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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2017-09-25BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. September 25, 2017 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (5) – McCormick, Morache, Warden, Jenkins, Greene OTHERS PRESENT: Information Management Specialist - Myers Director of Engineering – Logue Common Council Liaison – Fleming Supt. of Public Works - Thorne Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Director of Parking – Nagy Call to Order/Agenda Review: Supt. Thorne requested postponing the discussion of Item 13B entitled “Continuing Discussion of Installing a Four-Way Stop at the Clinton/Plain Street Intersection” from the agenda for discussion at future meeting. No Board Member Objected. Communications and Hearings From Persons Before the Board: The following people addressed the Board in opposition to the Proposed West State/Martin Luther King, Jr. Street Re-Design Project: Wanda Holub, Town of Ithaca Mike Kasel, City of Ithaca Lou Sposito, City of Ithaca Nick Lambrou, City of Ithaca Sophie Zapala, Town of Ithaca Mark Bodenstein, City of Ithaca Chris Delacote, Town of Ithaca The following people addressed the Board in support for the Proposed West State/Martin Luther King, Jr. Street Re-Design Project: Margo Bryn, City of Ithaca Alderperson 1st Ward George McGonigal David Spurgin, City of Ithaca Diana Ozolins, City of Ithaca Andrejs Ozolins, City of Ithaca Pat Dutt, Town of Ithaca Genie Hurme, City of Ithaca Jan Schwartzberg, City of Ithaca David Nutter, City of Ithaca Andrew Palagcak, Town of Ithaca Victoria Armstrong, City of Ithaca David West, City of Ithaca Alderperson 1st Ward Cynthia Brock Anneka Ryan, City of Ithaca Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes September 25, 2017 2 Kelda McGurk, City of Ithaca Sarah Robarge, City of Ithaca Ben Komar, City of Ithaca Alderperson 2nd Ward Ducson Nguyen Rick Manning, City of Ithaca Charlie Wilson, City of Ithaca Response to the Public: Mayor Myrick thanked everyone for their comments and suggested that people also e- mail their comments to Board members. He stated that the comments made both for and against the project have all made sense to him. Director of Engineer Logue responded that he sent an e-mail to the West Hill listserve late last week that provided the following information: “There have been many concerns recently expressed on the West Hill listserve, including some directed specifically to me. My personal email was on the old WHCA listserv, but not on IWest, but I have seen or been copied on a number of recent listserv messages, so I have a fairly good sense of the conversations. I also understand that a number of people are planning to attend the Board of Public Works meeting on Monday. I'm writing to let you know that I will be listening to all the responses, attempting to catalog them, and provide written responses to them all. I've tried responding to some things, but information is going to different people and then parts are being passed along to others, but there is not a unified source of info. So, after the BPW on Monday, and in large part based on their direction, I will prepare project information sheet to try to respond to comments. I'm not sure how long that will take, but I expect it will be sometime into October. Due to the holiday on Indigenous Peoples' Day, the BPW will meet on 10/2 and 10/23 in October. I'm not sure that it can be finished by 10/2, but I will strive to include it in the agenda packet for the 10/23 meeting. If it is finished sooner, I will send it to this email group, and of course, you can disseminate further as needed. The other thing I wanted to address now is Cynthia's recent email indicating that the project cannot be stopped. This isn't the way I would put it. Truthfully, if the City doesn't want to proceed with the project, we aren't committed to it. Common Council or the BPW could decide to not proceed. There would be consequences - like possibly losing federal aid or a perception that the City is not always likely to deliver a project on time or increased construction costs after a delay, but until there is the proverbial shovel in the ground (and, really even then), the project can be stopped. That said, I am not interested in seeing this project derailed. I think it's a good project and it does a good job in trying to balance all the interests for this corridor within the limitations that every project inevitably has. I understand the fears and concerns and I don't take them lightly, but I think the project as designed overall will be a positive transformation for the corridor without having significant negative impacts on the time it takes to drive a motor vehicle through it. In the meantime, feel free to continue to express your concerns, support or questions about the project.” Director of Engineering Logue further stated that Common Council, at their September 6, 2017 meeting, sent the resolution back to the Board of Public Works for reconsideration regarding the mid-block traffic signal portion of the project. Once the Board of Public Works has made a decision on the preliminary design related to that item, the resolution needs to go back to Common Council for final approval of the Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes September 25, 2017 3 funding for the project. For him, the biggest issue is the project’s budget and whether it will cover the cost for both signals. Mayor Myrick asked what the latest time is that staff would need to know and still maintain the current project schedule if significant changes are proposed. Director of Engineering Logue responded that it will depend upon the scope of work and involvement of the design consultant - if updated alternative designs that incorporate the suggested changes need to be done. To some extent, some modifications could still be made well into the fall depending on what they are. However, if the design consultant is involved, the City will need a budget and scope of work in order for that to occur. In the meantime, he is happy to share what has been done and try to address some of the concerns raised. He did note that additional traffic studies (not just the one done in early August 2014) were conducted using GPS units in cars and while all schools were in session in order to record typical congestion and the design of the project was based on that information. Mayor Myrick wondered whether the City might be able to work with the railroad to see if they might be able to reschedule when the train comes through the City so that it does not conflict with peak travel times. Director of Engineering Logue responded that the short answer is, the City can’t. Although that is not to say that our current Mayor might not have more success than others in the past, if he approached the railroad. The last time this was discussed, the Department of Transportation told the City that they can’t do anything unless the railroad is doing something illegal or causing other types of problems. He noted that trains are running though the City a lot less often than in the past; the train used to go through the City twice a day. In addition, theoretically, the railroad is supposed to call the 9-1-1 Center before traveling through the City so emergency services can be staged appropriately; he doesn’t believe that is happening currently. Commissioner Morache stated that, to him, this project brings a bigger question that should be answered considering the new development that will be occurring on West Hill both in and outside the City which will result in increased traffic. Because of all that development, would it make sense that an elementary school be brought back into the neighborhood. Considering so many people from West Hill and beyond have to drive their kids to either BJM Elementary School or Cayuga Heights Elementary School. It might make sense to think about what that would mean as far as traffic congestion. Should the City encourage the school district to add another elementary school on West Hill? It has been stated that cars go back and forth taking and picking up kids in elementary schools since the bus will not pick them up if they live less than a mile and half from the school. The other issue to consider is what, if anything, could be done with the delays that occur at Fulton and Meadow Streets because of the traffic signal timing. If something could be changed with the timing of the signals it would also help decrease some of the congestion. Director of Engineering Logue agreed that there have been large developments proposed for West Hill, and that a new elementary school would shorten a lot of commute distances from West Hill. He stated that the Ithaca City School District would be the authority to determine if one is warranted and be responsible for its construction. Commissioner Warden stated that he appreciates both the pros and cons that have been shared; he also wants the Board to respond to the public’s needs. He shared that he is a bicyclist and lives at the top of Campbell Avenue; he avoids Route 79 and takes Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes September 25, 2017 4 Route 96 because of poor visibility at the intersection at the bottom of Hector Street. He has concerns about that intersection and is happy that its redesign is included in the plan. He noted that the City, though the years, has been constantly making changes to this area, and he hopes the redesign of the intersection will make it safer for everyone. Commissioner McCormick thanked everyone for their comments. He stated that as a commissioner for the Board of Public Works he hasn’t taken much responsibility for sharing BPW agenda items and decisions with the public as he thinks the public should take responsibility for being informed about the activities of their local municipality. However, after the comments today, he feels that as a BPW member that board members could do more to reach out to the public with information about projects occurring around the City that would ensure more public comment earlier and longer than what is currently taking place. He is hopeful, that after today’s comments, that Board members will make deliberate efforts to share information about projects occurring around the City with the public. Further, the effects on areas outside of the West State/Martin Luther King, Jr. Street project need to also be considered and considered with future projects because there will be impacts that may affect traffic flow and neighborhoods in a negative way. It has already been noted by the public and another Board member that they take an alternate route because it is safer (i.e. Route 96 instead of Route 79). He is personally aware of how impacts outside a project area affect neighborhoods because he lives in a neighborhood where people cut through rather than taking the main roads because it is quicker and easier. He hopes those impacts are considered in the future. In this case, beyond the project area, the City needs to find a way to release traffic beyond the train tracks to lessen congestion – such as timing the traffic lights to get traffic through; he feels that could use some more study at this time in relation to this project. Commissioner Greene thanked everyone for their comments, and agreed that the public turn out to today’s meeting is a definite sign that the Board and the City must do a better job in outreach to the public about all types of different projects occurring so they can become informed and provide input earlier in the process. Based on his interaction with staff and other Board members he knows there has been a lot of thought and discussion on this project. It's a real conundrum to balance everyone's needs in this situation especially since this is a project that is federally funded and on a clock. Further, he feels that walkability in cities is really important and is what makes cities livable; cities exist for people, not for cars and we all need to remember that. As such, in order for the public to get around the City, the means by which they do that need to be safe and accessible so anywhere in the City someone might want to go, there is a safe way for them. Mayor Myrick stated that he will look forward to the report from the engineering student that spoke at today’s meeting about what the removal of that lane will mean. It appears that the choke point is actually at the intersection past the train tracks at Meadow and Fulton Streets; he does not feel that reducing traffic lanes will delay traffic any longer than it does now. The negatives of any possible delays and problems experienced by the proposed changes are far outweighed by the increased safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. What would be good is for Director of Engineering Logue to have his written response to the comments available to both Board members as well as the public prior to the Board of Public Works meeting on October 23, 2017. He encouraged the public to attend that meeting when the Board will discuss the project again, as it might be in a position to make a decision at that meeting. Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes September 25, 2017 5 Commissioner McCormick shared that his decision as to whether to revisit some or all of the project will hinge largely on Director of Engineering Logue’s response to the new comments received. He agreed that it would be very helpful if the Board and public could have that information prior to the meeting on October 23, 2017 so they have time to review it. Commissioner Warden noted that a lot of the public today noted that there aren’t a lot of bicyclists and pedestrians using this area right now. However, what he has been hearing is “if you build it they will come”. There will be an increase in bicyclists and pedestrians if the redesign is completed and makes it safer for them to use the area to get to and from different destinations around the City. Reports: Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that crews paved Linden Avenue near Dryden Road today; the intersection at Dryden Road will be done tomorrow. The crew will then work on Stone Quarry Road from the city line to the intersection at Spencer Road to put an overlay of pavement on the road. The City is trying to take advantage of the good weather and asphalt plant being open as much as it can. Commissioner Jenkins stated that the City’s tree trimmers cut down the trees near her home on West Green Street and did a perfect job. She would like the City to investigate a hump in the street in this same area because when it is hit, like it was just recently, one of the jacks on her house was caused to shift which resulted in cracks that are getting worse each day. She further noted that some property owners on West Green Street don’t want the trees that were cut replaced. Director of Engineering Logue reported that NYSEG is pushing to do a lot of late season work because of the good weather. They are almost done with College Avenue, they will then move to the 400 block of South Albany Street, and then up the hill on East Buffalo Street. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that the pump station was lost on Pier Road due to NYSEG transformer issues. The pump station is now back up and working and also now has a manual pump as do all the other pump stations. Proposals were received today for the 12 monitoring stations for the IAWWTP; the work includes redoing the electronics and flow sensors. Work is actively wrapping up at the Water Treatment Plant to complete the new plant construction work. The current work on the water and sewer mains on the 100 block of South Albany Street and 100 and 200 blocks of North Albany Street should be complete in two weeks; those mains date back to the 1890’s. Director of Parking Nagy reported that staff started a project for all the parking garages that will provide better, more readable, and comprehensive signs inside the garages. Supt. Thorne reported that the flood study consultant was chosen. The United States Geological Society has completed the flood modeling, and are working on the maps, which are tricky to put together. Once all that information is available he will share it with the Board. In addition, he has been receiving complaints of boats bottoming out in Cascadilla Creek (in the area near Johnson’s Boatyard); New York State does plan to someday dredge – he hopes it is sooner rather than later. Staff will be meeting with the Army Corp. of Engineers to go over their plan for the City. The City has completed a street light inventory; the GIS department did a fantastic job inventorying more than 2,000 street lights. The information includes which lights are city-owned and which ones are owned by NYSEG, it includes the wattages, distribution, and will be a great Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes September 25, 2017 6 tool for staff in the future. He will have more information for the Board in the future about purchasing the lights and use of LED lighting. Commissioner McCormick asked whether the City had conducted any public outreach about this project. Supt. Thorne responded that the complication with this project is that other municipalities want to join in with the City (Tompkins County and 12 other municipalities at this point); he is more than happy to work with them. The City’s consultant will come up with a menu of what the options are including the pros and cons of each; LED technology is evolving and there are some new options that might be preferred. The consultant will gather all the information and do a presentation with Tompkins County Council of Governments and Common Council. Administration and Communications: Holiday Meeting Schedule – Due to the Indigenous People’s Day (Columbus Day) holiday on October 9th, the Board will meet on October 2nd instead. Highways, Streets & Sidewalks: Resolution to Approve Community Designed Bike Racks By Commissioner Greene: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, The Downtown Ithaca Alliance, the Tompkins County Tourism Program and a local, private foundation have proposed to fabricate and to donate to the City community designed bicycle racks to be installed on downtown sidewalks; and WHEREAS, staff have reviewed the proposed conceptual designs and worked with the fabricator to ensure a durable product; and WHEREAS, the BPW has reviewed the proposals and understands that the racks have been through review by the Public Art Commission; and WHEREAS, Public Works staff will continue to be involved in the project details; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the bike rack project and authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works or his designee to oversee installation of the racks. Commissioner McCormick, liaison to Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council, reported that at the last meeting there was a considerable amount of discussion about the proposed designs of the new bike racks. They felt they would be confusing to cyclists, that someone might run into them, and they might cause damage or injury to either the person or bike. However, they also felt that moving forward with these concepts of proposed designs and the fact that there will be more bike racks around the City outweighs the small number of bikes they will accommodate and their unusual design. In addition, the proposed locations for the new bike racks are where BPAC had requested them. Director of Engineering Logue stated that the bike racks will have labels that state they are City of Ithaca bike racks and any problems should be reported to the City. Mayor Myrick stated that he likes the design of the new racks because they are different, funky and weird. The City needs to keep adding these types of designs to public areas as a way to encourage the public to be out and about the City. In addition, Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes September 25, 2017 7 their social vibrancy is in direct opposition to and enhances the appearance of the standard construction of all the older buildings in the City. He hopes that the momentum to do these types of projects to brighten and attract people to the City will continue and grow. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Water & Sewer: Appeal of Water Bill for 142 South Aurora Street - Resolution By Commissioner Warden: Seconded by Commissioner Greene WHEREAS, the owner of the property and water account at 142 South Aurora Street requested the October 2016 and January 2017 billings be adjusted; and WHEREAS, the water meter readings of October 3, 2016, and January 3, 2017, were unusually high and the meter reading system registered a leak alarm prompting a leak letter to be sent by the Chamberlain’s Office on November 17 and December 29, 2016, to the owner of the account; and WHEREAS, the owner followed up and contacted the City’s Senior Water Meter Technician, making arrangements to meet onsite on January 5, 2017, to troubleshoot the meter leak alarm; and WHEREAS, on January 5, 2017, a Water Meter Technician performed a walk-through inspection of the property’s plumbing and found no active leaks at the time and no defects in the water meter; and WHEREAS, since February 21, 2017, the water usage at 142 South Aurora Street has returned to normal as registered by the same water meter; and WHEREAS, the water meter at this location is a positive displacement meter and bot h the mechanical and electronic meter readings are in agreement; and WHEREAS, DPW staff notes the higher than normal usage at 142 South Aurora Street was recorded for the time frames included in the billings for October 2016 and January 2017; and WHEREAS, City of Ithaca Code Section §348-22.J states that “all water passing through a meter will be charged for, whether used or wasted”; and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has review information presented to them by City staff and the property owner; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the appeal of the water bills for 142 South Aurora Street, noting that the property owner is responsible for the higher than normal bill; and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests that the City Chamberlain not charge interest or late fees on this bill for a period of 30 business days from the date of this resolution. The agent for the owner joined the Board for the discussion and review of information related to the appeal. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the notification process for when a leak is suspected, as well as how and when meters are read. The Board also discussed what Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes September 25, 2017 8 staff does when meeting property owners at the property to check for leaks and problems, how usage is determined and billed as well as concerns of the agent as to the methods by which readings are done. Commissioner Warden, as a city licensed plumber, asked technical questions of both staff and the agent, as well as explaining possible causes for the leak and different readings. Mayor Myrick, after listening to the agent, staff and Board members, noted that the evidence provided is circumstantial. The fact remains that staff came to meet with the owner/agent, read the meter, and checked for possible causes of a leak at the property. The only concrete information is the meter readings, the second meter reading corroborates the first, and the meter wouldn’t do that unless the water was running. Commissioner McCormick expressed his appreciation for Commissioner Warden’s and staff’s expertise in this area in an effort to determine possible causes for the high meter readings. The agent for the owner reported that they came to the City regarding receipt of the high water bill that showed a significant increase in water use than past history could explain, and today is the 4th meeting they have had with the City about it. He explained that this property owner owns a lot of property around the City and has for many years. As such, this is the only water bill they have ever disputed. Mayor Myrick asked if there were any possible explanation for those meter readings that would not be caused by water running through them. He further recognized and thanked the agent for his efforts on behalf of the property owner to state their case and reason for the appeal. Commissioner McCormick stated that situations like this place the Board in a difficult place. He is also a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals and they don’t like to use the word precedence because it gets more and more difficult as the Board reviews the information presented in the appeals and the evidence produced by staff to explain why one appeal is granted and another denied. He is hesitant to not follow staff’s recommendation because of the precedence that it set. Commissioner Warden stated that water bills are produced by the City of Ithaca, and staff visit the property to meet with property owners or agents as a courtesy only; they aren’t required to do that. He feels that the only way to find a solution to the problem is for the owner to hire a professional plumber to come in and inspect the property; he asked if that had been done, and the agent responded yes. He further stated that it is not the City’s responsibility to find the leak; City staff and the information provided has determined to his satisfaction that water did flow through meter. The City has done its due diligence. He encouraged the agent, because it would be well worth it, to investigate further and work with a plumber in an effort to prevent a recurrence in the future. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes September 25, 2017 9 Discussion Items: Request for a Residential Parking Permit System Exception: Director of Engineering Logue explained why the property owner was requesting an exemption to the rules in order to purchase a residential parking permit. The property is a corner property on Miller Street and Pearl Street; it has a Miller Street address and that street is not in the residential parking permit system, so a permit cannot be purchased. He further explained that exemptions for corner properties have been approved in the past. In this case, it is a temporary request since the property owner is only going to be living in Ithaca through the end of December 2017, and he would recommend the Board approve it. The Board expressed their support for the exemption to be granted. Resolution to Not Follow the “Goldsmith Rule” By Mayor Myrick: Seconded by Commissioner McCormick RESOLVED, That the Board not follow the “Goldsmith Rule” in this instance in order to vote on the resolution at today’s meeting. Carried Unanimously Residential Parking Permit System Temporary Exemption for 222 Miller Street - Resolution By Commissioner McCormick: Seconded by Commissioner Greene RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works supports the Transportation Engineer's recommendation to approve the request for a temporary exemption to the residential parking permit system for the current property owner at 222 Miller Street through December 31, 2017. Carried Unanimously Continuing Discussion of Installing Four-Way Stop at the Clinton/Plain Street Intersection: The discussion on this topic was deferred to a future meeting. Adjournment: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. _________________________________ ________________________________ Sarah L. Myers, Svante L. Myrick, Information Management Specialist Mayor