HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2009-02-04BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:55 p.m. February 4, 2009
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (4) - Jenkins, Brock, Tripp, Wykstra
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney - Hoffman
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
Executive Assistant - Gehring
Traffic Engineer – Logue
Excused:
Commissioner Schlather
Common Council Liaison – Coles
DAC Liaison – Roberts
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO/FROM THE AGENDA:
Mayor Peterson stated that there was public interest in Item 4, Special Joint Committee
Updates; however, the first two items in the agenda, Revision of City Code Chapter 170
and Verizon Wireless Proposed Monopole, were important topics that would require
lengthy discussions as well. She requested that the Board consider the special interest
in Item #4 as they move through the agenda.
Supt. Gray announced that Lisa Bushlow, Executive Director of the Hangar Theatre,
had invited the Board members to tour the theater on Friday, February 13, 2009, at
10:15 a.m.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Peterson explained that the agreement between the City of Ithaca and the
Hangar Theatre expired on December 31, 2008. She asked for a volunteer from the
Board of Public Works to serve on the negotiating team for the new contract.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the work the negotiating team would
complete. The members of the team would include a Common Council member, a
Board of Public Works Commissioner, Supt. Gray, City Attorney Hoffman, a Planning
Dept. staff member, and a representative from the Hangar Theatre. Commissioner
Jenkins volunteered to join the negotiating team on behalf of the Board of Public Works.
Revision of City Code Chapter 170 – Discussion
City Attorney Hoffman explained the purpose of revising Chapter 170 of the City Code
entitled “Use of City Real Property.” He referred to his memorandum from December
2008 that summarized the differences between the current ordinance and the proposed
new ordinance.
Commons Advisory Board members Joe Wetmore and Kris Lewis joined the Board for
the discussion of this item. Mr. Wetmore stated that the Commons Advisory Board was
looking for flexibility to allow the types of activities that are encouraged on the
Commons to continue, such as outdoor dining and mobile vending.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding events that the Downtown Ithaca Alliance
organize in the downtown area and whether they are subject to rental agreements.
Further discussion followed on the floor regarding first-time vendors, busking, and
ensuring that the Commons Advisory Board review the proposed outdoor dining and
mobile vending rates prior to any adjustments being made.
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Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the revisions to Chapter 170 as
they pertain to the Downtown Ithaca Alliance and what fees the City may charge. The
Board agreed to exempt the Downtown Ithaca Alliance from charges for placing tables
or booths on the Commons for extended periods of time. Discussion followed on the
floor regarding fees charged to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. The Board
agreed not to distinguish between the types of businesses and charge separate fees.
Verizon Wireless Proposed Monopole – Discussion
City Attorney Hoffman explained the search area where Verizon Wireless must locate
its transmission facility in order to achieve the coverage it is seeking. He referenced a
letter that was received from the Nixon Peabody Law Firm regarding the area. Mayor
Peterson stated that she received information from a citizen with knowledge of
monopoles that suggested there would be little additional coverage advantage to extend
the height of the monopole significantly above the tree line, and provided questions they
would like answered by representatives from Verizon.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the height of the monopole and its proposed
location, and whether the City should consider installing the monopole on city property
or not, the fall zone requirement, and potential expansion sites at Streets and Facilities
on Pier Road.
Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:05 p.m.
Request for Encroachment at 114 & 116 E. Spencer St. – Discussion
Larry Beck, Property Manager for Johnson Apartments, joined the Board for the
discussion of this item.
City Attorney Hoffman explained that the City does not have legal ownership or title to
the bed of Six Mile Creek; however, the City did receive certain rights from the Ithaca
Street Railway Company in 1906, which provides the City with the authority to control
the creek. He requested that the Board determine how to proceed with this
encroachment request that would only serve this rental property on the edge of Six Mile
Creek. He further suggested that the City contact the New York State Department of
Environment Conservation to ensure there isn’t any interest in or above the creek on the
State level.
Mr. Beck provided photographs of the building that they are proposing to construct a
new deck, the location of the deck in relation to the creek, and the reason why the
building had not been maintained on a consistent basis in the past. He further
explained that the construction of the deck would create the support necessary for
scaffolding to assist in maintaining the rear of the building.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the intended use of the deck, how the deck
would be built, and the distance the building is from the creek bed. Further discussion
followed on the floor regarding the shape of the deck, the decision not to enclose it, the
aesthetics of the proposed deck, and encroachment fees.
City Attorney Hoffman stated that because this request is for new construction, the
Board has the discretion to charge a fee in the future, and grant a revocable license for
the deck. He further stated that the encroachment could not be guaranteed indefinitely.
The Board requested that this item be added to the agenda for the Committee of the
Whole meeting on February 18, 2009.
Cayuga Waterfront Trail Phase III and Route 13 Crossings – Discussion
Traffic Engineer Logue joined the Board for the discussion of this item. He explained
that this project would be the Third Phase of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail and would
extend from the Farmer’s Market to Stewart Park and Chamber of Commerce on Route
34/East Shore Drive. He further explained that the second phase of the project was
funded through an enhancement grant that the City received to improve the pedestrian
crossings on Route 13 at Third Street and Dey Street. He presented the proposed
design of the new pedestrian crossings, including extending a walkway to the Farmer’s
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Market. He further explained that the area on the corner of Route 13 and Third Street
would be extended in order to install a pedestrian signal pull. He further explained that
the City was working with the railroad and the State regarding the railroad crossing to
define where pedestrians are able to travel.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding parking for the Farmer’s Market, the location
of the walkways, and expected construction dates.
Traffic Engineer Logue continued to explain the Cayuga Waterfront Trail Phase III
project, and noted that a path would be installed around the Farmer’s Market with
removable bollards. He stated that new driveways and ditches are proposed along
Willow Avenue, as the trail continues along Pier Road, through Stewart Park, and
ending at Route 34/East Shore Drive at the Chamber of Commerce.
Special Joint Committee Updates – Discussion
This item was not discussed.
Economic Stimulus Update – Discussion
This item was not discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor