HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2017-11-27BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. November 27, 2017
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Commissioners (5) – McCormick, Morache, Warden, Greene, Jenkins
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
Transportation Engineer – Hathaway
Vice Chair Jenkins called the meeting to order.
Call to Order/Agenda Review:
Supt. Thorne requested that Item #10A entitled “Adoption of 2018 Parking Rates” be
changed from a voting item to a discussion item.
Supt. Thorne further requested that Item #9C entitled “A Resolution to Deny a Request
for a Loading Zone on Linden Avenue” be tabled until a future meeting at the request of
the applicant.
No Board Member Objected.
Communications and Hearings From Persons Before the Board:
Jen Curley, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board to, first, express her thanks to them for
their work on behalf of the City. Secondly, she addressed the Board to voice her
concern about the new area where people from the former “jungle” area of the City have
moved. It is north of Cecil A. Malone Drive behind Walmart where she walks daily. It
has become a huge encampment with about 20-30 campsites, some of which are really
nice. She has no problem with the people living there, but she is concerned about the
huge amounts of trash being left in the area. She has written to Alderpersons Murtagh
and Brock as well as Mayor Myrick about the situation. She regularly cleans up a lot of
the trash after the people leave; however, it has become so populated that it is beyond
what she can volunteer her time with to pick up the trash. In addition to the trash, feces
and needles can be found which cause a health hazard to everyone. She knows that
there are local social agencies that are working on the homelessness issue; however
she is not sure there is anyone concerned about the removal of the garbage on a
regular basis. She has come to the Board to bring this matter to the City’s attention.
She is interested in who will be removing the trash as she would be happy to help them
in their efforts.
Josh Lower, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board to ask whether the discussion and vote
on the topic of parking has been deferred to a future meeting.
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Supt. Thorne responded that the Board would be discussing the topic of parking today;
however, it will not vote on the resolution due to the number of e -mails staff and the
board members have received about the proposed rate increase; and there other
considerations that need to be discussed by the Board prior to a vote. He further stated
that the rates in the resolution are only proposed rates and there are some concerns
that have been raised recently that require further discussion by staff.
Mr. Lower expressed his support for the proposed increase in parking rates for 2018.
He stated that Director of Parking Nagy is doing a good job with parking in the City and
due to current demand market for parking, the rates should be adjusted upward. He
believes that the correct pricing of goods and services is something that should be done
by the City related to parking. He further thanked the Board for all their work on behalf
of the City. He noted that the City should consider the creation of a “Parking Benefit
District” to pay for the parking demands and needs of the City. He encouraged the
Board to think about it; the revenue generated from such a district could then go back
into the different neighborhoods to pay for trash clean up, the creation of additional
parks, and to improving neighborhoods in general around the City. He thanked Director
of Parking Nagy for his great work.
David W est, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the proposed pricing of
parking rates. He stated that the 2018 proposed rates stay the same for parking on the
street and then go up a little for parking in the garages, and this makes sense. He
understands there are a few changes proposed, one being the idea to increase to the
maximum rate for anyone parking in the garages for more than 7 hours. People should
not be allowed to park for more than 7 hours in the garage without an additional charge.
The other suggestion he would make to the City would be that as soon as the contracts
for parking with Cornell University and the hotels are ended that the parking rates be
increased to the market rate. They should pay the same price to park downtown as
everyone else. He stated that parking management for the City of Ithaca has improved
dramatically in the last five years under the direction of Parking Director Nagy - that has
been great to see. He further thanked the Board for their work on be half of the City.
Response to the Public:
Commissioner Warden responded to the comment about increasing Cornell University
and the hotels parking rates as soon as possible. He explained that those parking
agreements were negotiated with previous administrations and there is nothing the City
can do about those rates; in fact, he is not sure when or if something can ever be
changed with them. He agrees that both Cornell University and the hotels should be
paying the same amount for parking as everyone else.
Supt. Thorne responded to comments made about parking and trash in the jungle. He
explained that parking is not so straight forward and there are strong opinions on the
direction in which parking rates should go or parking in general. The proposed parking
rates will be reviewed internally and a resolution to approve the rates for 2018 will be on
the agenda for the Board’s next meeting on December 1 1, 2017. He understands that
the trash in the jungle is a complicated issue and it’s also a social issue. Right now,
there are restrictions on DPW staff going in to remove the trash due to the number of
needles being left. It is his hope that when development increases in the area near the
inlet that there will be a decrease in the occupancy of that area, and there might be a
better solution at that time to address the concerns. He encouraged the public to be
patient until then.
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Reports:
Commissioner McCormick announced that at noon on Friday, December 1, 2017, at
City Hall there would be a special presentation entitled “Make Ithaca a Let Grow
Community”. The presentation focuses on developing communities that better support
the growth of children in multiple ways.
Mayor Myrick arrived at the meeting 5:04 p.m. and assumed the role of Chair of the
Board from Vice Chair Jenkins.
Director of Engineering Logue reported that the City commissioned a study on the
Dryden Road parking garage concerning its current condition and the possibility of
adding 2 levels of parking to the structure. He should have the full report by end of the
year to share with the Board. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued on the Green
Street parking garage which is due back to the IURA on a proposal for public/private
redevelopment of the facility. Staff is currently working on the final details for the
support beam in the Seneca Street parking garage that is showing signs of failing. He
further reported that the demolition permit was issued for the demolition of the
concession buildings at Stewart Park which were in very poor condition. Work is almost
done to where the demolition permit for the house at 401 Lake Street could be issued.
Once the permit has been issued, DPW will tear the house down later in December.
Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that an electrician for the Water Plant will be in tomorrow
to lower the lamp posts for intensity control of the new LED lighting. They will also work
on installing some type of shielding on three different lamps that will keep the light from
shining into people’s yards; the work should be done tomorrow. Otherwise, crews are
replacing fire hydrants around town, with updated lists arriving from the fire department
that need to be replaced regularly.
Director of Parking Nagy reported that the new parking system contract is in the process
of being signed; which he hopes will be completed in December. He is putting the
finishing touches on a presentation for Common Council and the Parking Advisory
Board for 2018 on the new system. He is conducting interviews on Wednesday for a
temporary position on the Commons crew for snow removal when time comes.
There was a brief discussion of the board’s meeting schedule for December. There will
be just one meeting which will take place on Monday, December 11, 2017.
Mayor Myrick stated that the four new commissions will begin meeting January. Their
meetings have been scheduled for the first, second, third, and fourth Mondays of the
month at 6:00 p.m. in Common Council Chambers. As a res ult of that new meeting
schedule, it has been determined that the best date for the Board of Public Works to
begin meeting once a month would be to meet on the Third Tuesday of the month. In
order to make it easier for public participation in the City it was determined that having
all the City’s meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. would be a good change to implement in 2018
in order to assist in that effort. That start time of 6:00 p.m. includes the Board of Public
Works meeting.
A brief discussion followed on the floor regarding what would happen to Board members
liaison assignments with the new commission structure. Mayor Myrick will need to
follow-up with members of the Working Group to see what the plan is for continuation of
the liaison assignments in the new commission structure and report back to the Board.
Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes November 27, 2017
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Administration and Communications:
Approval of the June 12, 2017, August 14, 2017, and October 23, 2017 Board of
Public Works Meeting Minutes - Resolution
By Commissioner Warden: Seconded by Commissioner McCormick
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the June 12, 2017, August 14, 2017, and October 23,
2017 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried **
(**Commissioner Jenkins abstained from voting on the June 12 and August 14
minutes since she had not attended either meeting)
Highways, Streets & Sidewalks:
A Resolution to Amend Chapter 346 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code entitled
“Vehicles and Traffic”, Section 346-12 entitled “Stop Control Intersections”
related to “All-Way Stop” For Cayuga Street – Cascadilla Street – Cascadilla
Avenue Intersections
By Commissioner Warden: Seconded by Commissioner McCormick
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
Cayuga Street and Cascadilla 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 intersection is
hereby designated for control by an all-way stop as follows:
Cayuga Street and Cascadilla Street
The following intersecting street or location is hereby designated for control by stop
sign(s) (not “all-way”):
Intersection Direction of travel
Cayuga Street and Cascadilla Avenue Northbound/Southbound
Carried Unanimously
West State/Martin Luther King, Jr. Street Corridor Enhancements - Resolution
By Commissioner Greene: Seconded by Commissioner Warden
WHEREAS, on August 7, 2013, Common Council authorized Capital Project # 790,
West Martin Luther King Jr. Street Corridor Enhancements , P.I.N. 395050 (the
“Project”); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works, acting as the lead agency, declared on May 8,
2017, that the project would not have a significant negative environmental impact in
accordance with the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance and the New York
State Environmental Quality Review Act; and
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2017, the Board of Public Works selected a preferred
alternative for the Project, allowing the project to move into final design ; and
WHEREAS, on September 6, 2017, Common Council approved a resolution authorizing
funding and a project agreement with New York State Department of Transportation
(NYSDOT) for the federal aid share for the Project; and
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WHEREAS, as a part of the funding authorization, Common Council directed the Board
of Public Works to reconsider a component of the project, namely the signalization of a
mid-block pedestrian crosswalk; and
WHEREAS, on September 25th and October 23rd, the Board of Public Works heard
additional public comment about the Project and at the latter meeting held an extensive
discussion about the benefits and costs of the mid-block signal, including considerations
for pedestrians, motorists, ownership and maintenance costs to the City, and the
flexibility to include signalization now compared to adding it in the future; and
WHEREAS, staff has provided input on the question, suggesting that t he signal could
be removed from the project, but understands that the BPW continues to desire to
provide a high level of service for people who are trying to cross the street in this
location, and staff does not have any objections to the signal being included in the
project; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works, after reconsideration of the issue,
discussion with staff and additional public comment, does continue to support the
inclusion of the signal at the mid-block crossing and hereby recommends that Common
Council approve the mid-block signal as a component of this Project.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the traffic control signal for a mid-block
pedestrian crosswalk that will be manually operated to activate – otherwise signal will
remain green. The reason for crossing at this particular point in the street – which is
based upon staff’s observations of where people currently cross the street and due to its
proximity to the new pedestrian bridge (the old Brindley Street bridge) it is hoped that
pedestrian traffic will increase; however, that is unknown until the bridge is replaced. In
addition, it will become a connection, in the future, to Buttermilk Falls State Park.
A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows:
Carried Unanimously
A Resolution to Deny a Request for a Loading Zone on Linden Avenue
This resolution was tabled at the request of the applicant.
Parking and Traffic:
2018 Parking Rates - Resolution - Discussion only
Supt. Thorne explained that there are a lot of things surrounding parking rates in the
City of Ithaca that need to be discussed further before the Board vote s on anything.
There have also been a lot of concerns expressed about raising the parking rates in
general as well as some very strong opinions expressed about raising parking rates one
way or the other. Therefore, he reported, staff will meet to discuss concerns that have
been raised, opinions that have been expressed and develop a recommendation based
upon that feedback and discussion. He plans to have a revised resolution ready for a
vote at the Board’s December 11, 2017 meeting.
Director of Parking Nagy explained that when he came to the City four years ago, the
monthly rate for the Dryden Road parking garage was more than $200. In recent years
it has been much less, and the proposed increase for 2018 is still less than $200. The
situation there, is that there are 178 permit holders for a garage with 212 spaces.
Options available to open up parking (which is what the public has been complaining
about – the lack of parking in Collegetown) would be to raise the rate enough that it
forces some of the monthly permit holders to park elsewhere; or, keep it the same rate
and run the garage at 97% occupancy. Another option would be to stipulate how many
monthly permits to issue, and then be strict about sticking to that number. The
occupancy at all three parking garages is running at 92% when the students are in
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town, even with the rates raised last year; when the students aren’t here it drops to 50-
60%. Some students will leave their cars here while they are on break so that’s why the
occupancy stays at about 50% - it’s a “Catch 22”. One of the things that he heard was
that there is no room in any of the garages for workers who make minimum wage to
park at the current rate structure.
Mayor Myrick asked what size is a typical space for parking, and how would the cost for
the use of the space rate as far as real estate prices in Collegetown.
Supt. Thorne responded that the going rate for real estate in Collegetown for the size of
each parking space is 350 square feet.
Mayor Myrick noted that if you had 350 square feet in Collegetown of anything but
parking, the cost would be significantly higher than what the monthly parking permit rate
is for the garage.
Commissioner Morache stated that a tight efficiency apartment is about 340 square
feet.
Mayor Myrick stated that a typical one bedroom (700 square feet) apartment in
Collegetown is going right now for $1,800 a month. So, half of that space would cost
about $900 a month; if the City were to charge for parking at that rate per space per
month, it is significantly more than the $200 a month that is proposed for the cost
monthly parking permit rate for the Dryden Road garage.
Supt. Thorne stated that parking management can be handled through pricing which
can help to regulate the amount of open spaces available. Although consideration
needs to be given that if the rates are raised, that the current almost 100% occupancy in
the garage may drop down to 80-90%, which will be helpful to someone looking for a
parking space. In addition, all the parking garages need repair work, which will costs a
lot of money and staff don’t know where that money will come from to make those, if not
from the parking rates. Staff heard loud voices from businesses in Collegetown
regarding how raising the parking rates in Collegetown would affect their employees in a
negative way.
Commissioner Greene asked, with respect to the raised voices from the Collegetown
business community, what’s the perception or the reality - is it any increase is viewed as
a problem or are they already too high and should be lowered.
Supt. Thorne responded that some business want the rates raised to open up parking;
others don’t want rates raised because then their employees cannot afford to park in
Collegetown and they may lose employees as a result.
Director of Parking Nagy noted that Collegetown employees are already getting a
discount from parking rates by being able to purchase parking coupons for $111 a week
- that’s .65/hour - which is very cheap.
Commissioner Greene stated that the Board will need to have a discussion about the
long-term plans for parking because, at some point with all the development in
Collegetown, the City could be in a situation where rates are creeping up and demand is
creeping up due to lack of parking on site - at some point City will need to discuss what
would a larger capacity long term plan be since it would seem that there is a need for
additional parking.
Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes November 27, 2017
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Director of Parking Nagy reported that a parking consultant came to meet with staff last
week regarding on demand parking. It was a great meeting; the consultant will come
back to the City with a report after reviewing all city facilities and current rates. For him,
personally, when he was hired, the biggest thing asked of him is how can the City’s
parking pay for itself? He would like to accomplish that goal on behalf of the City.
Just from his rough figures right now, the City’s parking system could actually get to a
point where it will pay for itself due to all the development and possible rate changes.
Adding additional levels to the Dryden Road parking garage would be great and could
be 100% paid for if an “on demand parking program” is implemented which would have
rates increase per hour in order to keep parkers moving.
Mayor Myrick stated that a severe enough pricing mechanism might help the City
prevent having to increase the supply of parking as well; however, he doesn't think that
is the right approach to take at this point. What needs to happen is for people to be
strongly encouraged not to use cars and to take advantage of public transit and by
people starting to car pool. The City could also look at Cornell University who has been
very successful with decreasing parking by use of remote lots and parkers us ing the bus
to get closer.
Commissioner McCormick stated that another way would be to implement different zone
prices based on location; he doesn’t see that in the current proposal on the table at this
point.
Director of Parking Nagy responded that the City of Ithaca is not ready to do zone
pricing. It first needs to look at the “on demand” parking aspect and incorporate it into is
current practice. Zone parking is definitely something the City should consider in the
future to get the highest rate for the high demand areas so that parking turns over
constantly and people come and go like they’re supposed to.
Commissioner McCormick asked why the maximum daily rate for parking in the garages
is staying at $7, at some point it might be suggested to increase it $12.00. Is there data
to support keeping at $7?
Director of Parking Nagy responded that there is no data; that research could be done
by looking at the garage tickets for parkers that are there more than 7 hours. The
Downtown Ithaca Alliance didn’t want the daily rate to increase - thinking of the low
income worker. He will be providing different options Common Council to decide how to
proceed. He will show options and what amount of revenue different options would cost
and the potential revenue.
Supt. Thorne stated that staff will be doing a more comprehensive study and detailed
analysis for any potential increase in rates. When he worked in Washington, parking
was $35.00 a day - so everyone took public transit or walked. Here, there are limits
related to TCAT’s schedule, hours of operation where some days operations are very
limited. The only way to increase rates is slowly and in steps, the analysis will come
through in the recommendations to council.
Mayor Myrick thanked staff and the Board for the good discussion today; it will be
continued at the Board’s December 11th meeting.
Adjournment:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
______________________________ ____________________________
Sarah L. Myers, Svante L. Myrick,
Information Management Specialist Mayor