HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2009-04-01BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:51 p.m. April 1, 2009
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Brock, Schlather, 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
Common Council Liaison – Zumoff
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Executive Assistant - Gehring
Water Supply DEIS Comments – Discussion
Director of Planning and Development, JoAnn Cornish, Rick Gell and Steve Eckler from
O’Brien and Gere, joined the Board’s discussion of the environmental impact statement.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding changes to the responses to public comments.
Commissioner Jenkins arrived at 5:00 p.m.
City Attorney Hoffman asked whether factual corrections included in the responses to
comments would be incorporated into the DEIS text. Mr. Eckler explained that the DEIS,
along with the responses to public comments, would make up the FEIS, and that the original
DEIS text would not be changed.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the Town of Ithaca’s intent to replace the
water main along East Shore Drive and the impact of that construction on the City’s water
supply options.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the 60-foot dam, flood levels and the use of the
reservoir. Further discussion followed on the floor about site plan review, impacts to the
Natural Areas, mitigation and emerging contaminants. The Board agreed to continue this
discussion at the next Board meeting.
DAC Liaison Roberts arrived at 6:05 p.m.
Mayor’s Communications:
Mayor Peterson suggested that the meeting on April 8, 2009, be cancelled in observance of
Passover.
Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
Board members requested that their regular voting meeting be held on April 22, 2009, and to
continue the water supply discussion at the April 15, 2009, meeting. Commissioner Jenkins
suggested scheduling a special meeting on April 29, 2009, to discuss invoice and sidewalk
assessment appeals. No Board member objected.
Stewart Park Rehabilitation Action Plan Update – Discussion
Scott Wiggins, from the Strategic Tourism Planning Board and the Steering Committee for
the Stewart Park Rehabilitation Action Plan, and Rick Manning, Coordinator of the Stewart
Park Rehabilitation Action Plan, presented an update of the action plan to the Board. Mr.
Wiggins explained the goals of the Steering Committee and how the action plan would be
funded. He further explained the overlying themes of the committee, which include being
respectful of the historical significance of the park, respect for the environment and
determining ways to implement the projects with little impact on the environment. He further
stated that they also wish to keep the wide open green spaces, and ensure the projects
enhance the park for the community. He stated that the committee is collaborating with
Friends of Stewart Park and the committee designing Phase 3 of the Cayuga Waterfront
Trail.
Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Page 2 April1, 2009
Mr. Manning stated that the Steering Committee is coordinating all of the projects that will use
Stewart Park. He further stated that projects include rehabilitating the pavilions, enhancing
the playground, paving the plaza between the pavilions to be more environmentally friendly,
replacing the memorial flagpole garden by the Garden Club, reinstating swimming at the
park, and ensuring bird habitats are maintained.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the pavilions, possibly building a new DPW
storage facility in the park, re-opening the concessions building, building a permanent
structure around the carousel, and enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities.
Mr. Manning further stated the Steering Committee would forward a full report to the Board in
the near future.
Hydrolysate Waste Draft Resolution – Discussion
This item was not discussed
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor