HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2009-01-21BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 5:03 p.m. January 21, 2009
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
Executive Assistant – Gehring
Excused:
Commissioner Brock
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Additions/Deletions to/from Agenda
Mayor Peterson requested that the agenda items be rearranged to accommodate
guests invited to attend the meeting.
DEC Grant for Invasive Species Removal – Power-to-Act – Resolution
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra
WHEREAS, the Natural Areas Commission has identified a serious problem due to the
spread of stilt grass, an invasive, exotic plant, in the Six Mile Creek Natural Area, and
WHEREAS, the Terrestrial Invasive Species Eradication Grant Program, administered
by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, is a potential source
of funding to assist the City of Ithaca in its efforts to control and/or eradicate stilt grass,
and
WHEREAS, the match requirement from the city for the proposed grant may be
comprised of volunteer time, use of existing facilities (i.e. Water Treatment Plant phone
and computer), and DPW Parks & Forestry 2009 budgeted labor, tools, and materials,
now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Andrew Hillman as Forester of the City of Ithaca, or his successor, is
hereby authorized and directed to file an application for funds from the Terrestrial
Invasive Species Eradication Grant Program in an amount of $21,450, and upon
approval of said request, the Mayor is authorized to enter into and execute a state
assistance contract with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
for such financial assistance to the City of Ithaca for the eradication of stilt grass in the
Six Mile Creek Natural Area and further, to carry out and comply with the terms of such
project agreement.
Mayor Peterson thanked Mr. Hillman, City Forester, for providing the background
material on stilt grass and asked him how the city would manage the stilt grass in the
Natural Area. Mr. Hillman stated that he plans to use weed wackers to remove the
grass just as it begins to bloom. He further stated this would be the best method
considering the location of the grass and it would not harm other plants in the area.
Commissioner Schlather asked why the city would want to eradicate this grass. Mr.
Hillman explained that stilt grass is a very invasive plant overtaking the Mullholland
Wildlife Preserve. The grass will change the chemistry of the soil so the soil can
support the stilt grass but not other types of plants that grow naturally in this area. He
further stated that deer will not eat the grass and it will eventually choke out all other
foliage. He noted that the Natural Areas Commission recommends and supports the
removal of this plant.
Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Page 2 January 21, 2009
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0)
Sidewalk Program – Power-to-Act – Resolution
By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, the City Code requirements for sidewalk repair were recently revised on
July 9, 2008, part way through the construction season to discontinue the requirement
for a public hearing prior to requiring the owner to construct or repair sidewalk and to
discontinue the requirement for a public hearing prior to the assessment of charges, and
WHEREAS, the City Code no longer requires public hearings for sidewalk repair and
the assessment of sidewalk repairs charges, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works, City Attorney, Superintendent of Public Works
and other staff wish to allow property owners, during this transition period, an adequate
opportunity to share opinions on the sidewalk repairs performed by the city sidewalk
crew in 2008, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works sets a Public Hearing on March 4, 2009,
to allow property owners to protest the need for repairs or the proposed billing amounts
for the work performed in 2008, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to notify the affected owners
of the proposed charges, public hearing date and protest options.
Lynne Yost, Assistant Civil Engineer, explained that a public hearing has been
scheduled for sidewalk work completed in 2008. A sidewalk committee met to schedule
a public hearing for March 4, 2009.
Commissioner Schlather asked how the property owners will be notified of the public
hearing. Ms. Yost explained that letters will be sent out to them and that a legal notice
would be placed.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding changes in the sidewalk code, the estimated
costs the property owners will need to pay for the repairs, and whether the City charges
a fair market value for labor. Ms. Yost confirmed that property owners were given an
opportunity to repair their own sidewalk. She further stated that the estimated amount
the city is expecting for the sidewalk repairs made in 2008 is $108,000.
Larry Robers, DAC liaison, stated that the DAC appreciates the work done on the
sidewalks.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0)
Sidewalk Assessment Disputes – Resolution
By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Schlather
WHEREAS, six disputed sidewalk assessments from 2005 have not been presented to
nor resolved by the Board of Public Works, and
WHEREAS, this work can be done most efficiently in a committee, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Commissioner Cynthia Brock and Commissioner Wade Wykstra are
appointed to meet with staff and form recommendations to bring to the Board of Public
Works for action.
Discussion followed on the floor on why these disputes had not been brought to the
Board’s attention sooner.
Commissioner Schlather recommended a subcommittee of Board of Public Works
members be formed to discuss how to proceed and to bring back a recommendation to
Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Page 3 January 21, 2009
the Board. He further stated that he would recommend Commissioner Brock as she
has expressed an interest in the sidewalk program, and noted that if she does not
accept his recommendation, he will take her place on the subcommittee. Commissioner
Wykstra volunteered to be the second board member on the subcommittee.
