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