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.
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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.
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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.
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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