Commissioner Tripp expressed her dissatisfaction with the city’s policy of going back to
collect money from residents for work completed several years ago and believes the city
should not attempt to collect the revenues from four years ago.
Ayes (4) – Wykstra, Jenkins, Schlather, Peterson
Nays (1) – Tripp
Abstentions (0)
CARRIED (4-1)
Verizon Wireless Proposed Monopole – Discussion
Jared Insk, Esq., Nixon Peabody Law Firm
Ken Cowley, Site Acquisition, Airosmith
Kathy Pomponio, Real Estate Market Manager, Verizon Wireless
Greg Hanley, R.F. Engineer, Verizon Wireless
Representatives from Verizon Wireless joined the Board for this discussion. Mayor
Peterson asked where the lack of wireless coverage is and why a tower is needed. Mr.
Hanley displayed images of the Ithaca area that showed where there is a lack of
wireless coverage and explained that a lack of coverage equals a lack of reliable
service. Verizon is focusing on the southeastern tip of Cayuga Lake going north around
the eastern edge of the lake, including the Route 13 corridor as the possible location for
an additional tower.
Commissioner Schlather asked about the 850 mhz network vs. PCS network. Mr.
Hanley explained that since 1988, an 850 mhz network has been used. Sites that are
built now are using PCS (Personal Communication Service) networks. Phones
currently use the 850 mhz system; if that is not available, it will flip to the PCS network
automatically. The 850 mhz system alone is not sufficient to handle the call volume in
the Ithaca area. PCS is in addition to, not instead of, the 850 mhz network. It is an
overlay network that contains the same technology as the 850 mhz network.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the height requirement of the monopole,
whether several smaller poles would be sufficient, whether several wireless providers
share poles, and how the monopole could be made more appealing aesthetically.
Discussion continued regarding the storage facility required for each pole installed to
hold antennae array. Ms. Pomponio stated that each pole, no matter how tall the pole
is, must have a building that is 12’x30’x10’ within 30’ of the pole to hold equipment.
Each building must be fenced in and it must have an access road to it. Each building
will contain such items as a generator, battery, and other items necessary to ensure the
network antennae work continuously.
Discussion followed on the floor about the need for a fall zone, the size of the fall zone
required and the design of the monopole to collapse upon itself rather than fall like a
tree. Mr. Hanley noted that there is currently a 120’ monopole already installed in the
Community Corners area of Tompkins County. Mayor Peterson suggested that staff
and board members make a visit to that monopole to get an idea of how one will look
from ground level once it is installed. The Board agreed that more discussion is
required before a recommendation can be submitted to Common Council. They
anticipate making recommendation by the end of March 2009.
Additional Capital Projects Under the Stimulus Package – Power-to-Act
Mayor Peterson opened the discussion by stating that she received a summary of the
proposed stimulus package from Peter Baynes from NYCOM. The summary states that
most of the $550 billion will be distributed through local and state programs.
Representatives from Governor Patterson’s office have advised that projects that are
“shovel ready” may receive money from the stimulus package. Projects that may be
Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Page 4 January 21, 2009
ready in 90-100 days may still be considered. City Controller Steve Thayer noted that
the State would like to see projects that would be “shovel ready” within 100 days so new
employment opportunities can be opened up by the summer. Supt. Gray noted he has
been told by a couple of federal and state agencies to stop adding projects to the list.
Discussion followed on the floor about the summary document contents and other
projects the city could consider that would bring in federal monies, such as
environmental cleanup and dredging projects. Mayor Peterson agreed to forward the
summary document to the board members.
Commissioner Tripp left the meeting at 6:36 p.m.
Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
Commissioner Schlather expressed his disappointment that the Hector Street sidewalk
project was not on the project list. He suggested working with the Ithaca Neighborhood
Housing Services and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
(NYSERDA) to install solar panels in single-family homes throughout Ithaca to help
some of the lower income families save on utility costs and put people to work. He also
suggested including larger sidewalk projects that would not otherwise be built.
Commissioner Wykstra reminded the Board and staff not to forget the need to make a
decision on the city’s water supply.
Discussion followed on the floor about the expected stimulus package and projects that
could be added to the list for the city. DAC Liaison Roberts expressed concern that
whatever projects are added to the list should contain physical accessibility
improvements for the disabled.
Special Joint Committee Update – Discussion
This item was not discussed.
Revision of City Code Chapter 170 – Review of Proposal
This item was not discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
__________________________ _________________________
Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor