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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2009-09-09BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. September 9, 2009 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Brock, Schlather, Tripp, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy City Controller - Andrew Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Acting Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Benjamin Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Common Council Liaison – Zumoff DAC Liaison – Roberts Information Management Specialist - Myers Assistant City Attorney – Este-Green Alderpersons Clairborne, Coles, Rosario EXCUSED: City Attorney - Hoffman PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Power to Act - Approval of the June 10, 2009, July 8, 2009, and August 19, 2009 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes - Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act on approval of the minutes of the June 10, 2009, July 8, 2009, and August 19, 2009 Board of Public Works meeting at the September 16, 2009 Committee of the Whole Meeting. Carried Unanimously MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Peterson asked if all Board members received the memo from Ithaca City School District Superintendent Pastel regarding parking at Beverly J. Martin School. All Board members indicated that they did receive a copy of the memo. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Alderperson Rosario addressed the Board regarding the proposed removal of the traffic signals on Albany Street at the intersections of North and South Titus Avenue. He expressed concerns about the lines of sight being challenging at those intersections and that fact being understated in the traffic study report. He further expressed concern about north and south bound traffic having to stop twice at these intersections and that the noon time peak traffic count not being included in the report. He stated that the trial period will give the City an opportunity to use interns to study this change and obtain input from residents in the neighborhood which he feels is very important before a final decision is made. Lyle Neigh, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board in complete opposition to the proposed removal of the traffic signals on Albany Street at the intersections of North and South Titus Avenue. Alderperson Coles addressed the Board regarding the request from the Ithaca City School District for a curb cut at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. She urged the Board not to grant this request based on safety concerns expressed by residents of the neighborhood. She distributed to Board members information from neighbors regarding their specific safety concerns. Michael Cannon, member of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance Board and representing Tompkins Trust Company addressed the Board regarding the clock towers on the Commons. He encouraged the Board to accept the generous donation from Tompkins Board of Public Works – September 9, 2009- Page 2 Trust Company for the repair of the clock towers and to agree to their request for advertising their contribution on the clock towers. Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding certain dangerous intersections, the bike lane on Green Street, water contamination concerns from gas drilling, and her support for the rebuild option for the city’s water supply. Alderperson Clairborne addressed the Board regarding the proposed removal of the traffic signal on Albany Street at the intersections of North and South Titus Avenue. He supports the proposed change with a trial period to see how it works. He further addressed the Board regarding the proposed creation of a school zone on First Street to control speed through that area between Adams Street and Franklin Street. This is a particularly important area because the Drop-In Children’s Center is on one side of the street and Mutual Housing on the other so most children in that area are under twelve years old and the reduced speed will help with safety concerns. He stated that neighbors in that area support this proposal as well. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC DAC Liaison Roberts expressed his complete support for the proposed traffic signal change on Albany Street at the intersections of North and South Titus Avenue. Commissioner Schlather responded to comments made about the bike lane on Green Street and visibility concerns. He noted that the speaker’s comment was well made that it is difficult to see to the right when exiting the parking garage because of the parked cars. He suggested that the three parking spaces to the east of the pedestrian crossing by the garage on Green Street be removed. He noted that by doing this it would resolve the two issues regarding visibility and bicyclists safety on the left hand side of Green Street. Supt. Gray asked the Board if they would like staff to undertake a study of this suggested change by Commissioner Schlather and implement them if appropriate. The Board agreed that they would like this work to be done. Commissioner Brock questioned Mr. Neigh about what makes the intersections on Albany Street at North and South Titus Avenue so dangerous. He responded that there are many more children in that neighborhood now which raises these safety concerns; as well as many people in the neighborhood who use wheelchairs to get around and their safety. Alderperson Clairborne clarified for the Board that at the neighborhood meeting which was held about the proposal for the traffic signal changes on Albany Street that not everyone was supportive of the proposal to remove the signal and replace it with stop signs. PARKING AND TRAFFIC: Traffic Signal Removal Study: South Albany Street and Titus Avenues (North and South) – Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the City Transportation Engineer presented a report dated August 28, 2009, to the Board of Public Works on September 2, 2009, with a recommendation to remove the traffic signals at the intersections of South Albany Street and Titus Avenues (North and South), and WHEREAS, the neighborhood residents participated in a meeting about this proposal and several have requested that both traffic signals be set to flashing red for a nine- month trial period in order to better understand the impacts of the proposed change prior to removal of the signals or restoration of the traffic signal function, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works accepts this request for an extended trial period, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Section 346-4 of the City Code to adopt and to amend a system of Schedules in order to administer the Vehicle and Traffic Law, now therefore be it Board of Public Works – September 9, 2009- Page 3 RESOLVED, That the intersections of South Albany Street and Titus Avenues (North and South) be removed from Schedule I, Traffic Control Signals, and that they be placed in Schedule VIII, Stop Control Intersections, in the subsection designating control by an all-way stop, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Department of Public Works is authorized to make the necessary changes to transition the intersection operation from a traffic signal to all-way stop control, with the understanding that the signal heads will remain in place, in flash mode, to augment the stop signs and that the Board of Public Works will receive a supplemental report from the Transportation Engineer in May 2010 in order to complete their discussion prior to the actual removal of the hardware or restoration of the traffic signal function, and be it further RESOLVED, That four crosswalks at each intersection be clearly established and marked and that such further signage be installed to alert motorists to the presence of pedestrians and the four way stops. Supt. Gray explained that traffic signals/stop signs each have their own advantages and disadvantages and that traffic rules indicate when they should be used and where. He explained the traffic studies that have been done at these intersections throughout the years and how the changes in the traffic pattern on Route 13, Spencer Street, and the round-about have decreased the amount of traffic in the neighborhood. He further explained that the traffic signals in place currently at these two intersections are old and that the City has been upgrading all the older signals to meet code requirements. He stated that it would cost approximately $250,000 to replace the traffic signals at these two intersections. Traffic Engineer Logue reported to the Board that there is one third less traffic in this neighborhood since the above changes were made, which is dramatic. He stated that there was clearly a lot of concern from residents of the neighborhood about safety and speeding at these intersections, but he does not expect the number of accidents to increase because of the proposed change. He stated that at some point these signals will need to be upgraded and if a need is shown through this trial period that they are needed, it would help support the capital project request fund the replacement costs. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding signals versus signs and monitoring of these intersections. Traffic Engineer Logue stated that Ithaca Police Department would increase its monitoring of these intersections to enforce the four-way stop at each intersection. Discussion followed on the floor regarding changes that the City has made in the neighborhood to discourage through traffic, and why staff believe that signs would work at these intersections. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the City’s success at similar intersections where this same process had been followed and traffic signals removed leaving four way stop signs. Commissioner Jenkins expressed concern about “rolling” stops at intersections by motorists and concern about the safety of the children in the neighborhood. She stated that she would support this trial period, but does not feel that signs will work at these intersections. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding whether or not additional signage would be needed to alert motorists to the new stop signs at these intersections and that there would be no real trial period of how the signs will work by themselves since the traffic signals will be flashing red throughout the trial period as well. Traffic Engineer Logue explained that it would be hard and cost more if the signals were removed during the trial period and then had to be replaced if it is determined that they are needed at these intersections. He further noted that additional signage should not be needed to alert motorists of the stop signs because motorists should expect to see people at intersections, as at other intersections in the city, and be prepared to stop. Alderperson Zumoff stated that when this was briefly discussed a month or so ago, there was a question about whether it was legal to do a trial period for nine months, did anyone check into that? Board of Public Works – September 9, 2009- Page 4 Assistant City Attorney Este-Green responded that there is no legal prohibition with respect to a time limit. However, if you’re going to exercise a trial period, there should be notice to the community that this particular practice is going to cease and desist as of such and such a date. There is no prohibition against nine months, six months or a year for that matter. Traffic Engineer Logue stated that the guidance in the traffic engineering world is that when you’re going to make this kind of change from a signal to a stop sign that you leave the flashing light up to accompany the stop signs for at least three months. That way people will still be looking up at the signal, they are not necessarily going to be looking down for signs if they have been driving through this intersection for decades and decades. So, keeping that light up helps reiterate stop at all four intersections. At some point everyone gets used to the signs and the signal can be taken down and leave just the signs. He further stated that within the nine month period staff would come back and confirm whether to leave the intersection as is or put the traffic signal back. Assistant City Attorney Este-Green stated that the extra language that was just inserted as the resolution was moved reinforces what the City’s obligation is. Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Brock: Seconded by Commissioner Schlather RESOLVED, That the last Resolved clause be amended to read as follows: “RESOLVED, That four crosswalks at each intersection be clearly established and marked and that such further signage be installed to alert motorists to the presence of the four way stops.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended: A Vote on the Main Motion As Amended Resulted As Follows: Carried Unanimously Amendment to Vehicle and Traffic Schedule III in order to Create a School Speed Limit Zone on First Street - Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Section 346-4 of the City Code to adopt and to amend a system of Schedules in order to administer the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and WHEREAS, the Drop-In Children’s Center and residents of the Northside neighborhood have requested a school speed limit zone on First Street between Franklin and Adams Streets, which is supported by the Ithaca Police Department, and WHEREAS, the Transportation Engineer has reviewed this request and recommended that the Board of Public Works approve such a school speed limit zone, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby amends Schedule III of the City Vehicle and Traffic Schedules to add: Fifteen (15) MPH on First Street, from Franklin Street to Adams Street, including 150 feet from such intersections in all directions, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on school days. Commissioner Brock stated that the only thing about this that concerns her is one of the things that the Board discussed was that unlike other schools, this school is open year- round. She further stated that we need to be clear in our signage that there is school all throughout the year and somehow we need to address that so people understand that. Traffic Engineer Logue stated that he would look to see if there was another sign that could be used instead of just saying “school days” which is the standard and which is what the City is supposed to use. He agrees with Commissioner Brock though that it is a little unclear here. The other option would be just to do it through education through the police department as they enforce the zone year round. Board of Public Works – September 9, 2009- Page 5 Commissioner Brock would like to amend the resolution to eliminate the word “school” and replace it with “week” days. Assistant City Attorney Este-Green stated that school could invariably be held on Sundays and Saturdays and there could be classes on weekends. She thinks that we need to be careful not to restrict the signage to Monday through Friday. Mayor Peterson asked staff to prepare language and bring it back to the Board. The Board stated that they would trust staff to use appropriate signage, in consultation with Alderperson Clairborne. Commissioner Schlather stated that the issue is that you can only have 15 mph if it is on school days. In other words that is part of the vehicle and traffic law. He thinks that we have to limit it to school days but that we are allowed to define school days to whatever is unique for that particular institution. In this case, the school day is whenever there are kids there. Commissioner Brock asked, if for clarity’s sake, that could be defined here. Mayor Peterson recommended that the Board leave it up to staff to come up with appropriate language and if the Board would like it to come back to them it could. Amending Resolution: By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Brock RESOLVED, That an additional Resolved clause be added to the resolution as the last clause that would read as follows: “RESOLVED, That the signage reflect the unique “school days” for this particular location.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended: A Vote on the Main Motion As Amended Resulted As Follows: Carried Unanimously BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE, AND TRANSIT: Commons Clock Tower – Report/Possible Resolution Mayor Peterson directed the City Attorney’s office to investigate the concept of private businesses advertising on public property and report back to the Board. CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS: Request to Use DeWitt Park - Discussion Mayor Peterson requested that she and the Board be provided with additional information that would clarify the request that has been made to the City for the use of DeWitt Park. Power to Act – Commons Clock Tower and Request to Use DeWitt Park – Possible Resolutions: By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra RESOLVED, That the Board grant itself Power to Act on the Commons Clock Tower and Request to Use DeWitt Park at the September 16, 2009 Committee of the Whole Meeting. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT On a motion the regular voting meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m. The Board then entered into a Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss the 2010 DPW budget. Sarah L. Myers Carolyn K. Peterson Information Management Specialist Mayor