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