HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2006-10-04BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 5:00 p.m. October 4, 2006
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (5) - Chapman, Dotson, Jenkins, Schlather, Wykstra
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Deputy City Controller - Andrew
Common Council Liaison – Coles
Executive Assistant – Grunder
Representative of those in opposition to State Street Renaming – Margaret Hobbie
Representative of Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce – Mike Hall
Representatives of the Circle of Recovery Group – Benjamin Folsom and Kathleen
Pasetty
EXCUSED:
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer –Whitney
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Ferrel
PROPOSED RENAMING OF STATE STREET TO MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.,
BOULEVARD – PANEL DISCUSSION
Mayor Peterson explained the process that would take place for the panel discussion.
She stated that questions would be distributed and each person would have 4 minutes
in which to respond to the question asked of them. She further stated that the panel
discussion would be limited to one hour.
Question #1. Why is changing the street name, or retaining the existing street
name important to you and your group?
Respondents: Rep. Hobbie, and Reps. Folsom and Pasetty
Rep. Folsom explained that the African American youth of the City of Ithaca want to see
one of the major streets in the City named after someone of their ethnicity. He stated
that streets in the City that are named after African Americans are small and those for
whom they memorialize are not well remembered, nor are their stories shared with the
African American youth of the community. He stated that it is disrespectful to have
streets named for African Americans that are hard to find, unnoticed or in the African
American neighborhoods. He explained that State Street is a street most people in
Ithaca find themselves on at least once whether they live in Ithaca or are just passing
through. He stated that the youth in this community often go unheard which contributes
to the mounting racial tensions at Ithaca High School. He stated that White people run
this City and Black people just live and work in it. The Black people here want to be
recognized.
Rep. Hobbie explained the two main reasons that residents do not want to see State
Street renamed. First is the history of the Street needs to be recognized. The State
Theatre and the State Diner are two local trans-generational ties that would not be the
same if the street were renamed. State Street, as named, is over 140 years old. The
second reason is the financial and logistical costs associated with renaming the street.
The Department of Motor Vehicles, the Board of Elections, and the 911-Dispatch Center
would face huge costs associated with the renaming. She stated it is not fair to go
forward in this decision believing that it will only carry a $9,000 price tag. That may be
all that the City will need to pay but these other agencies and the residents would pay
much more. She further stated that businesses with liquor licenses would have huge
amounts of paper work to amend in addition to the financial hardship that would be
imposed by renaming the street. She further stated that the residents are not opposed
to a memorial for Martin Luther King, Jr., they are opposed to renaming a street after
him.
Board of Public Works – October 4, 2006 - Page 2
Question #2. Can you give us an outline of the Chamber’s involvement in this
issue, and the concerns, issues and solutions that have come up in that process?
Respondents: Rep. Hall
Rep. Hall stated that when the issue was initially proposed the Chamber of Commerce
met with members of the Circle of Recovery group to better understand both sides of
the issue. He stated that the Chamber is using their position to get down to the bare
facts of this issue. He reported that the concerns are resistance to change, and the
short-term impacts that will result from a change in the street name. He stated that the
Chamber supports the fact sheet they provided as it reflects the impacts of the
proposed change to the businesses in the area.
Question #3. What are your major concerns about the other courses of action?
Respondents: Rep. Hobbie, and Rep. Pasetty
Rep. Hobbie stated that State Street residents concerns are emotional, financial and
logistical. She stated that this process has caused ill will between many residents, and if
the renaming is done it may cause a great deal more division, which would not honor
the ideals set forth by Martin Luther King Jr. She further stated that the renaming would
be a burden to City residents and that it would be more advantageous for the
community to pursue another way to honor Martin Luther King Jr. in the City of Ithaca.
Rep. Pasetty stated that other options such as renaming the Tompkins County Public
Library are much easier and would cause less friction in the community. The request to
rename the street has brought about the kinds of uncomfortable conversations that help
to encourage social change. She stated that the goal of the request is more than
changing the name of the street, it is about changing the social culture in the Ithaca
community to accept diversity.
Question #4. What alternates or modifications to the initial basic proposal to
change the street name are you pursing or do you think should be pursued? Who
should be involved and how would that process look?
Respondents: Rep. Hobbie, Rep. Folsom, and Rep. Hall
Rep. Hall stated that this issue needs to be resolved within the community and the
Chamber would like to remain neutral on the renaming or any other alternatives that
might be suggested. He stated that the Chamber would support the interests of their
members and the community at large with facts and figures, but not its opinions.
Rep. Folsom stated that a dual sign, which labeled the street as both State Street and
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, or acknowledged that the street was formerly State
Street was a fair and acceptable alternative. He further stated that it was not the group’s
goal to have community centers in black neighborhoods named after Martin Luther King
Jr., such as Southside Community Center and GIAC. It is the group’s goal to reach out
to the community to work on breaking down the segregation in the City of Ithaca. He
stated that it would not be appropriate to name the library after Dr. King as it could
alienate other races since the library is a major cultural center already.
Rep. Hobbie stated that the issue is too caught up in the black and white views. She
stated that there are many races, including African American residents, in opposition to
the proposed changes and that this is not a racial issue. She further stated that it would
be very forward thinking to name the public library after both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
and his wife Coretta Scott King. She stated that many people support the renaming of
the Cayuga Waterfront Trail because of its peaceful atmosphere. Additionally, there
have been proposals to create scholarship funds in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
She further stated that should the renaming be approved it would not accomplish the
group’s true goal of honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and fighting segregation in Ithaca.
She stated it will most likely do the opposite.
Commissioner Schlather suggested renaming the entire Route 13 “Martin Luther King,
Jr. Blvd, and retaining the various local street addresses for those entities that wanted
them.
Board of Public Works – October 4, 2006 - Page 3
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the logistical problems that will arise if the
street is renamed with regard to the 911 Dispatch Center and the United States Postal
Service.
Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the decision making process the
Board would prefer to follow.
Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
ADDITIONAL CURB CUT REQUEST- 130 CASCADILLA PARK ROAD
Supt Gray stated the City has received a request for a second driveway at 130
Cascadilla Park Road. He stated that Traffic Systems Engineer Logue has reviewed this
request and property owner, Mr. Munchel, already has a building permit. He stated that
the City allows one curb cut per property citing that fewer driveways are safer for
pedestrians, bicycles, emergency vehicles, and the traveling public. He further stated
that Mr. Munchel argued that his request would improve safety following discussions
with Assistant Fire Chief Parsons who confirmed that anything that improves the
streetscape for emergency vehicles has the Fire Department’s approval. He stated that
Cascadilla Park Road presents special problems to pedestrians, snow plows, fire trucks,
and to the property owners.
Mr. Munchel stated that they are requesting the second curb cut since they do not
currently have a driveway as their garage abuts the street. He stated they are only
asking for space for a single parking space.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the location of the parking space and the
appropriateness of it at this location. The Board agreed to act on this at a later meeting.
PARKING GARAGE OPERATIONS - AN UPDATE
The Board discussed the up coming parking rate discussions and the current operation
of the parking garages.
Supt. Gray reported on future issues for the Board such as motorcycles in the parking
garages, the parking garages being filled to capacity, and the need to discuss special
event-parking rates.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Jessica C. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson
Dept. of Public Works Intern Mayor