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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURACDC-1979-08-14 .+r IURA/CDA MINUTES August 14, 1979 P&D Office 12:00 noon PRESENT: Phil Cox, City Engineer Robert Dingman, Supt. of Public Works Russ Breimer, Architect Bruce Reimheimer, Architect Jon Meigs, City Planner Thys Van Cort, Director, City Planning Elva Holman, Common Council Member, 2nd Ward Jim Dennis, IURA/CDA Stuart Stein, IURA/CDA Clarence Reed, IURA/CDA Kathe Evans, CD staff Ron Oshier, CD staff Sharon Brown, CD staff Natalie de Combray, CD staff Press In the absence of Chairman Mayor Conley, Jim Dennis called the meeting to order at 12:30. I. Minutes ti Stein MOVED to approve the MINUTES of the JULY 25, 1979,meeting, Reed SECONDED and MOTION PASSED. II. First Year Neighborhood Improvements Evans introduced Mr. Russ Breimer of Duryea and Wilhelmi, Landscape Archi- tects. She explained that at a public meeting held on June 22, Breimer had presented a rough draft and alternatives of designs for the three year Neighborhood Improvements of Northside and Southside. At that meeting, Mr. Breimer had asked for comments and suggestions from participants, inclu- ding city departments. On the basis of the comments received at that meeting, Mr. Breimer made adjustments to the draft and is returning to share specific designs on the 1st year's portion of that plan. These projects will be implemented during this fall 's (1979) and next spring's (1980) building seasons. Another public meeting is scheduled for this evening at the Salva- tion Army at 4:00 PM for more input from neighborhood representatives. Evans said that Mr. Brimer's presence at the IURA/CDA meeting today was to share with IURA/CDA and Common Council members ' what is happening in the Northside and Southside neighborhoods. Breimer passed around hand-outs that described the Year I construction program. The projects include a pedestrian circulation system, the South- side Community Center improvents, the Street Tree plantings, Wood St. Park improvements, the Central School/GIAC/Markle Flats improvements, the South Plain Street Bridge, and West State Street Planing program. ti IURA/CDA MINUTES August 14,...,1979 • page 2 He said that $18,500 was available for each of the three years and broke down the project costs as follows: $23,000 Pedestrian Circulation $21,000 Southside Center $15,000 trees (1/3 of entire plantings per year) $40,000 Wood Street Park $24,000 Central School/Markle Flats/GIAC $24,000 South Plain St. Bridge $20,000 West State Street tree plantings Breimer said that the $15,000 contingencies could be spent for additional street_scape items such as curbs, benches, etc. , and stressed that the focus is on street frontage beautification, and upgrading of existing facilities. He said that he is recommending methods of low maintenance. Breimer said that Southside improvements are designed to change the focus of activities. As examples, he mentioned the enlarging of the entrance-way to accomodate seating, relocation of benches to a smaller space to concen- trate congregation away from the street and he said that low trees will replace the existing brick wall . Reed asked about the lighting and Breimer said that existing lights will be retained. Reed expressed concern that the plantings would block the view into the depth of the park and Breimer said that the trees could be spaced further apart. Van Cort said that high branches would permit viewing into the park. Stein suggested removing some of the trees. Van Cort said that currently young adults hang around the present trees and reminded members that 3 weeks ago these problems had been discussed by neighborhood residents with the Mayor and the police Chief. Stein said he does not see the plans as solving the problems. Reed suggested reviewing the plans with Chief Herson. Alderwoman Holman said that she worried about moving the noise area and said that she sees the central circular area as an attraction to congregation. Reed said he would like more lights. Van Cort said that high pressured lights would disturb surrounding homes. He also questioned whether the seating would reduce the present problems. He agreed that the congregating space had been reduced and noticed that • • IURA/CDA MINUTES August 14, 1979 Page 3 the circular area is for day care use and skate-boards etc. He suggested that Breimer consult with the day care center. Evans said that at the afternoon's meeting , many concerned people would be in attendance to discuss these problems. Van Cort wondered how the playing fields would be affected and also suggested discussing playing field activities with the center. He said that plans must be closely coordinated with the Center's administration. Breimer noted that the basic philosophy behind the plans was not to elimi- nate the problems but to reduce occupancy. Van Cort said that it was not only the problem of teen agers accosting passers-by but that also the noise level of the park use was a difficulty. He said there was no architectural solution to this. Reed said that the answer lies in police vigilance. Cox said that some criticism regarding the handicapped access ramp that had been built years ago had been that the grading had been too steep for unassisted wheel chair use and asked if there was any opportunity to correct this. CBreimer said that there would be and suggested a rail as a possibility to provide assistance rather than building a new ramp. Reed said that another problem was with a step at the end of the ramp. Discussion moved onto Wood Street Park and Breimer shaid that his plans had been integrated with the work that Bob Leathers was doing. He said that there would be parking for 25 cars and that it would not involve moving existing power lines. A composition pathway around the basketball court and a separate pathway to shopping are included and he said that trees would be planted inside the fence along the Route 13 side. A wooden fence along the parking area would add a rustic effect. This fence would be broken up to allow pedestrian passage into the park. Reed asked Cox what would ease the street sweeper's jobs and Cox said that it would be difficult without moving the power lines. With regard to the South Plain Street Pedestrian Bridge, Breimer said that the improvements would be mainly to eliminate the industrial look to improve appearance. Some landscaping and two public sitting areas on either side of the bridge would be included. Additional benches along Six Mile Creek and at Baker Park would provide resting stops for the elderly from Titus Towers. 4 ; Chain link fencing_ around GIAC playground would be replaced by a more sightly aluminum fence and a sitting area in front of Markle Flats would be provided. IURA/CDA MINUTES August 14, 1979 page 4 Stein noted that Markle Flats was the name of a school program and not the name of the building. He suggested calling the building the Old Ithaca Gas Works. He said that some people will subconsciously react negatively to the name of Markle Flats and said that a new name will help to create a new image. Evans said that as that block belongs to the school district and as the plans for that block are unclear, the improvements will be mainly to the parameter of the property. In discussing West State Street, Breimer said that many of the trees planted along the sidewalks will have cast iron tree grates. He added that intersection improvements, including drop curb sections, are also planned. Cox said that two curbs are already done at the Cayuga and Green St. inter- section and suggested dropping the other two also in order to open that district to wheel chairs. Breimer noted that drop cuts can be hazardous to non handicapped persons and to the blind. Stein summed up the process by saying that this was 1st year funding, that the money was in the budget for these projects and that the intention was to get out bids and contract the 1st year money. Evans said that all the 1st year projects should be in construction by next Spring. She said that some time had been lost because they had not begun last spring but that, depending on the weather, it might be pos- sible to do some of the curb cuts and tree plantings by the end of the fall . Stein said he was concerned about neighborhood approval and about the time involved in getting the concensus of residents for these projects. He also asked about the construction proceedures and said that the time element for these items was very short. Van Cort asked Stein what level of community approval he had in mind and said that the afternoon's meeting would involve a large cross section of neighborhood residents. Stein said he would take his guidance from local community groups, and elected representatives of the area. He said he would like both of those groups to come forth and say that these improvements were what they wanted. He does not want to repeat the Conway Park experience. Van Cort said that all concerned Aldermen had been informed of this and other meetings. Dennis asked if the school board was aware of the pending improvements to Central School and GIAC. IURA/CDA MINUTES August 14, 1979 page 5 Evans said thaey were not but that the IURA has requested that CD staff make overtures to the shcool district with regards to buying the building. Cox said that maintenance was an important consideration and said that this was one of the questions that should be answered. Dingman said he was concerned thatthe GIAC and the school efforts were not a positive enough part of the city. He said he would like the city admin-stra- tors to but together a group of hard headed people to work on this problem. He said that as so much money was being put into those buildings, city ownership would be a good idea. Breimer asked if everyone was comfortable with the general emphasis of the project and asked for comments from those present at the meeting. Cox said he liked the approach taken on the pedestrian aspect of the plan and commended the logic used to determine where the most likely wheel chair traffic would be and the well defined route. He said he was not enthusiastic aobut the money to be spent on the Plain Street Bridgg as the beautification of the bridge will cost as much as the bridge itself. Reed asked if it would be possible to save money by painting the bridge rather than re-designing it. r Breimer said he did not favour re-sid:ingy the entire skin of the bridge. Holman asked about the bikeway plans and Breimer said the design only includes route suggestions based on initial observation. Reed said he liked the whole project and said he thought it hung together well . He noted that the Southside Center was a touchy part of the design and asked how realistic the time table for implementation was. Breimer said his firm had experience in this kind of project and said that no sophisticated items save the few retaining walls were involved. He said that a 370 day work schedule should do it and added that contract documents were being prepared. The subcontracts would allow a number of businesses to respond and will involve more administration and coordination but he said he would work closely with city engineer Phil Cox. Cox asked if there had beeaan opportunity to develop the total package price. Breimer said that from the initial studies and cost estimates he felt very comfortable with the figures. He mentioned that they had already reduced the anticipated number of tree plantings to a third of the total per year and that the budget has accounted for escalation and contingencies. IURA/CDA MINUTES August 14, 1979 page 6 Dingman asked for a definition of Year I and Breimer said it was from July, 1979, to July, 1980. Evans said that some of the Year II projects would run simultaneously with Year I. Cox asked if the money must be committed before January, 1980, and Evans said that contracts should be out no later than February, 1980, for work to be completed by July 1980. She explained that Small Cities money had to move faster than Entitlement funds. Dingman asked what were the geographic limitations in terms of population characteristics, age of housing, poverty levels and so forth. She said it extends from Meadow Street to Cayuga Street on the south and Lake Avenue to Route 13 on the north and that it includes the eastern side of the inlet. A large part of the area is contiguous to the INHS target area. Dingman expressed concern about the DPW contract with regards to level of maintenance services. He said it would be unwise for the BPW to do anything of a capital nature in the target area if at the same time by signing the contract they have agreed to deliver the same level of services as they have in the past. Evans said that the reason HUD puts in the maintenance effort clause is so r' that cities don't abandon areas where the only source of funding will be Community Development. The city must continue to maintain and make invest- ments there. III. Administration The IURA/CDA went into Executive Session to discuss administration during which time Mayor Conley joined the meeting. Open Session was later resumed. Staff Contracts Van Cort opened the discussion of CD staff contracts by saying that during initial interviews, CD staff had been told they would have two week vacations per year. The present benefit package permits one week vacation after one year, two weeks after two years, and three weeks vacation after five years. Van Cort said he knew that the benefit package had been changed to make it resemble the CSEA benefit package but explained that CD staff was willing to forego the three week vacation after five years for a yearly two week vacation. He said there was no legal reason why the CD contract should resemble the CSEA contract in any respect. Reed noted that this would be less of a benefit than the CSEA package offered. Dennis suggested re■kwing the CD contracts annually and Van Cort said that the contracts should terminate on the last day of this year in order to leave room for salary adjustments to match cost of living increases. Contracts would be reviewed by the IURA/CDA so provisions could be made for changes in employees duties • IURA/CDA MINUTES August 14, 1979 page 7 Dennis MOVED to approve the CD staff contracts and benefit package as changed. Reed SECONDED. Stein asked if there would be repercussions later. Dennis said he thought that CSEA people would be upset that CD staff have different contracts. Van Cort reminded the agency that CSEA employees have the security of tenure but that CD staff will be on an annual contract. A vote was taken and MOTION PASSED. J S.1 000[10 . c . Duryea and Wiiheilrni Professional Corporation PROJECT: Southside/Northside Neighborhood Improvement Program City of Ithaca, New York DATE: August 14, 1979 SUBJECT: Narrative Description - Year I Construction Program I. Pedestrian Circulation System The overall pedestrian circulation system provides for a continuous link • between the Northside and Southside Neighborhoods, the "peripheral streets" and the downtown business district, recommending drop curb sections at selected street crossings for handicapped accessibility and elderly safety. { Implemented over .a period of years, this system, which also closely parallels the Ithaca Bus Transit route, will connect residential neighbor- hoods to each other and to available City parks, schools, Churches, other 416,1 public facilities and retail-commercial areas. Selected sidewalk areas along the route in need of repair will be improved, with street tree plantings, route signs and benches at several locations all adding to the overall appearance and identification. • System A - Year One System A forms a major artery along South Plain Street centrally dividing the Southside from Baker Park to West State Street. It connects Titus Towers, the Reconstruction Home, the McGraw House and the Senior Citizens Center. It ties the South Plain Street artery to "peripheral streets" and downtown and forms a continuous loop which also connects the Southside Community Center and the Henry St. John Elementary School. Intersection improvements at 27 locations will include sidewalk replace- ment and installation of drop curb sections. . II. Southside Community-center A variety of improvements designed to change the focus and nature of current outdoor activities are programmed at the Southside Peoples' Park. Enlarge- ment of the main entry area includes rebuilding of the front stairs and a ir complete building frontage planting program to further establish the Southside Center as a neighborhood anchor. Landscape Architects • Planners • Community Development Consultants Environmental Conservation and Resource Analysis/Recreation and Open Space Systems/Institutional Campus Planning 1208 James St. Syracuse,New York 13203 315-474-7587. 107 Hope St.,Providence,Rhode Island 02908 401-421-9133 Southside/Northside Neighborhood Improvement Program August 14, 1979 • City of Ithaca, New York Page 2 Narrative Description - Year I Construction Program II. Southside Community Center (Cont'd) Separation of outdoor park areas from the pedestrian walk system will be accomplished by installing plantings between the sidewalk along South Plain Street and the smaller paved area with benches for sitting and congregating. Expansion of lawn areas and street tree plantings will promote use of the area for informal "greenspace" park activities as well as providing an additional small paved area for outdoor games and events. Repair of concrete sidewalks, storm drainage and curb repairs as required, are also included in the overall program. • III. Street Tree Plantings Planting of 35 street shade trees of various species is programmed under • Year I for selected locations throughout the Southside and Northside Neighborhoods. • Southside plantings will be individually located along street areas currently lacking tree cover. Northside plantings are designated for areas along First Street, Second • Street, Madison Street, and the Hancock Public Housing complex. Several Crabapple trees along South Plain Street in the vicinity of the Southside Center will be transplanted to areas along Six Mile Creek. IV. Wood Street Park Improvements at Wood Street Park, the major southside public recreation • area will compliment other projects soon to be under construction at this site. • Primary improvements are the development of on-street curbed parking spaces for 25 cars, and new composition stone surface pathways circulating through the park and also providing a separate access route to the shopping area located further south along Elmira Road. Landscaping, screen plant- ing, topsoiling and reseeding of bare lawn areas, installation, of bollards, benches, park signage, perimeter wood fencing and storm drainage improve- ments will also be emphasized in Year I. V. Central School Block/Markle Flats Programmed improvemefnts within areas encompassed by the Central School • Block, including the GIAC and Markle Flats are designed to upgrade and • enhance many of the existing activities available in these locations. Installation of new streetfront sitting areas in front of the GIAC and Markle Flats, curb, parking, and tree planting improvements along West Court Street, and other improvements designed to improve accessibility, .1 Southside/Northside Neighborhood Improvement Program August 14, 1979 Ar- IL City of Ithaca, New York Page 3 Narrative Description - Year I Construction Program V. Central School Block/Markle Flats (Cont'd) will greatly enhance the streetscape in this Northside Neighborhood of the City. Other improvements to be accomplished are the repair and color sealing of portions of the Central School Play area pavements, and additional plantings between the play area and the Immaculate Conception School. • VI. South Plain Street Bridge Improvements to the existing bridge structure along with the development of public sitting areas at each end along North and South Titus Avenue will help create a new image to this major feature located along the Pedestrian Walk System in the heart of the Southside Neighborhood. Bridge improvements will include painting of the steel structure to give it a more rustic and warm appearance, placement of treated wood siding on portions of the outside skin, installation of top mounted handrails and raising of the current concrete deck elevation approximately 6", to establish a more comfortable walking experience and emphasize views of O f Six Mile Creek. Public sitting areas at each end will enforce the use of this designated • pedestrian route, with paved areas, benches, bollards, and pole mounted "period" lights adding to the overall attractiveness of this area. VII. West State Street Tree Planting Program Planting of 14 major trees in sidewalk areas along West State Street is programmed. Many of these trees will be surrounded by cast iron tree grates in the blocks west of the peripheral streets to the intersection of Plain Street. • Intersection improvements, including installation of drop curb sections will also compliment the tree planting effort and further establish the West State Street area as the major neighborhood shopping and commercial district. • • • ,) • BENEFIT PACKAGE FOR CD STAFF I. Benefits Eligibility: A. Regular, full-time employees who work a schedule of at least 35 hours per week are considered eligible for full employee benefits. B. Regular, part-time employees who work a schedule of between 17.5 hours and 35 hours per week are considered eligible for full insured benefits and prorated sick days, personal days and vaca- tion. If work is less than 17.5 hours per week, prorated sick days, personal days and vacation will be provided but no insured benefits. C. Full or part-time employees who are hired for a specific and limited period of less than six months are eligible only for workers compensation benefits. II. Vacation, Overtime and Holidays A. Vacation Each employee, full or part time, will receive two weeks paid vacation at the current weekly wage rate after one year of service; two weeks paid vacation after two years, and two weeks vacation will remain in effect every year thereafter. B. Overtime Employees shall be compensated for time worked in excess of their full or half-time hours per week in compensatory time at the straight time rate. Such compensatory time shall be taken by the employee at a time approved by the Executive Director. Under time of partic- ularly heavy work load, an employee may be paid in cash for over- time rather than in time off, at the discretion of the director. Compensatory time off may be added to vacation time off with the approval of the Executive Director. C. Paid Holidays Each employee shall receive 11 paid holidays per year. Holidays shall be the same as those taken by CSEA employees, and the same provisions for them shall apply. • III. Sick Days, Personal Days , etc. A. Each employee shall receive 12 days of sick leave per year accumulated at the rate of 1 day per month beginning with the date of employment. Sick leave due to unused sick leave, may be accumulated to a maximum of 150 days per employee. BENEFIT PACKAGE FOR CD STAFF Page 2 B. Employees may take 3 personal days per calendar year. Personal leave shall be granted to allow the employee to conduct personal and/or family business which otherwise falls on a work day. Personal leave shall be granted unless the supervisor reasonably determines that the employee is needed at the particular time or day requested. Unlike CSEA employees, personal days do not accumu- late. C. In the case of bereavement, the employee may take 3 days bereavement leave, which may be extended to 1 week at the discretion of the Executive Director. In the event of death in the immediate family of the employee or family of the employee's spouse, such employee shall be allowed a leave of absence with pay to a maximum of three days. This leave must be approved by the Director. The immediate family is defined as: the spouse, parent, grand- parent, child, brother or sister of the employee, or the parent, grandparent, child, brother or sister of the spouse. It shall apply also to any other relative living in the same household. Bereavement leave may be extended to one calendar week at the discretion of the Department Head. Bereavement leave of 1/2 day with pay shall be allowed to attend funerals of close friends. IV. Medical Insurance The employer will provide fully paid family or individual medical insurance for all full or part-time employees. Benefits and conditions of these policies are contained in descriptive booklets provided by the insurance carriers. The employees are part of a group plan through the Chamber of Commerce. V. Salary Deductions - Retirement, Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, and Worker's Compensation. A. Each employee (part time and full time) shall receive 5% of their yearly salary for their own individual or group retirement account. B. Social Security employee contribution will be deducted from the employee's salary and the appropriate contributions will be made by the employer to those funds for the employee. The employer will make contributions to or self insure for unemployment insurance and Workmen's Compensation. VI. Salary Increments AAbp A. Salaries of CD employees shall be reviewed annually`and increases 4 a rd"salaries shall be adjusted with consideration of the increase or decrease in the cost of living. . - ( BENEFIT PACKAGE FOR CD STAFF Page 3 B. The IURA/CDA or the employee may request re-evaluation of an existing job description on the basis that there has been or will be an increase in job duties. If the job description re-evaluation discloses an overall increase in job duties, the IURA/CDA shall make an appropriate adjustment in the compensation. The adjustment to compensation may be effective as of the date of the ;request for re-evaluation. MONTHLY CASH FLc AND BUDGET REPORT DATE August, 1979 , . Total Current ACCT. # Month Yr. To Date Budget Proje--tia Cash Be_. • innin? of Period $ 0 101 General checking Account $ 57,948.51 $ 440.09 • Is 440.09 440. 101A NPP Checking Account 5,541.99 13.91 t i 13.91 13.9 i L12 Imprest Petty Cash Acct. 25.00 25.00 I 25AD 25.0 a' NPP S .-inns Account 10,241.60 70.75 70.73 70.7! , 103 ABODE Other Savin9s Accounts 16,076.78 9,460.00 9,460,0 9,460.08 Cash Receipts 401 City (CD EREItlement) -0- 25,000.00 252000.00 25,000.08 401 A City (Rnall Cities) -0- 50,000.00 i 50,000.00 50,000.0( 432 Pledge Incane -0- 15,000.00 16 750.00 16,750.0( 9.00 . 5,775.96 I r2, ,c,r). -n 5,775.0C 01 Mi.sc- ,i;_t7-TN: 8,417.35 27,519.94 ' ! 39,12c3 39,580.0C r4 i'=_A •• As .0- =:,15 NPP Grit- -0- 30,000.00 1 „2.110.00 30,000.0C Worksh,-2 Consulting Fees 452.00 2,202.00 1 3„.500,00 3,500.0C Organizr's.Contract -0- 15,000.00 15,000.00 15,000.00 7 Eiaerl : pair Contract -8- • hits 88 1' Of fit fff 8 TOTAL AVAILABLE 98,712.23 196.507.65 $217 5'9 5 . DISBURSE:SIMS 1 01 Salarios/Nages (gross) 13,555.18 80,712.85 $132,130.00 • is Payroll Fax Expense 32 COOA,DBL, EnemP. ,M) 831.03 6,758.40 r__14,100.03 . If .. Alt- Medical Insurance -0- ( 3,966.07 6,600.00 6.600.90 L 14 1 Mtg./Lon Principlesinterest 279.31 2,234.48 3'36°•°12_ 2431(Lia r lc . Office Dailding Operation 202.17 C2,293.75 2,940.00 3,340.00 ,11 Office SI.2p1ies 94.19 1,356.53 2,420.00 2 420.00 .12 Postage 150.00 703.28 1,130.00 1,130.00 13 Photo & Printing 41.43 2,355.36 2,900.00 2,900.00 25 Telepllone -0- 3,545.28 4,600.09 4,600.00 , 85 Office Purniture& . li ., Equipmr..nt, etc. 22.97 1,639.44 2,200.00 . 2,200.00 .00 19 MiscellInt-L,ous 98.76 252.17 400 400.00 -1----- 31 Travel v..,,tortainmenViraining 129.68 1,336.97 1 ,1-5M0 1,550.00 282.00 3,227.85 4,--=21.713 4,320.00 ...1._ -- 1 3.,-.A Abstr.,.- -.,egal.Wc. etc. 210.00 304.32 -'1- -0- (suspense aSibunt) I ..... Insurarr..-2 & Bonding -0- 1,223.00 1,223.00 1 223.00 745 Contract services -0- 40.50 600.00 200.00 36 Truck Cperation 196.30 916.98 1,500-00 1,500.00 17 Tools %Puy. , Repl., Rpr.) 143.53 1,080.49 1 1 ,S00.00 1,500.00 -1,t3 Subscr1T,tions/Publ./Dues 52.25 136.50 204).09 200.00 39 Staff Training 513.50 513.50 1,000.00 1,000.00 L'I Board Tining - --'''....: 291,0..Q %a m .. 1,cao. no 1 Inn an TUTAL- rA DISEURSDIENTS- i7,787.30 115,582.72 $185_,A73.00 :185,673 no 1 BALANCE 80,924.93 80 924 93 31 936 131 941 75 rt , . "r". ,..) . r • SiLLIVMA-'.4Y Checking - Savings Savings Accb.7.;. (10.3A-C) $ 16.076 78_ : 427n. Oper. Acct. $ 51,290.02 ; PP Acoount $ 3.291.53 NPP Account $ 10,241.60 Petty Cash $ 25.00 A.Total, c.r11 of per $7470-67WB. Total end of per. ,$ 26,318.38 .,\ ANiT 7":". '4411 4 . i sof