HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2009-04-15BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:50 p.m. April 15, 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
Executive Assistant - Gehring
Excused:
DAC Liaison – Roberts
Additions/Deletions to/from the Agenda:
Mayor Peterson stated that City Attorney Hoffman requested the addition of Signage for
Cinemapolis & Center Ithaca issues to the agenda.
Mayor’s Communications:
Mayor Peterson explained that she would not be available for Board of Public Works
meetings on April 22, 2009, or April 29, 2009. She stated that Acting Mayor Cogan or
Alternate Acting Mayor Coles would attend in her place.
Water Supply DEIS Comments – Discussion
Director of Planning Cornish and O’Brien and Gere Consultants Steve Eckler and Rick Gell,
joined the Board for this discussion.
Mr. Eckler distributed revisions that were discussed previously and explained the comments
and responses that were revised. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding
further changes to the responses to public comments.
City Attorney Hoffman arrived at 5:02 p.m.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding greenhouse gas emissions pertaining to
each water source option. Commissioner Brock stated that the City would increase
greenhouse gas emissions if it joined Bolton Point. She requested information on how the
city would offset the gases. The Board agreed to set aside this topic for further discussion
and to invite the author of the greenhouse gas information to the Committee of the Whole
meeting on May 6, 2009.
Open Issues – Partially Discussed by Board
Supt. Gray explained that many of the following issues have already been discussed by the
Board and requested they be scheduled for action in the near future:
Hydrolysate Waste Draft Resolution
Supt. Gray explained that the Special Joint Committee is reviewing the draft resolution
regarding Hydrolysate Waste from the Vet School. Discussion followed on the floor regarding
the draft resolution and whether the Board should be involved with decisions made by the
Special Joint Committee. The Board agreed to discuss this topic on May 6, 2009.
114 E. Spencer Street Encroachment Request
Mayor Peterson noted that the Board of Zoning Appeals granted the request for an appeal
and forwarded a Findings of Fact to the Board of Public Works granting the appeal request.
She further noted that the Planning Board did not approve the encroachment request and
forwarded that information to the Board as well.
Commissioner Schlather arrived at 6:27 p.m.
Board of Public Works Page 2 April 15, 2009
Committee of the Whole
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the encroachment request, proposed resolutions
and the need to request additional information from the owner regarding the construction of
the deck. The Board requested that this item be placed on the agenda for the meeting on
April 29, 2009, specifically to recommend that the request for encroachment be denied.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the location of property lines.
Mayor Peterson called for both meetings on April 22, 2009, and April 29, 2009, to be voting
meetings.
Request to Hold Two Voting Meetings - Resolution
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works meetings scheduled for April 22, 2009, and
April 29, 2009, be voting meetings.
Carried Unanimously
Rimland Hotel and Green Street Garage
City Attorney Hoffman explained that Mr. Rimland would like to construct a door between
Hotel Ithaca and the Green Street Garage.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding legal requirements, long term contracts with
Center Ithaca regarding the Green Street Garage and deadlines. The Board requested that
this item be placed on the April 22, 2009, special meeting agenda for further discussion.
Signage for Cinemapolis
City Attorney Hoffman explained that the Board of Directors for Cinemapolis would like to
address the Board of Public Works on April 22, 2009, regarding their request to attach two
signs to the Green Street Garage. Commissioner Tripp stated that the site plan was
approved contingent on getting the Board of Public Works’ approval. The Board requested
that this item be placed on the April 22, 2009, special meeting agenda for further discussion.
Verizon Wireless Monopole
Mayor Peterson explained that the Board needs to make a decision on this in April.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the need for further information concerning the
property around Streets and Facilities offices on Pier Road, other parkland, expansion plans
for TCAT, and the fall zone for the monopole. The Board requested that this item be placed
on the agenda for the on April 29, 2009, or May 13, 2009, voting meetings.
Proposed Film Museum at Stewart Park
The Ithaca Motion Picture Project requested to address the Board at their May 6, 2009,
Committee of the Whole meeting.
Hangar Theatre Renovations
Mayor Peterson requested that the Board grant themselves Power to Act on approval of
renovations of the theatre for their May 6, 2009, Committee of the Whole meeting.
2009 Golf Course Rates – Discussion
Supt. Gray stated that this topic would be placed on the agenda for the April 22, 2009,
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor