HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2005-12-21Approved on April 18, 2007
Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Meeting
j:\committee files\bpw\2005\12-21-05 bpw minutes.doc
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. December 21, 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
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
Executive Assistant – Grunder
Alderperson – Tomlan
Deputy City Controller – Andrew
EXCUSED:
Common Council Liaison – Coles
DAC Liaison – Roberts
TRASH VIOLATION – 339 SOUTH GENEVA STREET
Neal Howard, 339 South Geneva Street, reported to the Board that he is appealing the
trash violation he received for this property in May 2005 regarding disposal of a couch
that does not belong to him.
Supt. Gray stated that the City Code holds the adjacent property owner responsible for
trash left at the curb. He further stated that the procedure for handling trash left in an
individual’s lawn is that the individual must call the police. If the City picks it up with
regular trash removal, the owner will be fined. He further stated that Mr. Howard has
been in violation before and has paid all associated fines in the past.
The Board agreed to waive the violation with Supt. Gray handling the internal
administrative issues.
COLLEGETOWN SPECIAL BENEFIT ASSESSMENT DISTRICT – POWER-TO-ACT
Deputy City Controller Andrew reported to the Board that the Building Department had
updated the information on the building at the Northwest corner of College Avenue and
Dryden Road. He stated that the building floor area had approximately doubled from
10,000 to 20,000 sq. feet and the assessment increased from approximately $400 to
$750.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the building at 400 – 405 College Avenue.
CONDITION OF DEWITT PARK
J.B. “Holly” Hollingsworth, Vice-Chairman, Tompkins County Veterans’ Day Committee
reported to the Board that on several occasions he has found DeWitt Park in poor
condition after being used by different groups in the City. He stated he has found the
park with graffiti painting and chalking on the monuments, sidewalks, and benches;
people sleeping in the park; and various types of trash left behind. He requested that
the Board continue to consider DeWitt Park a “quiet park” and a memorial site for
military veterans.
Alderperson Tomlan suggests major improvements need to be made to DeWitt Park
and the usage of it.
Board of Public Works – December 21, 2005 - Page 2
j:\committee files\bpw\2005\12-21-05 bpw minutes.doc
Discussion followed on the floor regarding different ways to improve the park and
evaluate applications for usage as well as security measures.
APGAR TREE PLANTING APPEAL UPDATE
Supt. Gray reported that the tree Mr. Apgar requested to be removed has been
removed. This issue should not come before the Board again.
NEW SNOW AND ICE RULES
Supt. Gray stated that the City Charter, under the Board of Public Works, states that it is
the property owner’s duty to keep the sidewalk free of ice, snow, and other obstructions
(C-73, C (1)). The new ordinance amends Chapter 178 entitled “Exterior Property
Maintenance,” which provides the standards by which the performance of this duty will
be measured. He further stated that Common Council has changed the grace period to
the beginning of a snowfall rather than the end of the snowfall.
Supt. Gray reported that the City Code properly reads that the DPW “may” clear the
walks if they are not properly maintained (the obligation stays with the property owner).
The community and Common Council intend for DPW to exercise the right to clear the
walk as often as possible. He stated that in order to meet this expectation the City will
have to develop a list of private parties that can do this work “on call” for the City. The
list may be developed by bidding the service to create a list of names and prices, or the
City may opt to create a pre-qualified public service like taxi cabs, which has a fixed
price.
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel stated that he would research
how other communities have done this in order to find a model to customize.
Mayor Peterson stated that she was discouraged about the residents’ reactions to the
policy after the first snowfall and suggested that the Board look into public service
announcements for the new policy.
Discussion followed on the floor with regards to issuing the violations and associated
fines and appeals processes that may need to be developed.
PARKING VALIDATION SYSTEM
Commissioner Romanoff reported to the Board that the owner of Fingerlakes Fitness is
afraid of losing members due to the new parking fees and would be interested in
pursuing a validation system.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the issues that would need to be explored for
a parking validation system.
Commissioner Schlather suggested that the Board revisit this issue for the 2007 budget.
The Board was in agreement with this suggestion.
REQUEST FOR ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT, 316 EAST FALLS STREET –
POWER-TO- ACT
Moved by Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Romanoff
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works grants itself power to act at its meeting of
January 4, 2006, in order to vote on the encroachment request at 316 East Falls Street.
Carried Unanimously (6-0)
Board of Public Works – December 21, 2005 - Page 3
j:\committee files\bpw\2005\12-21-05 bpw minutes.doc
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:54p.m.
Deborah Grunder Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor