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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