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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2015-06-08BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:49 p.m. June 8, 2015 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (5) – Darling, Goldsmith, Greene, Jenkins, Warden OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin Director of Engineering – West Director of Parking – Nagy Common Council Liaison – Fleming Executive Assistant – Gehring Transportation Engineer – Logue Junior Transportation Engineer - Johnson EXCUSED: City Attorney – Lavine Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: Supt. Thorne requested the removal of the word “Draft” from Item 9A. He further requested that Items 13A and 13C not be discussed since Asst. Supt. Whitney was not present. No Board member objected. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: The Mayor had no communications at this time. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding proposed bike lanes on North Cayuga Street. She stated she bikes downtown and expressed support for Transportation Engineer Logue’s recommendation for unprotected bike lanes. She expressed concern about squeezing traffic together in order to put in bike lanes. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC No response was provided. REPORTS Council Liaison Alderperson Fleming reported that there was concern regarding the demolition location at Linden and Dryden Roads. She stated that the sidewalks were closed and it is difficult for pedestrians to cross the street mid-block. Residents would like to ensure that when there are plans in place to close a sidewalk, temporary pedestrian access is provided, such as a protected walk lane. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the demolition, which was very short term, and the approval process of traffic/pedestrian detours and safety. Alderperson Fleming further expressed concern that a plan for parking for the construction workers was not considered for Collegetown. Superintendent and Staff Director of Engineering West reported that Seneca Street Parking Garage repairs began today and would continue through September; the Cayuga Waterfront Trail project was progressing smoothly with crews continuing to test piles for the pedestrian bridge; the contractor for the Cascadilla Rim Trail is scheduled to be on site on June 15, 2015; and the contract for materials testing for the city’s construction projects would be ready for award at the Board’s next meeting. Board of Public Works Page 2 June 8, 2015 Regular Meeting Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that the paving of Tioga Street is complete and crews were scheduled to begin on South Aurora Street today, but because of low staffing, crews worked on a creek analysis due to the expected rain; spring plantings were completed by the Parks crew with the exception of Old Elmira Road. Director of Parking Nagy reported that testing of the pay machines would begin next week; training for the enforcement officers would begin soon; the contract for ParkMobile was in the Attorney’s office for review; and the City was on track to begin using the pay machines on July 1, 2015. Supt. Thorne reported that staff was working on capital project requests, a Pavement Management intern was working to survey the city roads; and the first Water Recreation Committee meeting would be held on Friday. NEW PROJECT PRESENTATION: Update from the Friends of Stewart Park Rick Manning, Director of Friends of Stewart Park, and Diane Riesman, vice-chair of Friends of Stewart Park, joined the Board to provide a presentation to the Board. Ms. Riesman provided documents regarding proposed interpretive signs for the Tea Pavilion in Stewart Park. She would like to install a similar sign at the Tea Pavilion that was installed for the Large Pavilion last year. She requested input from the Board before moving forward with the installation. Commissioner Warden expressed appreciation to Ms. Riesman for working so hard on the signs. Mr. Manning reported that Tompkins County Tourism released an additional $6,000 for the Large Pavilion Bathroom Renovation Project today. He further stated that plants were planted at the Cayuga Waterfront Trailhead last week and volunteers were working on the rose garden. He stated that Friends of Stewart Park was working closely with the Parks Commission for signage through the Creating Healthy Places project, the Carousel painting was progressing well, and they were still waiting to hear about a grant to put up a new fence around the Carousel. Mr. Manning explained that a steering committee had been working on developing a new design for the playground, and the Dean of the Park School was very involved with designing the playground. He noted the location of the playground that had been chosen. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the exact location of the new playground, accessibility of the play structure, and moving the playground away from overhead wires. Alderperson Fleming noted that a proposed sign for Stewart Park stated that dogs were allowed in the park on a short leash. Discussion followed on the floor regarding allowing dogs in the park due to the Cayuga Waterfront Trail. Mr. Manning suggested discussing the topic with the Parks Commission. The Board generally approved both projects and thanked Mr. Manning and Ms. Riesman for their presentations. Landscaping Plan for the Alley between 307 College Avenue and Fire Station #9 Scott Whitham, Project Manager, joined the Board to provide a presentation of the plan for landscaping the alley between 307 College Avenue and Fire Station #9. He distributed updated information because the developer discovered that the proposed sign for the building at 307 College Avenue would hang 4” over city property. He noted that he spoke with Fire Chief Tom Parsons, who was amenable to landscaping the alleyway. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the boundaries of city property, maintenance of the alleyway, nighttime lighting, the location to the closest bus stop, and a pull-out for TCAT busses located on the east side of the street. Mr. Whitham noted that negotiations were in process with the City Attorney regarding the sign encroachment and the use of city property. Mayor Myrick expressed support for the landscaping design. Commissioner Greene suggested speaking with Greenstar management regarding outdoor dining opportunities. Mr. Whitham noted the proposed curved benches would not have tables associated with them. Board of Public Works Page 3 June 8, 2015 Regular Meeting The Board generally agreed with the landscaping proposal. Mayor Myrick explained the process of obtaining a permanent easement license and the calculation of rental fees for the sign. The Board agreed to request that the City Attorney draft an agreement for the Board’s review at their next meeting. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: Approval of the May 18, 2015, Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes - Resolution By Commissioner Greene: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the minutes of the May 18, 2015, Board of Public Works meeting be approved proposed. Carried Unanimously HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: FINAL Resolution to Create an Exception to the Heritage Permit for The Hot Truck By Commissioner Myrick: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Hot Truck has been operating as a mobile food vending truck in and around the Cornell Campus since 1960s, and WHEREAS, a mobile food vending policy was adopted by the Board of Public Works in January 2014 to “establish a uniform City policy for the utilization of City Streets for the purpose of vending fresh, prepared and pre-packaged food products to the general public,” and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works recognized the difficulty of policy compliance for two existing food vendors, “The Hot Truck” and “Louie’s Lunch Wagon” because both food vending vehicles are inoperable and rely on electrical service provided at the sidewalk, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works created a “Heritage Permit” to allow these two vendors to remain in their current locations, but to otherwise adhere to the new food vending policy, and WHEREAS, the owner of The Hot Truck has requested to change from its current operating location on Stewart Avenue to a new permanent location at the corner of Eddy Street and Dryden Road under the same provisions of the Heritage Permit, and would arrange for a new electrical service to be provided at the sidewalk, and WHEREAS, because of the historical significance of the Hot Truck, the Mayor has requested the Board of Public Works to allow an exception to the Heritage Permit, which would permit the Hot Truck to permanently relocate to the Eddy Street/Dryden Road location, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works hereby grants an exception to the food vending policy and Heritage Permit to allow the Hot Truck to permanently relocate to the corner of Eddy Street and Dryden Road, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Hot Truck provide electrical service at the sidewalk at their own expense and in accordance with any street permit requirements imposed by the Department of Public Works, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Hot Truck comply with all other provisions of the mobile food vending policy and previous Heritage Permit requirements. Commissioner Warden reiterated that when the Board initially created the Heritage Permit, it was very specific, and he was very skeptical about creating this exception. He stated that now that more vendors were starting up, this exception would go against everything the other vendors must do. He stated he would vote against this resolution. Commissioner Jenkins noted that the Board makes policies and changes policies. She does not understand why this resolution was any different from other policies that were changed throughout the years. Commissioner Darling suggested that the Mayor consider creating a Use of City Property License, not a Mobile Vending Agreement. Commissioner Goldsmith further suggested that the City consider a subsidy to make the Hot Truck mobile. Board of Public Works Page 4 June 8, 2015 Regular Meeting A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Ayes (2) – Myrick, Jenkins Nays (4) – Greene, Warden, Darling, Goldsmith Abstensions (0) Failed (4-2-0) CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS: Award of Professional Services Contract for Cascadilla Creekway Project – Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Darling WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca established Capital Project #802 for Cascadilla Creekway Project (“the Project”) in the amount of $750,000, and WHEREAS, the Project includes the following four infrastructure components (Cascadilla Avenue enhancement; railings replacement along Cascadilla Creek; Sears Street Pedestrian Bridge replacement; and pedestrian/ADA improvement at Cascadilla Avenue/N. Cayuga Street intersection), and WHEREAS, the project is eligible for funding reimbursement under Title 23 U.S. Code as administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that calls for the apportionment of the costs such program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20% non-Federal funds, and WHEREAS, professional services proposals were received on January 21, 2015 for the project, and WHEREAS, the Consultant Selection Committee has reviewed eleven proposals received and made recommendations for award, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby awards the professional services contracts for the project to LaBella Associates, D.P.C., of Rochester, New York, for an amount not to exceed $101,900, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca be hereby authorized to enter into said contracts under the usual terms and conditions. Carried Unanimously Award of Professional Services Contract for Stewart Avenue Bridge Painting Project – Resolution By Commissioner Greene: Seconded by Commissioner Warden WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca established Capital Project #818 for Stewart Avenue Bridge Painting Project Over Cascadilla Creek, P.I.N. 375594 (“the Project”) in the amount of $80,000, and WHEREAS, the Project is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code as administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), as amended, that calls for the apportionment of the costs such program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20% non-Federal funds, and WHEREAS, the Project consists of field cleaning and overcoating of the structural steel members of Stewart Avenue Bridge to extend the service life another 15 years, and WHEREAS, professional services proposals were received on January 21, 2015 for the project, and WHEREAS, the Consultant Selection Committee has reviewed seven proposals received and made recommendations for award, now therefore be it, RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby awards the professional services contracts for the project to LaBella Associates, D.P.C., of Rochester, New York, for an amount not to exceed $66,238.12 and be it further, RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca be hereby authorized to enter into said contracts under the usual terms and conditions. Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works Page 5 June 8, 2015 Regular Meeting DISCUSSION ITEMS: Appeal of Water/Sewer Installation Bill for 292 Westwood Knoll This items was removed from the agenda. 207 Giles Street Water Service Installation Billing Adjustment - Miscellaneous Billing Invoice #18656 - PROPOSED RESOLUTION By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith WHEREAS, in April 2014, the owners of 207 Giles Street were incorrectly informed by the Water & Sewer Division of the City Department of Public Works that their existing water service from the main to the curb box was copper, and WHEREAS, on Thursday April 29, 2015, the contractor and plumber the owners had hired to replace their water service from the curb valve box to the house discovered that the water service line in the road was lead, and WHEREAS, a City crew was not available to replace the lead service from the main to the curb valve box until Monday, May 4, 2015, and WHEREAS, had the owner and their plumber known in advance that the service in the road was lead, they would have coordinated with the City to replace it before the service from the curb to the house was replaced, and WHEREAS, the miss-coordination of the work did indeed cause the owners of 207 Giles Street to incur additional cost, and WHEREAS, the additional costs billed by the plumber, M&M Plumbing, was $176.00, and WHEREAS, the additional costs billed by the excavator Carson Groundworks was $467.77, and WHEREAS, the invoice from the City Department of Public Works Water & Sewer Division for a new water service from the main to the curb valve is $2,534.97, and WHEREAS, Water Department staff recommends to the Superintendent and Board of Public Works that the bill for the work done by the City for the new water service from the main to the curb be reduced by the amount of these additional costs incurred by the Owner, a total of $643.77, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the $2,534.97 City of Ithaca billing (invoice #18656) for the installation of the new water service in the street be reduced by $643.77 to $1,891.20, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the City of Ithaca Chamberlain to make arrangements with the owners for payment of this bill without penalty. Supt. Thorne explained that there was miscommunication between city staff and the property owner. A Vote of the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Discussion followed on the floor regarding the resolution. The vote was withdrawn in order for it to be held at the Board next meeting when Asst. Supt. Whitney would be present. Appeal of Water Bill for 214 Elmira Road – Account #4900299202 – PROPOSED RESOLUTION This item was removed from the agenda. North Cayuga Street Bike Lanes Transportation Engineers Tim Logue and Kent Johnson joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Mayor Myrick thanked Transportation Engineer Logue for the memo he had provided detailing the options for bike lanes on North Cayuga Street. Transportation Engineer Logue recommended that the City continue with what the Board had already approved, which was Board of Public Works Page 6 June 8, 2015 Regular Meeting two separate bike lanes on either side of the street. He stated that the City was not prepared or had the funds for designing protected bike lanes or “cycle tracks.” He explained what other cities have done for bike lanes to ensure bicyclists remain safe from vehicles. He further stated that flexi-sticks do not have a long life, noting that they last only days or weeks, rather than years, especially with the harsh New York winters. Transportation Engineer Logue does not believe North Cayuga Street is the right location for protected bike lanes. Commissioner Greene asked about the potential of having one large, two-way bike lane on one side of the street, with vehicle parking on the opposite side. Transportation Engineer Logue responded that a two-way lane on one side of the street poses more questions in relation to crossing the street and what to do with intersections. Junior Transportation Engineer Johnson expressed his opinion that two separate bike lanes would be much safer, rather than one lane, which has a whole new set of potential risks. Commissioner Goldsmith expressed support for the engineers’ recommendation, but he believes this discussion was a harbinger of things to come. Commissioner Darling echoed Commissioner Goldsmith’s thoughts, and included that the next time a street needs to be rehabilitated, with curb replacement, the proposal might work better. He suggested putting in two-way bike lanes on Green and Seneca Streets once New York State turns them over to City. Commissioner Warden agreed. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:54 p.m. Kathrin D. Servoss Svante L. Myrick Executive Assistant Mayor