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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BPW-2005-11-02Approved on April 18, 2007 Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Meeting j:\committee files\bpw\2005\11-02-05 bpw minutes.doc BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. November 2, 2005 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (4) - Chapman, Dotson, Jenkins, Schlather OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Fabbroni Common Council Liaison – Coles Executive Assistant – Grunder City Controller – Thayer EXCUSED: Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Ferrel Commissioner - Romanoff DAC Liaison – Roberts PROPOSAL FOR RED BUD WOODS PLAQUE Supt. Gray reported that a group has approached the Board of Public Works for permission to install a plaque on a boulder to commemorate Red Bud Woods. Elisa Wolfson, Cornell Plantations, stated that City Forester Andy Hillman informed her that the grassy area adjacent to the former woodland where the boulder is located is a City right-of-way. She further stated that the boulder is an ideal location for the placement of a plaque. Common Council Liaison Coles clarified that the request is only for permission to install a plaque, not to purchase it. She also stated that the group is willing to work with the Board to determine the wording on the sign. Supt. Gray stated that he took issue with the Redbud Woods Group’s request to place a plaque on City property commemorating the removal of a natural area that the community didn’t support. He stated that he strongly believed that this concern be considered before any action was taken by the Board. The Board discussed the possibility that discussions should take place with Cornell University, the City of Ithaca, and the Red Bud Woods Group to determine the wording for any plaque. LACROSSE TOURNAMENT Mayor Peterson reported that Mark Wenham of the Turkey Shoot Lacrosse Program sent her an emergency e-mail on November 1, 2005, stating that they would like to use Stewart Park this weekend for the tournament. She stated that the scheduled location was deemed unplayable due to rain. Supt. Gray stated that he would be willing to work with Mr. Wenham and develop a contract for the use of Stewart Park for the Tournament with a straw vote and approval from Board members present today. The Board approved this request with an informal vote. PARKING RATES FOR 2006 – POWER TO ACT By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Comissioner Dotson WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works formed a subcommittee to review and propose 2006 rates for municipal parking facilities in order to meet the adopted 2006 budget projection; and Board of Public Works – November 2, 2005 - Page 2 j:\committee files\bpw\2005\11-02-05 bpw minutes.doc WHEREAS, the subcommittee has proposed rates for the following municipal parking facilities for the year 2006; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopts the proposed 2006 municipal parking rates as follows: Actual Proposed 2005 2006 MONTHLY PERMITS Seneca Street Garage (day and night) All levels $50/mo $60/mo Contract with Hotel1 $40/mo $41.20/mo Contract with Ciminelli2 $50/mo $60/mo Contract with Thomas3 $50/mo $60/mo Green Street Garage (day and night) All levels $50/mo $50/mo Contract with Ciminelli2 $45/mo $46.35/mo Contract with County (Library) 4 $40/mo $41.20/mo (see footnote 4) Contract with Thomas Assoc.3 $40/mo $46.35/mo Cayuga Street Garage (day and night) All levels $50/mo $50/mo Contract with Ciminelli2 $40/mo $41.20/mo Contract with County (Library)4 $40/mo $41.20/mo Contract with Thomas Assoc.3 $40/mo $41.20/mo Contract with Holiday Inn canceled effective February 20047 Dryden Road Garage Day 6:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. $90/mo $90/mo Night 6:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. $90/mo $90/mo Day and night (24 hours) $180/mo $180/mo Other Non-Meter Permit-Parking Facilities Contract with County (DSS)4 $40/mo $41.20/mo HOURLY RATES5 Actual Proposed 2005 2006 Seneca, Green, Cayuga Street Garages6 Hourly 0 – 1 0 0 1 – 2 0 $1/hour 2 – 24 $1/hour $1/hour Maximum $7/day $7.00/day Dryden Road Garage Hourly 0 – 24 $1/hour $1/hour Maximum $12/day $12/day Dryden Road Summer Rates (June 1 – August 15) Hourly 0 – 24 $0.75/hour $.75/hour Maximum $12/day $12/day Parking meters Downtown $1.00/hr $1.00/hr (2 hr. max) Collegetown $1.25/hr $1.00/hr (2 hr. max) Thurston & Stewart Ave. $0.25/hr $0.25/hr (9 hr. max) & Edgemoor 1 – Volume discount rate for 104 spaces – see contract dated April 21, 2003, and interim hotel parking agreement dated April 26, 2005. Board of Public Works – November 2, 2005 - Page 3 j:\committee files\bpw\2005\11-02-05 bpw minutes.doc 2 – Up to 40 permits in Seneca Street Garage at posted rate (except handicap permits, are at $40/mo.); up to 100 permits in Green Street Garage at $45/mo with an annual increase of 3 percent; up to 150 permits in Cayuga Street Garage at $40/mo. with anannual increase of 3 percent; total not to exceed 250 permits. Right to purchase additional 150 permits at posted rates – see contract dated April 21, 2003 (same contract as in footnote 1). 3 – Up to 150 total permits in Green Street and Cayuga Street Garages at lowest permit price available for those spaces; up to 50 permits in Seneca Street Garage at lowest monthly rate for Seneca Street Garage spaces (Seneca spaces are only available if Green Street and Cayuga Street Garages are full). Thomas Associates is eligible for volume discount fee structure – not currently applicable. 4 – The County’s Mental Health/Library agreement for 100 spaces in Green Street Garage (and/or Lot D) is subject to “good-faith” renegotiation now due to the construction of the Cayuga Garage. The County’s DSS agreement for 20 spaces on West State Street (in “Fire Station lot”) expires December 31, 2016. 5 – Fees charged: Downtown garages, 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; Dryden Road garage – 24 hours / 7 days. 6 – The City has an agreement with TC3 that allows it to issue passes for students, clients, and customers, for which the City charges TC3 88 percent of posted rates for the accumulated parking fees. 7 – The Cayuga Green operator (Pro Park) has a private contract with the Holiday Inn for its employees and patrons. and, be it further RESOLVED, that during the summer of 2006 the Board of Public Works shall review the revenues generated by and the use levels of these parking facilities in order to assess and determine whether further adjustments are required for the balance of 2006; and be it further RESOLVED, that all monthly permit charges in all parking facilities shall be increased annually in future years by three (3) percent unless the Board of Public Works directs otherwise hereafter. Amending Resolution By Mayor Peterson; Seconded by Commissioner Dotson. RESOLVED, that a new resolved clause be added to the resolution to read as follows: RESOLVED, that a decision on event parking will be made in March 2006. Carried Unanimously (5-0) Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding installation of parking equipment that would allow the City to collect parking fees 24hours/day. Mayor Peterson suggested that a validation system be incorporated into the resolution. Commissioners Dotson and Schlather spoke in opposition of a validation system. Main Motion as Amended A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously (5-0) COMMON COUNCIL’S BUDGET REVIEW FOR 2006 Supt. Gray reported that Common Council has approved four new staff positions, however, there is an effort being made to eliminate the Forestry Technician position. He stated that this issue would be discussed at the November 2, 2005, Common Council Board of Public Works – November 2, 2005 - Page 4 j:\committee files\bpw\2005\11-02-05 bpw minutes.doc meeting during which the 2006 budget will be adopted. He explained that this position would free up seasonal workers to work on other projects. Commissioner Schlather stated the he strongly supports the creation of this position. PEDESTRIAN ISSUES AND SIDEWALK CREW Supt. Gray stated there is a budget line item for capital construction of sidewalks ($200,000) in the 2006 budget. The question has been raised about whether a dedicated City crew should do this work during the summer season and complete related sidewalk and pedestrian work during the rest of the year. City Controller Thayer stated that since the money is borrowed, it could only be used for improvements made to infrastructure and not salaries. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Deborah Grunder Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor