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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