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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2006-04-19April 18, 2007 Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Meeting BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:55 p.m. April 19, 2006 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (5) – Chapman, Jenkins, Romanoff, Schlather, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Common Council Liaison – Coles DAC Liaison – Roberts Executive Assistant – Grunder Deputy City Controller – Andrew EXCUSED: Commissioner Dotson SURPLUS PROPERTY – 100 BLOCK OF SOUTH AURORA STREET – POWER TO ACT- RESOLUTION City Attorney Hoffman reported to the Board on the status of the City owned property on the 100 block of South Aurora Street next to the old Rothchild’s building. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the possibility of the City retaining this property for future use or to simply preserve the open space and provide access to the underground utilities. Supt. Gray explained that with the new equipment, the City has easier access to underground utilities from another access point. He further stated that if the property is sold, the Board should be aware that there is significant space on South Aurora Street. Supt. Gray requested that the Board pass their recommendations on to Common Council for approval. The Board agreed to pass the resolution on to Common Council after they make revisions to it. SURPLUS PROPERTY – Resolution By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Romanoff. WHEREAS, the City has received a request from the owner of the Rothchilds’ Building to purchase a narrow strip of City-owned land between that property and the right-of- way of South Aurora Street (i.e., the areas marked as “Parcel A” and “Parcel B” on the attached, annotated map, dated April 5, 2006), in conjunction with that owner’s intended redevelopment of the adjacent site; and WHEREAS, the land in question is the site of at least one utility line, namely, a 15-inch storm sewer pipeline draining a portion of South Aurora Street to a main under Green Street) and is bordered by retaining walls on the easterly and northerly sides, and is partially occupied by a TCAT bus shelter; and WHEREAS, the land in question is immediately adjacent to the existing, 66-foot-wide right-of-way for South Aurora Street, and it is not and cannot be known at this time whether there may be a need, in the future, to widen that street or its right-of-way; and WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works has indicated that City ownership of said strip of land is not crucial to departmental operations, provided that any conveyance of the land is conditioned upon (1) the relocation of any utility line(s) and associated permanent easement now existing upon or beneath such land, to a location acceptable to the City or other arrangement which provides for adequate and perpetual access to and maintenance of such line(s), with no additional cost to the City as a result Board of Public Works – April 19, 2006 - Page 2 of the conveyance or future development of the land, (2) a written agreement binding the grantee and grantee’s heirs, successors, and assigns to replace or maintain the retaining walls now existing along or in proximity to the easterly and northerly boundaries of such land, and (3) a written agreement binding the grantee and grantee’s heirs, successors, and assigns to replace the existing bus shelter which occupies a portion of such land, prior to any demolition of such shelter by grantee (or successor grantee), and in a form and location and upon such other terms as are acceptable to the City; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby determines that continued City ownership of the land in question, as shown on the afore-mentioned map, is not necessary, from a public works standpoint, provided that the three conditions set forth above and the condition set forth below are attached to any conveyance and made binding upon the grantee and the grantee’s heirs, successors or assigns; and it is further RESOLVED, That the Board recommends that Council further require, as a condition of any conveyance of the land in question, that the ground floor (i.e., at grade with the sidewalk of South Aurora Street) of any building to be developed on the site (exclusive of support columns therefore) be set back at least 10 feet from the easterly boundary of the parcel conveyed, such that there is room within said setback for a public sidewalk at least six feet in width, without obstruction or curvature throughout its course, and that the City retain an easement for unimpeded public, pedestrian passage along, across and through said sidewalk; and it is further RESOLVED, That this determination be submitted to the Common Council for its review and consideration of a declaration that the land in question is surplus property, with certain conditions regarding the afore-mentioned public works functions; and it is further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the staff of the Department be involved in the development of any conditions which are to be attached to the conveyance of the land in question from City ownership. Ayes (Mayor Peterson, Commissioner Chapman) Nayes (Commissioners Jenkins, Romanoff, Schlather, Wykstra) A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Failed 2 - 4 SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER PLAYGROUND – POWER TO ACT Supt. Gray reported that the Southside Community Center has requested the City to replace the existing playground facility due to community concerns about the chemicals used to treat the equipment. He further reported that the Southside Community Center had obtained grant funding that will cover the costs of the demolition of the existing playground and the construction of new playground facilities. Southside Community Center Playground Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Romanoff WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency’s (IURA) 2006 Action Plan includes $132,811 to fund a proposal to rehabilitate the playground area adjacent to the Southside Community Center on South Plain Street, sponsored by the Southside Community Center, the neighborhood civic group Cleveland Avenue Neighbors – Diversity Overall (CAN-DO), and the City of Ithaca Department of Planning & Development, and WHEREAS, objectives of the rehabilitation project include expanding facilities to broaden the age range of user groups from toddler to adult, and to improve safety, security, and the ability to monitor the area, and WHEREAS, to meet these objectives, the existing play structure shall be replaced with two new play structures that, in addition to providing age appropriate facilities for both older and younger children, will make it easier to monitor activities in this area of the park; now, therefore, be it Board of Public Works – April 19, 2006 - Page 3 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes construction of the two new play structures and the addition of other park features as described in the memorandum dated March 26, 2006, and shown on accompanying materials prepared by PARKITECTS in conjunction with the sponsor group in preparation for construction funded by the IURA, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board encourages contracting with local crafts people in creating some of the amenities provided in this rehabilitation project. Carried Unanimously SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER RECYLCE ITHACA’S BICYCLES PROGRAM – POWER TO ACT Supt. Gray reported to the Board that he discussed the possibility of the RIBS Program using the Buffalo Street Pump Station with the Planning Department. He stated that the Planning Department supported a short-term renewable lease with a 30-day release clause while RIBS seeks an agreement with a one-year release clause. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the need for a secure fenced-in area for the storage of bicycles if RIBS is to use the pump station on Buffalo Street for their program. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the process for creating a lease agreement, and site-plan review of the area. Southside Community Center Recycle Ithaca’s Bicycles Program By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Romanoff WHEREAS, Recycle Ithaca’s Bicycles (RIBS) must vacate the current location which houses their program at the end of April 2006, and WHEREAS, they request the use of the City pump station located at the corner of West Buffalo Street and Meadow Street, to house their program, and now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works herewith authorizes the Superintendent in consultation with the City attorney to enter into a short-term lease agreement with Recycle Ithaca’s Bicycles (RIBS) consistent with the requirements of general municipal law, Section 20 (2a) and related provisions of law for successive 30-day periods not to exceed six months at fair consideration for the pump station located at the corner of West Buffalo Street and Meadow Street, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent and the City attorney and other City staff in consultation with the Mayor are herewith requested to work out a long-term resolution of this problem for presentation to the Board within that six-month period. Carried Unanimously MERCHANT PARKING VALIDATION PROGRAM – POWER TO ACT By Commissioner Chapman: Seconded by Commissioner Romanoff WHEREAS, parking validation cards will be purchased in bulk, and WHEREAS, cards will be used much like a debit card with the amount on the card reduced as it’s used to park, and WHEREAS, merchants will receive a stack of cards to hand out to their shoppers, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes a validation program that would be open to everyone whereby the City would sell $1.00 value cards at the rate of $0.65 per hour to be used by any parking consumer in the City’s parking facilities. Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works – April 19, 2006 - Page 4 THURSTON AVENUE BRIDGE Bridge Systems Engineer Gil provided an update to the Board on the status of the Thurston Avenue Bridge Project. PUBLIC ART ON THE COMMONS Commissioner Romanoff stated that she had interest in having a count of all sculptures on the Commons before more art is added. Commissioner Chapman reported that the Public Arts Commission intends to provide Common Council a proposed project outline for the addition of more art to the Commons. PERMANENT DOCK CONSTRUCTION AT STEWART PARK – POWER TO ACT – By Commissioner Romanoff: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Ithaca City Youth Bureau has requested the endorsement of the Board of Public Works in support of a proposed permanent dock to be constructed at Stewart Park consistent with the existing master plan, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has determined that such a dock is in the best interests of citizens of the City of Ithaca, including its youth, now; therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Words supports the concept of such a permanent dock facility at Stewart Park provided that it is in all aspects ADA compliant and of sufficient size and durability to meet the anticipated high-use needs of Stewart Park patrons. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Deborah A. Grunder Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor