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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2014-11-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:49 p.m. November 10, 2014 PRESENT: Vice-Chair – Jenkins Commissioners (4) – Acharya, Darling, Goldsmith, Morache OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin Director of Parking – Nagy Executive Assistant – Gehring Bridge Systems Engineer – Gebre Transportation Engineer – Logue Junior Transportation Engineer – Johnson Fire Chief – Parsons EXCUSED: Mayor Myrick City Attorney – Lavine Director of Engineering – West Common Council Liaison – Fleming DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: The Mayor was not present. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Jan Schwartsburg, member of BPAC, expressed unanimous support of the Safe Routes to School and Bike Boulevard projects. Cynthia Yahn, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the Court St. Parking Lot, stating she was responsible for establishing the parking lot during the west end realignment in 1996- 99. She provided a summary of why the parking lot was created and noted that the proposed resolution does not mention the history of the parking lot. Jonathan Maddison, Way2Go through CCE, expressed support for the City’s Bike Boulevard plan, and provided several suggestions for improvements to the plan including reducing the number of intersections cyclists would need to travel through and improvement to the quality of street pavement. Rena, on behalf of Bike Walk Tompkins, expressed support for Bike Boulevard, and provided several suggestions for improvements to the plan. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Commissioner Goldsmith suggested that BPAC provide a map detailing their suggested Bike Boulevard route. REPORTS Board Liaisons Commissioner Goldsmith, Parks Commission Liaison, reported the Commission was proposing that no signs would be allowed in any parks except on the day of an event at Cass and Stewart Parks, or seven days prior to an event in the smaller parks. Superintendent and Staff Supt. Thorne reported that the Gorge Trail that was closed has been assessed for improvements. He stated that staff had thought about installing a six foot fence, but there isn’t enough room between the sidewalk and the cliff. Chief of Staff Kevin Sutherland has been working with adjacent property owners to increase the City’s easement. Board of Public Works Page 2 November 10, 2014 Regular Meeting Director of Parking Nagy reported that 23 vehicles had been booted in the past 7 days; a request for proposals has been advertised for parking pay stations, and staff were screen applications to hire a new Community Service Officer. Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that crews had been picking up yard waste; the snow crew begins night shift next week; staff were cleaning catch basins and filling potholes; and several operator positions would be filled soon. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that interviews were conducted for two Light Equipment Operator positions and two to three other operator positions were vacant at the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants. He further reported that new water and sewer service requests were keep crews busy. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the October 27, 2014, Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes - Resolution By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Warden RESOLVED, That the minutes of the October 27, 2014, Board of Public Works meeting be approved as proposed. Carried Unanimously ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: Water Supply Project Status Report Rick Gell, O’Brien & Gere, joined the Board for to provide an update on the status of the water supply project. Mr. Gell stated that all of the design elements for the project are completed with the exception of the final approval from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Health Department. He noted that Contract 2 is fundamentally complete, which comprises the distribution system including the Elm Street pumping station, and the reservoir. Contract 3, comprising the analysis of the 30 foot dam at Giles Street, is also complete. Construction has begun at the water treatment plant building; the schedule is being driven by equipment delivery. A structural engineering inspection of the 60 foot dam and reservoir was completed last year, and an inspection will be completed on the 30 foot dam. He further reported that a financial assessment has been completed, projecting that the project would remain on budget and on schedule. However, as time has gone on, extra engineering services have been required due to the complexity of the project. The final costs of the project is expected to be $4.25 million. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that the closure of the steel subcontractor caused a delay in construction. Streeter Construction had to find a new steel supplier. Supt. Thorne noted that the next step would be a resolution for the next board meeting to authorize additional funds for engineering services. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the replacement of the segmented wall on Water Street, the costs for improvements planned to the 30 and 60 foot dams, and the increased expenses for engineering services caused by the layout of the water plant that had to be realigned. The Board agreed to continue discussion of the water supply project at the next Board meeting on November 24, 2014, with a vote on December 6, 2014. Mr. Gell assured the Board that the project would not be delayed due to the need for this vote. Asst. Supt. Whitney reminded the Board the NYSDEC would require the city to structurally rehabilitate the dams or to remove them. The initial fear is that NYSDEC would force the dam rehabilitation project to be merged with the water supply project. VOTING ITEMS: Parking and Traffic: Resolution to Modify the Public Parking Lot at the Corner of Fulton Street and Court Street to Permit Only Parking By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Warden WHEREAS, the public parking lot at the corner of Fulton and Court Streets, containing 30 parking spaces plus two Handicap spaces, currently does not generate revenue and is only an Board of Public Works Page 3 November 10, 2014 Regular Meeting expense to the city in regards to maintenance, snow removal, landscaping, salt, sweeping and general cleaning, and WHEREAS, Wink’s Auto Body Shop, located next to the parking lot, has submitted an offer to buy 20 permits each month and complete all general maintenance for the entire parking lot, including snow removal, salting, sweeping, sidewalk, striping, and landscaping, which will reduce annual expenses for this lot and generate annual revenue of $4,800 where it has never generated revenue before, and WHEREAS, ten additional parking spaces would remain available for public use through the sale of monthly permits by the City, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works, upon consultation with the City Attorney, to enter into an annual agreement with Wink’s Auto Body Shop for the purchase of 20 parking permits each month and the maintenance of the parking lot, which agreement shall be reviewed and renewed each year, and be it further RESOLVED, That the City change the status of the public parking lot to a Permit Only Lot and will sell the addition ten parking spaces to the public as needed through the City Chamberlain’s Office. Director of Parking Nagy stated that current parking permits are $20 per month, and parking would be available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with free overnight parking. Commissioner Warden noted that the lot was designated for residents at the time the lot was created. Supt. Thorne reported that staff spoke with City Attorney and decided more information was necessary before the City could return ownership of the property to the state, but in the meantime, the City could pursue an annual agreement with Wink’s Body Shop. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the demand for parking in that area and previous use of the lot by residents. A Vote of the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Water and Sewer: Recommendation to Establish a Capital Project and Funding to Replace the Watermain on Willard Way – Proposed Resolution By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Morache WHEREAS, the City’s watermain on Willard Way is 80 years old, originally constructed in 1935, supplies eleven (11) customer water services and consists of 570-linear feet of 4-inch diameter cast iron pipe through which less than 100-gpm of water can be supplied, indicating the pipe is very heavily tuberculated (lots of lumpy mineral and iron nodules deposited on pipe walls) with a substantially reduced cross section, typical of a pipe long past its replacement due date, and WHEREAS, the City DPW Water & Sewer Division conducted a fire flow test on the watermain on Willard Way upon request received from engineers for 230 Willard Way designing a fire line connection and sprinkler systems for fire protection to be installed, and WHEREAS, the fire flow test conducted showed that the existing watermain on Willard Way was not capable of supplying adequate fire flow to either the existing municipal fire hydrant, or private fire service lines to meet the current and future needs of customers on Willard Way, and WHEREAS, cleaning or lining the existing 4-inch diameter watermain is not an option, since a minimum of a new 6-inch diameter watermain will be necessary to enable fire flows meeting current standards, and WHEREAS, City Department of Public Works Water & Sewer Division staff have estimated the maximum cost for replacement to be $80,000, and WHEREAS, City Department of Public Works Water & Sewer Division staff estimates crews could complete this work in six to eight weeks during the time frame from late Fall 2014 to early Spring 2015, now therefore be it Board of Public Works Page 4 November 10, 2014 Regular Meeting RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that Common Council establish a capital project with funding not to exceed $80,000 to facilitate the construction of a replacement water main on Willard Way. Commissioner Warden clarified that the water main on Willard Way was a dead-end line, which has a lot of build-up of material even though it was flushed regularly. A Vote of the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS: Cascadilla Creekway Project Update Supt. Thorne explained that interest has been shown about the Sears Street Pedestrian Bridge over Cascadilla Creek. Bridge Systems Engineer Addisu Gebre joined the Board for the discussion of this topic, and provided a summary of the proposed project, which would replace the pedestrian bridge and improve the sidewalk along the creek. The bridge was closed in early 2014 due to structural deficiencies. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the structural integrity of the existing bridge, the improvement plans for the creek wall, possibly utilizing the stormwater utility fund for additional funding for the replacement of the creek wall, ensuring the new railing would protect cyclists as well as pedestrians, and possibly increasing the project scope to include the pedestrian trail from Tioga Street to Aurora Street. Commissioner Goldsmith asked why the construction schedule goes until December 2017, and whether the sidewalk could not be marked for cycling but use texture to deter vehicles. Bridge Systems Engineer Gebre responded that the schedule was developed according to state requirements and experience with other projects within the city. Lake Street Public Park Enhancements Bridge Systems Engineer Gebre remained with the Board for the discussion of this topic. He provided an overview of the proposed project and noted that some funding would come from the Community Development Block Grant through IURA. He requested that the Board provide a recommendation to Common Council to increase the existing capital project for the Lake Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project to include enhancements to the public park in order to utilize the same engineering consultant for both projects. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the exact location of the park, safety issues related to the stairway down to Fall Creek, improvements needed to the creek wall, and funding sources. Bridge Systems Engineer Gebre explained the draft resolution provided to the Board and the need for $1.7 million, which would include the replacement of Lake Street Bridge and the park enhancements. He further stated that the bridge replacement project is in design this year, and it is expected that construction would begin next year. The Board agreed to vote on the draft resolution at its next meeting on November 24, 2014. Safe Routes to School and Bicycle Boulevards Update Transportation Engineer Tim Logue and Junior Transportation Engineer Kent Johnson joined the Board for the discussion of this topic. Transportation Engineer Logue explained that community conversations had been held about re-routing the Bike Boulevard. He provided a summary of the recommended modifications to the route, which would provide a more direct route from one end of the city to the other. Commissioner Jenkins expressed concern about bikes traveling on Plain Street, noting that there have been many near hits between vehicles and bicyclists. She believes the intersection at Plain and Green Streets is a dangerous intersection. Transportation Engineer Logue responded that he would review the crash history for that intersection and make modifications to the boulevard according to what they find; however, cyclists can utilize any street they wish. The City cannot prohibit cyclists from traveling on any particular street. He further stated that educational outreach would occur as the plan is put into place. Commissioner Warden expressed concern for safety of cyclists crossing Green and Seneca Streets, and noted that Albany Street has enough width for vehicles and bikes. Commissioner Morache expressed support for utilizing Plain Street and asked about installing traffic signals at Board of Public Works Page 5 November 10, 2014 Regular Meeting each intersection. Transportation Engineer Logue responded that it would not be in the city’s budget to do so, and the city would have to work with NYSDOT because Green and Seneca Streets are owned by the state. Commissioner Morache further expressed support of the suggestions provided by members of BPAC. Fire Chief Tom Parsons joined the Board. Discussion followed on the floor regarding emergency vehicle access of the bike boulevard. Chief Parsons responded that Plain Street was a primary route for the Fire Department but adding a bike lane would cause the travel lanes to be narrowed more than it already is. He would prefer having the bike boulevard on Corn Street because visibility is better at the intersections at Green and Seneca Streets. He believes the intersections of Plain Street at Green and Seneca Streets are dangerous, especially for children. Transportation Engineer Logue noted that national research shows people would go a block out of their way if there is a benefit for them taking that route. The bike boulevard would be primarily along quieter streets, but crossing intersections would be the more challenging part of traveling on the boulevard. He stated that a resolution would be provided for the Board at their next meeting. Staff was comfortable continuing to use Corn Street, but that decision would be determined by community input. Junior Transportation Engineer Johnson added that there are more options for traffic calming on Corn Street. The boulevard’s intention was to connect neighborhoods with schools and it was unlikely that someone would take the entire route from one end of the city to the other. A lot of public outreach had been conducted already, and a number of comments have been received. He requested direction from the Board regarding public outreach in anticipation of the discussion planned for the next Board meeting. The Board responded that more comments would be submitted as the boulevard was implemented. Ithaca Farmer’s Market Request for Hardened Surface at DeWitt Park Aaron Munzer, Manager of Ithaca Farmer’s Market, joined the Board for the discussion of this topic. He explained his request for the city to upgrade the tree lawn around DeWitt Park where his vendors set up for the weekday markets. He feels it would be better to do something rather than nothing. Supt. Thorne responded that a capital project for improvements to the tree lawn was proposed for $50,000, but it was denied. He suggested re-grading the area and planting grass each year. He noted that a deposit would be required from the Farmer’s Market, with those funds being used at the end of each summer to make necessary repairs. Supt. Thorne stated that other options would be to hire Cayuga Landscaping to reseed in the spring for $1,500, or putting sod down in the spring for $2,000, requiring a $200 per vendor location for reseeding at the end of each season, or purchasing grass mats for vendors to set up on. Mr. Munzer expressed concern about having to provide a deposit for re-seeding that would almost certainly need to be reseeded each year. Discussion followed on the floor regarding re-grading the tree lawn area, drainage from the sidewalk to the street, and vendors utilizing grass mats. Commissioner Morrache suggested installing geo grids under the sod to maintain the shape of the tree lawn and prevent dipping. Mr. Munzer stated that if the market was guaranteed the use of DeWitt Park on a long term basis, he would be okay with paying a portion of rehabilitating the tree lawn. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Claudia Jenkins Executive Assistant Vice-Chair