HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2007-07-18BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. July 18, 2007
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (6) - Jenkins, Dotson, Chapman, Schlather, Tripp, 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
Information Management Specialist Myers
City Clerk – Holcomb
City Attorney – Hoffman
City Chamberlain – Parsons
Deputy Director of Planning & Development – Cornish
EXCUSED:
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Mayor Peterson reported that the trees have been removed on the 100 block of North
Aurora Street as part of the street re-design project. New trees are expected to be
planted in the Fall.
421 North Cayuga Street – Appeal to dismiss sidewalk construction costs:
Christine and Jeremy Potter, new owners of the property previously owned by Byron
Caplan.
Christine and Jeremy received a bill from the City Engineer’s office for the sidewalk
replacement at their property at 421 North Cayuga Street on May 21, 2007. This work
was completed by the City in 2005 when the property was owned by Byron Caplan. At
the time of the closing on the property, on June 26, 2006, the Potters were advised that
the property was free and clear of all outstanding debts or claims. They feel that the
previous owner, Mr. Caplan, should be responsible for the bill of $1,200.45
Commissioner Schlather arrived at the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding how the City has treated previous
appeals similar to this one and requested that City Chamberlain Parsons conduct
further research into whether the tax search completed prior to the sale of this property
showed this outstanding bill. They requested that these findings be shared with the
Board so that they can make a final decision.
Commissioner Schlather stated that he would support the denial of this appeal and let
the current owners of the property work with the previous owner to pay the bill.
Proposal for City Charter and City Code Related to Sidewalk Construction or
Repair and Water and Sewer Billing:
City Chamberlain Parsons addressed the Board and requested that, in light of the many
appeals being made to the City, that the Board approve her request to work with
appropriate City Departments to draft language to update the City Code and Charter
(§C-73 – Sidewalks and §348-48 – Rates and Rents established). The proposed
changed would provide the City Chamberlain’s office the ability to issue bills for
sidewalk repair in a timely manner, and to change the penalty structure for late utility
payments to reflect the procedure that is followed for collecting city taxes. She further
explained that the City Charter and Code currently treats the construction of new
sidewalks and the repair of existing sidewalks the same. Both require notice and public
hearings before work is commenced and then again before a bill may be issued upon
completion of the work. The Board of Public Works must approve the assessment for
the work, in both cases, before a bill can be issued to the owner. The resulting delays
in performing required repairs subject the City to risk should someone become injured
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because of the sidewalk defects. In addition, the delays in billing have caused the City
to expunge fees due to changes in property ownership that would have otherwise been
collectable. She further recommended leaving the public hearing requirements for the
construction of new sidewalks, but deleting the public hearing requirements for the
repair of sidewalks and the creation of bills for either the construction or repair of
sidewalks. If these changes are approved, bills relating to sidewalk construction and
repair would be like other bills issued to property owners, while leaving the public
hearing and approval requirements for new sidewalk construction.
Special Event Parking-
Mayor Peterson explained that the City is interested in pursuing special event parking
fees to help cover city costs incurred by the Department of Public Works, Police and
Fire Departments to provide services to the events. Asst. Supt. of Streets and Facilities
Ferrel recommended that if a special event parking system is adopted it should be a
simple one that does not require changes to the automated parking equipment. He
further stated that he would suggest charging for special event parking at the bigger
events that are held in the City such as the Ithaca Festival, Apple Harvest Festival, and
Chili Cook-Off.
Commissioner Tripp stated that she does not support this idea, as everyone assumes
that there is free parking in the City on the weekends because the City wants to
encourage visitors to the downtown. She voiced concern that parking fees may deter
many people from coming to these special events.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the use of the new parking garage
equipment and some of the problems that the City has encountered. Supt. Gray and
City Chamberlain Parsons reported that they are working with the vendor to resolve
these issues. Further discussion followed regarding the use of free metered spaces
and parking in the residential neighborhoods that may encourage people to utilize on-
street spaces during these special events to avoid paying the fee for parking.
City Clerk Holcomb explained to the Board that the City has created a Special Events
Team that meets monthly to review permit applications for the larger events that
organizers are requesting to hold in the City. The team discussed a special event fee to
off-set City costs, but the event organizers have said that they would not be able to pay
additional fees as most of them are not-for-profit organizations and don’t have the
excess funding. She further reported that currently the cost for city staff overtime for
2007 is $150,000 over budget, in part because departments do not budget staffing
hours to cover special events. She further explained that most people who attend large-
scale events expect to pay for parking, so she feels that most people would continue to
attend the events and pay a small fee. Mayor Peterson noted that some event
organizers, such as the Ithaca Festival Board, support a fee for parking during their
event and even included that information in their brochure for this year’s festival.
Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 5:45 p.m. and designated Commissioner Dotson as
Chair in her absence.
The Board agreed to form a sub-committee consisting of Commissioners Schlather and
Dotson to work with City Clerk Holcomb to work on establishing recommendations to
the Board to implement a special event parking fee and report back to the Board.
Notification of Defect Policy Related to Prior Written Notice Requirement
This item will be placed on the next agenda for discussion, as time would not permit it to
be discussed during this meeting.
Request to Waive Stewart Park Pavilion Fee for City of Ithaca Employee
Recognition Day
The Board agreed to place this item on the agenda for approval at the August 8, 2007
meeting of the Board.
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July 18, 2007
TCAT Wayfinding Signage –
Deputy Director of Planning & Development Cornish addressed the Board to explain the
request from the Wayfinding Committee regarding signage on the Commons. She
stated that the proposed placement of the four signs around the Commons was decided
as follows with the help of Asst. Supt. of Streets & Facilities Ferrel:
1. State/Cayuga Street, next to the clock turret
2. State/Aurora Street, next to the clock turret
3. Tioga/Seneca Street, on top of the bench planter
4. Home Dairy Alley/Green Street – TBD when construction if finished
She further explained that TCAT is investing in new shelters in the Ithaca downtown
area with funding coming from an approved Federal grant. This money includes
signage to direct pedestrians to local landmarks and bus stops. She stated that
directional landmark signage is needed now more than ever with the increased
business traffic from new businesses and hotels in the area. The Committee needs the
permission of the Board to proceed with the project and would like to also solicit input
from the Board on the proposed signage. TCAT will purchase and place the signs and
then would like the City to take ownership of the signs and any required maintenance.
The Ithaca Downtown Partnership has offered to update the signage information as
needed. This proposal is also going before the Commons Advisory Board at their
meeting on July 20, 2007 for their input as well.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the type of sign pole that will be used, the
design of the signs, ADA requirements, and safety concerns for pedestrians and
children walking near the signs. Commissioner Schlather inquired whether the signage
would include landmarks such as the Sagan Walk, and the future MLK Walkway.
Deputy Director of Planning and Development stated that the signs would not be
fabricated until suggestions from the Board and the Commons Advisory Board can be
incorporated into the design. She stated that she would return to the Board with any
additional information that might be pertinent to the installation of the signs.
Update –Sidewalk Construction Crew Activity
Asst. Supt. of Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported that the City’s new sidewalk crew
has put together an inspection, notification, and determinations system that outlines
what work the property owners could do and what work the City would do to
repair/replace deteriorated sidewalks. Most of the work in 2007 has been targeted for
the downtown and East Hill areas of the City.
Discussion followed on the floor about property owner’s responsibilities for sidewalks,
and the removal and replacement of trees in some of the affected areas.
Common Council Liaison Coles reported that there has been some discrepancies
reported to her that property owners have encountered regarding requests to property
owners to repair/replace their sidewalks in the areas where NYSEG has completed
work. The residents of those areas were expecting the City to complete the re-paving of
the road, which does not have curb cuts yet, before the necessary sidewalk work was
completed. The residents are concerned that the City could damage the new sidewalks
when it repaves the road. Asst. Supt. of Streets and Facilities Ferrel stated that the City
is working to resolve this issue, but the work is not on the schedule for this year.
Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the liability that could be incurred by
the City and/or property owners if the sidewalks are not repaired or replaced.
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July 18, 2007
Carsharing Parking – Proposal to Update City Code
Commissioner Dotson recused herself from this discussion, as she is an employee of
Ithaca Carshare. Commissioner Jenkins assumed the position of Chair for this topic.
Fernando deAragon, Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council, addressed the
Board to present Ithaca Carshare’s request to implement a car sharing program in the
City of Ithaca and amend the City Code §346 entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” to reflect the
definition of “car sharing” and to add the following language in §346-3(M):
“M. Bus stops and taxicab stands.
(1) The City Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized and required to establish
bus stops, and taxicab stands, locations for carsharing vehicles and stands for other
passenger common carrier motor vehicles on such public streets in such places and in
such number, as he/she shall determine to be of the greatest benefit and convenience
to the public. The Board of Public Works shall be the body for appeals to the City
Traffic Engineer’s decisions.”
Mr. deAragon explained what carsharing is and how it would benefit the City and
residents of the area. He explained that Carsharing is a membership-based service that
offers per-hour usage of a variety of well-maintained cars conveniently located in
downtowns, neighborhoods, and on campuses. Drivers reserve online or by phone and
pay for their use only, while gas, insurance, and maintenance are taken care of by the
carsharing organization. When not in use, each car has a designated parking spot
convenient to as many members as possible. Carsharing is available in about 50 cities
across North America, and is common in Europe. National research shows that each
carsharing vehicle replaces roughly 15 private vehicles. Also, carsharing reduces
significantly the “sunk” costs of access to a vehicle, from over $400 per month
according to AAA to less than $30 for most carshare memberships.
This code change is being proposed to Council via the Environment & Neighborhood
Services Committee and presented to the BPW for information at this time.
Ithaca Carshare was first envisioned at a Carsharing Summit in January 2006. Since
then, a steering committee, then board, has been undertaking preparations to get
carshare rolling locally. Key partners represented on the Ithaca Carshare board are
Cornell University, Ithaca College, the City of Ithaca, EcoVillage at Ithaca, and the
Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council. It incorporated as a nonprofit late in
2006 and anticipated beginning service in early 2007, but ran into difficulties
with New York State's auto insurance regulations. A few months later, they began
discussing the potential of a partnership with Flexcar, a national carsharing company,
where they would provide back office services and Ithaca Carshare would retain our
independence as a local nonprofit. (Flexcar has an existing partnership with a nonprofit
in Chicago, I-GO Carsharing.) Two major benefits of this partnership are the ability for
Ithaca Carshare members to access the Flexcar national network in 12 other
metropolitan areas and the ability to work with members as young as 18.
Ithaca Carshare is now planning to launch as soon as possible, ideally near the
beginning of fall semester to best reach the college markets. In addition to college
campuses, they plan, initially, to place cars in Ithaca's downtown and at EcoVillage. As
membership and usage grows, they plan to add cars and locations.
For any carshare to be successful, members need to be able to predict where the car
they've reserved is parked. Most carshares across the US establish consistent,
reserved parking for their vehicles, either on street, in garages or lots. Ithaca Carshare
would like to use on street parking for their vehicles, at least initially, because of the
high convenience and visibility to members and potential members.
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July 18, 2007
Tim Logue, City Traffic Engineer and Mr. deAragon have worked with City Attorney
Hoffman to come up with a straightforward method to allocate on street parking spaces
to carsharing. The proposed amendment to the City code was written to cover vehicles
provided by any carsharing program (as defined in the code) and not just Ithaca
Carshare. Also, Ithaca Carshare is aware that Traffic Engineer Logue has a conflict of
interest in this matter because as his position of Traffic Engineer for the City is named in
the proposed code change, and he also serves on Ithaca Carshare's Board.
Mayor Peterson returned to the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the cost to the City for providing
the parking spaces, the location of spaces, the determination of the value of the parking
spaces in order to provide the City’s required “in-kind” contribution to help Ithaca
Carshare acquire the necessary funds to implement the program, and the suggested
updates to the City Code.
City Attorney Hoffman noted that further research into this issue is needed before a
decision is made by the Board.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson
Information Management Specialist Mayor