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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-08-17Approved on March 14, 2007 Board of Public Works Meeting j:\committee files\bpw\2005\08-17-05 bpw mtg minutes.doc BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. August 17, 2005 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (2) – Chapman, Schlather (arrived at 5:30 p.m.) OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works – Gray Common Council Liaison – Coles DAC Liaison – Roberts Executive Assistant – Grunder City Traffic Systems Engineer – Logue Deputy City Controller – Andrews EXCUSED: Commissioners (3) – Dotson, Jenkins, Romanoff Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Fabbroni Mayor Peterson expressed her concern about the lack of a quorum and stated that the agenda would need to be reviewed to determine what items were appropriate to discuss without a quorum. Supt. Gray stated that all items on the agenda should be discussed with the addition of the Fire Station Driveways Bids. He further stated that many of these items were informational only and that decisions could be made at a future meeting. RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT SYSTEM Supt. Gray reported that the current Residential Parking Permit System has many exceptions, but not for construction projects. He further reported that there has been a complaint from a resident that the system is not flexible enough to accommodate workers parking for a six-month construction project at their property. He reported that City Traffic Systems Engineer Logue has had discussions with various staff members to explore changes that could be made to the current system. City Traffic Systems Engineer Logue reported on possible construction provisions that could be added to the current Residential Parking Permit System. CORNELL/TOWN TRAFFIC STUDY Supt. Gray reported that in the coming decade Cornell University will be doing some major construction on campus, much of which is under the Town of Ithaca’s jurisdiction. He reported that this would force Cornell to deal with some major transportation issues in the town. He further reported that in an effort to minimize the impact of the construction, Cornell has stated that it will conduct a traffic study for the Town of Ithaca, City of Ithaca, and the Cornell Campus to project over the next ten years. Supt. Gray stated that in an effort to avoid duplication of data and to save the City money and time he will work with Cornell to make sure their study includes data for areas that the City is currently studying. Mayor Peterson stated that there seems to have been a duplication of meetings over this same issue. She would like to be sure that all necessary parties are involved in future meetings to avoid confusion and duplication of work. She further stated that there has been some confusion over which municipality will take lead agency in this case. Discussion occurred on the floor regarding the proposed plan from Cornell to develop 34 acres on West Hill for low and middle income housing as well as commercial use. The discussion continued with regard to the current lack of inter-municipal planning. Approved on March 14, 2007 Board of Public Works Meeting j:\committee files\bpw\2005\08-17-05 bpw mtg minutes.doc 2 TRAFFIC IMPACTS OF SUMMER 2005 CONSTRUCTION Supt. Gray reported on some of the City’s construction projects and the unintended impact they had on traffic circulation and emergency service response time. Discussion followed on the floor with regard to the need for interdepartmental planning on future construction projects. DAC Liaison Roberts stated that there have been many curb cuts that have been removed during construction and that have not been replaced. Supt. Gray stated that this had been an oversight of the City, and it is being corrected. FIRE STATION DRIVEWAY BIDS Supt. Gray reported to the Board that bids have been received for both the South and West Hill fire stations to repave the existing 10-year-old driveways, which have deteriorated due to the heavy equipment that uses them. He further reported that the driveways have been redesigned. A $90,000 budget was approved last year, but the lowest bid came in at $109,000 due to the increase in oil prices. He went on to report that City Engineer West has recommended that this item go to Common Council as an expansion of the project, so that work can begin. He requested that the Board, by informal vote, approve that this request be taken to the City Administration Committee for review and consideration. The Board approved this request. SIX MILE CREEK WATERSHED Supt. Gray reported that every year there are issues related to unauthorized or non- permitted activities in the Six-Mile Watershed. He further reported that this year, due to the record heat and dryness, the City has been especially busy responding to complaints about overnight stays and bonfires in this area. Mayor Peterson reported that the Ithaca Police Department cannot go into this area and enforce laws due to that fact it is located within the Town of Ithaca. She further reported that it might be possible for the City to annex this area from the Town of Ithaca. She will continue discussions with the Town of Ithaca in an attempt to find a solution that both parties could agree on. Supt. Gray noted that there are two rangers who patrol the area, but it is to the point where they fear for their safety, as they have called for backup assistance but have waited more than two hours for it to arrive. WORKING ITEMS / UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discussion followed on the floor regarding the status of the water treatment plant decision. Commissioner Schlather stated that it might be in the best interest of all parties to have a joint Board of Public works meeting with Common Council to discuss the process and who will make the decision. He further stated that it is very important to make this decision as quickly as possible and as cost effectively as possible. He went on to suggest that at the Board’s regular meeting on September 21, 2005 that Common Council is invited to attend to discuss this topic with the Board members. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45p.m. Deborah Grunder Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor