HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2009-06-03BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:51 p.m. June 3, 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
Additions/Deletions to/from the Agenda:
Commissioner Schlather requested a discussion, prior to the Mayor’s departure from
the meeting, regarding scheduling future meetings concerning the Board’s
recommendation to Common Council for the City’s water supply.
No Board member objected.
Power to Act – Approval of Minutes – Resolution
By Commissioner Brock: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the April 29, 2009, Board of Public Works Special
Meeting be approved as published.
Commissioner Schlather arrived at 4:58 p.m.
Commissioner Brock questioned the need for handrails on the dock that would be used
as a canoe/boat launch. Supt. Gray stated that building code interpretations are
different and because the dock is tied to the land, the building inspector thought it
required handrails. Director of Planning and Development Cornish stated the original
project was a much larger dock with the current smaller dock being only part of the first
phase.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding other docks currently in use and code
interpretations. Mayor Peterson suggested that Commissioner Brock make a site visit
with the building inspector and a representative from the Planning Department to
discuss the handrail issue. Commissioner Brock agreed.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Appeal of Water Bill for 900 Stewart Avenue – Discussion
A draft resolution was distributed to the Board for discussion. The owner’s
representative, Sharon Sulimowicz, Esq., joined the Board for the discussion. Ms.
Sulimowicz stated that the property in question had been vacant and the owner should
not be billed for more than six years’ worth of water usage. She further stated that her
client supports the proposed draft resolution. Supt. Gray stated that the draft resolution
would be placed on the agenda for the June 10, 2009, meeting.
Ithaca Motion Picture Project – Presentation
Representatives of the Ithaca Motion Picture Project (IMPP), Diana Reismann, Todd
Zwigard, and Constance Bruce, joined the Board for the discussion. They distributed
site plan updates to the Board members.
Ms. Bruce reported that IMPP would like to proceed with their proposal to incorporate a
small motion picture museum into the Wharton Building at Stewart Park. She explained
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that the building is currently being used as a storage facility for the Youth Bureau and
Department of Public Works. Ms. Bruce stated that IMPP has been working with the
City since 2007 on this proposal, and plans have been shown to the Planning
Department and the Parks Commission.
Ms. Bruce further stated that IMPP is actively participating in the clean-up of Stewart
Park, including removing vines from the Wharton Building, repairing and painting the
windows, scraping eaves and painting the building. She thanked the Department of
Public Works for the materials used to upgrade the building.
Mr. Zwigard described the documents distributed to the Board, which included an aerial
view of Stewart Park and a list of preliminary items needed for a new storage building.
He explained that an analysis of the program suggested the installation of a 25’x75’
building near the circle drive next to the pond in Stewart Park which would be used by
the Department of Public Works. He further explained that the addition at the back of
the large pavilion could be used by the Youth Bureau for their storage needs.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the design of the proposed new building and
the addition to the existing pavilion. Extensive discussion followed on the floor
regarding the design of the addition to the pavilion and how to make it aesthetically and
visually pleasing, along with providing functionally for storage needs of the Youth
Bureau. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the design of the new
storage building for park maintenance equipment. Mr. Zwigard explained that due to
costs, the building would be simply designed and that screening would help with
aesthetics. He further stated that new water and sewer lines would have to be installed
in the new building as well.
Commissioner Tripp asked whether the train tunnel that is located in the park next to the
carousel could be used for the replacement storage building. Ms. Reismann and Mr.
Zwigard responded that use of the tunnel was studied, but it was found that modifying
the building would impact the mature trees, and that a new road would need to be built
due to lack of access from current parking areas.
Ms. Reismann listed the next steps that IMPP and the City would need to take in order
to act upon the proposal.
1. Request for Proposal – so IMPP can raise funds for the construction.
2. Letter of Intent from the Board.
3. Creation of a timeline for important decisions.
Commissioner Schlather expressed his opinion that the new building should be built
architecturally in the same manner as the other buildings in the park. He further stated
that IMPP’s proposal is a great way to use the park and he is very interested in the
project.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the need for a storage facility on park
grounds for maintenance purposes. Asst. Supt. Ferrel recommended that a storage
facility be located in the park due to the amount of maintenance the park requires.
Administrative Item:
Mayor Peterson presented Asst. Supt. Richard Ferrel with a gold wrench as a
retirement gift from the Board of Public Works. Supt. Gray invited the members of the
Board to attend a retirement party for Asst. Supt. Ferrel on August 22, 2009, at Stewart
Park.
Asst. Supt. Ferrel stated that during 723 board meetings he has attended, there has
been a wide range of topics discussed. He stated that it had been a pleasure, most of
the time to attend. The board meetings provided him with plenty of work. He stated that
he had never been bored working in the Department of Public Works. He further stated
the gold wrench will go well with his gold car.
Commissioner Schlather stated that he has enjoyed sitting next to Asst. Supt. Ferrel
and has had a vantage point that no one else had. He further stated it has been a
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pleasure to work with Asst. Supt. Ferrel. The Board extended their best wishes to Asst.
Supt. Ferrel in his retirement.
Water Supply fEIS
Commissioner Schlather explained that it occurred to him that if the fEIS is published on
June 5, 2009, the Notice of Completion could not be filed until June 15, 2009, and
Commissioner Brock would be out of town after July 9, 2009, so that gives the Board
only four regular meetings prior to July 9, 2009, to discuss the water source options. He
proposed that the Board set aside sufficient time at those meetings to discuss
everything regarding the decision and provide notice to the public of those meetings.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the focus for discussions during those
meetings in June after the fEIS and the Notice of Completion are filed. Mayor Peterson
stated that Common Council has also discussed many topics involving the water supply
decision, including, but not limited to governance, costs, redundancy, and water quality.
Commissioner Schlather suggested that the Board meetings on June 17, June 24, July
1 and July 8, 2009, be devoted to the discussion of the water supply decision. Mayor
Peterson requested that the Board prepare a list of items they would like more
information on and no Board member objected.
Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:07 p.m.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding compiling information from the past two
years’ discussions for the Board review prior to the meeting on June 17, 2009. Further
discussion followed on the floor regarding public notification and advertisement of the
meetings.
Hotel Ithaca’s Use of Green Street Garage
Commissioner Schlather explained that at a recent meeting, representatives of TCAT
explained their position concerning the bus stop that is currently located on Aurora
Street, next to the proposed site of the new Hotel Ithaca. Commissioner Schlather
stated that TCAT explained that they are quite happy with the proposed new location
and that discussions would be held with the hotel’s developer regarding the bus stop.
Supt. Gray stated the temporary relocation of the bus stop was already under
discussion due to the upcoming construction on East State Street this summer.
City Attorney Hoffman stated the issue was originally mentioned due to the Hotel’s
request to have entrances between the Green Street Garage and Hotel Ithaca. He
further stated that the hotel continues to request entrances into the garage; however, it
will not need the parking spaces. City Attorney Hoffman stated that the bus stop
replacement/relocation would be part of the purchase agreement and Common Council
would vote on that request.
Commissioner Schlather stated that a kiosk for the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Walk
will be incorporated into the new bus stop.
Power to Act – Cinemapolis Signage
City Attorney Hoffman explained that the space below the Green Street Garage is
owned by the City and leased to IURA, who sub-leased it to Cayuga Green who then
sub-subleased to 7th Art (Cinemapolis). He further stated that the lease between the
City and IURA states the lessee may install signs on the garage building. He suggested
that if that language is acceptable, the Board will only have to vote on one sign that is
proposed to be hung in the alley between the parking lot and the garage. He stated that
the Board would have a resolution to consider at the June 10, 2009, meeting.
Verizon Wireless Monopole – Discussion
City Attorney Hoffman stated that Verizon is now interested in locating the monopole on
the property of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He further stated they would like
permission from the Board to address the Special Joint Committee to make their
request. Commissioner Wykstra stated he had heard of the proposal and would
proceed with putting the discussion of that item on the agenda for the next Special Joint
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Committee meeting. He further stated that each municipality involved in the
Wastewater Treatment Plant would have to approve the request. City Attorney Hoffman
stated that currently the City is the owner of the land, so at the moment, the land can’t
be leased without the City’s approval.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding joint municipal discussion and decision
regarding construction of cellular towers and wireless companies having to go to each
municipality individually to request a location for the poles. Commissioner Wykstra
invited the members of the Board to visit the site of the Wastewater Treatment Plant to
see where Verizon is proposing to locate the pole.
Appeal of Water Bill for 109 Dryden Road – Discussion
This item was not discussed, and it will be placed on the agenda for the June 10, 2009,
meeting.
Appeal of Trash Violation for 215 Ridgedale Road – Discussion
A resolution will be considered at the June 10, 2009, meeting.
Appeal of Water Bill for 118-138 Prospect Street – Discussion
This item was not discussed, and it will be placed on the agenda for the June 10, 2009,
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor