HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2017-07-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 5:00 p.m. July 10, 2017
PRESENT:
Vice-Chair – Jenkins
Commissioners (4) – Greene, McCormick, Morache, Warden
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
Executive Assistant – Servoss
EXCUSED:
Mayor Myrick
City Attorney – Lavine
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin
Director of Engineering – Logue
Director of Parking – Nagy
Common Council Liaison – Fleming
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:
There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Myrick was not present.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
No members of the public appeared to address the Board.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
No response was necessary.
REPORTS
Superintendent and Staff
Asst. Supt. Whitney reported the following:
staff was wrapping up the last bit of the Water Treatment Plant Replacement Project
contract,
three blocks of water and sewer mains were being replaced on Albany Street, and
the city had received about two service replacements per week in response to the letter
that was sent to residents in March 2017 about lead water lines.
Supt. Thorne reported the following:
The Mayor had distributed the budget guidelines for 2018, which stated operating
budgets could not go above a 1% increase. Labor contracts allowed for closed to 3%
increases in salary, so the budget would be very challenging. He expected multiple
over target requests to be submitted because the department could not function on the
guidelines they were given.
A meeting with NYSDEC would be held at the end of the week at dams regarding
dredging.
A meeting was scheduled with O’Brien & Gere regarding resupplying water to Cornell
Heights. Cornell has been supplying the water for many years, though the area is within
city limits.
A meeting with County Administrator Joe Mareane was scheduled for Friday, July 14,
2017, regarding the City’s street light project. Mr. Mareane would like to combine
projects, with the City taking the lead for the entire county. Supt. Thorne stated there
were about 1,800 street lights in the city, which the city pays a maintenance fee, as well
as electricity costs, to NYSEG. The City owned only about 200 lights, for which
electricity fees are charged. Supt. Thorne noted that once the City owns the light
poles, he expected a $120,000 savings per year in maintenance costs. When changing
to LED, electricity costs should go down as well because the wattage for each light
would be much lower than current lights. However, the City must own the lights and
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Regular Meeting
poles in order to make the change to LED. The City intended hire a street light
consultant to help choose the most appropriate LED bulbs.
Bids for the Forest Home Drive Project were due on Monday, July 17, 2017. Cornell is
fronting a significant amount of money to the project; staff was excited to see which bids
are submitted.
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS:
Approval of Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes - Resolution
By Commissioner Warden: Seconded by Commissioner Greene
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the January 11, February 8, March 14, and May 9, 2016, and
the June 26, 2017, Board of Public Works meetings be approved as proposed.
Carried Unanimously
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE AND TRANSIT:
Request for Encroachment Agreement/License at 235 South Cayuga Street – Resolution
By Commissioner Warden: Seconded by Commissioner McCormick
WHEREAS, Jason Sidle, Director of Operations for the Coltivare – TC3 Culinary Center
located at the property at 235 South Cayuga Street (Tax Map Parcel No. 81.-2-1), in the City of
Ithaca, has requested an encroachment agreement/license from the City into the adjacent
street right-of-way for South Cayuga Street; and
WHEREAS, the encroachment consists of the following:
On the western face of building, a canopy approximately 6.5 feet wide,
encroaching in the City property to the west by approximately 13 feet, thereby
encompassing an encroachment of approximately 84.5 square feet.
WHEREAS, it appears that the proposed encroachments are inside the current location of the
existing public sidewalks on South Cayuga 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 and finds that this encroachment is considered minor, now therefore be
it
OR
WHEREAS, the 2017-18 schedule of fees for use of City-owned property requires an
initial application fee of $100 for new licenses, and stipulates that annual use fee for All
Other Downtown Commercial license fee category shall be calculated at $0.72 per
square foot resulting in an annual use fee of $60.84, with such rate thereafter subject to
adjustment by the consumer price index and property taxes assessed against the City,
now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the request for an encroachment
at 235 South Cayuga 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.
Supt. Thorne noted the options that were available for the Board to choose. The first option
would be to waive annual fees for minor encroachments. The second option was to charge a
nominal annual fee because this request was a little bigger than a minor encroachment. He
further explained the request from the manager of Coltivare to install an awning across the
sidewalk that was previously discussed by the Board. The Planning Board has made a
decision on the design.
Commissioner Warden suggested choosing the second whereas option (6th whereas clause)
because the awning was a bit more than usual awnings and crossed the sidewalk. Supt.
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Regular Meeting
Thorne noted that City Crews were okay with the location of the awning and the poles to
ensure their ability for maintenance. The Board agreed that an annual fee should be charged.
A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows:
Carried Unanimously
HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS:
Resolution to Amend Vehicle and Traffic Schedules
By Commissioner McCormick: Seconded by Commissioner Morache
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Section 346-4 of the City Code to
adopt and to amend a system of Schedules in order to administer the Vehicle and Traffic Law,
and
WHEREAS, the City’s Transportation Engineer has determined that the intersections of
Hancock Street/Lake Street and Hancock Street/Willow Avenue should be changed to all -way
stop control to improve safety and operation, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby adopts the amendments below:
Schedule VIII: Stop Control Intersections.
In accordance with the provisions of §346-12, the following described intersections are hereby
designated for control by an all-way stop as follows:
Hancock Street and Lake Avenue
Hancock Street and Willow Avenue
The following intersecting streets or locations are hereby designated for control by stop sign(s)
(not “all-way”):
Intersection Direction of travel
Hancock Street and Lake Avenue Northbound/Southbound
Hancock Street and Willow Avenue Northbound/Southbound
Commissioner Warden questioned what parking would be allowed on First Street once
construction at 210 Hancock Street ended. Supt. Thorne responded that he did not have the
answer, and that the Director of Engineering should be asked.
Carried Unanimously
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Environmental Review for a Lease Agreement for the Alex Haley Municipal Pool
and Expansion of the Wading Pool, CP #834
A Proposed Resolution to Declare Lead Agency Status for the Environmental Review of
a new Lease for the Alex Haley Municipal Pool and the Wading Pool Expansion project.
WHEREAS, the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) and the City of Ithaca
Environmental Quality Review Ordinance (CEQR), Section 176 of the City Code,
require that a lead agency be established for conducting environmental review of
projects in accordance with local and state environmental law, and
WHEREAS, State Law specifies that for actions governed by local environmental
review, the lead agency shall be that local agency which has primary res ponsibility for
approving and funding or carrying out the action, and
WHEREAS, SEQR and CEQR both provide for an uncoordinated review for “Unlisted”
projects that involve more than one agency, and
WHEREAS, the proposed new Lease for the Alex Haley Municipal Pool and the wading
pool expansion (Capital Project #834) are “Unlisted” actions under SEQR and “Unlisted”
actions under CEQR; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works does hereby declare itself
lead agency for the environmental review of the new lease for the Alex Haley Municipal
Pool and the proposed expansion of the wading pool at the Alex Haley Municipal Pool
project.
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Regular Meeting
Environmental Review for a Lease Agreement for the Alex Haley Municipal Pool and the
Expansion of the Wading Pool
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has declared itself to be the lead agency for the
environmental review of a lease agreement for the Alex Haley Municipal Pool and for a project
(“the Project”) entitled “Alex Haley Municipal Wading Pool Expansion” (CP 834) in accordance
with Section 176 of the Ithaca City Code (CEQR) and in accordance with Article 8 of the New
York State Environmental Conservation Law (SEQR), and
WHEREAS, the actions include a new lease for the whole Alex Haley Municipal Pool area and
a project to expand an existing wading pool to approximately 800 square feet, to include a
spray feature, and all associated appurtenances, and
WHERAS, the actions are Unlisted actions according to CEQR and SEQR, and
WHERAS, Short Environmental Assessment forms have been prepared by staff for CEQR and
for SEQR, and
WHERAS, on July ____, 2017, the Board of Public Works declared itself lead agency for an
uncoordinated environmental review for CEQR/SEQR, and
WHEREAS, the Conservation Advisory Council has received a copy of the CEQR/SEQR short
forms and a set of plans for the project, and
WHERAS, the Board of Public Works, acting as lead agency, has, on July ____, 2017,
reviewed and accepted as complete Short Environmental Assessment Forms prepared by
staff, and schematic Project plans prepared on behalf of the City by Trowbridge Wolf Michaels
Landscape Architects, and other project materials, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works determines that the new lease for the Alex Haley
Municipal Pool and the project for the Alex Haley Municipal Wading Pool Expansion, located in
the City of Ithaca, will result in no significant negative environmental impact and that a
Negative Declaration for purposes of Article 8 of the NYS Environmental Conservation Law be
filed in accordance with the provisions of Part 617 of the State Environmental Quality Review
Act and that a Negative Declaration for purposes of Section 176 of the City Code be filed in
accordance with the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance.
Supt. Thorne stated that GIAC wanted to expand the wading pool to make it larger, but the
property the pool was located belongs to the Ithaca City School District, so it would require a
new agreement between the City and the school. Commissioner McCormick stated that the
memo was pretty clear about what was necessary and the changes seemed quite minor. He
noted that one question was who else could be lead agent? Dir. of Eng. Logue stated in his
memo that no one else would want to be lead agent.
The Board agreed to vote on these resolutions at their next meeting.
Request to Contribute to the Purchase of 125-Acre Parcel in the Town of Caroline as
part of the City’s Six Mile Creek Watershed Protection Funding Commitment
Supt. Thorne explained that this was the second property the City was asked to contribute to
the purchase. Usually when Finger Lakes Land Trust identified land that would assist in
strategically protecting the watershed, they would approach the City for funding. He noted that
city staff had reviewed the request and the location of the land.
Erik stated that when conservation easements were offered by land owners, but they don’t
have funding available for the surveys and filing fees, the Land Trust would offer to purchase
the land. He noted that $20,000 per year has been deposited into the watershed account for
the purchase of land to protect the watershed.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the City’s contribution to this and past property
purchases, and the deadline for the grant application.
Commissioner Morache asked if there was a way to restrict the use of pesticides on the
property. Commissioner noted that memo stated some agricultural activities would be
maintained on the property. The Board asked that Andy Zepp from Finger Lakes Land Trust
attend the meeting to discuss the use of the property.
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Commissioners Greene and McCormick noted that they would not be at the next Board
meeting, which would limit the Board with voting on resolutions.
Asst. Supt. Whitney noted that this request did meet the intent of the funding, and the
agricultural concern didn’t affect the resolution to approve the easement. Commissioner
Morache asked if the Board could approve the funding but require that they be consulted on
the easement language.
Further discussion followed on the floor regarding restricting the use of pesticides on the
property. The Board agreed to wait until the next meeting to vote. Supt. Thorne agreed to
pass the Board’s concerns along to the Planning and Economic Development Department
before the easement was written, and would involve the City Attorney in the review.
Request to Waive Small Pavilion Fee for Friends of Stewart Park in order to Build an
Accessible Ramp
Commissioner Jenkins asked if the fees for the pavilion rental was turned over to the Supt.
She further expressed that the Friends of Stewart Park should not need to request a waiver of
fees. Supt. Thorne agreed that he could approve the request administratively.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding whether to pass a resolution on the floor
to waive the pavilion fees for this particular event vs. all events held by the Friend of Stewart
Park. The Board decided to approve this individual event, and to discuss future requests at a
later date.
Resolution
By Commissioner Warden: Seconded by Commissioner Morache
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the request to waive the Small
Pavilion Use Fee from the Friends of Stewart Park for their July 31, 2017, event.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:43 p.m.
Kathrin D. Servoss Claudia Jenkins
Executive Assistant Vice-Chair