HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-09-14Approved on December 20, 2006
Board of Public Works Meeting
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDIINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. September 14, 2005
PRESENT:
Commissioners (5) Chapman, Dotson, Jenkins, Romanoff, Schlather
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Fabbroni
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Executive Assistant – Grunder
Attorney’s Office – Dunn
EXCUSED:
Mayor Peterson
Common Council Liaison – Coles
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Acting Chair Dotson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. The
meeting was called to order at 4:55 p.m.
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Nothing was added or deleted.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
In the Mayor’s absence, Superintendent Gray provided the Board with a few questions provided
by the Mayor to think about or consider pertaining to the dog park:
Could an “adopt-a-park” be used?
Does the Board want to keep it at Cass Park?
Gray further stated that the fence has been installed, and that TCDog does not want to leave Cass
Park.
COMMUNICATIONS/HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: None.
RESPONSE TO PUBLIC: None.
REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Liaison excused.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Superintendent Gray stated that discussions continue as to what to do with the Green
Street Garage. The Thurston Avenue Bridge project has the go ahead to advertise for
bids.
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel updated the Board on the Streets and Facilities
happenings since the last meeting. One of the biggest issues is the trash problem in
Collegetown. Household trash is being discarded into the public trash receptacles.
Bird problems on the Commons have caused the Ithaca Downtown Partnership to high-
pressure wash the area using the City’s equipment.
Cascadilla Creek wall concrete work scheduled to start soon.
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BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE, AND TRANSIT
A. Request for Encroachment agreement – 405 Cascadilla Street – RESOLUTION
By Commissioner Schlather; seconded by Commissioner Romanoff
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a proposed encroachment agreement
which covers the projection of porch stairs northward into the street right-of-way, shown on the
survey by Raymond Brashear, PLS, dated August 5, 2005, and
WHEREAS, both the Engineering staff and the Attorney’s staff have recommended it to the
Board, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works hereby authorizes the Mayor to enter into an
encroachment agreement with James L. Solomon as executor of the Estate of Leo A. Solomon,
owner of 405 Cascadilla Street under the usual terms and conditions, including but not limited to
the termination of the agreement should the encroachment no longer exist or should the property
be needed by the City.
Carried Unanimously (5-0)
HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS
Commissioner Schlather proposed the following resolution on the floor. Seconded by
Commissioner Romanoff.
RESOLVED, that staff hereby is requested to secure installation of handicapped-
accessible sidewalk ramps at the existing crosswalk on Floral Avenue located at the intersection
of Floral Avenue and Elm Street before November 1, 2005, under an amendment and change
order to the 2005 sidewalk contract.
Carried Unanimously (5-0)
CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS
A. Use of DeWitt Park – Some facts, suggestions, and further action are listed here:
The resolution regarding the use of DeWitt Park was not voted on, as Mayor
Peterson was not present at the meeting. She wanted to be involved in the vote.
The Presbyterian Church owns the park.
The City was given the authority to schedule the events held there.
It was suggested that the park not be used solely for church and/or memorial
events and/or vigils, but as a public use park unless the event is too large for the
space.
The decision whether to grant permission to use the park should not be based on
the type of event or whether the City endorses the purpose and/or the intended
cause.
It was suggested that the Parks Commission be involved in deciding the use of the
park.
It was agreed that Commissioner Schlather and Assistant City Attorney Dunn
would further research the current policy and come back to the Board with a draft
resolution.
Superintendent Gray agreed to contact the Parks Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion, the meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Deborah A. Grunder Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor