HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2008-05-14BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. May 14, 2008
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Chapman, Schlather, Tripp, Wykstra
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney - Hoffman
Deputy City Controller - Andrew
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
Common Council Liaison – Coles
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Executive Assistant - Myers
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 April 2, 2008 Board of Public Works Special Meeting,
April 9, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting, March 12, 2008 Board of Public Works
Voting Meeting, April 16, 2008 Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Meeting be
approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Supt Gray requested that a resolution for the Traffic Signal Removal at North Tioga and
Lincoln Streets be added to the agenda.
Supt. Gray stated that the item on the Watershed program was intended to be a resolution
and public hearing on the Annual Stormwater Report.
Commissioner Schlather arrived at 5:00 pm.
City Attorney Hoffman requested that the Board grant themselves power to act at their next
meeting on a possible resolution regarding the Midura Creek Wall.
MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Peterson stated that the Local Action Plan Committee had met to talk about
sustainability and green house gas emissions.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Joey Moro, Fayette Street, stated that he would like to see the City undertake a reuse
week in which residents put unwanted but reusable items by the curb and people could
take what they wanted. He stated that the leftovers could then be taken to the recycling
center. He further stated that another option would be to have a location by the
recycling center for people to leave their reusable items for others. He further stated
that the Science Center needs a new space for their reuse programs, the computer
repair program especially.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
Supt. Gray stated that the science center reuse programs had already outgrown the spaces
the City had to offer. He further stated that the reuse week was done once before and is
something the City is not interested in doing again due to the logistics and the expense. He
further stated that if there were a location by the recycling center where people could leave
reusable items there would need to be a method to pay for the disposal of unclaimed items.
Commissioner Wykstra stated that people already leave reusable items in a location within
May 14, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes Page 2
the recycling center where others can claim them before they are disposed of.
Commissioner Tripp stated that she would be interested in hearing about other
communities with similar programs and how successful and expensive they are.
Highways, Streets, and Sidewalks
Traffic Signal Removal Study: East Lincoln and North Tioga Street – Resolution
To Change Traffic Control at the Intersection of Lincoln and Tioga Streets from a
Traffic Signal to an All-Way Stop
BY Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Chapman
WHEREAS, the City Transportation Engineer presented a report dated March 4, 2008
to the Board of Public Works on May 7, 2008, with a recommendation to replace the
traffic signal at the intersection of Lincoln and Tioga Street with all-way stop control, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is in agreement with this proposal, 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 the intersection of Lincoln and Tioga Streets be removed from
Schedule I, Traffic Control Signals, and be placed in Schedule VIII, Stop Control
Intersections, in the section designating control by an all-way stop, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Department of Public Works is authorized to make the necessary
changes to transition the intersection operation from a traffic signal to all-way stop
control.
Carried Unanimously
Discussion followed regarding pedestrian facility improvement with the removal of the
traffic signal. Further discussion followed regarding audible cross walk devices.
Sidewalk Code – Resolution
By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra
WHEREAS, the Board of public Works has reviewed staff’s recommendations for changes
to the City Charter section C-73 Sidewalks with the stated intention of streamlining the
section to improve presentation and eliminate some duplication with other city code
sections, and to treat the maintenance and repair of existing sidewalk similar to other
utilities such as water and sewer service, and
WHEREAS, both staff and the Board believe these changes will speed up the procedure
related to upkeep of the City’s existing sidewalks without diminishing the individual property
owners’ rights or recourse, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests Common Council adopt the
recommended changes to City Charter section C-73 Sidewalks as presented in the
attached proposed update, dated May 9, 2008
Commissioner Tripp requested that the language in Section C regarding the amount of time
individuals will have to repair their sidewalks be clarified.
Discussion followed regarding possible changes to section C.
Further discussion followed regarding the process for individuals who want to repair their
own sidewalk.
Resolution to Amend
By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra
RESOLVED, that the following be added to the end of the last resolved clause “, as revised
at the Board of Public Works at its meeting on May 14, 2008.”
May 14, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes Page 3
Carried Unanimously
Vote on the Main Resolution
Carried Unanimously
Cascadilla Creek Wall - Resolution for Power to Act
City Attorney Hoffman stated that the ruling in the lawsuit regarding this property was that
the property owner would repair the wall at his own expense. He stated that the owner
brought plans to the Building Department for approval and was told that he would need City
approval to build the wall as it encroached on City property. He further stated that the
owner’s attorney stated that the old wall had followed the same line and therefore did not
encroach on City property. He further stated that wall does need to be fixed soon to avoid
further damage.
Alderperson Coles left at 5:50 p.m.
City Attorney Hoffman requested that the Board grant itself power to act on a possible
resolution related to this issue next week.
Resolution for Power to Act
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants itself power-to-act on a resolution
regarding the creek wall located next to the Midura property at the May 21, 2008 meeting
and at the June 4, 2008 meeting.
Carried Unanimously
Water and Sewer
Stormwater Management Program Annual Report – Public Hearing
Resolution to Open Public Hearing:
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, That the public hearing to accept the Annual Stormwater Report 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 Annual Stormwater Report be declared
closed.
Carried Unanimously
Stormwater Management Program Annual Report – Resolution
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is a permitted small Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer
System (MS4) under Clean Water Act Phase II regulations for stormwater discharges and,
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca received State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(SPDES) permit coverage through the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (NYSDEC) on March 10, 2003 and,
WHEREAS, the permit required the City to incrementally develop a stormwater
management program (SWMP) no later than January 8, 2008 by meeting measurable
goals including public education and outreach, public involvement and participation, illicit
discharge detection and elimination, construction and post construction management, and
management of municipal operations and,
WHEREAS, the City was successful in this endeavor, and
May 14, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes Page 4
WHEREAS, the City is required to file its 5th annual progress report to the NYSDEC by
June 1, 2008 and,
WHEREAS, the City has addressed all public comments received therein; now, therefore
be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works hereby approves the City of Ithaca Stormwater
Management Program Annual Report which represents the status of the City’s SWMP for
the 2007 - 2008 reporting period, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca Division of Water & Sewer is authorized to submit said
report to the NYSDEC by June 1, 2008.
Carried Unanimously
Environmental Engineer Gibson reported on the current year’s successes in implementing
the Stormwater Management Plan.
Discussion followed regarding the Stormwater Management Officer position.
Mayor Peterson stated that the Town of Ithaca and the City are looking into splitting the
cost of funding a Stormwater Management Officer position to operate for both
municipalities.
Water and Sewer Rents – Resolution
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed staff’s recommended changes to
sections 348-48 Rates and Rents Established and 348-49 Terms of Payment of Chapter
348 Water and Sewers of the City Code, and
WHEREAS, the proposed changes will bring the rate setting procedure into conformance
with the Board’s current practice of updating the rate tables by resolution passed from time
to time, and will provide a new approach to collecting bills and assessing a penalty on bills
paid after their due date, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works adopts the changes to section 348-48 and
348-49 as shown in the attached Proposed Changes dated May 9, 2008 and those
changes shall become effective immediately, with the exception of the changes outlined in
section 348-49 B. which shall become effective with the first billing under the new
Automatic Meter Reading system, but not later than December 31, 2008.
City Attorney Hoffman stated that he had concerns about the Board of Public works
changing part of City Code since it gives the impression that the Board is a legislative body.
Supt. Gray stated that the Board acts as a regulatory body and not a legislative one.
City Chamberlain Parsons stated that these changes allow the Board to set rates by
resolution as they always have. She further stated that the Board may or may not have
already set some of these rates earlier in the year.
Resolution to Amend
By Commissioner Schlather; Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, That the effective date of the proposed changes listed in the final resolved
clause be changed from “immediately” to “June 1, 2008.”
Carried Unanimously
Vote on the Resolution as Amended
Carried Unanimously
Resolution to Change Traffic Control at the Intersection of S. Plain and Center
May 14, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes Page 5
Streets to All-Way Yield
By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra
WHEREAS, a mini traffic circle is the currently in place at the intersection of South Plain
and Center Streets, and
WHEREAS, as the City’s only mini traffic circle, it should be maintained and operated
appropriately so as to accurately test that suitability of such a design and to garner
acceptance and respect from the community, and
WHEREAS, the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the
Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure
Selection System indicate that mini traffic circles should be controlled by all-way yield signs,
and
WHEREAS, the Office of the City Engineer has studied the specific conditions present at
this intersection to verify that all-way yield operation is more appropriate than the existing
two-way stop operation 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 the Board of Public Works hereby approves all-way yield operation at the
S. Plain Street and Center Street mini traffic circle in accordance with MUTCD and FHWA
guidance and staff recommendation; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the intersection of South Plain and Center Streets is hereby removed
from Schedule VIII, Stop Control Intersections, and is added to Schedule IX, Yield
Intersections, with the direction of travel noted as “all-way.”
Carried Unanimously
There was no discussion on the resolution.
Administration and Communications
National Public Works Week – Resolution
By Commissioner Tripp; Seconded by Commissioner Schlather
WHEREAS, the American Public Works Association is celebrating National Public Works
Week May 18-25, 2008 as a celebration of the tens of thousands of men and women in
North America who provide and maintain the infrastructure and services collectively known
as public works, and
WHEREAS, public works makes up the fabric from which society builds its communities
and consists of a very broad range of investments from invisible systems such as water
distribution or wastewater collection and treatment, through more visible links such as
streets, highways, transit and rapid transit systems, to highly visible community assets such
as libraries, fire and police departments, schools, city halls, airports, parks and community
centers, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is charged with the management (planning,
operations and maintenance) of a large part of public works in the City of Ithaca, supported
by Common Council, and in cooperation with many of Tompkins County’s other public
works agencies, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works extends thanks to the women and men of the
Department of Public Works who maintain, operate and build the City’s public systems, and
expresses its gratitude for the generations of volunteers and appointees to the Board’s
commissions, or study groups and who provide input, guidance, knowledge, labor and
priceless hours that shape and multiply the advances of the department, and be it further,
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works is proud of the City’s long history of public
works in support of the City’s residents, its businesses and institutions, and the larger
May 14, 2008 Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes Page 6
community.
Discussion followed regarding the recent successes for the Department of Public Works.
Board members unanimously expressed their gratitude for all the hard-working men and
women who work in Public Works.
Carried Unanimously
Reports
Rick Ferrel’s Report
Asst. Supt. Streets and Facilities Ferrel reported that his staff is very busy this
season. He stated that to date staff has been working on finishing the Spencer Road
triangle, the ADA compliance issues, sidewalks, and numerous other projects. He
further stated that they are currently working to hire a bridge crew.
Erik Whitney’s Report
Asst. Supt. Water and Sewer Whitney stated that currently his department is
working to deal with oil spills at their First Street location, and the Southwest re-
looping project.
Superintendent and Staff
Supt. Gray stated reported that many capital projects are underway including
working in the City’s parking garages, the water plant, and the Cass Park and
Ithaca Police Department generators. He further stated that work is also being
done with the Ithaca Festival and on the hard fill site.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
________________________
Jessica Myers Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor