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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2008-01-16BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Voting Meeting 4:55 p.m. January 9, 2008 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (4) - Jenkins, Chapman, Tripp, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney – Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Ferrel Common Council Liaison – Coles Executive Assistant - Myers EXCUSED: Commissioner Schlather Deputy City Controller - Andrew Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney DAC Liaison – Roberts Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Approval of Minutes: By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the October 17, 2007 Board of Public Works Voting meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the December 12, 2007, and December 19, 2007 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Additions or Deletions to Agenda Supt. Gray requested that the Board also consider approval of the January 2, 2008 Committee of the Whole meeting minutes. He stated that the minutes were not completed at the time the agenda was published but had been sent for the Board review shortly thereafter. The Board agreed that they would like to approve minutes as they are completed and supported the addition. Resolution to Approve Minutes By Commissioner Wykstra; Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the January 2, 2008 Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Mayor’s Communications Mayor Peterson requested that Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities Ferrel give a brief report on the status of the construction of the fence around the off-leash dog park. Asst. Supt. Ferrel reported that the fence is almost completed and should be finished tomorrow, with the park open for use by the weekend. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the maintenance of the park around the fence should dogs attempt to dig underneath it. January 9, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes Page - 2 Communications and hearings from persons before the Board Marty Hatch, Town of Dryden, addressed the Board regarding the University Avenue resolution. He stated that the City should keep a close eye on all areas where the lines of ownership, Cornell or the City of Ithaca, might be skewed to insure that it is used appropriately and in the public’s best interest. Response to Public Commissioner Wykstra stated that he appreciated Mr. Hatch’s comments as they suggested that the Board was too focused on one area and that the Board should take a broader perspective on the major issue of ownership. Alderperson Coles stated that since the members present are not attorney’s that they should be cautious regarding the University Avenue resolution. She stated that she would not be able to ascertain this issue on her own and the Board should seriously consider how well informed they are on the issue before making a decision. She further stated that the resolution personalizes the issue and if approved should not mention either the City Attorney or the Mayor. She stated that the resolution could reach the same point without including the references that can be read as a personal attack. Public Hearing on 100 Block of North Aurora Street Sidewalk Assessments Resolution to Open Public Hearing: By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the public hearing to accept the 100 Block of North Aurora Street sidewalk assessment charges be declared open. Carried Unanimously There was no one present to address the Board at the public hearing. Resolution to Close Public Hearing: By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the public hearing to accept the 100 Block of North Aurora Street sidewalk assessment charges be declared closed. Carried Unanimously 100 Block of North Aurora Street Sidewalk Assessments By Commissioner Tripp; seconded by Commissioner Wykstra RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the sidewalk assessment charges for the widening of the sidewalks of 100 Block of North Aurora Street, and be it further RESOLVED, That Board of Public Works recommends the adoption of the assessments by Common Council and forwarding of the assessments to the City Chamberlain for collection. Carried Unanimously University Avenue Resolution (Tabled) Due to Commissioner Schlather’s absence the Board decided to postpone further discussion and action on this item until their next meeting. Power to Act By Commissioner Tripp, Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Board grants itself power to act on the University Avenue resolution at the January 16, 2008 Committee of the Whole meeting. Carried 4-1-0 Mayor Peterson opposed Stewart Avenue Metered Parking Amendments – Resolution to Amend Vehicle and January 9, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes Page - 3 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 By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra 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 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. Carried Unanimously Supt. Gray explained that the revisions being made currently reflect what is enforced and are required to bring the traffic code up to date. Vehicle and Traffic Schedule Update – Resolution To Amend Vehicle and Traffic Schedules IV, V, and VI By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra 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 another 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. Carried Unanimously January 9, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes Page - 4 Recognition in Memory of former City Controller, Dominick Cafferillo (“Cafferillo’s Law”) -Resolution Due to Commissioner Schlather’s absence the Board decided to postpone further discussion and action on this item until their next meeting. Power to Act By Commissioner Wykstra, Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Board grants itself power to act on the Cafferillo’s Law resolution at the January 16, 2008 Committee of the Whole meeting. Carried 4-1-0 Mayor Peterson opposed Mayor Peterson stated that she opposed this resolution for several reasons. The first being that it should go on to Common Council through City Administration and not through the Board of Public Works. The second being that there are other parties who should be involved in the discussion and process of recognition, like the Human Resources department. Election of Vice Chair for 2008 By Commissioner Tripp, Seconded by Commissioner Chapman RESOLVED, That Commissioner Jenkins will be the Board of Public Works Vice Chair for 2008. Carried Unanimously Backlog of 2007 Business The Board discussed the 2007 backlog of business and what items they believed were missing from the list. Mayor Peterson requested that time be set aside at the next meeting to go through all of the old business and prioritize items for 2008. Reports Council Liaison Alderperson Coles reported that there would be a community meeting on the Wood Street traffic diverters on February 4, 2008 at Titus Towers. Rick Ferrel’s Report Asst. Supt. Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported that due to the snowy seasons early arrival leaf cleaning was never completed. He further reported that the department has been working to clean out creeks and has a permit from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to clean the beach at Stewart Park which will be done when the lake is at a lower level. He reported that the building on Inlet Island was successfully demolished but the area still needs to be filled and compacted prior to active use as a parking area. He reported that the Department of Justice has produced a report of areas where the City is not meeting its accessibility requirements. He stated that in order to address the areas outlined in the report some street repairs will be delayed. He reported that there are a lot of upcoming vacancies in the department and that they are and will be doing a lot of hiring. Superintendent and Staff Supt. Gray reported on several upcoming projects including water plant succession planning, the clean fill site in the town of Ithaca, and continuation of the water looping project. ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. January 9, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes Page - 5 Jessica Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor