HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2007-12-12BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. December 12, 2007
PRESENT:
Vice Chair – Commissioner Jenkins
Commissioners (4) - Chapman, Schlather, Tripp, Wykstra
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney - Hoffman
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
EXCUSED:
Mayor Peterson
DAC Liaison – Roberts
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Common Council Liaison Coles requested that the discussion on the Wood Street
diverter be moved up in the agenda because a member from the public was here for
that item.
No Board member objected.
Johnson Controls
Superintendent Gray explained to the Board that Johnson Controls has worked with
staff from the Water and Sewer Division to develop a proposal to upgrade the City’s
water meters and meter reading system. The system is used to collect the water use
figures that are the basis for billing over $8 million annually. The accuracy of those
meters is important. Staff has developed ways to improve customer service with
automated reading and a related leak detection device.
Chris Kalwara, Account Executive for Johnson Controls, made a presentation to the
Board on Phase 2 of the Energy Performance Contract for Water Meters, Automated
Meter Reading, and Leak Detection.
Commissioner Schlather arrived at the meeting at 5:03 p.m.
Asst. Superintendent for Water and Sewer Whitney explained that the City applied for
and received a grant in the amount of $48,000 for this project, but the meters need to be
installed by June of 2008 in order to receive the grant monies. He explained that the
new system would alert staff of new leaks before they get big which would be a huge
savings in terms of the amount of water loss and repair costs. He further explained that
the new equipment would monitor sounds in the system that would alert staff to precise
locations of leaks with ongoing monitoring. He stated that the monitors use a GPS
system for locating problems or leaks in the system and would be mounted to garbage
trucks which are out on all the City streets each week to collect garbage. The monitors,
mounted on the trucks, would be sensitive enough to alert staff to any potential
problems in any part of the City in a timely manner, which would help to conserve our
water resources.
Mr. Kalwara’s presentation included the following:
Goals of the City of Ithaca
Improvement in Customer Service
Early Leak Detection
Elimination of Estimated Bills
Issuance of Accurate Bills
Enable Landlord Requests for Special Reads
Capture of billable revenue resulting from inaccurate meters
Lower operational and maintenance costs
Reduction in unaccounted for water usage
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December 12, 2007
Minimization of damage and liability from leaks
Project Development Approach
Document meter accuracy
Replace only those meters that fail accuracy test, and cannot be repaired
Prevent meter failure
Project Scope
Large meter replacement with Automatic Meter Reader (AMR) system installation
Large Meter AMR System Retrofit
Small Meter replacement with AMR
Small Meter AMR retrofit
AMR Drive-By System
all hardware, software, interface to the existing billing system, and training
City Wide Leak Detection System
Ongoing (3 years) water utility performance, consulting services, large meter accuracy
guarantee, testing
Large meter replacement with AMR system installation
replacement of 22 meters, isolation valves
meters not previously tested to be tested to determine accuracy
Large meter AMR system retrofit
meters that passed AWWA testing or that Johnson Controls has repaired and
passed test (20)
Remove existing registers, install new registers and connect to Master meter
transmitters
Johnson Controls responsible for repairing any damaged meter vaults, sidewalks, curb
stops, roadways, replacing isolation valves
Project Benefits
NYS Local Government Records Management Grant: $48,000 (system must be
installed by the end of June 2008)
Mutually agreed to billable usage increases: $79,398 per year
City has earmarked $116,243 for project
Billable usage based on 2007 rates (water and sewer)
Project Results In
Customer Service Improvements
Eliminates safety hazards
Accurate meter reads
Reduced system losses
Financial benefit totaling $226,199 annually
Installation within six months
Ongoing large meter testing/repair services
Third party financing does not impact City’s debt capacity
Superintendent Gray stated that if the Board agreed, he would proceed with writing a
resolution that would authorize the start of a capital project.
Commissioner Tripp stated that she would like to hear from satisfied customers of
Johnson Controls who have had similar systems installed about their experience before
the Board makes a decision.
Superintendent Gray stated that he would work with the Board to establish a time frame
for implementation of this project.
Wood Street Traffic Diverter
Superintendent Gray explained that the traffic diverters and speed bumps in this
neighborhood (both Wood Street and South Street) were installed as part of the
immediate mitigation measures for traffic calming while the City was contemplating
major developments in the Southwest. A traffic plan was developed which was
designed to facilitate traffic movements in an organized pattern and once it was fully
implemented, the temporary devices were scheduled to be removed. That traffic plan
has never been implemented. A change in the City’s administration changed the City’s
approach to traffic management and Southwest development.
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December 12, 2007
He asked staff to review the traffic diverters and speed humps on Wood Street, and
make a recommendation as to their future. Traffic Engineer Logue visited the area,
collected data, and has recommended the removal of the old diverters at the
intersections of Fair Street with Wood Street and South Street mostly on the basis that
they are unnecessary and unsightly. The semi-diverter at Fair and Wood Street also
restricts turning movements into the relocated Titus Towers II driveway. He further
recommended keeping the mid-block speed humps in place.
Traffic Engineer Logue’s recommendation stated that if the Board of Public Works
continued to support the goal of discouraging vehicular traffic on Wood Street and
South streets that the existing signs posted on the semi-diverters stating “No Thru
Traffic: Except Emergency Vehicles” should remain. However, it is clear that motorists
at the intersections have no qualms about crossing over the diagonal bumps. Due to
the capacity improvements at the edge of the neighborhood (along Route 13 and West
Spencer Street), and based on observations and traffic counts, it does not seem that
there is a significant volume of cut-through traffic and motorists have found alternate
routes. These streets see fairly average volumes of traffic for residential streets in the
City. The recommendation further explained that if the Board desires to retain the semi-
diverters on Fair Street for some reason, the recommendation would be to remove the
existing signage and replace it with object marker signage. The existing signs are not
obeyed and are not enforceable. The boxes of rocks are not well delineated with
reflective markings for nighttime visibility, so he recommends that they not be retained.
If the Board desires to replace the semi-diverters with some sort of traffic calming, it
should be noted that a few years ago there was a good deal of outreach from the
Planning Department and a few traffic calming concepts were considered acceptable by
attending residents. Since that time, the southwest area has largely built out and the
abovementioned road projects were completed. The fears of overwhelming traffic in the
neighborhood have not played out and so there has been less interest in traffic calming.
Traffic Engineer Logue recommended that the semi-diverters be removed and that
traffic volumes and speeds be monitored in the Spring. After that a decision can be
made regarding whether replacement traffic calming is warranted. He further
recommended that there doesn’t seem to be any reason to remove the mid-block speed
humps on the two streets because they help to moderate speeds along a three-block
stretch and seem to be in fairly good condition. The signage could perhaps be touched
up a bit by adding location arrows and visibility could be improved by pruning a few
trees.
Rick Grossman, Wood Street resident, was invited by the Board to participate in the
discussion of this item. He explained that he is a 20 year resident of the Wood Street
area and that he is aware of the different traffic calming measures that the City has
implemented throughout the City. He is concerned that the recommendation from the
City’s Traffic Engineer was given to the Board before it was given to the neighborhood
and that the neighborhood should be given a chance to respond to the recommendation
before the Board takes any action on it. He further stated that it would be remiss to
remove the diverters and then see if traffic calming is needed in the neighborhood. He
explained that due process is needed with involvement of the whole neighborhood
because this would have a significant impact on it. He also requested that the Board
give the neighborhood an opportunity to respond to the recommendations from the
Traffic Engineer and thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak to them on this
topic.
Commissioner Schlather stated that the neighborhood should be consulted and given
the opportunity to discuss the recommendations at length. He further stated that he
was contacted by the Chair of the Board of Fire Commissioners regarding the diverters
on Wood Street to see if the Board could perhaps make a recommendation to replace
the diverters with something a little less dramatic to protect the fire trucks as they go
through that area to respond to various calls. The Chair of the Board of Fire
Commissioners indicated that their Board would make a written recommendation to the
Board of Public Works regarding this item.
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December 12, 2007
Common Council Liaison Coles thanked Commissioner Schlather for his comments.
She explained that the reason the residents of the neighborhood were not sent an e-
mail about this topic was because after the initial discussion by the Board on this topic
she was going to contact the neighborhood for their input as well. She stated that both
she and Rick Grossman respect Traffic Engineer Logue very much and they both feel
that there are sufficiently good reasons why this item should come back to the Board
after the neighborhood has had an opportunity to provide their input. She further stated
that if the traffic diverters were removed, there should be some traffic-calming device
already in place to keep traffic through that area low.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the current pattern of traffic flow through the
neighborhood to Wegmans, Cecil A. Malone Drive, and the southwest area, the
recommendations from Traffic Engineer Logue and what other traffic calming measures
could be implemented in this area.
