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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2008-10-01BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. October 1, 2008 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (4) - Jenkins, Schlather, Tripp, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney - Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Common Council Liaison – Coles DAC Liaison – Roberts Information Management Specialist - Myers Assistant City Attorney – Este-Green Acting Director of Planning & Development – Cornish Alderperson Tomlan Alderperson Rosario EXCUSED: Commissioner Chapman DAC Liaison - Roberts Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Peterson reported that the Planning Board took no action on Item #7 – NYSEG Remediation - GIAC basketball court. Mayor Peterson stated that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Decision on the City’s Water Supply is now available and copies were distributed to the Board at the meeting today. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: City Attorney Hoffman requested the addition of an update regarding the site now occupied by the Ithaca Farmers’ Market, work that Common Council is doing, and the intended approach to the pending expiration of the Farmer’s Market lease with the City of Ithaca. No Board member objected. Collegetown Trash: Alderperson Tomlan addressed the Board in support of Cornell University’s Interfraternity Council’s offer to establish a weekly cleanup of Collegetown as well as the possibility of the City funding the installation of more garbage and recycling cans in Collegetown. She stated that this has been a concern of the Collegetown Vision and Implementation Committee and that the proposed plan addresses that issue. She noted that Student Agencies is supportive of the fraternal efforts, and might be able to assist them in this endeavor as well. She urged the Board to consider obtaining trash containers that would not accept household trash to place in Collegetown to support this initiative. TCAT Request for Bus Shelters: Superintendent Gray explained that TCAT has submitted requests for two additional bus shelters. One is on the east side of Linn Street just before it turns up hill to University Avenue. The second is on the north side of State Street at the bus station. Both would be located in the tree lawn in heavily used areas. He stated that after the Board’s discussion of this request and noting their concerns and recommendations, he would proceed with this request administratively, if they approved. 2 October 1, 2008 Assistant City Attorney Estes-Green explained that she requested TCAT include their attorney, Susan Brock, in their discussion with the City regarding this proposal for bus shelters on City property. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the proposed location of the shelter near a park and two historic districts. The Board felt that any shelter located at Linn Street should be designed in a such way that it is aesthetically pleasing in this unique area. Further discussion followed regarding liability issues and setback requirements. The proposed shelter at the Greyhound Bus station would include heat and information kiosks. The Board also addressed the need for other municipalities to provide financial support for TCAT services as their communities benefit from this amenity at the City’s expense. Verizon Cell Tower @ Streets & Facilities: Superintendent Gray explained that Verizon has approached the City because they need to augment cell phone services in the northern part of the City to improve their communications network. They are currently talking to the City about locating a tower at Streets & Facilities and would like to lease a plot approximately 100’X100’. The Planning Department has indicated that it may be possible to obtain a variance from set-back requirements due to the presence of the railroad and Route 13 along the eastern edge of the property. The City has recently learned that Verizon may also be talking to NYSDOT about their Third Street site. City Attorney Hoffman distributed a memo to the Board that provided background information about this request. He explained that Verizon Wireless is looking for a site in the northern part of the City to place a monopole to increase their coverage in the area. Acting Director of Planning & Development Cornish stated that when the site by the golf course was originally proposed, it was rejected as it would be located where the Cayuga Waterfront Trail would go through. That is why the other sites were offered instead. City Attorney Hoffman explained that the Federal government restricts the right of municipalities to regulate structures. For example, the City can’t reject a proposed site on the grounds that it would have an environmental impact, nor can it be rejected on the grounds that another company provides the same service. The City can impose design, setback, and aesthetic restrictions, but it can’t reject a site because of its placement in any particular zoning district. His suggested response to this request would be to recognize the role of the Board of Public Works as an advisory board to Common Council, consider whether the City (Department of Public Works) might need this site for anything within the next twenty-five years, and make a recommendation to Common Council who has the authority to lease or sell city land. Discussion followed on the floor regarding zoning restrictions, required fall zones, and various boards that this proposal would need to go through for approval. Further discussion followed on what a monopole looks like, the incorporation of the pole into an existing building, the limited choices for a site within the City of Ithaca that would accommodate a 260’ fall zone, and the possible income the City could receive from the lease of a site. City Attorney Hoffman stated that case law puts the burden on the applicant to prove the need for such a tower at a proposed site. He further stated that the City can’t ignore this request. There have been court cases where a request was ignored and the courts deemed it a denial by the municipality. The Board requested that this item be placed on a future agenda for discussion. 3 October 1, 2008 Pod Cars and Car Share Superintendent Gray stated that he wanted to provide a preliminary report on Ithaca Car Share to the Board since it agreed to support the program by providing on-street designated parking. He further stated that the program seems to be successful and that three additional vehicles have been added to the fleet. The number of reservations for the vehicles has increased since it began earlier this year. He stated that there seems to be a growing interest in this program as people look to trade in their second car and consider this program instead of purchasing a new vehicle. He stated that the Pod Car concept will be harder to implement and would involve a capital investment by the City for a program. He explained that the pod car system looks like a modern trolley system. They are attractive; however they have a heavy visual impact. A Pod Car system may be a way to supplement a city’s mass transportation system. Collegetown Trash: Alderperson Myrick and Eddie Rooker from Cornell’s Greek Community addressed the Board to explain the problem with trash in Collegetown. Mr. Rooker explained that residents from two houses within the Greek Community come out at the end of the weekend to clean up trash in Collegetown; however there is a lack of garbage cans to place the collected trash in. They requested that the Board consider the installation of garbage cans in different areas throughout Collegetown to help support their efforts to keep the area clean. Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and Commissioner Jenkins assumed her role as Vice Chair. Discussion followed on the floor regarding what type of trash is being collected, what locations would be preferred for possible placement of trash cans, and different styles of trash cans available to discourage household waste being left. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the past history of trash cans in various parts of the City and how the new cans might be paid for. The Board would like to see support from area businesses for this program, including helping to pay for the cans which could display their advertisements to off-set some of their costs. Mr. Rooker indicated that the Greek Community might be able to provide some funding to help pay for the cost of the cans as well. Superintendent Gray stated that he would need to follow up with Asst. Superintendent Ferrel for his input and recommendations before a decision is made on this request. The Board also requested that information on the precise location for placement of the trash and recycling cans, proposed costs, and logistics for pick-up of the waste by the City be provided to them before they make a decision. The Board thanked Alderperson Myrick and Mr. Rooker for their efforts in this ambitious and much needed service in Collegetown. Natural Gas Drilling: Alderperson Coles addressed the Board on an urgent matter relating to rising pressure for drilling gas in the Southern Tier, and the huge impact horizontal drilling has on water systems. The Board requested that Superintendent Gray and his staff provide them with information regarding this issue and the potential impacts on the Water Plant and the Waste Water Treatment plant and any other anticipated issues so they can be pro- active in responding to this matter. The Board also requested that this be a future agenda item. Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Haulers This item was not discussed. 4 October 1, 2008 Parking Rates in Green Street at Grade Lot Superintendent Gray stated that the City is preparing to open up the small at grade lot below the Green Street Garage. This represents premium “short-term” convenient parking and staff requested that the Board consider setting rates which reflect that use. One suggestion was $1.50 per hour, charged by the half hour, but other rates have been discussed. Also being discussed by staff are the current “pay and display” parking equipment, installing individual parking meters, a “pay by numbered space,” system, and other equipment. He stated that discussion on this topic should take place after the Mayor’s 2009 proposed budget is presented. The Board should be prepared to take action at the October 8th meeting; or as a Power-to-Act item at the October 15, 2008 meeting. A brief discussion followed on the floor regarding the intended use of this parking area, enforcement issues, appropriate signage that would alert the public that it was “premium” parking, the associated cost, and the significant cost of each pay station, which is approximately $20,000. NYSEG Remediation, GIAC Basketball Superintendent Gray reported that the Planning Board took no action on the Board’s stated intent to act as lead agent on a possible basketball court, so there is no further action for the Board to take while the clock runs down. He stated that there are discussions taking place with NYSEG regarding short and long term solutions and alternate locations. GIAC staff are concerned that the construction season will be lost before a decision is made. The Board requested that staff update the Board on this topic at next week’s meeting. Alderperson Coles reported that she, Mayor Peterson, Superintendent Gray, and Alderperson Rosario have been meeting to discuss this issue and to find a way to accommodate both GIAC’s and the residents’ needs. Commissioner Tripp requested that any discussions taking place include affected neighbors; otherwise the City might find itself in the same predicament. Mobile Mini Parks This item was not discussed. Farmer’s Market Update: This item was not discussed. ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor