HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2017-01-09BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:49 p.m. January 9, 2017
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Commissioners (1) – Darling, Jenkins, McCormick, Warden
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin
Common Council Liaison – Fleming
Executive Assistant – Servoss
EXCUSED:
Commissioner – Greene
City Attorney – Lavine
Director of Engineering – Logue
Director of Parking – Nagy
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Supt. Thorne requested the addition of a discussion regarding the retaining wall and sidewalk
on East Spencer Street under New Business.
No Board member objected.
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS:
Election of Board of Public Works Vice-Chair for 2017 – Resolution
By Mayor Myrick: Seconded by Commissioner Darling
RESOLVED, That Commissioner Jenkins be appointed as the Vice-Chair of the Board of
Public Works for 2017.
Carried Unanimously
Board of Public Works Meeting Procedures
Commissioner Darling explained that he had attended a workshop about handling heated
meetings and one of the suggestions was to create and agree on meeting procedures at the
beginning of each year. He believes it would also be good for new members, especially with
useful information in the procedure, like the policy on how to handle water bill appeals, among
other issues.
Mayor Myrick agreed and believed all of the City’s committees should create meeting
procedures. Commissioner Warden agreed, stating that it would be good to have this
document to refer to by future and experienced members. Commissioner Darling noted it
could be a living document, changing when needed. Commissioner McCormick stated he
often wondered about the three minute limit for comments and this document would be good to
have.
Approval of the December 12, 2016, Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes –
Resolution
By Commissioner Warden: Seconded by Commissioner Darling
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the December 12, 2016 Board of Public Works meeting be
approved as proposed.
Carried Unanimously
2017 Meeting Calendar
Mayor Myrick noted the calendar that was placed at the back of the agenda and asked if the
Board had any comments regarding the meeting dates. No response was provided.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
The Mayor had no communications to provide.
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COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Shannon Fritts-Penniman, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board on behalf of his father, Peter
Penniman, owner of 111 East Spencer Street, regarding the planned replacement of the
sidewalk on Mr. Penniman’s block. Mr. Fritts-Penniman read the following statement from his
father:
To: Members, City of Ithaca Board of Public Works
I am the owner of 111 East Spencer Street, where a new sidewalk and retaining wall with railings is
planned to be built. The replacement of sidewalks is much needed and appreciated, as the sidewalk
currently have a dangerous sideways slope. My concern is that the current project proposal takes away
all existing stairs to the street that are close to 111, and I have been told the City will only replace the
stairs in front of 111 if I pay $10,800. We are requesting that the City provide funding for at least one
stairway in the center of this project area.
I have been working with City Engineer John Licitra regarding the affected properties, which are all on
the left, uphill side, at the west end of the 100 block of East Spencer Street. My property (111 East
Spencer) is one of the inner ones out of the four properties in a row. The sidewalk is approximately 5
feet above street level and the existing earthen embankment is severely eroded, causing a sideways
slope. With ice or even just wet leaves, it puts walkers at risk of slipping off the sidewalk and then
sliding directly into the path of traffic. So yes, the new sidewalk will be much appreciated!
Currently, there are four sets of stairs from the sidewalk down to street level to serve the occupants of
these houses. The City proposal is to remove all four sets of stairs in this project area and then only
rebuild a set of stairs if the property owners pays for it. The price we have been given by Mr. Licitra is
$10,800 per set of stairs. Owners of these four properties have been given the option of sharing a single
set of stairs with an adjacent property owner, but no such mutual agreement has been reached.
I seem to be the owner who is most concerned about losing my stairs. If I fail to pay the $10,800 cost I
will be left with street access that is about 185 feet to the west (near Cayuga Street) or about 150 feet to
the east (with no assurance those stairs to the east will remain in the future). In essence, the project will
create a 330 foot length of street with a retaining wall up to five feet tall, and no stairway access
provided for emergency personnel including police, fire and ambulances. Following below are the
reasons I believe that street access is a public safety issue, a public right and a necessity.
1. The lack of access will cause significant delays for all types of emergency personnel —fire,
police, ambulance.
2. The question of how garbage and recycling will be handled has not been answered.
3. Parking is already very difficult to find on this street, and a reduced number of stairways to the
sidewalk will increase the difficulty of residents in getting to their cars, as well as focus parking
activity where access to the sidewalk does exist.
4. For residents without cars, access to taxi cabs, Uber and Lyft service will be confusing without a
stairway near where they are likely or expected to pull up.
5. For residents with an injury, illness or minor disability, the distance to easily get to a car from
either 111 or 107 is greatly increased under the current plan.
6. Moving in or out, or even just carrying groceries to the property will be greatly affected.
7. All sorts of delivery trucks will be greatly affected - Appliance deliveries, furniture moving
vehicles, UPS, FedEx, etc.
8. Repair services will also face a greater difficulty than we have at present in getting tools,
equipment and supplies to the homes (especially 111 and 107) without a stairway.
For all of these reasons, I believe the Board of Public Works and the Common Council have a
responsibility to ensure that reasonable access between the street and residences is maintained.
John Licitra and I have been unsuccessful in getting any of my neighbors to share the cost of a
replacement stairway. The two properties in the middle of this project, 111 (going east) and 107 (going
west), will each have a distance of 150 feet or more to reach the nearest access to the street . The loss of
street access is being caused by this City project. Given this situation, it seems reasonable that the City
should assist the owners with funding for at least one stairway in the center of this project area.
Thank you for considering this matter,
Peter W. Penniman
Jacob Parker Carver, 108 ½ Fifth Street, addressed the Board regarding a water bill appeal.
He stated that he had lived in the apartment alone for some of 2015 and all of 2016. He
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explained that the water meter was replaced in early 2016. Shortly afterward, the water bills
became extremely high. He requested that the Board adjust the bill for May 2016, noting that
the August 2016 bill was already adjusted previously.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
Commissioner Warden explained the procedures related to the installation of new meters and
that concerns should be brought to Asst. Supt. Whitney’s attention. Mayor Myrick asked Asst.
Supt. Whitney to follow-up with Barb Frycek, Senior Water Meter Technician, who had already
visited the apartment and determined there was no leak. Asst. Supt. Whitney responded that
he would contact Ms. Frycek for further information.
REPORTS
Board Liaisons
Commissioner McCormick, BPAC liaison, reported that BPAC members requested updates on
several topics:
Request for a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Plain and Clinton Streets in
conjunction with Bike Boulevard.
What was happening at the Cayuga Street and Cascadilla Street interstion?
Informing the BPAC on the design of University Avenue and obtaining their comments.
An update on the Brindley Street Bridge project.
Diverters on Tioga Street to continue Bike Boulevard.
Commissioner McCormick noted that a statement would be forwarded soon to the Board from
the BPAC chair, and asked for the best way to communicate about these concerns.
Supt. Thorne responded that the four-way stop sign at the Plain/Clinton Street intersection was
already determined not to be good design and would it cause confusion because there are
already stop signs and lights at almost every other intersection on Clinton Street.
Commissioner McCormick asked staff to revisit the issue. Mayor Myrick suggested
Commissioner McCormick contact Dir. of Engineering Services Tim Logue for further
information and discussion.
Superintendent and Staff
Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that crews were doing some in-house cleanup to remove salt
from trucks, the parks crew was picking up holiday trees once per week and removing other
city trees that would be replaced in the spring.
Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that the contractor was down to the last 5% of construction on the
new Water Treatment Plant. They expect to receive the Certificate of Occupancy by the end of
January. He further reported that staff submitted engineering assessment of the 60 foot dam
to NYS Dam Safety.
Asst. Supt. Whitney further reported that staff was working on the new permit requirements for
stormwater fallout. Commissioner Darling requested that the Natural Areas Commission be
kept informed about the stormwater permit and any work needed in the watershed. Asst. Supt.
Whitney agreed.
Supt. Thorne reported that a productive site visit was held at the sediment site for the dredging
project. He stated that it was a great meeting; more was accomplished at the meeting than in
the last three years of meetings, with a lot of issues being ironed out. He stated that they
would hopefully be able to move to construction soon.
Supt. Thorne reported further that staff have begun to discuss adjusting street permit fees and
looking at ways to incentivize developers that streets have value. Staff were working with the
Planning Dept. and the City Attorney to come up with a new system. Commissioner
McCormick asked about tying the permit fees to the amount of time the sidewalk or street was
closed for a project. Supt. Thorne responded that staff was looking into that, along with the
number of parking spaces, amount of space taken, etc.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE AND TRANSIT:
Resolution in Support of Coltivare Sidewalk Awning
By Commissioner Warden: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
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WHEREAS, Colitvare Restaurant located on the Northeast corner of N. Clinton and S. Cayuga
Streets is requesting an awning and sign which will project onto the eastern sidewalk of S.
Cayuga Street, as shown in the attached renderings, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works discussed the proposed awning and sign at the
December 12, 2016 BPW meeting, and is supportive of the sign so long as the support
columns do not impact snow removal operations or pedestrian flow, suggesting that the
support columns line up with the center of the adjacent street tree trunks, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works recommends that the Planning Board review the
proposal for final approval, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works supports the proposed awning and signage
subject to placement of the support columns in line with adjacent street tree trunks, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the Planning Board review the
proposal in context with design guidelines or standards for these type of installations.
Commissioner Darling reported that the Planning and Economic Development Board was not
inclined to approve this type of sign/awning. Their reasons for disapproval included that there
weren’t any guidelines about awnings established for this particular location. Supt. Thorne
noted that this resolution was only to provide support for the request.
A Vote of the Resolution Resulted As Follows:
Carried Unanimously
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Cayuga Waterfront Trail Winter Maintenance
Rick Manning, Friends of Stewart Park, joined the Board for the discussion of this topic.
Asst. Supt. Benjamin stated that Phase 1 of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail was located in Cass
Park and Phase 3 was in Stewart Park. Crews at those parks would clear the trail if they had
time, but most of the bridges on the trail could not take the weight of the sidewalk snow plow
the City uses. He noted that because of the amount of sidewalk crews had to plow already,
they did not have time to fully clear the trail.
Mr. Manning stated that a social media flurry recently came up about keeping the trail clear
during the winter. He thinks that a conversation about partnering on clearing the trail and
knowing the reasons why City isn’t maintaining it might help. He requested that a discussion
begin regarding it.
Mayor Myrick explained that clearing the Trail was not necessarily high on the priority list
because crews would have to do the trail mostly on overtime. Asst. Supt. Benjamin noted that
staff thought cross country skiers would want a place to sky in the winter. Commissioner
Darling agreed that a discussion needed to occur because there wasn’t any knowledge about
how much usage the trail gets by skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts.
Mr. Manning noted that there was a sign stating “No Winter Maintenance” on the Phase 2
section of the trail, but now that the trail was so popular, the topic of maintenance has come
up.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding people relying on the trail for commuting.
Alderperson Fleming noted that if there were passable sidewalks in the same area as the trail,
the City was not required to clear the trail just because it’s nicer.
Further discussion followed regarding prioritizing sections of the trail for clearing and what level
of clearing would need to occur. Commissioner Darling noted that at the time the trail was
being built, it was made clear there was absolutely no money for winter maintenance and the
issue would need to be addressed at a later time. Now the issue has come back.
Mayor Myrick requested that Mr. Manning have a discussion with the Parks Commission and
come back to the Board with answers to the following questions:
1. Where would they recommend trail clearing fall in the sidewalk paving priority list?
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2. What would it cost annually to clear the trail?
3. What was their recommendation for which direction should the trail be cleared from?
4. How does the trail maintenance fit in the sidewalk program?
Commissioner Darling suggested inviting Cornell University and Ithaca College to clear the
sections of the trail that cross their properties. The Board agreed.
Commissioner Darling further noted that the Board of Public Works did not have a liaison to
the Parks Commission since Commissioner Goldsmith stepped down. The Board members
agreed to consider becoming the liaison.
Award of a Professional Services Contract to Fisher Associates for the Elmira Road
Overlay and Signal Replacement Project – Proposed Resolution
WHEREAS, professional services proposals were received on August 10, 2016 for the Elmira
Road Overlay and Signal Replacement project (CP 832, PIN 375592), and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the eight 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 Elmira Road Overlay and Signal Replacement project (CP 832, PIN
375592) to Fisher Associates, of Rochester, New York, for an amount not to exceed $210,000,
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.
There were no questions regarding the project. Mayor Myrick stated that the resolution would
be voted on at the next board meeting.
Proposal for a Temporary Community Alter in DeWitt Park
Commissioner Darling requested that this request be forwarded to the Parks Commission
before the Board of Public Works discusses it. Mayor Myrick agreed, then invited the
applicants to explain the project.
Charity Burger and Christina Coleman, Your Art Club, joined the Board for the discussion of
this topic. Ms. Burger explained that this group had been doing community art projects for the
past two years, and this year they would like to place an interactive community art project in
DeWitt Park that honors loss and holds a space for grief. The project was meant to be secular
and used by all faiths and beliefs. Ms. Burger read the following:
“A Community Altar”
Art Club wishes to create a space for the community to gather, reflect and remember, both at the
individual and collective level. The space will not have any religious affiliation and is intended to be
inclusive of all, regardless of belief.
We will invite people to place a meaningful object on the altar alongside the rest of the community’s
contributions. We believe the gesture will mean something unique to each participant, which is our
intention given the non-religious orientation of this event. We’re using the word “altar” because it’s a
universally understood convention that denotes reverence, and as such, is an appropriate medium to
encourage participants to join in the vulnerable act of sharing something personal at the collective
level.
The altar will be freestanding and made from sturdy wood. The dimensions will be roughly 34” wide,
56” long and 51” high. We are referencing roadside altars and personal altars such as the images
shown below for a visual jumping place as we shape our structure.
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The location of this project is key to its success. We chose DeWitt Park for its centrality. It was Ithaca’s
original public square (called the ‘Town Square’ in fact, before it was renamed in honor of Simeon
DeWitt.) Also, because it is already a sacred space of communal reverie given that it contains several
war memorials. And has been visited by seminal unifying leaders such as Frederick Douglas and Dr.
Martin Luther King.
“DeWitt Park in the center of Ithaca is what I would call a sacred public space, that
is, a special place used in various ways by many people and regarded as something
that belongs to us all.”
-Carol Kammen, Guest Columnist, Ithaca Journal, August 15, 2014
We are aiming to leave the altar in place for one month, from mid-February to mid-March, when morale
is somewhat low due to the long ebb of our winters, but with that said, our time frame is flexible.
We will be tending to the altar while it is up at least twice a week and also documenting the project,
watching the evolution of its collage of layers.
How we understand the projects effect on public space:
- We understand Dewitt is a quiet park and do not believe this project would cause noise
pollution.
- We do not foresee litter or vandalism as the public predominantly respects public art.
- We will not be facilitating a public event or meeting at the structure.
- We understand it is taking place in inclement weather conditions and will be affected.
- We would like to place the structure on the open grass and thus will not interfere with park trees,
memorials, sidewalks, etc.
- In tending to the space we will be aware of safety issues and do our best to keep the altar clean
and safe.
- We do not foresee needing any extra help from the city to maintain the space. (i.e. police, trash
service, etc.)
Ms. Burger noted that the project would be installed for one month (February) and
inappropriate objects left on the “alters” would be removed on a daily basis. She further
explained the physical layout of the “alters”: a short table would hold five “alters” that would be
available for people to leave objects. Instructions would be available, along with a sticky
substance that may help keep objects from blowing away.
Mayor Myrick expressed support for this project, but he would still like to hear from Parks
Commission. Ms. Burger noted that she had already contacted and received permission from
the First Presbyterian Church.
Commissioner Darling expressed support for this project and suggested placing it in
Washington Park rather than DeWitt Park. He stated that Washington Park was only 3½
blocks from DeWitt Park and would be a nice location because it was surrounded by residents
who could help monitor the project. Commissioner McCormick suggested if this project was
successful in DeWitt Park, maybe they could have something similar move around from park to
park. The Board agreed that DeWitt Park was a good location to try first. The Art Club
representatives agreed to discuss the request at Parks Commission and come back to the
Board with more information.
NEW BUSINESS:
East Spencer Street Sidewalk Replacement
Supt. Thorne explained that the sidewalk along the 100 block of East Spencer Street was on
the Sidewalk Improvement District Workplan for 2017. This section of road was more
challenging because the sidewalk was raised and there was a retaining wall with stairs going
from the street to the sidewalk and up the hill to each of the houses. He noted that there were
other areas in the City with similar situations.
Sidewalk Program Manager John Licitra joined the Board for the discussion of this topic and
explained that it was the City’s policy to replace the sidewalk but not replace staircases or
driveway aprons unless the property owners agreed to pay for it.
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Supt. Thorne explained the geography in this area, stating that the new raised sidewalk would
match the existing sidewalk grade, but residents have raised a number of questions regarding
trash and recycling collection and access for fire and emergency services if the staircases
were removed. He suggested installing one set of stairs in the middle of the houses, rather
than a staircase for each house.
Commissioner Warden expressed his opinion that the Board needed to develop a standard
policy regarding this type of situation. Commissioner Jenkins expressed concern that if only
one staircase was installed, it may cause an issue for people carrying groceries or small
children. She suggested installing two sets of stairs rather than one. Program Manager Licitra
noted that each house does have a set of stairs on the other side of their property.
Commissioner McCormick stated that it was important that the Board determine the length of
street frontage between each set of stairs (i.e. every 100 feet). Program Manager Licitra noted
that none of the houses at this location had driveways.
Commissioner Darling suggested splitting the costs for installing stairs. He further expressed
support for placing stairs parallel, rather than perpendicular to the street and the City would
need to be clear that the property owners needed to keep the stairs clean and clear.
The Board agreed to split the cost 50/50 between sidewalk improvement district and property
owners, and to build at least one set of stairs.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the feelings of the residents and property owners
about paying the entire cost of installing stairs for each house, that the stairs would mainly
benefit the residents at those properties, how the removal of the stairs would affect trash and
recycling collection and other services, and building a landing at the base of the stairs for
residents to store trash and recycling on collection days.
The Board agreed that more information would be beneficial before they made a decision.
Staff agreed to research options further and provide the Board with their findings.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
Kathrin D. Servoss Svante L. Myrick
Executive Assistant Mayor