Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2016-08-08BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:47 p.m. August 8, 2016 PRESENT: Vice-Chair - Jenkins Commissioners (2) – Darling, Warden OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Common Council Liaison – Fleming Executive Assistant – Servoss EXCUSED: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (3) – Goldsmith, Greene, McCormick City Attorney – Lavine Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin Director of Engineering – Logue Director of Parking – Nagy DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: There were none. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor was not present. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Naama Menda, Pearl Street resident, addressed the Board regarding traffic concerns in her neighborhood. She stated that kids walk to Belle Sherman Elementary School, and there are constant problems with traffic, including speeding, and driving through stop signs, mostly in the morning. She further noted that a lot of commuters look for daytime parking in the neighborhood. She requested traffic calming in the area. Judith Koch, Ithaca Road resident, stated that a highway supervisor told her son the only way to effectively slow traffic down is the narrow the road so drivers do not feel safe exceeding the speed limit. She does not see the bike lane being used except very rarely, so she requested the on-street parking be returned to Ithaca Road to assist with slowing traffic down. Commissioner Warden arrived at 4:52 p.m. Traci Nathans-Kelly, stated that a ridiculous amount of high speed traffic traveled in the Belle Sherman neighborhood as short cuts around the main road. She stated that a child was hit recently at the intersection of Mitchell and Cornell Streets. Theresa Lyczke, Ithaca Road resident, addressed the board regarding the increase in traffic, agreeing that the addition of the bike lanes has aided drivers to speed on Ithaca Road. She stated that quality of life in this neighborhood is in question. Safety is a real concern. Ann Sullivan, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board stating that the Bryant Park and Belle Sherman neighborhoods were designed to be walkable neighborhoods. There has been a quantitative increase of traffic in the area. She suggested that the City restore parking on one side of Ithaca Road, and install a new crosswalk at Irving and Ithaca Roads. She stated the neighborhood really needs help with traffic calming. Nancy Ramage, East State Street resident, addressed the Board regarding the dangers of traffic in her neighborhood. She stated the removal of parking on East State Street has hugely increased the speed of traffic. She further stated the decision to remove parking on the street was made without community discussion. Board of Public Works Page 2 August 8, 2016 Regular Meeting Jonathan Kaplan, Mitchell Street resident, expressed concern with traffic speeding on Mitchell Street from Pine Tree Road to Belle Sherman Elementary School. He stated there are no stop signs or other means to slow down traffic. Traffic is going to increase once the Mapplewood development is completed. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Commissioner Warden expressed gratitude to the speakers for addressing the Board. Supt. Thorne suggested residents of the neighborhood writing a letter and obtaining signatures to be sent to the Board in order for this topic to be placed on an agenda. REPORTS Council Liaison Donna reported that the listserv has been quite a lot re: traffic and water. At the last council meeting there was supposed to approve city code to ban swimming in the natural areas. The Mayor withdrew the item from council agenda and created a task force to discuss swimming. Board Liaisons Commissioner Warden reported that Liz Vance, Director of the Ithaca Youth Bureau, would be forwarding recommendations to the Board for changes at Stewart Park. Superintendent and Staff Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that oxygenation of the water was working to remove the manganese from the water. He stated that of the 700 phone calls staff has received since the water turned brown, over 90% were pleasant and grateful for the work the staff has put into clearing up the water. Supt. Thorne expressed thanks to Asst. Supt. Whitney and all staff at the Water Treatment Plant for all their work. He went on to report that the Collegetown intersection of Dryden Road at College Avenue would be paved this week; Water & Sewer crews and Streets & Facilities crews were on site preparing the intersection for paving; Tow other construction projects were still going on; Streets & Facilities crews began work on the 500 Block of South Plain Street this week; and the 2017 budget was turned in one week late, but at least it’s in. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Approval of the 2017 Sidewalk Work Plan and Assessment Roll – Proposed Resolution WHEREAS, Section C-73 of the City Charter creates five Sidewalk Improvement Districts (each a “SID”) for the construction and repair of sidewalk, and provides for an assessment against each property located in each SID for the benefits received by the property from such construction and repair; and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is responsible for recommending to the Common Council a budget and schedule of work for each SID district for each fiscal year, following a public hearing; and WHEREAS, the Board has received a proposed SID assessment roll, budget, and schedule of work for Fiscal Year 2017; and WHEREAS, the City provided public notice of the SID assessment roll, budget, and schedule of work in July 2016; and WHEREAS, owners of assessed properties were provided an opportunity to file written objections with the City Clerk, and present evidence to the Board at a public hearing on August 8, 2016; and WHEREAS, the Board has given due consideration to the objections, if any, presented by the property owners in accordance with Section C-73; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board recommends, subject to amendment and approval by the Common Council, the 2017 budget and schedule of work attached hereto, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board finally approves the schedule of assessments constituting the 2017 assessment roll, which are reflected on the assessment roll kept on file with the City Clerk, which roll the Superintendent of Public Works shall on behalf of the Board file with the Common Council in the form of an upcoming Committee agenda thereof, and which roll shall Board of Public Works Page 3 August 8, 2016 Regular Meeting thereafter be confirmed, as amended, by the Common Council by local law after a public hearing, creating a lien upon the real property so assessed. Transportation Engineer Eric Hathaway and Sidewalk Program Manager Johnathan Licitra joined the Board for the discussion of this topic. Eng. Hathaway explained that the approval of the work plan was on a tight schedule so it could be added to the 2017 budget. Public information meetings that were held include: two meetings at the library; third regarding accessibility; and a fourth open house type meeting at City Hall. He stated that the plan was based on public comment from previous years, but some changes were made this year after the open meetings. Commissioner Warden asked how the public has responded to previous years’ sidewalk work. Eng. Hathaway responded that the tone of the meetings has become more positive and he has received positive feedback. Commissioner Warden further asked if the public meetings were cost effective. Eng. Hathaway responded that he compared the average cost of a repair to a residential property to the amount of money residential property owners were assessed each year. He noted that anyone that repaired their sidewalk over the past 20 years could request a credit. Property owners would pay into the assessment district for 20 years, which evens out their 20 year contribution to the sidewalk district. The Board agreed to review resolution during the next Board meeting. Request for Encroachment Agreement/License at 602 West State Street – Proposed Resolution WHEREAS, Elmira Savings Bank, the owner of the property at 602 West Street (Tax Map Parcel No. 50.-4-9), in the City of Ithaca, has requested an encroachment agreement/license from the City into the adjacent street right-of-way for West State Street and North Meadow Street; and WHEREAS, the encroachment consists of the following: A stair way and canopy approximately 7 feet, 11 inches in width, encroaching in the City property to the south by approximately 18.25 inches, thereby encompassing an encroachment of approximately 12 square feet, which is shown on a drawing dated April 14, 2016 and entitled “A101P - Proposed South Stair Entrance” prepared by Holt Architects P.C. And on the eastern face of the building, seven sunshades extending into the City airspace by no more than a total of 14 square feet as shown in the drawing dated April 15, 2016 and entitled “G1 Parking Separation Diagram” prepared by Holt Architects P.C. WHEREAS, it appears that the proposed encroachments are inside the current location of the existing public sidewalks on West State Street and North Meadow Street and will not interfere with the sidewalks as currently constituted; and WHEREAS, the Superintendent does not anticipate any conflicts in the near future with public works uses or needs; and WHEREAS, for use of City-owned property, the City requires an initial application fee of $100 for new licenses, but stipulates that the annual use fee shall be waived for minor encroachments, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the request for an encroachment at 602 West State Street, as proposed, contingent upon the execution of a license/agreement and submission of the required application form and fee (and renewal fees for any subsequent terms) and proof of required insurance, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor, upon consultation with the Superintendent and City Attorney, is hereby authorized to execute a license/agreement allowing said encroachment, revocable upon 90 days’ written notice by the City in the event that the encroached upon City property is required for any City purpose, and containing the usual terms and conditions, including those specified in Chapter 170 of the City’s Municipal Code. Board of Public Works Page 4 August 8, 2016 Regular Meeting Supt. Thorne stated that the new owners of the property need to have an agreement for the bottom step that has been in the same location for many years. No objections to the agreement were presented. BOHA, Ithaca Police Historical Sign Dedication for Levy Spaulding Chief Barber joined the Board for the discussion of this topic and explained that the Badge of Honor Association (BOHA) honors fallen officers. Two years ago, a sign was erected on West State Street memorializing Office Padula, who was killed during service. This year, BOHA would like to put up a sign memorialized Officer Levy Spaulding, who passed away after a 36- hour manhunt for a murderer in Ithaca in 1930 near the corner of Seneca and Tioga Streets, which was the location of the police station in 1930. He stated that BOHA would cover all expenses and the installation of the sign. Commissioner Jenkins suggested that a large boulder be placed near the front door of the Police Department to hold plaques of the fallen officers. Chief Barber responded that it was an interesting suggestion, but there really wasn’t a lot of room near the Ithaca Police Department building, and that BOHA prefers to erect signs at the locations officers have fallen. Supt. Thorne noted that there are a lot of signs in the area of Seneca and Tioga and suggested attaching the sign right on the Seneca Street Garage wall. Chief Barber agreed to forward the graphic of the sign to the Board for their comments. Chief Barber further stated that a dedication ceremony would be held and the Board was welcome to attend. NEW BUSINESS: Commissioner Jenkins requested an update on the status of the parking garages. Supt. Thorne responded that repairs to the Seneca Street Parking Garage are complete; this year, a large capital project was submitted for design work and repairs of the Dryden Road Garage; and staff is still waiting on a final report from Stantec regarding the inspection of the Green Street Garage. He stated that a couple of options for that garage include tearing down the east and west ends of the garage and adding layers to the center or making spot repairs. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:36 p.m. Kathrin D. Servoss Claudia Jenkins Executive Assistant Vice-Chair