Superintendent Gray stated that his view of traffic calming is different and the City felt
that the traffic load had to be shared between Albany and Plain Streets. He further
explained why the City installed speed humps in this area and that there isn’t agreement
on what should be done here.
Commissioner Chapman stated that he highly respects Traffic Engineer Logue’s work
and abilities and noted that he is very community oriented. This item was brought
before the Board by Traffic Engineer Logue as a “heads-up”. The Board would not
proceed with a decision of such importance without the input from the residents in the
neighborhood. There are other reasons why the diverters need to be looked at, such as
speed issues, enforcement issues, and public use of the street. He explained that there
are better ways to accommodate what the community wants and the City needs in this
instance.
The Board requested that this item come back to them for review and consideration, in
February 2008, after the neighborhood has had an opportunity to review the
recommendations and provide input.
Franklin Marketplace
Superintendent Gray explained to the Board that the owner of the Franklin Plaza,
located at 423-435 Franklin Street (intersection of Route 13 and Third Street),
expressed an interest earlier in the year on working with the City to clean up and
landscape a small patch of land bordering her building and Route 13. Currently the land
is being used as storage for DPW equipment. She has made three requests:
Removal of the DPW equipment
Landscaping
Installation of curb, curb cuts and sidewalks
Superintendent Gray stated that as the City’s industrial operation (Water and Sewer)
has gotten more sophisticated neighbors (mutual housing for community garden,
service center for wastewater plant, Franklin Marketplace for strip mall), it has tried to
be a good community member and upgrade its appearance and operations. The City is
about to build a new cold storage building and can do other things to improve its
appearance but it will always be an industrial operation. This is a topic that staff would
like the Board’s views on.
Commissioner Chapman stated that the Board should keep in mind other long-term
business owners in the area along the waterfront and just because the City has been
there for a long time doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s best use of the land. There may
be a better place for the City’s commercial facilities.
Commissioner Schlather stated that it may take time to move city facilities, if that is how
the City decides to proceed, but that in the meantime there are places where
communities co-exist with industry uses and also provide inviting shopping areas. The
City should consider what it could do to clean up its area and develop it more into an
urban landscape that would make it more attractive since that area also includes the
Farmer’s Market and the Sciencenter.
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December 12, 2007
Assist. Supt. for Water & Sewer Whitney explained that he has been working with City
Planner Nicholas, City Forester Hillman, City Traffic Engineer Logue, to develop a
capital project for this area which would include the installation of trees, open up the
island area by Buzz Coffee and the Wine Store, and the installation of a grassy area.
The Planning Department is also involved in the planning for the development of this
area to improve its appearance as an entrance to the City.
Asst. Supt. for Streets & Facilities reminded the Board that there is also a third party
involved in review and approval of these proposed plans and that is the New York State
Department of Transportation.
Supt. Gray explained that it would benefit the City and the private property owner in this
area to make efforts to co-exist, as it would save the City money by not having to re-
locate, provide a quicker response time because the facility would stay within city limits,
and community involvement in the area would be increased.
Asst. Supt. for Water & Sewer Whitney stated that the owner of the property making the
request to the City has been involved in preliminary discussions about the proposed
capital project and their tenants have also been made aware of the City’s plans.
Commissioner Schlather stated that the City should personally reach out to the owner of
the Franklin Plaza, Dewi Rainey, to assure her involvement with this project.
Common Council Liaison Coles stated that she would personally contact Ms. Rainey.
Uniform Sidewalk Assessments – 100 Block N. Aurora Street
Sidewalk assessments were developed for properties on the 100 block of North Aurora
Street. Bills will be sent and a public hearing scheduled for the voting meeting in
January 2008.
Mini Traffic Circle at South Plain and Center Streets
This item was not discussed at the meeting.
Stone Quarry Road Right Turns
This item was not discussed at the meeting.
Pete’s Grocery Parking Lot
This item was not discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson
Information Management Specialist Mayor