HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-12-07Approved on April 18, 2007
Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Meeting
j:\committee files\bpw\2005\12-07-05 bpw minutes.doc
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. December 7, 2005
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (4) - Chapman, Jenkins, Romanoff, Schlather
OTHERS PRESENT:
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Ferrel
Common Council Liaison – Coles
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Executive Assistant - Grunder
City Transportation Engineer – Logue
Deputy City Controller – Andrew
EXCUSED:
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Commissioner Dotson
Mayor Peterson stated that she would be leaving the meeting early and that Acting
Mayor Coles would chair the meeting after she left.
STATE STREET/ MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. – RENAMING REQUEST
Gino Bush, 110 Fayette Street, addressed the Board to request that the entire length of
State Street be renamed after Martin Luther King Jr. He stated that the name change
would help increase awareness of racism and the injustices still present in the world
today. He further stated that he and many other City residents are in strong support of
the renaming and would like to see it happen before Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday in
the coming year.
Commissioner Schlather suggested that the City consider renaming Route 13 on the
Meadow Street corridor Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Mr. Bush stated that Route 13 was the group’s second choice if renaming State Street
were not possible.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the involvement of local historians in the
renaming project as well as exploration of other alternatives for possible renaming.
Mayor Peterson suggested that a subcommittee be formed to address the issue.
Common Council Liaison Coles stated that she would be interested in serving on the
sub-committee.
The Board recommended that a sub-committee consisting of Common Council Liaison
Coles, and Commissioners Dotson and Romanoff be formed to discuss the topic of
renaming State Street and possible alternatives.
FLORAL AVENUE / ELM STREET RAISED CROSSWALK
Tim Logue, City Traffic Engineer, reported to the Board on the Floral Avenue/Elm Street
raised crosswalk project that is being considered for the coming year. He stated that
the City would submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application in an
attempt to obtain funding for the project.
TREE PLANTING ON HECTOR STREET – GEORGE APGAR’S PROTEST
George Apgar, 712 Cliff Street, reported to the Board that when his father purchased
the property in the 1980’s his intention was to prevent the woods from being clear-cut.
He stated that on October 22, 2005, he found large piles of dirt on his property and
upon further investigation found tractor tracks had torn through some of his lawn. He
stated that he was very upset to find his lawn torn up and that he takes pride in the
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appearance of his property. He stated that he spoke to City officials and was able to get
the dirt removed. He was further informed that trees were going to be placed on his
property by the City. He stated that he has a lot of trees on his property and asked that
additional trees not be planted. He explained that the City, once again, came on his
property past the 16.5-foot right-of-way and damaged his lawn between 26 and 29 feet
off the road. He further stated that one of the trees that were planted was placed in his
access driveway, which is used to access the water line should it need repair. He
asked that the trees be removed from his property, the ruts in his lawn filled in, the rocks
picked up from his property, and that the grass be replanted.
Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
The Board decided that they would each go out to look at Mr. Apgar’s property before
the next meeting and before making any decision.
REQUEST FOR ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT, 316 FALLS STREET
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported to the Board that the
City has received a request to acknowledge the encroachment of the garage and fence
at 316 East Falls Street into the public land that borders Fall Creek, as shown in the
survey map dated June 14, 2000. He stated that the garage encroaches by
approximately 9 feet, and the fence encroaches by approximately 9 feet. He further
stated that the Board should be concerned that the City has an underdrain buried there
as part of the ground water control efforts that was built in the 1970’s. He further
reported the standard agreement with the property owner protects the City’s interests
and should be sufficient to acknowledge the encroachment.
Commissioner Chapman suggested that the resolution be revised to address specific
issues in this case such as the fence and access to the City underdrain.
The Board requested that the resolution be revised before a vote is taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:16 p.m.
Deborah Grunder Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor