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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2007-12-05BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. December 5, 2007 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (4) - Chapman, Schlather, Tripp, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney - Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Common Council Liaison – Coles DAC Liaison – Roberts Information Management Specialist - Myers Traffic Engineer – Logue EXCUSED: Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Commissioner Jenkins ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Mayor Peterson distributed a memo/petition regarding a request for handicap parking spaces for a doctor’s office on North Aurora Street for the Board’s information. Mayor Peterson stated that she received an e-mail from Jeff Cleveland of Johnson’s Boatyard regarding a notification he received from the Water and Sewer department about excessive water use. His e-mail explained that staff from the Water & Sewer department responded to this concern promptly and repaired it in a timely manner. He wished to express his thanks to the exceptional work done by the Water and Sewer division staff. An Amendment to the Vehicle and Traffic Schedules in Regard to Parking on 400, 500, 600 and 700 Blocks of East State Street in Relation to Bicycle Improvements – Proposed Resolution – for discussion only WHEREAS, the Office of the City Engineer has proposed a project to create an uphill bicycle lane on East State Street between the Tuning Fork (Green Street/Seneca Way) and Mitchell Street, and WHEREAS, the project requires the reallocation of on-street parking and will result in the elimination of approximately a dozen on-street parking spaces (though occupancy counts reveal low demand and infrequent usage of these spaces), and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Section 346-4 of the City Code to adopt and to amend a system of Schedules in order to administer the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is in agreement with these amendments to the Schedules, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the south side of the 400 block of East State Street (described in the schedules as “from the east line of 317 East State Street to the west line of 505 East State Street”) be removed from Schedule XII, Parking Prohibited at All Times, and be added to Schedule XIV, No Standing, and be it further RESOLVED, That the location entry in Schedule XIV, No Standing, for the north side of East State Street be amended to extend from Seneca Street to Schuyler Place, and be it further 2 December 5, 2007 RESOVLED, That both sides of the 500 block of East State Street (described as “from Sage Place to Stewart Ave”) be removed from Schedule XVII, No Standing Certain Hours, that the south side of this block be considered odd/even parking in accordance with Section 346-26 of the City Code and thus need not be added to the Schedules, and that the north side of this block be added to Schedule XII, Parking Prohibited at All Times, and be it further RESOLVED, That the south side of the 600 block of East State Street (described as “from Ferris Place to Quarry Street”) be removed from Schedule XVII, No Standing Certain Hours, and be considered odd/even parking in accordance with Section 346-26 of the City Code and thus need not be added to the Schedules, and be it further RESOLVED, That both sides of the 700 block of East State Street (described as “from Quarry Street to Eddy Street”) be removed from Schedule VXII, No Standing Certain Hours, that the south side of the street be considered odd/even parking in accordance with Section 346-26 of the City Code and thus need not be added to the Schedules, and that the north side of the street be added to Schedule XII, Parking Prohibited at All Times. Traffic Engineer Logue reviewed the feedback from residents and noted that few negative comments had been received. He stated that all residents in the area received a mailing regarding the proposed project that only includes paint and signs. He further reported that he met with staff from the Fire Department regarding their concerns about the intersection of Stewart Avenue and they are comfortable with the proposal. Commissioner Schlather noted that he agreed with the suggestion to extend the bike lane to the Seneca Street garage, so cyclists can avoid congestion that might occur at the bottom of State Street hill. Traffic Engineer Logue explained that this suggestion could be considered as the proposed plan is developed. The State Department of Transportation still needs to review the proposal. Mayor Peterson stated that this item is on the Common Council agenda to get approval to use old enhancement grant funds for biking facilities in the City. She further explained that since this money hadn’t been spent, the proposal needs to go back to the Federal government for approval. There is a good chance that the fund can be re- established to cover costs of design and construction for the project with completion in early 2008. Handicapped Parking Request – 429 Mitchell Street Traffic Engineer Logue explained that this discussion is a follow-up to the Board’s discussion on November 14, 2007. He stated that he spoke with the Principal of Belle Sherman Elementary School to get his perception of how often the two accessible spaces in front of the school are used. The Principal indicated that they are used rarely during the school day. Traffic Engineer Logue also looked at the spaces at least three times during the past month and has only once seen anybody parked in either of the spaces. He noted that the car was parked illegally in the handicapped space without a hang-tag. Traffic Engineer Logue stated that he also spoke with Siu-Ling Chaloemtiarana of the church since the November meeting. She is concerned about the possibility of being required to pay for sidewalk construction along Elmwood Avenue because the church is already looking at replacing their steeple and roof. Traffic Engineer Logue stated that he thinks the church can probably take advantage of the two spaces in front of the school most of the time. However, it would certainly be more convenient for a disabled person to be able to park closer to the church. He would recommend creating one space at the corner of Mitchell and Elmwood for handicapped parking. 3 December 5, 2007 DAC Liaison Roberts asked if the church understood that they would not have exclusive use of the handicap space, as anyone with a disability parking permit could park in the spot. He further stated that the Disability Advisory Council should take a look at the City’s policy for designating handicap parking spaces. Commissioner Chapman stated that he feels the church should be given one handicap space to start. He clarified that the issue with the sidewalk on Elmwood Avenue is tied into a previous conversation related to the need for a sidewalk by the school and he feels that one should be installed. He stated that the school should be given some way to make payments to the City for the cost of the City installing the necessary sidewalks Commissioner Schlather stated that it is preposterous that there is no sidewalk around the school and that the district should be required to install sidewalks. Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:05 p.m. and Commissioner Wykstra assumed the position of Vice Chair. Discussion followed on the floor regarding installation of sidewalks, the City’s policy for installing sidewalks in difficult locations (i.e. where a retaining wall might be needed), a proposal for a study of City sidewalks in 2008 as well as how payment plans can be set up with the City Chamberlain’s office. Amendment to the Vehicle and Traffic Schedules to Allow for Handicapped Parking on Elwood Avenue – Proposed Resolution WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a petition for on-street handicapped parking on Elmwood Avenue near the intersection with Mitchell Street, and WHEREAS, the Transportation Engineer has provided a memo about the request and a recommendation to approve one of the two requested spaces, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Section 346-4 of the City Code to adopt and to amend a system of Schedules in order to administer the Vehicle and Traffic Law, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That Schedule XXV, Handicap Parking, be amended to add one parking space on the west side of Elmwood Avenue closest to the intersection with Mitchell Street. The Board requested that a resolution be prepared for this item for their meeting on December 19, 2007. 3. Giles Street Traffic –Review of the Impact of the Aurora Street Bridge Outage this past Summer and Concerns Expressed by the Neighborhood Directly and Through Common Council members. City Traffic Engineer Logue explained to the Board that during the year, the Engineering Office collected traffic data on Giles Street a number of times. Their first counts were at the end of April and beginning of May, while the South Aurora Street bridge was closed and before any changes were made along the road. The findings are as follows: Giles Street, 700 block (on the hill), April 30th to May 7th Average Daily Traffic (ADT) = 3,000 vehicles per day Peak Day of Traffic on Thursday = 3,400 vehicles Average Speed = 32mph 85%ile speed = 38mph 95%ile speed = 40mph Percent of vehicles over the speed limit = 71% 10 mph Pace Speed = 26-35mph (68% of vehicles in this range) 4 December 5, 2007 Giles Street, 400 block (east end of bridge), May 14th to May 21st ADT = 3,760 Peak Day of Traffic on Friday = 4,000 vehicles Average Speed = 25mph 85%ile speed = 32mph 95%ile speed = 35mph Percent of vehicles over the speed limit = 20% 10 mph Pace Speed = 21-30mph (60% of vehicles in this range) Note: removing vehicles at 0-15mph from the data has little effect on the statistics. The Engineering Department looked at this to get a sense of how drivers making the left onto Water Street might skew the data. In response to resident concerns, the City decided to take a number of steps to improve conditions for pedestrians and to reduce traffic speeds. Edge line stripes were placed ten feet off the centerline to define a small pedestrian edge and to visually narrow the roadway. A crosswalk was striped at the east end of the bridge over Six Mile Creek to connect the sidewalk on the north side of the bridge to the Wildflower Preserve and a mid-crosswalk “Yield to Pedestrians” sign was placed in the middle of the street. An advanced warning sign for pedestrians was installed for downhill (westbound) traffic. Additional “No Parking” signs were installed and “Tow-Away” tags were added to number of them in response to Police Department concerns about over parking in summer months. One idea that was planned that did not happen was to hatch out the shoulders of the curve at the upper end of Giles Street (near E. State Street) in order to visually narrow the road; pavement conditions and lack of space made this difficult. After the South Aurora Street bridge re-opened and after the above changes were made, the Engineering Department once again collected traffic data. Here is what they found: Giles Street, 700 block (on the hill) ADT = 2,240 vehicles per day Peak Day of Traffic on Friday = 2,600 vehicles Average Speed = 32mph 85%ile speed = 36mph 95%ile speed = 39mph Percent of vehicles over the speed limit = 62% 10 mph Pace Speed = 26-35mph (77% of vehicles in this range) The Engineering Department did not take a count in the 400 block at the end of the bridge because they had other data collection priorities at the time. According to Traffic Engineer Logue the daily traffic volumes were down once the South Aurora Street bridge re-opened. To have a residential/semi-rural collector street with 2,000 to 3,000 vehicles a day is certainly not uncommon. The traffic speeds, while slightly higher than one might wish, especially considering the lack of pedestrian facilities, are not shocking compared to a number of other streets in the city. Considering the context and design of the road, it is not too surprising that most people are driving about 5 or 6 miles an hour over the speed limit. That said, the edge line striping and crosswalk improvements did have a slight positive effect. Though the average speed was not affected, the 85%ile speed dropped by 2mph and the percent of vehicles over the speed limit dropped by 10 percentage points. Mayor Peterson reported that she had received many e-mails from residents in the Giles Street area explaining that the lack of pedestrian facilities on the road are exacerbated during the winter months, especially as children are being walked to Belle Sherman Elementary School. The e-mails request a three-way stop sign at Giles and Water Street with striping at the end of Cornell Walk and eventually installation of sidewalks where needed. 5 December 5, 2007 Common Council Liaison Coles stated that when she was campaigning and going door- to-door in this area the single most important concern of residents was the lack of pedestrian facilities. She requested that the Board consider a City-wide policy for dealing with traffic issues so that an understanding can be developed of what the priorities should be. Studies and counts should be conducted where needed and a comprehensive approach should be taken in addressing some of the concerns. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the timing of the traffic counts (i.e. before/after Aurora Street bridge opening, IC students returning, days of the week, time of the day, etc.) Further discussion followed on the floor regarding what triggers the need for a sidewalk and committing to having sidewalks in all commercial areas, as well as in every residential area in the City. Commissioner Schlather stated that there is also a need for sidewalks in the West Hill area, especially since the Town of Ithaca has been building high density housing in that area. Discussion followed on the floor regarding funding a comprehensive sidewalk program in the City with the assistance of the Town of Ithaca and grant monies that might be available. Supt. Gray stated that there are a couple of issues involved with looking at a comprehensive city wide sidewalk program. This is not the first time the issue of a sidewalk on State and Cornell Streets has come up. He explained that seven or eight years ago the Board was ready to mandate a sidewalk on Cornell Street. This part of the street is very steep and would need to have a retaining wall built to get the sidewalk down to street level, at a cost of approximately $23,000 to $28,000. There are several areas in the City where this would be the case as well, (i.e. the lower part of Giles Street and Hector Street area). That is a huge burden to place on property owners. The City needs to establish a City-wide policy for the construction of sidewalks in these special areas of the City. Mayor Peterson stated that the usage of roads could be hard to establish because people take alternate routes to avoid the various dangerous situations. She has been hearing a lot from Giles Street residents and not so much from other areas of the City. The Giles Street area also includes a natural area which needs to have pedestrian access as well. Discussion followed on what kind of pedestrian access facilities might be installed, the potential longevity of them and the cost. The Board would like to see sidewalks installed on both sides of Giles Street that would include the natural area. The Board felt that perhaps a group should study this area and see what solutions might be feasible and how costs might be shared among the residents, possibly the Town of Ithaca, and potential grant sources. Bill Hnat, Giles Street resident, addressed the Board to explain that the usage of Giles Street is vastly different now than it was in July and that if the speed limits were enforced, this issue would be less significant. Harry Littel, Giles Street resident, addressed the Board to state that he likes what he has heard the Board discussing. He stated that he likes the idea of putting sidewalks down both sides of Giles Street and Cornell Street and knows that will take time. He further stated that he knows there is reluctance to use stop signs for traffic calming, but it might be a way to see if it would mitigate the problems currently being experienced by the residents. He stated that he would also be willing to work with the school on any grant monies that might be available through the Safe Routes to School Program. 6 December 5, 2007 The Board directed Traffic Engineer Logue to put a proposed project together for this area that would include parameters with sidewalks extending to the bridge, costs for installation of sidewalks, analysis of the installation of a three-way stop sign as well as an inventory of missing sidewalks in the City for their review and consideration. They would like to resolve this issue as soon as possible, perhaps by one of their January 2008 meetings. Stewart Avenue – Parking meters, 400 and 500 blocks. Review of the Existing Parking Adjacent to (N & S) the Stewart Avenue Bridge over Cascadilla Creek and Recommendations for New Meters. Traffic Engineer Logue reported that pursuant to conversation with the Community Service Officers and a review of the Vehicle & Traffic Schedules, it has become clear that the parking meter zone along Stewart Avenue could be clarified and expanded. There are a few places in the 400 and 500 blocks where the City can get a few more meters on the street, (about 6 new meters in the 400 block and 7 new meters in the 500 block). Additionally, the metered parking in the 600 and 700 blocks is not reflected in the schedules so that should be amended as well. The Engineer’s office has prepared a plan for the Board’s review that shows approximately where the new meters would be located. The Metered Parking Schedule lists all of the entries as one-hour time limits, and they should be two-hour time limits. The only exceptions to the two hour time limit for on- street, metered parking are the 600 and 700 blocks of Stewart Avenue and along Thurston Avenue. In those cases, there is no time limit on parking at the meters. Traffic Engineer Logue would also propose the changes to the schedules. Amendment to the Vehicle and Traffic Schedules XXVII, Parking Meter Zones, and XXIX, Overnight Parking in Metered Zones Permitted, to Clarify and Expand Metered Parking on Stewart Avenue and to Correct Metered Parking Time Limits WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Section 346-4 of the City Code to adopt and to amend a system of Schedules in order to administer the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Police Department has noted that metered parking along Stewart Avenue could be clarified and expanded, and WHEREAS, the Office of the City Engineer has recommended a plan to do so, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is in agreement with this plan and the associated changes to the Schedules, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the entries for Stewart Avenue in Schedule XXVII, Parking Meter Zones and Schedule XXIX, Overnight Parking in Metered Zones Permitted, be amended to read: Name of Side Time Limit; Location Street Hours/Days Stewart Avenue West 2 hr.; 9am to From Buffalo Street 6pm/Monday - to Campus Road Friday Stewart Avenue East None; 9am to From Campus Road 6pm/Monday - to University Avenue Friday 7 December 5, 2007 Stewart Avenue West None; 9am to From University Avenue 6pm/Monday - to Willard Way Friday and be it further RESOLVED, That Schedule XXVII, Parking Meter Zones, be amended to change all the one-hour time limits to two-hour time limits, in accordance with current City practice. Commissioner Tripp recommended accepting Traffic Engineer Logue’s recommendations for this change and asked that the resolution be brought back to their voting meeting on December 19, 2007. No Board member objected. An Amendment to the Vehicle and Traffic Schedules in Regard to Parking on Taughannock Boulevard and to Establish Parking Regulations for Off-Street Parking for Portions of Inlet Island Superintendent Gray explained that the Board has discussed parking changes on Inlet Island and his office would like to include the following proposed Resolution on the December 19, 2007 meeting agenda: WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has received a petition requesting on-street parking on Inlet Island to be posted for 2-hour parking, that all parking in the small triangular lot be posted as 2-hour parking, and all parking within the new parking lot adjacent to the Route 89 bridge be posted as 24-hour parking, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Section 346-4 of the City Code to adopt and to amend a system of Schedules in order to administer the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public works is authorized by the City Charter to regulate these two parking lots as public properties owned by the City of Ithaca, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is in agreement with these amendments to the Schedules, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That Schedule XII, Parking Prohibited at All Times, be amended to delete the struck through entries below with the following: Name of Street Side Location Taughannock Boulevard Both From Buffalo Street to the city boundary Line Taughannock West 200 Block Taughannock Blvd Both From W. State Street to Seneca Street Taughannock Blvd West From Seneca Street to City Line Taughannock Blvd East Old Taughannock Blvd to City Line and be it further 8 December 5, 2007 RESOLVED, That Schedule XVIII, Time Limit Parking, be amended to replace the struck through entries below with the following: Name of Street Side Time Limit; Location Hours/Days Taughannock Boulevard East 2 hour; All From Buffalo Street to south side of bridge Taughannock Boulevard East 2 hr; All/All From State Street to the Lehigh Valley Railroad Freight Station Taughannock Boulevard West 2 hr; All/All From Buffalo Street to Seneca Street Taughannock Blvd East 2 hr; All/All From Seneca Street to Old Taughannock Blvd and be it further RESOLVED, That the small triangular parking lot, which is just east of the intersection of Taughannock Blvd (NYS Route 89) and Old Taughannock Blvd, be posted as two (2) hour parking by the Department of Public Works, and be it further RESOLVED, That the parking lot north of Route 89 and west of Old Taughannock Blvd, be posted as twenty-four (24) hour parking by the Department of Public Works. Traffic Engineer Logue explained his understanding of the Board’s recommendations. Common Council Liaison Coles explained that some business owners have been in this area for a long time. All the city parking gets taken up for long stretches of time either on the street or in the city lot by employees, which leaves no parking for their customers. She stated that most business owners do not provide parking for their employees in this area and that is why parking for customers is limited or non-existent at times. The reason for this request is to find a way to be equitable in providing long term parking for employees who need to park in the area while at work and to also provide two hour parking for customers. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding what parking is available now, where new metered parking could be installed, where long term parking could be established and some way of collecting payment for parking in a city lot without having to have the lot/stations attended by staff. Assistant Supt. of Streets & Facilities Ferrel explained that the City needs a parking lot that is manageable. That area has not been developed into a parking lot because the building was to be torn down during 2007, but never came down because of asbestos abatement work that needed to be done. The contractor hopes to be able to tear the building down during the winter. He further stated that the removal of this building is being overseen by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency. He explained that he is not sure if there are any meters available to be installed in any space that the Board might want to designate as metered parking. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the cost of meters, staffing required to install meters that might be available and what would be involved with the installation of meters along the street. 9 December 5, 2007 Traffic Engineer Logue stated that he needs a policy statement from the Board to say that there will be designated metered parking in certain areas of Inlet Island. Commissioner Tripp requested that a resolution be prepared for the Board’s voting meeting on December 19, 2007 that would direct staff to install appropriate signage soon after meters are installed and to keep the Board appraised of when lots might become available for parking. Discussion followed on the floor regarding new development on Inlet Island and what provisions for parking for employees, customers, patients, etc. were made between the City and the developers and what, if any, contracts or agreements are in place that limit where the City can install paid parking spaces or charge for parking spaces. Vehicle and Traffic Schedule Updates – Amendment to the Vehicle and Traffic Schedules IV, V, and VI WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Section 346-4 of the City Code to adopt and to amend a system of Schedules in order to administer the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and WHEREAS, the Schedules are in need of a complete review and update, and WHEREAS, the Office of the City Engineer is carrying out this review and update, and has recommended a set of updates, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is in agreement with these amendments to the Schedules, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the following Schedules: Schedule IV: One-Way Streets, Schedule V: Prohibited U-Turns and Schedule VI: Prohibited Turns at Intersections be amended in accordance with the attached schedule update, dated October 31, 2007. Traffic Engineer Logue reported that the Mayor’s Office and the Engineering Office had received a request from a doctor’s office on the 200 block of North Aurora Street for additional on-street handicap parking spaces. The request was made because they have added two physicians to their staff and the patient load has increased. Commissioner Chapman stated that it is important to consider this request carefully since this is a doctor’s office located in the downtown area for residents of the city. It could determine that its parking needs aren’t being met and move outside of the city like a lot of other doctor’s offices have and that should be considered when making a decision on this request. He stated that the Board should make efforts to support downtown businesses. Traffic Engineer Logue stated that he would do a study of the parking needs near this doctor’s office and report back to the Board. City Code Pedestrian Crossing – Recommendation to Bring the City’s Code for Pedestrian Crossings into Conformance with the State’s Vehicle and Traffic Law. Traffic Engineer Logue explained the recommended change to the Board as follows: Existing conditions: City of Ithaca Code § 346-17 Pedestrian crossings states that pedestrians shall not cross roadways between adjacent intersections that are signalized, except in crosswalks; and, that within the business district, pedestrians may not cross any roadway except in crosswalks (see below for complete text). 10 December 5, 2007 § 346-17. Pedestrian crossings. A. Traffic control signals. No pedestrian shall cross between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation except in a crosswalk. B. Business districts. No pedestrian shall cross a street or roadway except in a crosswalk in the central business district or in any other business district. Both of these pedestrian crossing prohibitions are unnecessary, difficult to enforce, overly restrictive, and are contrary to New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law (see excerpt below). Title VII, Article 27 Pedestrians’ Rights and Duties, §1152 Crossing at other than crosswalks. (a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway. Recommendations: City of Ithaca Code § 346-17 Pedestrian crossings should be repealed so as to achieve consistency with the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the difference between the State’s code and the City Code and whether enforcement of the law may be the problem. The Board requested input/recommendations from the police department before they make a recommendation to Common Council. Commissioner Schlather stated that the Board needs to respond to Pete’s Grocery store request regarding a bill they received for snow plowing by the City from a storm in February 2007. Common Council Liaison Coles stated that she has asked Mr. Zaharis to speak to the Board on this request. Supt. Gray stated that he would provide back-up information, photos, and correspondence to the Board for their information and this item will be placed on the agenda for December 19, 2007 meeting. Commissioner Schlather requested that the following resolutions be added to the agenda for the voting meeting on December 19, 2007: University Avenue Resolution and Resolution Commemorating former City Employees. He stated that he would talk to Mayor Peterson about the addition of these items to that agenda. He further stated that he would like to take care of these two items, if possible, before the end of the year. The Board switched the voting meeting to December 19, 2007 to accommodate the Mayor’s schedule. The meeting on December 12, 2007, will be a Committee of the Whole meeting. Discussion followed on the floor regarding who would chair the meeting in the absence of the Mayor at the meeting on December 12th. The Board nominated Commissioner Jenkins. Appointment of Vice-Chair: By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That Commissioner Claudia Jenkins be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Board of Public Works for the balance of 2007. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Schlather stated that he would not be here for the meeting on December 12, 2007 as he has to be in court. 11 December 5, 2007 ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor