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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-15 Board of Public Works Meeting AgendaDATE: February 9, 2015 BPW MTIME: 4:45 LOCATION: 3 Floor, Board of Public Works City Hall, Council Chambers 108 E. Green St., Ithaca AGENDA ITEMS 6. New Project Presentation No Rick Gell, O'Brien Et 15 min. A. Dam Safety Presentation Gere Rick Gell will join the meeting to discuss dam safety with the Board. 7. Administration Ft Communications A. Approval of Minutes Yes Mayor Myrick 5 min. 1) January 26, 2015 8. Buildings, Properties, Refuse ft Transit A. Approval to Install Educational Signs and Seating Yes Supt. Thorne 5 min. Areas along Cascadilla Creek Path from Sciencenter - Resolution The proposed resolution reflects the Board's discussion of approving the concept of installing signs and benches along Cascadilla Creek. 9. Highways, Streets Et Sidewalks A. Award of Contract for Intersection Bulbouts on Yes Traffic Eng. Logue 5 min. Green and Seneca Streets - Resolution The City has received, and staff has review bids for this project. Staff are now ready to award the contract. 10. Parking Et Traffic 11. Creeks, Bridges Et Parks A. DRAFT Resolution for Temporary Signage in No Supt. Thorne 5 min. City Parks A draft resolution is supplied for the Board's consideration related to the discussion held during the last Board meeting. 12. Water &t Sewer A. Appeal of Water Bill for 415 N. Aurora Street - Yes Asst. Supt. Whitney 5 min. Resolution The resolution provided reflects the Board's discussion of this appeal. If you have a disability that will require special arrangements to be made in order for you to fully participate in the meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 607- 274 -6570 at least 48 hours before the meetina. The Board of Public Works meets on the second and fourth Mondays at 4:45 p.m. All meetings are voting meetings, opening with a public comment period. Meeting agendas are created from prior public input, Department operating, planning issues, and requests made to the Superintendent. The Board reserves the right to limit verbal comments to three minutes and to request written comments on lengthy or complex issues. This information may then be used to create committee agendas, with the speaker or author invited to attend. Topic Voting? Presenter(s) Time Allowed 1. Call to Order /Agenda Review No Mayor Myrick 5 min. 2. Mayor's Communications No Mayor Myrick 3. Communications and Hearings from Persons Before No Public 5 min. the Board 4. Response to the Public No Commissioners 5. Reports No Various 10 min. A. Special Committees of the Board B. Council Liaison C. Board Liaisons D. Superintendent and Staff 6. New Project Presentation No Rick Gell, O'Brien Et 15 min. A. Dam Safety Presentation Gere Rick Gell will join the meeting to discuss dam safety with the Board. 7. Administration Ft Communications A. Approval of Minutes Yes Mayor Myrick 5 min. 1) January 26, 2015 8. Buildings, Properties, Refuse ft Transit A. Approval to Install Educational Signs and Seating Yes Supt. Thorne 5 min. Areas along Cascadilla Creek Path from Sciencenter - Resolution The proposed resolution reflects the Board's discussion of approving the concept of installing signs and benches along Cascadilla Creek. 9. Highways, Streets Et Sidewalks A. Award of Contract for Intersection Bulbouts on Yes Traffic Eng. Logue 5 min. Green and Seneca Streets - Resolution The City has received, and staff has review bids for this project. Staff are now ready to award the contract. 10. Parking Et Traffic 11. Creeks, Bridges Et Parks A. DRAFT Resolution for Temporary Signage in No Supt. Thorne 5 min. City Parks A draft resolution is supplied for the Board's consideration related to the discussion held during the last Board meeting. 12. Water &t Sewer A. Appeal of Water Bill for 415 N. Aurora Street - Yes Asst. Supt. Whitney 5 min. Resolution The resolution provided reflects the Board's discussion of this appeal. If you have a disability that will require special arrangements to be made in order for you to fully participate in the meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 607- 274 -6570 at least 48 hours before the meetina. The Board of Public Works meets on the second and fourth Mondays at 4:45 p.m. All meetings are voting meetings, opening with a public comment period. Meeting agendas are created from prior public input, Department operating, planning issues, and requests made to the Superintendent. The Board reserves the right to limit verbal comments to three minutes and to request written comments on lengthy or complex issues. This information may then be used to create committee agendas, with the speaker or author invited to attend. B. Appeal of Water Bill Late Fees for 316 Cascadilla Yes Asst. Supt. Whitney 5 min. Street - Resolution The resolution provided reflects the Board's discussion of this appeal. 13. Discussion Items A. Request to Hang a Banner on Park Fence from No Liz Vance, IYB 10 min. Ithaca Youth Bureau Director The Ithaca Youth Bureau has begun a Mentor Challenge and would like to hang a large banner on the chain link fence at Wood Street Park. A memo from Liz Vance is enclosed. B. Bike Lanes on North Cayuga Street No Traffic Eng. Logue 5 min. The City is working on bid documents for the mill and pave of North Cayuga Street. Staff has a few questions, including whether the City would like dedicated bike lanes along the street. See Tim Logue's memo to the Board. C. Arterial Swap with NYSDOT No Traffic Eng. Logue 10 min. Please see the memo submitted by Tim Logue explaining the need to swap right -of -ways with the State. D. Multi -Modal Transportation Funding Opportunity No Traffic Eng. Logue 10 min. The State has multi -modal funding available. Staff seeks direction from the Board as to which project(s) to submit for such funding. Tim Logue submitted a memo explaining the possible projects. E. Repair of City Cemetery Wall No Dir. of Eng. West 5 min. The stone entrance to the City Cemetery was damaged due to a vehicular accident. The City has received limited funds from insurance, but the bids that have been submitted exceed the funds received. F. Historic Ithaca's Grant Proposal for Ithaca City No Asst. Supt. 5 min. Cemetery Benjamin The stone entrance to the City Cemetery was damaged due to a vehicular accident. The City has received limited funds from insurance, but the bids that have been submitted exceed the funds received. 14. New Business No 15. Adjournment Yes Page 2 of 5 8A. Approval to Install Educational Signs and Seating Areas along Cascadilla Creek Path from Sciencenter - Resolution WHEREAS, the Sciencenter has requested permission to install eight educational signs and five benches for seating areas on city property between the Sciencenter property and Cascadilla Creek, and WHEREAS, the educational signs would explain the diversity of life found in Cascadilla Creek and information on protecting the habitat from pollutants and invasive species, and WHEREAS, at least one of the benches would be wheelchair accessible and all of the benches would overlook Cascadilla Creek, and WHEREAS, the Sciencenter will oversee and cover all costs of the installation of all signs and benches, and it will also maintain all items after installation, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the concept of installing signs and benches along the existing walking path between the Sciencenter and Cascadilla Creek as an educational opportunity for the community, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Sciencenter agrees to pay all associated costs for this project and will maintain the installed signs and benches after installation is complete. 9A. Award of Bid for Intersection Bulbouts on Green and Seneca Streets WHEREAS, bids were received on January 7, 2015 for the Intersection Bulbouts on Green and Seneca Streets, CP 769, PIN 375462, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the four bids received and made a recommendation for award, and WHEREAS, Common Council has amended the capital project to increase the budget to allow for award of contract, and WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation has authorized the City of Ithaca to award contract for this project, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby awards the contract for the Intersection Bulbouts on Green and Seneca Streets, CP 769, PIN 375462, to Nelson and Streeter Construction Co, Inc, dba Airport Striping, P.O. Box 184, Pine City, NY for their low bid meeting specifications of $265,818.50 and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be and is hereby authorized to execute this contract and to administer the same. Page 3 of 6 CITY OF ITHACA 108 East Green Street, Suite 202 Ithaca, New York 14850 -5690 OFFICE OF THE CITY ENGINEER Telephone: 607/274 -6530 Fax: 607/274 -6587 To: Board of Public Works From: Tim Logue, Transportation Engineer Date: February 2, 2015 Re: Award of Contract for Intersection Bulbouts on Green and Seneca Streets On Wednesday, January 7, 2015, four bids were opened for the Intersection Bulbouts on Green and Seneca Streets project, Capital Project #769, PIN 375462. This project will enhance pedestrian crossings of Green Street and Seneca Street (N-YS Rt 79) at the intersections of Plain Street and Corn Street, traffic calm Green and Seneca Street, provide innovative, rain garden style storm water management on Seneca Street, and beautify all four intersections with landscape plantings. The two intersections along Plain Street are also part of the Safe Routes to School/ Bicycle Boulevard route. This is actually the second time we have bid this project. The first time was in July 2014; we had one bidder who exceeded the engineer's estimate by a factor of two. We declined that bid and chose to rebid. This time we got four bids, two of which were quite competitive with each other, but were both still approximately $55,000 over our existing budget. On February 4+h, Common Council is scheduled to authorize an additional $60,000 in order to proceed with the project. The additional $5,000 will provide some contingency in case there are unforeseen circumstances in construction. Staff recommends, and NYSDOT concurs with, award of contract to Nelson & Streeter Construction Co Inc. We recently had a good experience with them as a sub - contractor on the traffic signal upgrade project downtown and they were recently awarded the contract for the Rt 13 Pedestrian Crossings project, too. Construction is likely to start in the spring; we will have a proposed schedule from the contractor after notice of award. Please find a resolution attached for award of contract. `An Equal opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification." co 11A. DRAFT Resolution for Temporary Signaee in City Parks WHEREAS, the City receives requests to install temporary signs and banners in City Parks, and although these signs are temporary, they may remain in the parks for several months, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works requested that the Parks Commission prepare a policy regarding temporary signage in City parks for the Board's consideration, and WHEREAS, the Parks Commission, through a Resolution dated November 4, 2014, provided a recommendation to the Board of Public Works noting the following: • Many temporary signs and banners are installed within City parks because they are in highly visible locations or attract many community members, but the signs themselves do not pertain to the park; • Temporary signs and banners can be disruptive to park users and obstruct views of the park; • Many City parks have an overabundance of signs, and additional signage should be installed only if necessary, and WHEREAS, the Parks Commission acknowledges that some temporary signs or banners may be desirable to promote and inform the public of special events and recreational programs, and WHEREAS, the Parks Commission recommends that the Board of Public Works adopt a policy that prohibits the installation of temporary signage in City parks with an exception for City - permitted special events and park- related activities, subject to duration limitations; and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has discussed the Parks Commission recommendation and desires to clarify the duration and placement location of temporary signs in City parks, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby prohibits the installation of temporary signage in City parks with the exception of temporary signage that promotes City - permitted special events or park- related activities, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works limits the placement of excepted temporary signage to the specific City park in which the City - permitted special event or park- related activity takes place, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works limits the installation duration of excepted temporary signage to the day of and day before the event or activity if it takes place in Stewart Park or Cass Park, and to the seven days preceding and the duration of the event or activity in all other City parks. Page 4 of 5 12A. Appeal of Water Bill for 415 North Aurora Street - Resolution WHEREAS, the water consumption at 415 North Aurora Street changed significantly in the third quarter of 2014 resulting in a bill which was considerably larger than recent bills, and the property owner has requested that the large invoice be waived due to the lack of communication from City of Ithaca Water and Sewer regarding continued high consumption after making one repair, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca reads water meters on a 90 day cycle to provide bills, then again every 45 days to detect leaks as a courtesy to residents, and WHEREAS, it is not City policy to credit an account for water billed but not consumed as that water must go through the wastewater treatment plant, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request to modify the water and sewer bill covering the third quarter of 2014 at 415 North Aurora Street and denies the request based on its understanding that the water was consumed at that address and the resulting wastewater processed, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Board requests that the City Chamberlain work with the property owner to develop a payment plan, and that no late fees or interested be charged on the bill. 12B. Appeal of Water Bill Late Fees for 316 Cascadilla Street - Resolution WHEREAS, the water consumption at 316 Cascadilla Street changed significantly between September and October 2014, resulting in a bill which was considerably larger than recent bills, and WHEREAS, the property owner has set up a payment plan through the City Chamberlain's office to pay the water bill and request that late fees be waived, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request and approves the request that no late fees or interest be charged on the bill. Page 5 of 5 iovtT% our* Ithaca Youth Bureau i 17ames L. Gibbs Drive Ithaca, New York 14850 Phone: (607) 273 -8364 Fax: (607) 273 -2817 40 "Building a foundation for a lifetime." To: Board of Public Works From: Liz Vance, Director, Youth Bureau Date: 2/2/15 Re: Banners The Youth Bureau is launching the 2015 Ithaca Youth Bureau Community Mentor challenge with a goal of recruiting 100 mentors and raising $10,000 to support our mentoring programs. To help publicize the Challenge we would like to hang banners around town. We are requesting permission to place a horizontal banner (30" high x 114" long) on the fence along Rt. 13 by Titus Flats (North bound lane) and a second banner by the Willow Ave. exit on the fence also going North. A picture of the banner is attached. W AD rz LU J Q V iwm i st� } H Z r:D wo u c a u Lo } c d E L!!j 0 >M Is vpip c f� 1 y 3 � '� b3oq�l 0 Lo .2 E C) NO 1 CITY OF ITHACA 108 East Green Street, Suite 202 Ithaca, New York 14850 -5690 OFFICE OF THE CITY ENGINEER Telephone: 607/274 -6530 Fax: 607/274 -6587 To: Board of Public Works From: Tim Logue, City Transportation Engineer Date: February 3, 2015 Re: North Cayuga Street Bike Lane? The Engineering Office is preparing contract documents to mill and pave North Cayuga Street from Cascadilla Creek to Lincoln Street this year. This provides an opportunity to apply pavement markings by contract as well and has given us pause to consider whether we should pursue bike lanes for this stretch. It would require consolidation of on- street parking to one side of the street. This was recommended in the Ithaca Bicycle Plan, which was adopted in 1997. More than ten years ago, DPW proposed these bike lanes, but was met with considerable public opposition. It seems the times have changed, but you may be interested in some public outreach before committing to parking changes. The cost to install the necessary bike lane related pavement markings and signs will likely be around $10,000 415,000. Additionally, bike lanes will be installed along N. Cayuga St. north of York St. this summer as part of the City's Safe Routes to School project. Taken together, this could allow the installation of continuous bike lanes between Boynton Middle School and Cascadilla Street. If we pursue the bike lanes from Cascadilla Creek to Lincoln Street, we would also do so in the blocks between Lincoln and York to fill in the gap. The questions for the Board are: 1) Should we pursue bike lanes as part of the Cayuga St paving project? 2) What level of public outreach or public participation would the Board like to see as a part of the decision - making process? 3) Would the Board like any parking impact analysis as part of this decision? 4) Is there anything else the Board would like to consider? "An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversifloation." co CI'T'Y OF ITHACA 108 East Green Street, Suite 202 Ithaca, New York 14850 -5690 OFFICE OF TT3E CITY ENGINEER Telephone: 607/274 -6530 Fax: 607/274 -6587 To: Board of Public Works From: Tim Logue, Transportation Engineer Date: February 3, 2015 Re: Arterial Swap with NYSDOT I am recommending that we begin the process to swap arterials with the New York State Department of Transportation. We've had some on and off again conversations about this topic over the past ten years, both within the City and with the NYSDOT, but I think it is time to move forward with the proposal. Before we move forward, we wanted to check in with the Board to see if you have any questions or concerns. The proposal is to trade right -of -ways with NYSDOT. The City of Ithaca would give NYSDOT our right of way on Route 13 (essentially the Elmira Road segment) in exchange for the segments of Route 79 that the State owns (Green and Seneca Streets, from the Tuning Fork west, and the segment of West State Street between Fulton & Taughannock Blvd). NYSDOT has given us an official procedure for "jurisdictional realignment" that would cover the swap scenario, the first step of which is to have a formal submission to NYSDOT from the City. This formal submission must include a resolution from Common Council, but first there should be further discussions with the Regional Director about which segments exactly are under consideration. In my opinion, the reasons why this swap would make sense to the City include: • More control over streets in CBD and adjacent neighborhood as far as permitting, street or sidewalk design, coordinated signal timing, special events, building development, etc. • Simplifies and clarifies ownership of Route 79 and Route 13 for staff and public alike • Assuming DOT would want a maintenance agreement for Elmira Road, there would likely be little net impact on state transportation funding - CHIPs and arterial maintenance agreements The only downsides to this proposal that I see are that the City would lose some control over access management and traffic control along Elmira Road, but this would be balanced with the increased control in the CBD. And, I think our "M Equal OP110r[uniq Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification." co interests for the travelling public align with those of NYSDOT, so I don't foresee conflicts about these types of decisions. If anything, NYSDOT may be able to bring additional resources to the corridor. Probably the larger downside is that the City would inherit more lane miles and traffic signals than we would be giving away. This means that over time, we would take on larger capital costs than we might otherwise see. One recent event helps make this proposed swap more advantageous to the City. This past year Route 79, from Rt 13 east to I -81, was reclassified as a principle arterial, putting it on the National Highway System, and making it now eligible for funding from the National Highway Preservation Program (NHPP). Previously, the only roadway eligible to use NHPP funds was Route 13. This has proven especially restrictive locally since the last federal transportation legislation, MAP -21, reallocated funding such that approximately half of the available federal funding is now in the NHPP. I think this fact makes up for additional capital costs inherited by the City for the additional lane miles. With federal aid covering 80% of the costs, and state funding often covering an additional 15%, the ultimate City costs range from 20% to as low as 5% of the total project costs. If the Board is interested in this proposal, staff will have a last conversation with the NYSDOT Regional Director, and then we will ask you to pass a resolution recommending to Common Council that the City and New York State pursue this "arterial swap' or "jurisdictional realignment." CITY OF ITHACA 108 East Green Street, Suite 202 Ithaca, New York 14850 -5690 OFFICE OF THE CITY ENGINEER Telephone: 607/274 -6530 Fax: 607/274 -6587 To: Board of Public Works From: Tim Logue, City Transportation Engineer Date: February 3, 2015 Re: Multi-modal transportation funding opportunity Staff has been made aware of a New York State Department of Transportation Multi- Modal Program funding opportunity for the City. We seek direction from the Board for project selection and authorization to submit the funding application. There is no required match for the funds and the maximum amount available is $250,000. Common Council authorization will be required to borrow the funds in the first instance, and reimbursement would follow construction completion. Staff would like to put forward five possible projects for the Board to consider. Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements at various locations This project would provide pedestrian crossing enhancements at various locations around the City. The project idea was generated because Public Works is planning street work on Clinton and Plain Streets this coming year and the intersection of Clinton & Plain has long been identified as a very difficult crossing location. Additionally, it is on the Safe Routes to School/ Bicycle Boulevard route. The proposal would be to construct curb bulb -outs or chokers on the north corners of the intersection to shorten the crossing distance and calm traffic. A couple parking spaces on street may be affected. Many of these locations will satisfy ADA requirements and /or help us to address ADA deficiencies in locations where we were already planning street work using CHIPS funds, but hadn't budgeted for ADA ramp repairs. Other locations that we have considered for this project include: • Cayuga & Lewis - on the Safe Routes to School/ Bicycle Boulevard route • Chestnut St & Elm Street - in conjunction with Sidewalk Program, redesign intersection to improve pedestrian crossing of Chestnut Street and build or rebuild sidewalk along Chestnut Street north of the intersection. • Cornell Street at the crossing between Belle Sherman and Belle Sherman Annex extend curb out the width of the parking lane to ensure clear sight lines and shorten crossing distance • Hillview Place at the mid -block crosswalk to South Hill Elementary School - in conjunction with Sidewalk Program, extend curbs out the width of the parking lane to shorten crossing distance and calm traffic. Page 1 of 2 An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification." ��e For the purposes of the application, we would want to keep the project scope as flexible as possible, so we might call the project something like "Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements City - wide." This would give us the ability to change locations or treatments while staying within the project goals of improving pedestrian crossings at different locations. The Cascadilla Creekway Extended The City recently was awarded $600,000 in federal aid, matched by $150,000 of City funds to address deficient conditions along Cascadilla Creek, between Tioga Street and Cayuga Street. This proposed State funding could be used to augment approved funding, and allow the project to address conditions between Tioga Street and Aurora Street. The main elements of the project would be the railing and retaining wall. The Hector Street Sidewalk Over the years, a large sidewalk construction project such as Hector Street, from where the sidewalk ends to the City line, has been a topic of conversation and a possible project for similar funding. To date, we have not chosen this project either because of the previous mechanism for paying for sidewalk or because of concerns that it would not be competitive enough with regional projects. However, the funds under consideration are not competitive funds, and this may change the conversation. A total project cost estimate for extending the sidewalk from Vinegar Hill Road to the City line would be about $1.5 million, so these funds would likely only allow for a first phase of work. It would be possible to use Sidewalk Improvement District funds to match. For example, if the SID could match dollar for dollar, a $500,000 project could likely extend the sidewalk to Taylor Place. Finish the Bike Boulevard There are a number of segments of the Bike Boulevard plan that will not be addressed by the current Safe Routes to School project. These funds would not only allow us to finish the Bike Boulevard project, but also allow us to address some routine maintenance needs along the route. For example, the plan calls for a connection along Tioga Street all the way to the Commons. DPW is planning to repave Tioga Street from to Lewis St to Cascadilla Creek, but the pavement is in poor condition farther south, particularly near the County Courthouse. This project would provide funds to address some pavement conditions as well as mark and sign the bike boulevard. Spencer Road improvements Though the scope of work is not really known yet, the City is starting the study for the Spencer Road area near Stone Quarry Road and South Meadow Street Extension. The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency will be considering blocking out funds, upwards of $100,000, but this will likely not be enough funds for the whole project. However, matching those funds with an additional $250,000 would likely give us adequate budget to not require City general funds beyond the $41,000 already authorized. Page 2 of 2 TO: FROM: DATE: RE: CITY OF ITHACA 108 Fast Green Street, Suite 202 Ithaca, New York 14850 -5690 OFFICE OF THE CITY ENGINEER Telephone: 607/274 -6530 Fax: 607/274 -6587 MEMORANDUM Svante Myrick, Mayor Board of Public Works • Lynne Yost, PE and Assistant Civil Engineer 1v February 4, 2015 Repair of City Cemetery Wall @ University Avenue Entrance 972r W r FARM •T 3nm SN m IL M �1 -2b- lM9 'DI 1FI 9 � CMUELL AYF l N CITY CEN Add Alternate Repair Location 2 \ .IIIIrM a W rf � M TW MW IOUTM A V Work involves repair of the historic stone City Cemetery entrance on University Ave, located opposite 132 University Ave. The damage was caused by a vehicular accident and City of Ithaca has received limited funds for this work as part of an insurance settlement. Three contractors were asked to provide price quotes and recommended approach for the required work. 1I Pa g e "An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification." Two bidders submitted quotes for the work: Contractor Ithaca Stone Setting (Buzz Dolph) Kevin Reilly Stone Pillar and Wall Work $35,250 $45,600 Add Alternate $ 3,750 $ 8,600 TOTAL $39,000 $54,200 Cayuga Landscape declined to submit a quote and recommended Ithaca Stone Setting. All existing stone will be replaced with new materials. Both contractors felt it was not cost - effective for the City to invest in new work using stone past the end of its life. Quotes include all labor, materials and equipment required to substantially complete the work by June 30, 2015. Available insurance funds total $31,000. 1 recommend that an additional $8,000 be requested to complete all the required work on this stretch of wall for the foreseeable future and the work be contracted with Ithaca Stone Setting. dC i '—'{ �S y. b • 07. lam - r� r. 77M ;0 Al, ML Figure 1: City of Ithaca Cemetery - University Ave side of wall and column damaged when hit by a vehicle. 21 Page am _ T r Figure 2: City of Ithaca Cemetery - University Ave side of wall just uphill (North) of accident location, showing Add Alternate work area. Figure 3: City of Ithaca Cemetery - cemetery side of wall showing column damage. 31 Page BPW agenda item for 2/9 BPW agenda item for 2/9 Jeanne Grace Sent: Friday, January 23, 2015 2:37 PM To: Kathy Gehring Cc: Michael Thorne Categories: BPW Attachments :Signgrantcitycemetery- 1.docx (1 MB) Kathy, have an agenda item for the first Feb BPW meeting. bttps:// mail. cityofithaca. org/ owa / ?ae= Item&t= IPM.Note &id= RgAA... Historic Ithaca is seeking to apply for a grant to fund the installation of interpretive signs in the City Cemetery. I am in favor of this grant application as I see these signs as a positive way to inform residents and visitors about the rich and unique history of Ithaca as well as encourage an appropriate use of the city cemetery. I believe the City Cemetery should be viewed as having a similar use as Dewitt Park, a passive meditative memorial space. I think providing additional information about the historic treasures the cemetery holds will encourage use of the space which in turn will deter improper use and vandalism. Attached is additional information provided by Historic Ithaca. The application deadline is March 1. The City Cemetery is not a designated park but issues related to the Cemetery have been discussed at Parks Commission so I will be presenting this proposal at that meeting the day following BPW on 2/10. I am not sure if we will need a resolution from BPW to proceed with the application process. For grants I have applied for in the past a letter of support from the mayor stating the city's willingness to present a resolution to accept the signs if the grant is awarded has been sufficient. If the BPW determines a resolution is necessary I can prepare one for the following board meeting. Thanks, Jeanne Jeanne Grace City Forester City of Ithaca Department of Public Works Division of Parks and Forestry 245 Pier Rd Ithaca W 14850 607 - 272 -1718 fax 607 - 272 -4374 1 of 1 2/5/2015 8:40 AM Historic Ithaca's Grant Proposal for the Ithaca City Cemetery Grant: Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund From their website: 'The Directors Philanthropy Fund makes grants in support of many programs that focus on supporting the quality of life in New York State. The Fund especially seeks to support activities where it can encourage wider community participation and financial support." Grant must be expended within one year of the date of the grant, without expectation of further support. http:/ /www.tompkinscharitablegift.org/ Grant amount being requested: $5,000 (Signage panels to be made by Systeme Huntington with wrought iron supports by local fabricator Durand Van Doren. What the City of Ithaca's commitment would be: • Grant permission for the signs to be put upon the City Cemetery land. • Possibly assist with installation and securing signs into the ground on the City Cemetery land. Sign concept: These interpretative signs would be similar in size and design to the signs erected by Cornell Plantations in the natural areas and gardens (see images below). The signs would be printed on a similar laminated and slanted board and set in a sturdy iron frame, possibly made by Durand Van Doren of Durand's Forge of Mecklenburg, NY. The signs would include informational text, images and maps about the history of the Ithaca City Cemetery. Our grant proposal calls for three signs in total with one each to be located at the main City Cemetery gates on University Avenue, the smaller entrance near the Firefighter's Memorial on Cornell Avenue, and the entrance at the corner of Stewart Avenue and Dewitt Place. The signs will benefit local residents and visitors to the community by providing historical information and helpful maps to allow people to better understand and appreciate the Ithaca City Cemetery as an irreplaceable green space in the community and a valuable historic landscape for all. Friends of the City Cemetery would be responsible to any future repair or replacement of the sign.