HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2006-09-20BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:55 p.m. September 20, 2006
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (6) - Chapman, Dotson, Jenkins, Romanoff, Schlather, Wykstra
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Deputy City Controller - Andrew
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer –Whitney
Common Council Liaison – Coles
Executive Assistant – Grunder
City Attorney – Hoffman
Associate City Attorney – Sokoni
EXCUSED:
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
DAC Liaison – Roberts
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the June 8, 2005 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes- Resolution
By Commissioner Dotson: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the June 8, 2005 Board of Public Works be approved
with the noted corrections, and, be it further
Approval of the June 27, 2005 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes-
Resolution
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the June 27, 2005 Board of Public Works be approved
with the noted corrections, and, be it further
Approval of the July 13, 2005 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes- Resolution
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the June 8, 2005 Board of Public Works be approved
with the noted corrections.
Carried Unanimously
PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD
The Board agreed to allow the public to address the Board regarding the renaming of
State Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The following people addressed the Board in opposition to the renaming of State Street:
Bob Nobles, City of Ithaca, concerned about the costs associated with the renaming of
State Street to the residents.
Brenda Wallace, City of Ithaca, stated that approximately 2000 changes would need to
be made to the 911 Emergency Center database if State Street were to be renamed.
She further stated that this could cause problems for emergency services personnel
because it would be hard to trace calls made to the 911 Center because so many
streets have the word King associated with them. She suggested that the Board
consider following the same procedure used in the renaming of College Avenue to
include recognition of the former “Mayor of College Town” by naming the street both
College Avenue/ Dino’s Way.
SEWER USE LAW – POWER TO ACT
City Attorney Hoffman explained the questions that had arisen regarding the Board’s
authority to adopt Ordinances that relate to Public Works functions. City Attorney
Hoffman stated that it is his belief that Common Council is the only body that has the
legal authority to adopt Sewer Use Law.
Board of Public Works – September 20, 2006 - Page 2
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the items in the Sewer Use Law that fall
under the Board’s authority for decision-making purposes.
Supt. Gray stated that both Common Council and the Board of Public Works should
review and approve the legislation so that there can be no challenges to the law once it
is in effect.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. STREET RENAMING
Mayor Peterson reported that Common Council had not expressed an interest in making
the decision on the request to rename State Street, and that they are comfortable with
the Board of Public Works making the decision.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding possible public forums and future plans for
this item.
GARAGE OPERATIONS
Supt. Gray reported that Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) would submit a
proposal for the removal and remodeling of the bus shelter near the Seneca Street
Parking Garage.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding options for organizing the parking spaces
within the garages.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Jessica C. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson
Dept. of Public Works Intern Mayor