HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2015-05-11 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:51 p.m. May 11, 2015
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Commissioners (5) – Darling, Goldsmith, Greene, Jenkins, Warden
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin
Director of Engineering – West
Director of Parking – Nagy
Common Council Liaison – Fleming
Executive Assistant – Gehring
EXCUSED:
City Attorney – Lavine
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
DAC Liaison – Roberts
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Dir. of Eng. West requested that item 8C entitled “Award of Bid for Seneca Street Parking
Garage – Priority 4 Repairs – Resolution” be deleted.
No Board member objected.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Myrick announced that May 15, 2015, was “Bike to Work” Day in Tompkins County.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
David West, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council (BPAC) member, addressed the Board
regarding bike lanes on North Cayuga Street. He expressed support for adding a protected
bike lane and for repaving the street. He proposed installing two 4’ bike lanes, instead of the
currently proposed 4’ and 5’ lanes, and including a 1’ barrier between the vehicle travel lanes
and bike lanes.
Neil Oolie, City of Ithaca addressed the Board regarding bike lanes on North Cayuga Street.
He expressed support for adding a protected bike lane. He stated that if the City was going to
put in bike lanes, it was not unreasonable to ask for a little additional protection for cyclists.
Marshall McCormick, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding bike lanes on North
Cayuga Street. He expressed support for adding a protected bike lane and stated that
protected bike lanes reduce the risk of cyclists running into car doors if they suddenly open.
Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding dust from the Commons
construction, expressing concern that the dust was not being covered. She further expressed
support for installing two bike lanes on North Cayuga Street.
Sam Bosco, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding installing protected bike lanes. He
stated that he does not have a car, and was supportive of installing protected bike lanes on
North Cayuga Street. He further encouraged the Board to think about cyclists on any new
construction project.
Indigo Wild, City of Ithaca resident, expressed support for protected bike lanes.
Patrick Braga, City of Ithaca and BPAC member, expressed support for protected bike lanes.
He noted that was protected lanes, people of all ages would be able to ride on the street.
Samantha Hillson, City of Ithaca, expressed support for the Columbia Street Bridge Art
proposal, noting that the Public Arts Commission would like a professional mural on the wall
under the bridge to reduce graffiti.
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Regular Meeting
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
Commissioner Warden thanked everyone that spoke regarding the proposed bike lanes, and
stated the goal of the Board was to keep everyone safe.
Commissioner Goldsmith added that suggestions from BPAC about what to do when the bike
lane ends at the southern end of North Cayuga Street at Cascadilla Road would be
appreciated. Mayor Myrick noted that if a protected bike lane was installed on the east side of
North Cayuga Street, bicyclists would have to either cross the street at the intersection to
continue south or travel to Tioga Street.
Asst. Supt. Benjamin noted that snow removal would be difficult during winter months if a
protected bike lane was installed.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the expense of installing barriers, the age of the
1997 Bike and Pedestrian Plan that suggested protected bike lanes, asking BPAC to update
the plan, and the construction schedule that was planned. It was noted that the engineers had
stated that North Cayuga Street was not the right location for protected bike lanes due to many
different factors.
Mayor Myrick stated he would like to discuss the options at the first Board meeting in June,
including pros and cons of each option. Dir. of Eng. West was clear that there was no budget
for bike lanes; the existing staff proposal would utilize the street striping budget to paint the
bike lanes.
REPORTS
Council Liaison
Alderperson Fleming reported that on Saturday, Council members received an e-mail from a
resident on Giles Street about the trashing of the dams, with beer bottles and cans being left
behind. Residents asked that the City patrol the road to keep everyone but the residents from
parking on the street. Mayor Myrick responded that staff have been discussing this issue, and
would like to have police officers patrol the gorge areas, especially on nice weekends.
Commissioner Darling mentioned that other cities have utilized volunteers to get the word out
about what shouldn’t be done in the watershed. Discussion followed on the floor regarding
ways to educate the public about what was acceptable and not acceptable behavior in the
watershed. Mayor Myrick stated that there would be targeted enforcement and ticketing of
cars.
Superintendent and Staff
Dir. of Eng. West reported that the renovation of the Stewart Park pavilion bathroom was well
under way, the outdoor dining spaces on the Commons had been marked,
Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that the repaving project on Tioga Street was on schedule, with
milling beginning May 22, 2015, and paving beginning June 1, 2015.
Dir. of Parking Nagy reported that bases had been poured for the new on-street pay machines
and several machines had been installed. It was expected to begin training next week with the
pay machines going live on June 1, 2015.
Supt. Thorne reported that the Willard Way watermain replacement would be operational in
approximately four weeks, and the kick-off meeting for the Water Sports Committee would be
scheduled soon.
Commissioner Greene reported that he had volunteered at the Skate Jam on Buffalo Street,
stating it was a very cool set up. He noted that several cars had to be towed because they
were parked in clearly marked “no parking” zones.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE AND TRANSIT:
Request for Encroachment Agreement/License for Sign at Ithaca Cayuga Optical, 134 -
136 East State Street, the Commons – Proposed Resolution
By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith
WHEREAS, Dr. Alexander Wood, the tenant of the property at 134-36 East State, owned by
Renvyle Assoc, LLC, (Tax Map Parcel No. 70.-2-24) in the City of Ithaca has requested an
encroachment agreement/license from the City into the adjacent East State Street (Commons
pedestrian space) right-of-way; and
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WHEREAS, the encroachment consists of the following:
A building sign, as proposed to the Board of Zoning Appeals on April 7, 2015,
constructed of steel, approximately 3 feet in length and 18 inches in width, and
projecting over the store’s entrance by approximately 3 feet, thereby
encompassing an encroachment into the right of way by approximately 4.5
square feet, which is shown on a drawing stamped and entitled Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Zoning Appeals approved the variance from the 18” projection limit;
and
WHEREAS, the 2015-16 schedule of fees for use of City-owned property 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 134-136 The Commons, 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.
Carried Unanimously
Request for Permanent Easement for 327 Eddy Street Proposed Encroachment
By Commissioner Green: Seconded by Commissioner Darling
WHEREAS, through, Steve Fontana, as representative of the owner of 327 Eddy Street (Tax
Map Parcel No. 63.-6-24, Stephen A Fontana Trust owner of record), in the City of Ithaca, has
requested an encroachment agreement/license from the City into the adjacent Eddy Street
right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, the encroachment consists of the following:
An encroachment extending into the City-owned airspace from the fifth floor of
the building located on 327 Eddy Street two feet to the west and extending
twelve feet running north and south, parallel to the building face.
WHEREAS, it appears that the proposed encroachment into the City’s airspace will not
interfere with the right of way as currently constituted; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent does not anticipate any conflicts in the near future with public
works uses or needs; and
WHEREAS, the recommended fee for this permanent easement is $3,073.84, based on the
Pomeroy appraisal value of $75.77 for one year of use at the current appraisal rate in
Collegetown of $2.87 per square foot, calculated out for a thirty year depreciation period and
2% rate of inflation, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board recommends that Common Council authorize the Mayor to sign
the necessary paperwork to grant the easement described above.
Commissioner Warden mentioned that there were other properties had encroachments and did
not have to pay anything to the City. Commissioner Goldsmith stated that the City asked the
developer to make some design changes, so they felt the $75 annual fee would be acceptable.
A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows:
Carried Unanimously
Award of Bid for Seneca Street Parking Garage – Priority 4 Repairs – Resolution
This topic was deleted from the agenda.
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HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS:
Award of Professional Services Contract for Pedestrian Signal Countdown Timer
Project – Resolution
By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith
WHEREAS, six professional services proposals were received on January 15, 2015 for the
Pedestrian Signal Countdown Timer Project (PIN 375590, CP 801), and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the six proposals received and made recommendations for
award, and
WHEREAS, engineering studies and designs are Type II actions requiring no further review
under the State Environmental Quality Review Act or the City Environmental Quality Review
Ordinance, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby awards a professional
services contract for the Pedestrian Signal Countdown Timer Project (PIN 375590, CP 801) to
Popli Design Group, of Penfield, New York, for an amount not to exceed $32,000, and be it
further,
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Superintendent of Public Works be hereby authorized to
enter into said contract under the usual terms and conditions.
Dir. of Eng. West explained the project, which included 16 traffic signals, adding countdown
timers for pedestrian safety. Commissioner Goldsmith suggested coordinating the traffic light
and the pedestrian light.
A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows:
Carried Unanimously
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Approval of Columbia Street Bridge for the Public Art Commission’s Mural and Street
Art Program – Proposed Resolution
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Public Art Commission (PAC) has been established to, among
other duties, review and advise Common Council on proposals for the exhibition and display of
public art in City spaces – buildings, facilities, and infrastructure – and to review development
proposals for decorative elements in the city’s public spaces, and
WHEREAS, in 2010, the PAC created a mural and street art program to beautify blank walls
within the city while providing local artists from all sections of the community an opportunity to
showcase their work, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works approved several City-owned sites for inclusion on the
list of potential sites in City of Ithaca Public Art Commission’s Mural and Street Art Program by
resolution on May 19, 2010 and approved additional sites for inclusion in the program since
that time, and
WHEREAS, as a result of this approval, the PAC has worked with more than 50 artists to
install murals on City-owned property throughout the city, and the response to the new murals
has been overwhelmingly positive, and
WHEREAS, the Natural Areas Commission requested that the PAC consider the walls of the
Columbia Street Bridge as a location for a future mural, and
WHEREAS, the PAC agreed that the location would be ideal for a future mural and would help
deter ongoing graffiti, and
WHEREAS, at its meeting on March 25, 2015, the PAC voted to recommend that the walls of
the Columbia Street Bridge be approved by the Board as a location for future murals and the
Natural Areas Commission supported this recommendation at its meeting on April 7, 2015;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the City-owned walls of the Columbia
Street Bridge for inclusion on the list of potential sites for the PAC’s Mural and Street Art
Program; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the PAC will continue to work with Planning Department staff to conduct a
mutually acceptable public input procedure for engaging nearby businesses, residences,
and/or business and neighborhood associations for each specific project, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the PAC will work with the City Attorney to ensure that any art mural RFP or
contract with a participating artist reflects and accommodates the needs and constraints of the
City.
Mayor Myrick expressed support for this proposal to reduce graffiti on the abutment walls.
Commissioner Goldsmith noted that the artwork complete by the Public Arts Commission has
been done very well; he supported the proposal.
Joe McMahan, Natural Areas Commission Chair, joined the Board for the discussion of this
item, stating that he had painted over graffiti several times, and students from Lehman
Alternative School had painted some murals on the pillars, but it was a long time ago. He
further stated that another idea was to include some plantings on part of it, such as briars or
poison ivy, to keep people away from the wall.
The Board generally agreed with the proposal and agreed to vote on the resolution at the next
Board meeting.
Petition to Rename Plain Street
Mayor Myrick expressed his opinion that he would not want to rename a street that wasn’t tied
to the name. He would like people that actually lived on Plain Street to express interest in the
renaming, and he would like the renaming to honor African Americans. He noted that the City
had only so many streets; they should commemorate the City’s own history.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding commemorating Nelson Mandala in other ways than
renaming a street, obtaining input from residents on or near Plain Street, endorsing local
history, and the complexities involved in renaming a street, including updating the 911 and GIS
systems.
Further discussion followed regarding previously renamed streets throughout the City, and
communicating the Board’s feelings about renaming Plain Street to requestor Gino Bush.
Mayor Myrick stated he would contact Mr. Bush directly.
Commissioner Warden suggested the City create a policy and procedure for renaming streets,
stressing the commemoration of local figures. Mayor Myrick stated he would contemplate that
suggestion; Dir. of Eng. West suggested naming intersections or traffic circles rather than
entire streets.
Fees Associated with Heritage Permits
Supt. Thorne explained that the owner of Louie’s Lunch had visited the office to renew his
permit and wanted to know how much the permit fee was. From a letter dated June 2011, the
permit fee was listed at approximately $2,000; under the Street Vending Policy, because this
truck and the Hot Truck was stationary 24 hours per day, the permit fee would be about
$6,000. The City has stated that it will not disrupt operations for these two vendors under the
Heritage Permit, but a permit fee structure was never determined. He requested direction from
the Board.
Mayor Myrick state he thought the Heritage Permit vendors would move to the new fee
structure under the Street Vending Policy. Commissioner Goldsmith agreed.
Commissioner Darling stated that the Heritage Permit was intended to allow these two vendors
to remain in their current locations without having to move and pay what was charged before
the Street Vending Policy was enacted. If the vendors wanted to move to another location,
they would have to follow the policy.
Exec. Asst. Gehring stated that the resolution passed by the Board to create the Heritage
Permit stated the vendors must follow all rules in the current policy with the exception of being
in the lottery. Commissioner Goldsmith expressed support for charging the higher fee
according to the new policy. He stated that Al Smith, owner of the Hot Truck, wanted to be
able to move but not enter the lottery. He further noted that a new lottery was to occur
annually, so no one is guaranteed one location permanently.
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Mayor Myrick supported charging $6,300 for the Heritage Permit because the trucks were
parked on the street 24 hours per day. The Board generally agreed.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding serving hours at various approved vending locations
versus the 24 hour allowance for the Heritage Permit.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
Kathrin D. Gehring Svante L. Myrick
Executive Assistant Mayor