid sheets because he is concerned about the specifications of what would be built, including handicap ramps and textured surfaces. Commissioner Dotson stated that the contractor should be made aware of ADA requirements. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the City inspection of work done, and making sure that it is done correctly per the specifications. Superintendent Gray stated that he would bring this resolution back to the Board for consideration at their May 11, 2005 meeting. He further requested that Board members stop by his office to look at the bid documents in between meetings and bring any concerns to his attention. Sidewalk Installation – 300 block Elmira Road Staff is recommending that the Board undertake a “uniform sidewalk improvement”, as outlined in the City Charter, Section C-73 Sidewalks in the 300 block of Elmira Road. This will complete the work started in that block under the Benderson Development and the 2004 Elmira Road/Meadow Street intersection construction. Deputy Planning & Development Director Cornish addressed the Board to explain the project. She stated that sidewalk installation had been done piecemeal along Elmira Road and had not been quite as the Planning Board had hoped. She further stated that the Water & Sewer department would be doing work in this area and that it would provide a good opportunity for the City to extend the sidewalk further. Supt. Gray stated that guidelines have been established for re-development work on Elmira Road. The recommendation for the City to install sidewalks on the 300 block would be an opportunity to finish the block. He requested that the Board authorize the City to move forward on the project. In order for the work to be done, a public hearing would need to be held to obtain input from property owners on the 300 block of Elmira Road. The Board can then make a decision, and the City can proceed with the work. He further recommended that all the work be done at the same time with one contractor to ensure uniformity. Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:35 p.m. Extensive discussion followed on the floor concerning the three alternatives proposed by staff, and the impact each would have on the property owners as well as Board of Public Works – May 4, 2005 - Page 3 3 pedestrians. It was noted that when sidewalks are placed directly next to the street, that they become impassable during winter months because of snow plowed onto them. The Board decided that they would like to move forward on the project and requested that Tom West, Asst. City Engineer, come to their next meeting to present schematics. Supt. Gray stated that he could draft a resolution for next week’s meeting calling for the public hearing. Stormwater Annual Report- May 18, 2005 Staff will present the Annual Stormwater Report and brief the Board on the City’s current status in its efforts to meet the 2008 deadline for a fully developed storm water program. Information will be provided at the meeting. The following agenda items were not discussed by the Board due to time constraints: - Waterfront Promenade - Upcoming Construction for Phase II - ADA requirements for traffic signals - Addition to wording on the Agenda form - South Aurora Street Bridge presentation - Collegetown Parking Coupons ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor