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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2008-10-15BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:57 p.m. October 15, 2008 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Chapman, Schlather, Tripp, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney - Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Deputy Controller - Andrew Common Council Liaison – Coles Executive Assistant - Gehring Excused: Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney DAC Liaison – Roberts Mayor’s Communications: Superintendent Gray distributed a proposed Resolution of Traffic Timing to the Board of Public Works. The resolution states that the Common Council urges NYSDOT to implement optimal traffic signal timings for the central business district in Ithaca. This resolution will be brought before the Community and Organizational Issues Committee this month. Mayor Peterson stated that Alderperson Cogan is hoping to add the support of the Common Council to the resolution to get the best possible signal timings. 1. Power to Act - Approval of the Minutes Approval of the Minutes of the September 10, 2008, Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes – Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the September 10, 2008, Board of Public Works Special Meeting be approved as corrected. Carried Unanimously Approval of the Minutes of the September 17, 2008, Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes – Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the September 17, 2008, Board of Public Works Special Meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously 1.3 Approval of the Minutes of the September 24, 2008, Board of Public Works Special Meeting Minutes – Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the September 24, 2008, Board of Public Works Special Meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously 1.4 Approval of the Minutes of the May 9, 2007, Board of Public Works Voting Meeting Minutes – Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the May 9, 2007, Board of Public Works Special Meeting be approved as amended. Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works October 15, 2008 Page 2 2. Proposed City/State Parks Agreement on Management of Festival Lands (Including Off-Leash Area) – Discussion City Attorney Hoffman distributed a press release and a map displaying the Festival Lands. Mayor Peterson stated that an agreement has been reached regarding the maintenance of the lands with State Parks. Attorney Hoffman continued by describing the map what State Parks will be responsible for, including the off-leash dog park area. A fence around the off-leash area will become permanent once State Parks takes control of Festival Lands. Attorney Hoffman continued by stating that the State’s activities on the Festival Lands will be limited and must be consistent with the 1995 master plan and prior agreements made with the city, which states that a fee will not be charged for the use of the land by the public, with the exception of marina use. Discussion followed on the floor regarding whether State Parks will move the entrance into the Festival Lands north of its current location. Attorney Hoffman stated the topic was discussed, however, Mayor Peterson stated that the city objects to that change. Commissioner Schlather went on to recommend that this topic be included as a future agenda item for discussion to be fully informed of the negotiations and what was agreed to. The Board agreed. 3. Board Receives Public Comment – MLK Jr. Freedom Walk Mayor Peterson and Commissioner Schlather gave background information and the history of the implementation committee. They described how the decision of the dual designation of State Street came about, along with the idea of the Freedom Walk throughout the city to honor Dr. King and other notable historical figures. Joe Cassaniti, Woodlane Road, addressed the Board to voice his support for the proposed Freedom Walk, the dual designation of State Street, and to also propose changes to the Tompkins County Public Library in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., such as renaming a room within the library. Joyce Catalfano, East State Street, addressed the Board to voice her dismay that the resolution for dual designation passed. She proposed the removal of State Street, as Green Street was removed, from consideration in the decision to dual name a street in honor of Dr. King. She went on to support the continuation of the Freedom Walk. Ed Hart, East Green Street, stated that he was on the original committee that was given the task of developing ideas to honor Dr. King within Ithaca. Dr. Hart stated that there have been many problems within the community, but the community has always worked together to generate solutions. Stuart Lewis addressed the Board to voice his love of downtown Ithaca and his agreement with a memorial for Dr. King within the city. However, Mr. Lewis feels that if a street were named Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, it will eventually be known as “MLK Street.” He also stated that State Street has a great history in Ithaca and he wants to keep that history the way it is. Nancy Ramage, East State Street, addressed the Board stating that she was a part of the original Vision Committee that was appointed by the Mayor. It was this committee that developed the idea of the Freedom Walk. The consensus at that time regarding the street naming was that the dual designation would be limited to the length of State Street where it coincided with the Freedom Walk. She went on to state that it was not the intention of that committee to change the name or dual designate the entire length of State Street. Fay Gougakis, East State Street, addressed the Board to voice her opposition to the dual designation to State Street. She stated she did not receive a letter from the city explaining the resolution. She went on to discuss several reasons why she felt the dual designation would be inappropriate. Board of Public Works October 15, 2008 Page 3 Commissioner Wykstra stated that he is still hearing the public speak about State Street being renamed. State Street will not be renamed; it will be dual named along with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street. There seems to be confusion with that point among the public. The Board agreed. 4. Initial Overview of Mayor’s Budget – Discussion Superintendent Gray began the discussion by stating that Mayor Peterson would feel more comfortable adopting the 2009 Budget if the rates for the trash, parking, water and sewer services were agreed on. The purpose for this meeting’s discussion is to understand how the Mayor came up with the information in her budget narrative. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the budget for 2009, the tax levy, expected revenues, planned expenses, state regulations, etc. The Mayor stated that the State of New York is in a state of financial distress. The CSEA bargaining units have received the results of their compensation studies and the City of Ithaca is $1.7 million short of the plan’s recommendation. This, along with other reasons, is why Mayor Peterson is uncomfortable with adding any new positions within the city. The 2009 budget and prior years’ amounts have only allocated $325,000 for the compensation study results. Continued discussion followed regarding the budget and how adjustments were made within Public Works, what the city’s revenues are expected to be for the last quarter of 2008, and parking rates. Assistant Superintendent Ferrel stated that Tompkins County Solid Waste has not yet provided information regarding 2009 rate increases for tipping fees. To the best of his knowledge, the rates for 2009 will remain the same as 2008. Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:45 p.m. The Board browsed through the Mayor’s Budget Narrative and discussed several minor clarifications. Superintendent Gray stated that he felt good about the 2009 budget. Alderperson Coles stated that the threat that the State Legislature will reduce the 2008 state aid to cities, as well as the 2009 aid, is so severe that the Controller would like to wait to adopt the city’s budget until after the Legislature holds its meeting in November. She went on to state that generally speaking, the city has performed as well as can be expected in areas of infrastructure, roads, and maintenance. The city has fallen behind, however, in those areas that have to do with the human needs in the community. Assistant Superintendent Ferrel stated that the Mayor has been very generous with her proposal for the 2009 budget. The only change made was in the equipment line in the operating account, which is less than what the 2008 budget was. However, fuel, utility costs, and labor contracts have increased, so the reduction of the equipment budget covers the increases of these other budgets. ADJOURNMENT On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor