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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2006-08-09BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. August 9, 2006 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Chapman, Schlather, Dotson, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney - Hoffman Deputy City Controller - Andrew Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Common Council Liaison – Coles DAC Liaison – Roberts Executive Assistant – Grunder EXCUSED: Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding Vespa scooter parking in the bike racks at the Seneca Street Parking garage and cell phone usage. Linda Russo, addressed the Board regarding concerns about the proposed off-leash dog park and her support for the proposal. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Commissioner Dotson responded to comments made about Vespas and scooters in the parking garages and inattentive drivers. Commissioner Wykstra responded to comments made about Vespas and scooters and asked what the appropriate response from police officers should be in situations where they find these vehicles parked in the bicycle racks. City Attorney Hoffman suggested signage indicating that the racks are for bicycles only. Commissioner Schlather responded to comments made regarding the off-leash dog park issue. He stated that one of the concerns of the Board was to ensure that the Parks Commission was notified of these discussions and be included in this process. Supt. Gray responded to comments made about Vespas and scooters and noted that the City does need to have further discussions on this topic to determine how it is going to respond to the increased demand for parking for these alternate modes of transportation. DAC Liaison Roberts stated that this is actually becoming more and more of an issue as more people use a variety of ways to get around, including people who claim either legitimately or not that their use of particular kinds of transportation is disability related and what then that requires as far as accommodations in public buildings. He noted this is a more complicated issue than people think. Mayor Peterson requested that staff investigate possible alternative technologies for the equipment in parking garages that might detect these lighter motorized vehicles in order to accommodate the increased demand for parking and provide a recommendation to the Board for consideration. She further requested that staff investigate the Cayuga Street parking garage regarding large vehicles parking in corner spots which affects Board of Public Works – August 9, 2006- Page 2 visibility for both pedestrians and drivers to see if those spots might be reserved for compact vehicles. Mayor Peterson stated that she and the Board received a letter of resignation from Vicky Romanoff dated August 6, 2006, which she just received today. Commissioner Schlather stated that there should be a record of this because he thinks that this is extraordinary and frankly he feels just terrible about this. He is overwhelmed by the magnitude of this action and the loss of a dear, dear colleague from this Board, somebody who has served us so well and so proficiently and with grace and good humor. He feels a real loss at this announcement, that he had no idea this was coming, and he thinks that it deserves some recognition in the record. Mayor Peterson stated that sometimes when people’s terms are over or some things happen that cause people to drop off the Board for one reason or another a resolution of sincere thanks for person’s service to the Board is always something that the Board has done and is appropriate. Discussion followed on the floor regarding Commissioner Romanoff’s contribution and service to the Board. The Board recognized that Commissioner Romanoff provided support, common sense, energy, enthusiasm, expertise and good humor professionally, personally, and civically. They recognized her many contributions to the community and her valued stature in the community. Mayor Peterson stated that she is not ready to respond one way or the other as she just received the letter today. She further stated that her biggest disappointment is the importance of having various viewpoints at the table and not having that viewpoint here any longer. She acknowledged that people who serve on this Board may or may not like certain ways the City is going in certain areas and that nobody agrees with everything which makes the City of Ithaca special because there is always diversity of opinion on whatever it does. She will miss having Commissioner Romanoff’s viewpoint and expertise, and wishes that she had not resigned. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE, AND TRANSIT: Request for Encroachment Agreement at 733 Hector Street - Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, Scott Thomson at 733 Hector Street recently discovered that improvements he made to his driveway will require a variance from zoning and an encroachment to be on City land (Hector Street ROW varies in width in the area of this address), and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the encroachment request and, subject to the determinations of the Board of Zoning Appeals, believes that it does not represent a hazard or a significant construction and can be relocated at no cost to the City when directed, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works empowers the Mayor to sign an encroachment agreement under the usual terms and conditions if the construction is granted a variance and complies with any conditions which may result from the review of the Planning Board, and that the encroachment agreement shall be subject to any licensed use fees or other requirements established by the Board as the result of it review of encroachments and license agreements anticipated in 2006-2007. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the reason why this should be done at no cost, past practice, and discussions currently taking place regarding possible changes to license fees. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works – August 9, 2006- Page 3 CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS: Dog Park Recommendation – Report from Mayor and Staff: Mayor Peterson explained that this item is simultaneously going to Community Services Committee this evening. She noted that Alderperson Joel Zumoff, chairs the task force on the dog park and discussions have been taking place for well over a year. She stated that about eight weeks ago some members of the committee put forward a recommendation. She further stated that the City Attorney has determined that the recommendation must go through environmental review. City Attorney Hoffman explained that this request requires approval by Common Council in order to change the leash law. He further explained that the Board of Public Works presumably would be given authority for some kind of final approval once things get to a more final stage. He noted there is also potentially a third approval required if the intent is to extend the off leash area to the State Parks and then State Parks would have to act in some way. In any event, even if the State Parks are not involved, he believes this is an unlisted action under environmental law and therefore at least the first stage of environmental review, which is the completion of an environmental assessment, must be done. That process requires a lead agency and a decision would need to be made regarding which agency would act as the lead agency. He has discussed this with the Mayor and she felt that all things considered it would make more sense for Common Council to act as lead agency, and the resolution before the Community Services Committee this evening reflects that. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the designation of a lead agency what the environmental review would involve, how the Board should be involved, whether other alternate locations should be considered and how that process would work, how input can be provided, the Board’s wish to be consulted and involved with implementation, and the need to include the Parks Commission, Disability Advisory Council, and any other interested party’s input in this decision. Request for Waiver of Stewart Park Pavilion Fee – Employee Picnic - Resolution By Commissioner Chapman: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from the City’s Picnic Committee to waive the pavilion fee at Stewart Park for the City of Ithaca Employee Recognition Picnic on Friday, September 15, 2006, now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves waiving the fee for the use of the large pavilion at Stewart Park for the City of Ithaca Employee Recognition Picnic on September 15, 2006. Discussion followed on the floor regarding this request coming before the Board each year and their wish to support and recognize the efforts of the City’s employees by waiving the use fee on an ongoing basis and offered the following amendment to the resolution: Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Dotson RESOLVED, That the Resolution be amended to add an additional Resolved clause that would read: “RESOLVED, That as a matter of policy the Board of Public Works hereafter waives the fee for the use of the large pavilion or any pavilion in any city park for the City of Ithaca Employee Recognition picnic until further notice” Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended: A Vote on the Main Motion As Amended resulted as follows: Ayes (5) Schlather, Chapman, Jenkins, Wykstra, Peterson Nays (1) Dotson Abstentions (0) Carried Board of Public Works – August 9, 2006- Page 4 Request for Waiver of Stewart Park Pavilion Fee – Pud’s Run - Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request form the Pud’s Run and the Michael A. Padula Scholarship Foundation to waive the pavilion fee at Stewart Park for the Tenth Annual Pud’s Run on Sunday, August 27, 2006, now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves waiving the fee for the use of the large pavilion at Stewart Park for the Tenth Annual Pud’s Run on August 27, 2006. Discussion followed on the floor regarding this request and similar requests that the City receives for exclusive use of the park, whether there is any preference given to not-for- profit organizations and how the use fee does not begin to cover the costs for maintenance and cleaning the pavilions. The City does not waive the use fee for not-for- profit groups. Commissioner Schlather stated that he wished to establish a record that the City does not waive the fee for not-for-profit groups for beneficial community oriented types of events, and the only difference between this particular run and all the others is that this is in honor of a fallen hero. Mayor Peterson stated that a great deal of the organization of this run is done by our police officers as well. Commissioner Schlather stated he would be interested to know for instance how much money is charged to the runners in the race and whether the cost of renting the pavilion could be easily passed onto the runners. He requested that the Board give themselves Power to Act on this item since there is further information needed on it. Power to Act - Request for Waiver of Stewart Park Pavilion Fee – Pud’s Run - Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Mayor Peterson RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act on this resolution at the August 16, 2006 Committee of the Whole meeting. Carried Unanimously ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: 2007 Budget Submission – Assistant Superintendent for Streets & Facilities – Rick Ferrel: Asst. Supt. Ferrel reported to the Board on his proposed 2007 budget and provided the following information for the Board: BRIDGE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM: Section eliminated with 2003 Budget. Duties transferred to Highway Section. Currently, problems are repaired on emergency basis. HIGHWAY SECTION: Staff reductions have delayed the following: SURFACE TREATING OF STREETS – stone and emulsion applications not funded UTILITY PATCHING – backlog of Water and Sewer utility cuts to restore. PERMANENT PATCHING – restoration of temporary pothole repaired areas. PAVEMENT OVERLAYS – reduced program STREET CLEANING – no longer have daily sweeping of neighborhood streets. No longer rake tree lawns when performing spring street cleaning. BRICK STREET REPAIRS – on emergency basis only. DITCH CLEANING – by complaint or following a water event BUILDING SYSTEMS: HVAC MAINTENANCE – repairs on failure basis COMMONS – Downtown Partnership has assumed many of previous DPW duties. WALKING SURFACES – Brick and concrete repaired from liability complaints. Board of Public Works – August 9, 2006- Page 5 PARKING SPACE STRIPING – program shifted to increased number of crosswalks. PARKS AND FORESTRY: STEWART PARK – BEACH CLEANING – annual clean up of debris BOAT HOUSE – annual cleaning and painting DUCK POND – annual cleaning CEMETERY – Removed full time assigned staff ROAD SIDE MOWING – reduced program of improving sight distances at corners. Sign cover clearing by complaint basis. FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT – maintenance by DEC inspection list only. RESPONSIBILITIES ADDED: CONLEY PARK – New park adjacent to Science Center CAROUSEL – Carousel in Stewart Park donated to the City to operate and maintain. NATURAL AREAS RANGERS – Required as a result of legal action against the City. ADDED STREETS TO MAINTAIN – Alice Miller Way, Fulton Street extension with the Rte. 96 Project. NEW BRIDGES – Rte. 96 Project ADDED PARKING LOTS – Buffalo Street, Court Street, Taughannock Blvd, Floral Avenue, Cliff Street SHOPPING CART COLLECTION ORNAMENTAL LIGHTING – West State Street, Cleveland Avenue WATERFRONT TRAIL MAINTENANCE Asst. Supt. Ferrel further reported on the guidelines he was instructed to follow in preparing the budget that included +1% and + 3.5% submission and an optional budget. He explained the three budgets he had proposed in detail and provided a brief history of the cuts that had been made in some areas of his budget in the 1990’s that resulted in decreased staffing, maintenance of the city’s infrastructure, and capitalizing a lot of equipment/projects. He further explained the need to include contractual increases in the budget as well. He noted that four employees have informed him of their plans to retire this Fall. By taking their salaries, doing promotions to replace those employees and hiring new entry level employees he was able to somewhat balance the budget. He noted that with the loss of these employees the city is losing 128 years of experience. He stated that this does provide some opportunities to make changes and hire a new generation into the organization. He explained his fixed expenses such as utilities, fuel, telephone, and contractual services for everything from bug management to elevator contracts to contracts for some of our computer equipment, copying equipment, and parking lot equipment. He and Supt. Gray went on to explain in more detail how the three budgets were prepared under the required guidelines and to answer questions from Board members. ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor