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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-08-03Approved at March 14, 2007 Board of Public Works Meeting j:\committee files\bpw\2005\08-03-05 bpw mtg minutes.doc BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. August 3, 2005 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (5) - Chapman, Dotson, Jenkins, Romanoff, Schlather OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Common Council Liaison – Coles DAC Liaison – Roberts Executive Assistant – Grunder City Engineer – West Dwight Mengel – TCAT Nina Bassuk EXCUSED: Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Fabbroni PUBLIC HEARING – ELMIRA ROAD SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS Resolution to Open Public Hearing By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson RESOLVED, that the public hearing regarding Elmira Road sidewalk improvements be declared open. Carried Unanimously (6-0) Jerry Gilbert, Wendy’s Restaurant, addressed the Board in favor of the sidewalk. He noted that the construction of the sidewalk as proposed would force the removal of his business sign, and questioned whether that was necessary. Rob Cutting, representing Cutting Motors, addressed the Board to ask whether the entire Elmira Road was part of the sidewalk project, and if it would be possible for him to construct the sidewalk in front of his property on his own. Resolution to Close Public Hearing By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson RESOLVED, that the public hearing regarding Elmira Road sidewalk improvements be declared closed. Carried Unanimously (6-0) City Engineer West addressed Mr. Gilbert’s comments regarding Wendy’s business sign. He stated that the sign removal was required pursuant to the Board’s request to keep the sidewalk as far back from the curb as possible. He further stated that the removal of the sign could be avoided if the Board was willing to move the sidewalk around the sign and into the designated right-of-way. The Board determined that obtaining an easement that would allow the Wendy’s sign to stay where it is and allow the sidewalk to swing onto the Wendy’s property would be the best course of action for both parties. Supt. Gray addressed Mr. Cutting’s questions stating that the entire Elmira Road could be completed however the City had made the choice to do only the 300 block to tie in the sidewalks that were installed as part of the Elmira Road widening project. He further stated that it was fine for Mr. Cutting to have sidewalks constructed on his own, but the City was hoping to install uniform sidewalks. Discussion followed on the floor with regard to the possibilities of letting owners on the Elmira Road build their own sidewalks if they wish to. Approved on March 14, 2007 Board of Public Works Meeting j:\committee files\bpw\2005\08-03-05 bpw mtg minutes.doc 2 Supt. Gray stated that he would be willing to write two resolutions for consideration at the next meeting; one with the entire stretch being done by one contractor and another in which property owners would be given the choice of constructing sidewalks themselves. COLLEGETOWN PARKING RESOLUTION Commissioner Dotson reported on the Parking subcommittee’s discussion on changes to the current parking rate structure. Discussion followed on the floor about current rates and other options that the City could pursue. Mayor Peterson stated that this agenda item could be up for discussion and possible resolution at the Board’s August 10, 2005, meeting. TCAT REQUEST FOR BUS SHELTERS Dwight Mengel, TCAT Service Development Manager, reported to the Board that TCAT is hoping to purchase and install two new bus shelters, one at East State and Quarry Streets and the other at Buffalo and Aurora Streets. He further stated that he has been working with City Traffic Systems Engineer Tim Logue to determine what areas on these corners are in the public right-of-way and available for the installation of bus shelters. Discussion followed on the floor over the zoning regulations and previously set standards that could effect construction on the bus shelters. Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:15 p.m.; Vice Chair Dotson facilitated the meeting. PARK ROAD PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Chair of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee, Nina Bassuk, reported to the Board that she has been working with various City and Cornell University officials and graduate students on a project to improve the existing gravel parking lot on Park Road. She further reported that the improvements will include the addition of a pervious paving lot and tree pits as part of a research project for Cornell University. The lot will also include an ADA accessible parking spot for the Water Front Trail. GREEN STREET PARKING GARAGE The Board discussed the current status of the Green Street Parking garage project with regards to the Board’s role in the decision making process and what the status of Common Council actions are. Resolution WHEREAS, the Common Council, at a Special Meeting to be convened on Thursday, August 04, 2005, will be reviewing options for the future of the Green Street Parking structure, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works (BPW) is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the City’s entire infrastructure including its public parking facilities, and WHEREAS, the BPW in 2004, authorized temporary emergency bracing and repairs of the Green Street Garage to extend its useful life through, at least, the summer of 2006 at a cost of $504,000 with the expectation that the BPW would be involved in the planning for the future of the facility as part of the long-range plan for the maintenance of all City infrastructure; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works requests that the Common Council address the following concerns and issues as part of its deliberation about the Green Street Garage: a) that the City derive the full benefit of its 2004 investment in repairs and bracing by continuing the use of the facility at least through the summer of 2006; and Approved on March 14, 2007 Board of Public Works Meeting j:\committee files\bpw\2005\08-03-05 bpw mtg minutes.doc 3 b) that the resources of the DPW – both in money and personnel – not be stretched beyond present capacity; and c) that the City’s incurring of more substantial long-term debt not render the City less flexible in meeting other infrastructure needs in other parts of the City; and d) that the BPW be more actively included in planning for and deciding the future of this facility to ensure that the other long-term infrastructure needs of the City can be adequately budgeted and met. Carried Unanimously (6-0) ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Deborah Grunder Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor