HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2016-11-28BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:49 p.m. November 28, 2016
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Commissioners (5) – Darling, Greene, Jenkins, McCormick, Warden
OTHERS PRESENT:
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin
Director of Engineering – Logue
Director of Parking – Nagy
Common Council Liaison – Fleming
Executive Assistant – Servoss
EXCUSED:
City Attorney – Lavine
Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:
No additions/deletions were requested.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
The Mayor had no communications.
PRESENTATION:
Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community Award
Junior Transportation Eng. Kent Johnson and Vicki Armstrong from Bike Walk Tompkins joined
the Board for the discussion of this topic.
Dir. of Eng. Logue explained the award was presented to the City from the League of
American Bicyclists. He further stated that Ithaca was lucky enough to have a visit from Steve
Clark, a representative from the League, with a presentation and discussion after a bike tour of
downtown.
Dir. of Eng. Logue referenced the info graphic that was provided in the agenda packet,
explaining how the scoring worked for the bicycle friendly awards. Based on all the
information, the League of American Bicyclists made a determination on which award a city
should receive. The League did provide information on why Ithaca received a bronze level
award and how the city could improve.
Junior Transportation Eng. Johnson displayed the sign that was sent to the City. He noted a
number of things that were occurring within the community to show how the city was becoming
more bicycle friendly, including:
Bike racks on all TCAT buses
Safe Routes to School Program, which included an educational component
Several community events were held with a bicycle focus:
o Streets Alive!
o Bike to Work events
o Bike Rodeos
Advocacy organizations:
o Finger Lakes Cycling Club
o BPAC
o CCE Way to Go Program
o Bike/Walk Tompkins
He noted that even though the City had a lot of work to still do to improve and move up through
the levels, there were a lot that community members would do and many good ways to plug
into the different advocacy organizations to meet different challenges people are facing.
Everybody could feel they were part of the process to make biking better in the city.
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Regular Meeting
Ms. Armstrong congratulated the City on receiving a bronze level award on behalf of Bike/Walk
Tompkins. She stated that studies have shown that as roads that were treated for cyclists also
benefited motorists. She further stated that she looked forward to a greater and more
connected network of cycling routes to benefit all ages and abilities. She stated, “We should
go for gold!” Additionally, she stated that Bike/Walk Tompkins looked forward to working with
the City to improve cycling in the community.
Commissioner Greene arrived at 4:56 p.m.
Commissioner McCormick noted the City did not have any bicycle friendly businesses and
asked if that affected the award determination. Tim responded that similar to bike friendly
communities, there is a program for businesses to apply to. There hasn’t been much outreach
by the City to showcase bike friendly businesses. Cornell is our bike friendly university.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding bicycle friendly businesses, local and national
including Facebook. Mayor Myrick stated that it was nice to be recognized for what the City
does well, and learn how to improve. Excited to receive this award, and the goal could be to
become better and climb the rankings.
Fernando D’Aragon, Ithaca Tompkins County Transportation Council (ITCTC) Executive
Director, joined the Board, stating that for perspective, 1.8% of people in Tompkins County
regularly commuted via bicycle to work, compared to Portland, Oregon, which received
Platinum status, had 6.8% of their community that bike to work. Just 6-8% of people transform
the city, and is very achievable. He stated that if there’s another way to get around the
community that did not include vehicles, it was easier for the community to achieve its goals,
including bringing more people to live in the city. Ms. Armstrong noted that Portland went from
1% to 6% in a very short period of time not very long ago.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the possibility of creating a formal bicycle coral
application process in the City. Dir. of Eng. Logue responded that there was not a formal
process; the City was hoping to find local businesses to agree to maintain the corals, which
would include only easy tasks such as trash cleanup within the corals because street
sweepers did not fit inside the corals. He noted that no businesses have agreed to do this
maintenance and keep corals clean yet.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding speaking with local businesses, particularly Gimee
Coffee, about adopting a bike coral near their business.
Commissioner Green asked if the League of American Bicyclist accounted for the fact that
Ithaca and Tompkins County has hills everywhere when scoring the community. Junior
Transportation Eng. Johnson responded that topography and weather were barriers for many
people who wished to bike more, but he was not aware if/how that factored into the scoring for
this award.
Mayor Myrick congratulated staff on receiving the award and thanked them for the
presentation.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
No one addressed the Board.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
No response was necessary.
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS:
Approval of the July 13, 2015, and August 10, 2015, Board of Public Works Meeting
Minutes – Resolution
By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the July 13, 2015, and August 10, 2015, Board of Public
Works meeting be approved proposed/with noted corrections.
Carried Unanimously
REPORTS
Board Liaisons
Commissioner Darling, Planning and Economic Development Board liaison, reported that the
Board reviewed City Centre designs at their last meeting. He noted that this project would
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Regular Meeting
change how the downtown area looks, and it would be interesting how it will change the
interface with Green Street. There are few other interesting projects in process for downtown.
He further reported that landlords in Collegetown are planning to take down buildings in order
to put up bigger buildings, taking away green space. The City might want to think about
closing down streets from time to time in Collegetown to get more people outside. Mayor
Myrick noted that the Schwarz Center was planning to take down the existing wall outside the
center to make a more open space.
Commissioner Green reported that the Waterfront Resources Committee would hold two public
sessions on December 17, 2016, at The Space @ Greenstar. Good, positive discussion is
expected, including about accessible housing vs. mixed use applications. He further noted
that a lot of discussion was held regarding branding the waterfront corridor (such as a
waterfront or historical area) that contained a central theme. The conversation included
development incentives for attracting the kinds of projects that would spur more activity in that
area from an economic and a social perspective.
David West, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council (BPAC) Chair, thanked staff, the Board
of Public Works, Common Council, ITCTC, local advocacy groups, Friends of Stewart Park,
and the Cayuga Waterfront Trail for all their work that resulted in the League of American
Bicyclists award. He stated that the bronze status award was something to be proud of; the
City previously received honorable mention, then a significant number of positive changes
have been made to get to bronze level. He explained that Junior Transportation Eng. Johnson
tasked BPAC with developing a Complete Streets Policy, a draft of which had been e-mailed to
the Board for review. He suggested that the Board designate a committee to work on any
changes or to move toward adoption of the policy. He noted that it was important to keep City
on track toward completing the Comprehensive Plan.
Superintendent and Staff
Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that the season started out with snow, with most equipment
holding up well. He stated that crews were on the night snow watch shift, which included
picking up leaves when there was no snow plowing. Day crews were cleaning out catch
basins, catching up on training, and the employee recognition event was scheduled for
December 16, 2016.
Dir. of Parking Nagy reported that the City had raised about $75,000 more in November 2016
than in November 2014; promotion of new the 2017 parking rates would begin soon to get
information out to the public, including trying to get city-owned garage permit holders over to
the Cayuga Garage; the water feature on the Commons would go through its first test this
week; a city-wide parking study with on-street occupancies was in process, with the hope that
solid data would be gathered by beginning of January 2017.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE AND TRANSIT:
Request to Install Telecommunication Conduit within the Commons Telecommunication
System Space – Proposed Resolution
By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, as part of the Commons Project, the City installed a comprehensive structure to
facilitate installation of telecommunications equipment by multiple providers; and
WHEREAS, Ithaca Renting Company (hereafter, “Applicant”) has submitted a request to
occupy conduit space in the new telecommunication conduit system installed as part of the
Commons rebuild project; and
WHEREAS, Applicant has requested permission to place fiber optic cable and associated
splice cases within the Commons telecom space as shown in the diagram attached here as
Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, City staff is supportive of this use of the Commons’ telecom system space and on
October 26, 2015, the Board of Public of Works set a base license fee schedule; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent does not anticipate any conflicts in the near future with public
works uses or needs, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, The Board of Public Works hereby grants Applicant permission to install fiber
optic cable and associated splice cases subject to the following:
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Regular Meeting
1) Applicant shall provide bonding or other sufficient security in an amount that the
Superintendent deems appropriate to compensate the City for damage to its property
during the course of installation and in the event the City must effect removal of the
equipment
2) Applicant shall submit its final installation plan for Superintendent of Public Works’ prior
to installation
3) Applicant agrees to, and shall execute an agreement with the City for continued use of
the telecom system space as authorized by Board of Public Works.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding number of cables that could fit in the conduits,
which are many.
A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows:
Carried Unanimously
HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS:
Award of Professional Services Contract for East State Street Retaining Wall – Capital
Project 833 – Proposed Resolution
By Commissioner Greene: Seconded by Commissioner Warden
WHEREAS, professional services proposals were received on July 28, 2016 for the East State
Street Retaining Wall project (CP 833, PIN 375616), and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the seven proposals received and made recommendations for
award, and
WHEREAS, engineering studies and designs are a Type II action requiring no further review
under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and the City Environmental Quality Review
Ordinance, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby awards the professional
services contract for the East State Street Retaining Wall project (CP 833, PIN 375616) to
Erdman Anthony and Associates, of Rochester, New York, for an amount not to exceed
$408,000, and be it further,
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works for the City of Ithaca be hereby
authorized to enter into said contracts under the usual terms and conditions.
Dir. of Eng. Logue noted that this project has the standard 80%/15%/5% (federal, state, city)
funding split.
A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows:
Carried Unanimously
PARKING AND TRAFFIC:
2017 Parking Rates – Resolution
By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Warden
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has considered the proposed 2017 rates for municipal
parking facilities in order to meet the adopted 2017 budget revenue projection, and
WHEREAS, the following chart contains the entire rate structure for all rates within the City for
2017, and
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby adopts the proposed 2017 parking rates
as follows in the attached table; and, be it further,
RESOLVED, That all rates shall go into effect January 1, 2017, and shall remain until the
Board of Public Works directs otherwise.
Monthly Permits
Actual
2016 Rates
Effective
1/1/16
Proposed
2017 Rates
Effective
1/1/17
Amount
Changed
Board of Public Works Page 5 November 28, 2016
Regular Meeting
Seneca Garage, Day and Night
All Levels, Full Access (24/7) $96.00/mo $96.00/mo No Change
Contract with Hotel1 $56.00/mo $56.45/mo
0.81%
increase CPI
Contract with Cascade Plaza, LLC $96.00/mo $96.00/mo No Change
Worker’s Special (M-F/10 hrs/day,
210 hrs/mo) $78.00/mo $78.00/mo No Change
Part time Special (24/7, 105 hrs/mo) $67.00/mo $67.00/mo No Change
Overnight Only Special (5pm-8am) $46.00/mo $46.00/mo No Change
Primo Part time Special (24/7, 68 hrs/mo) $42.00/mo $46.00/mo 9.5% increase
Green Street Garage, Day and Night
All Levels, Full Access $85.00/mo $96.00/mo 13% increase
Contract with Cascade Plaza, LLC2 $55.18/mo $55.63/ mo
0.81%
increase CPI
Worker’s Special (M-F/10 hrs/day,
210 hrs/mo) $69.50/ mo $78.00/mo 12% Increase
Part time Special (24/7, 105 hrs/mo) $60.00/ mo $67.00/mo 12% Increase
Overnight Only Special (5pm-8am) $41.00/ mo $46.00/mo 12% Increase
Primo Part time Special (24/7, 68 hrs/mo) $38.00/mo $46.00/mo 21% Increase
Cayuga Street Garage, Day and Night
All Levels, including long-term storage $67.00/mo $69.00/mo 3% increase
Worker’s Special (M-F/10 hrs/day,
210 hrs/mo) $56.00/mo New option
Contract Cornell Rate $49.06/mo $49.46/mo
0.81%
increase CPI
Contract with County (Library)3 $67.00/ mo $69.00/ mo 3% change
Premium Area Rates $123.00/mo $123.00/mo No Change
Dryden Road Garage July 1, 2017
Full Access (24/7) $159.00/mo $164.00/mo 3% increase
Worker’s Special (210 hrs/mo) $129.00/mo $133.00/mo 3% Increase
Part time Special (24/7, 105 hrs/mo) $70.00/mo $72.00/mo 3% Increase
Overnight Only Special (M-F/6pm-9am/
Free Weekends) $129.00/mo $133.00/mo
3% Increase
Primo Part time Special (24/7,
68 hrs/mo) $46.00/mo $47.00/mo
2% Increase
Other Non-Meter Permit Parking
Contract with County (DSS)3 $50.00/mo $51.00/mo 2% increase
Weekly Rates
Actual
2016 Rates
Effective
1/1/16
Proposed
2017 Rates
Effective
1/1/17
Amount
Changed
Seneca Garage, Day and Night $30.00 $30.00 No Change
Green Street Garage, Day and Night $28.00 $30.00 7% Increase
Dryden Road Garage, 24 Hours $50.00 $51.00 2% Increase
Hourly Rates4
Actual
2016 Rates
Effective
1/1/16
Proposed
2017 Rates
Effective
1/1/17
Amount
Changed
Seneca, Green, Cayuga Street Garages5
Per hour $1/hour $1/hour No Change
Maximum $7/day $7/day No Change
Dryden Road Garage
0 – 24 $1/hour $1/hour No Change
Maximum $15/day $15/day No Change
Bulk Purchase: Garage Tokens or Tracer Tickets $26.00/ $26.00/ No Change
Board of Public Works Page 6 November 28, 2016
Regular Meeting
Hourly Rates4
Actual
2016 Rates
Effective
1/1/16
Proposed
2017 Rates
Effective
1/1/17
Amount
Changed
40 hours 40 hours
Special Event Rate (weekend day entrance fee, 24 hour parking limit)
Downtown garages $5 $5 No Change
Parking Meters and Pay and Display
Surface Lot: Green Street Garage
$2.25/hour
No max.
$2.25/hour
No max. No Change
Downtown (begin As Pay Machines are
installed)
$1.50/hr
2 hr. max.
$1.50/hr
2 hr. max. No Change
Collegetown (begins as pay machines are
Installed)
$1.50/hr
2 hr. max.
$1.50/hr
2 hr. max. No Change
Thurston & Stewart Ave. & Edgemoor
(begins as pay machines are installed)
$0.75/hr
9 hr. max.
$0.75/hr
9 hr. max. No Change
Foot Notes
1 – Volume discount rate for 104 spaces – see contract dated June 6, 2006. Rate adjustment annually on 8/1
based on average increase in other rates, but not more than 3%
2 – Up to 100 permits in Seneca Street Garage at posted rate (except handicap permits, are at special Cayuga
Garage rate); up to 20 permits in Green Street Garage (these permits will not be usable at any other garage), up
to 150 permits in Cayuga Street Garage, total not to exceed 250 permits. Right to purchase additional 150
permits at posted rates – see contract dated June 6, 2006. Rate to change for first 250 permits after August 1,
2007, “from time to time” based on percentage change in the CPI between adjustment dates.
3 – The County’s Mental Health/Library agreement for 100 spaces in Green Street Garage (and/or Lot D) has
expired. The Board of Public Works agreed to transition the rate charged to County employees to the full market
rate over a period of five years. Commencing in 2015, THE rate is 100% of the market rate. County’s DSS
agreement for 20 spaces on West State Street (in “Fire Station lot”) expires December 31, 2016 (needs to be
negotiated).
4 – Fees charged: Downtown garages, 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday: Dryden Road garage, 24
hours / 7 days.
5 – The City has an agreement with TC3 that allows TC3 to issue passes for students, clients, and customers, for
which the City charges TC3 88 percent of posted rates for the accumulated parking fees.
Carried Unanimously
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Floral Avenue Community Garden Update
Chrys Gardener, Cornell Cooperative Extension, joined the Board for the discussion of this
topic, providing the Board with good news: All 20 available plots in the Floral Avenue
Community Garden were leased in 2016, showing a need and high interest in a community
garden in that part of the city. She noted that one plot was even leased to the Ithaca
Children’s Garden, and one plot was used as an educational plot for gardening classes. Still a
lot of empty space available to add more garden plots.
She stated that organizers realized that there was no need to create a parking lot near the
garden because most people live within walking or biking distance to the garden, while others
would park in the public parking lot to the north of the garden and walking to the garden.
Ms. Gardener noted that the lack of rain this year was really tough: they were not allowed to
draw water from the water main; water from the flood control channel worked until herbicide
was pumped into inlet for hydrilla from June through September; and the City did fill the water
tanks a couple of times, but they could not count on that on a consistent basis. Therefore, she
asked the Board about building a small pavilion to help collect rainwater. She stated that both
the Ithaca Children’s Garden and the Dryden Community Garden both had a pavilion or
gazebo on their property to facilitate the gathering of water.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the number of tanks that the Community Garden
would want to have on site. Ms. Gardener responded that they are looking at getting a 1,000
gallon tank and hooking it up to the two existing tanks that were much smaller.
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Regular Meeting
Commissioner Darling stated that the Community Garden would need to check with the
Building Department about obtaining a permit to build a pavilion. He noted that the more
temporary the pavilion was, the more comfortable staff might be.
The Board did not express any objections to the request.
Proposal for a Mobile Community Garden on North Titus Avenue
Ms. Gardener remained with the Board, explaining that the Southside neighborhood still lacked
a community garden location. She stated that she was part of a team that looked around the
city for green space that was not city parkland and that could be used for community gardens.
Nothing suitable was located in the Southside neighborhood within walking distance for most
people. She explained that milk crate gardens have been used in other urban areas and have
been successful as they are movable.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the South Titus Avenue dead end being a
turnaround for fire trucks and snow plows, noting there were homes near the CVS driveway
toward the end of the road. Other options for garden locations were discussed by the Board.
Ms. Gardener agreed to follow up on her communication with Diane Cohen about using part of
the Finger Lakes ReUse Center parking lot.
Mayor Myrick expressed interest in taking under-utilized areas in the City and creating
community gardens for local communities. Ms. Gardener stated she would do more research
on suitable locations and come back to the Board with more details.
Mayor Myrick thanked Ms. Gardener for making the City a better place to live. He noted that
she had created a great model for community gardening.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Kathrin D. Servoss Svante L. Myrick
Executive Assistant Mayor