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