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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2019-02-19BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 6:06 p.m. February 19, 2019 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (3) – Blalock, McCormick, Morache OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin Director of Engineering – Logue Director of Parking – Messmer Common Council Liaison – McGonigal Executive Assistant – Servoss EXCUSED: Commissioners (3) – Greene, Jenkins, Warden City Attorney – Lavine ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: No changes were made to the agenda. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: The Mayor did not have any communications at this time. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: John Graves, South Hill Advisor y Committee, read a letter to the Board regarding pedestrian safety in the area of South Hill Elementary School, and the intersection Hillview at Hudson Street: Rethinking the Pedestrian Crossing at Hudson, Hillview and Renzetti (Comment prepared for the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works meeting on November 20, 2018) The new traffic calming signage on South Hill at the intersection of Hudson, Hillview and Renzetti is woefully inadequate for the pedestrians wanting to cross at this intersection. In the thirty years that I have lived on South Hill, commuter traffic on Hudson Street has dramatically increased due to developments in the Town, Ithaca College and Therm. The vast majority of these cars going both up and down Hudson fail to yield to pedestrians at the Hillview/Renzetti intersection. Many of the folks wanting to cross at this intersection are the people entering and leaving the South Hill Recreation Trail, as well as the parents walking their children to and from the South Hill Elementary School. These two groups of pedestrians rely on this intersection for a safe crossing during the day. Late night car traffic on the weekends has also dramatically increased and this traffic is moving recklessly fast. Add-in the many IC students walking on Hudson late at night and you have one more reason why a safe crossing solution is needed at the Hudson, Hillview/Renzetti intersection. A four-way stop at this critical intersection has been suggested by the Traffic and Pedestrian Committee of the South Hill Civic Association and one hundred South Hill residents, parents and concerned citizens have signed a petition to that effect. Currently, the City’s traffic engineers do not agree with this assessment and are conducting a second traffic study to assess the situation further. It is our fervent hope that the City traffic engineers will find a solution that reduces the stress for pedestrians at this important South Hill neighborhood crossing. Thank you, -- John Graves 319 Pleasant Street Ithaca, NY 607-279-4980 Board of Public Works Page 2 February 19, 2019 Regular Meeting RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC No response was offered. REPORTS Council Liaison CC Liaison McGonigal reported that neighbors on Spencer Road were still dealing with significant problems, including interrupted mail deliver, problems with drainage off Stone Quarry Road, Spencer Road resident JP Vico was still mad that people were turning around in his driveway, and residents at Morris Heights Apartments were complaining that delivery trucks couldn’t turn around. Board Liaisons Commissioner Blalock, Planning and Economic Development Board Liaison, reported that the Chainworks presentation planned for February was cancelled; the Ithaca Falls project was still moving forward, and several new buildings were planned on properties near Meadow Street. Mayor Myrick reported that Harold’s Square contractor and developer had a disagreement ending with them parting ways, and a new contractor was planning to begin building. This disagreement may have caused the project to be extended for an additional year. Commissioner McCormick asked CC Liaison McGonigal about the status of the traffic light at Elm Street, Floral Avenue, and Hector Street. CC Liaison McGonigal responded that there hadn’t been any angry emails and he had not witnessed any issues. He was happy to report the island was working well. Superintendent and Staff Dir. of Eng. Logue reported that an internal meeting was held to discuss concerns from Spencer Road residents; currently out to bid for the sidewalk project on South Aurora Street from Hillview to the city line; Town of Ithaca had a public meeting scheduled in March about adding a sidewalk from the city line to the Ithaca College entrance; an item on the City Administration Committee agenda was to approve funding for the Cecil A. Malone Bridge project, and staff was discussing adding a sidewalk across the railroad. Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that the extreme cold then extreme warmth have cause major potholes; staff was working on a public works apprenticeship program with the County and Town, in which three interns would be hired and rotated between each municipality; crews were dealing with ice jams and flooding in the golf course between storms; parks crews were removing trees to prepare for spring plantings; and staff was catching up on mandatory training. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported there were 17 water main breaks this year; crews were moving water services so when North Aurora Street Bridge was rebuilt this year, the water main would be suspended under the bridge; staff had begun the hiring process for a new Working Supervisor and HEO crews, and anticipating advertising for LEOs in April; and crews were working diligently on the College Avenue utility design. Dir. of Parking Messmer reported that both the Seneca Street and Dryden Road Garages’ new equipment was working well, and the equipment installation in Green Garage was still in progress. He noted that the equipment installs had taken longer than initially anticipated. Training for the software would be provided for Chamberlain’s office and parking staff. He further reported that he was working with a Cornell Engineering Student Internship Program to conduct a wayfinding study and design a standardized sign plan within the City; he was still in process of writing the Request for Qualifications for the Comprehensive Parking Study; and a new Rover Parking Lot Attendant should begin tomorrow to cover nights and weekends in the garages. Supt. Thorne reported that there were about 20 applicants for th e apprenticeship program; Water and Sewer staff were designing the College Avenue utility plan for this year, and there was a meeting with DDS tomorrow to get some consulting since DDS does a maj ority of NYSEG’s installations. He further reported on the ice problems in Fall Creek; staff selected Ecologic to help with modifying the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s SPDES Permit in order to change the outfall; the City finally got purchase agreements from NYSEG for the street lights and he was expecting back and forth between attorneys; He would like a small working committee to work on revamping the City’s street light system and asked for a volunteer from Common Council and Board of Public Works; and NYSDEC finally put the sediment facility Board of Public Works Page 3 February 19, 2019 Regular Meeting project out to bid. Commissioner Blalock volunteers to participate in the Street Light Subcommittee. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: Approval of the August 21 and September 18, 2018, Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes – Resolution RESOLVED, That the minutes of the August 21, 2018, and September 18, 2018, Board of Public Works meeting be approved as amended. Due to a lack of quorum, the vote for this resolution was postponed until the next meeting. Resolution to Repeal DPW Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy Statement WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Department of Public Works has a Policy Statement for Drug and Alcohol Testing, adopted by the Board of Public Works on December 11, 2002, which follows US Department of Transportation regulation 49 CFR Part 40 for employees who are required to hold Commercial Drivers Licenses, but which also imposes additional penalties on DPW employees who have positive test results, and WHEREAS, the additional penalties imposed by the DPW policy statement have the potential to penalize the Department of Public Works and the City of Ithaca as well, by placing the employee who tests positive on unpaid leave for an undefined period of time (typically 1 to 2 months), thereby leaving the DPW workforce shorthanded, and WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works, in consultation with Human Resources and the City Attorney’s office, is desirous of developing new penalties for employees who test positive on random drug tests, and which such process shall be consistent with USDOT 49 CFR Part 40 and the Tompkins County Consortium Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Policy, the latter of which was adopted by the City of Ithaca in 2010, and WHEREAS, adoption of a new DPW policy, implemented and modified as needed from time to time by the Superintendent of Public Works, requires the repeal of the current policy, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca, Department of Public Works Omnibus Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy Statement adopted by the Board of Public Works on December 11, 2002 is hereby repealed, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works shall adopt a new and similar policy and, in consultation with Human Resources and the City Attorney’s office, will develop new penalties thereunder for employees who are required to participate and subsequently fail random drug and alcohol tests. Due to a lack of quorum, the vote for this resolution was postponed until the next meeting. Supt. Thorne explained that recent situations made staff realize that the most current policy was adopted in 2002, and Human Resources thought it was time to repeal the current policy in order to handle issues through management and attorney’s office. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE AND TRANSIT: Resolution to Authorize Execution of a License Agreement for Installation and Maintenance of TCAT Bus Shelters within the City Right of Way WHEREAS, Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc. (TCAT), a not-for-profit corporation, has received funding to install certain bus shelters within the City of Ithaca; and WHEREAS, the current proposed site to utilize an existing concrete pad, installed by the City, and within the City’s right of way east of the Salvation Army building, located at 150 North Albany Street; and WHEREAS, the installation and maintenance of bus shelters provides a benefit to City residents; and WHEREAS, the Superintendent does not anticipate any conflicts in the near future with public works uses or needs, due to the existing use of City owned property at this location; and now, therefore, be it Board of Public Works Page 4 February 19, 2019 Regular Meeting RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Mayor, upon the advice and counsel of the City Attorney, to enter into a revocable license agreement with TCAT for installation of the above-referenced bus shelter. Due to a lack of quorum, the vote for this resolution was postponed until the next meeting. Dir. of Eng. Logue explained that since TCAT was a legal entity and the locations were in the City’s right of way, and the City agreed to pour the concrete slab, it would be prudent to have an agreement in place. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: Vision Zero Initiative Eric Hathaway, Transportation Engineer, joined the Board for the discussion of this topic, explaining that Vision Zero was a more holistic initiative for safety that ensured collaboration with the Police Department and the health community. He stated that he met with hospital staff to get a better idea of true reasons of crashes. He was looking at more than just the number of crashes, and thought Vision Zero was an aggressive way to reduce serious injuries. First step was to try to reduce the city-wide default speed limit. City Speed Limit Change Transportation Engineer Hathaway remained and explained that since Boston had changed their default speed limit, it helped reduce safety issues. The goal was to reach out to other communities to ask if they would opt in if the NYS law was changed to allow municipalities to reduce city-wide speed limits to under 30 mph. Commissioner Morache expressed agreement with both initiatives. Discussion followed on the floor regarding residents having a shared vision of safety on the roadways. 2019 Traffic Calming Program Recommendations Transportation Engineer Hathaway explained that after a few years of this program and looking at some of the requests, a lot of the speed related request locations already had lower speed limits, and he wanted to start conversations to get public input. He explained the evaluation of all of the traffic calming requests that had been received. The biggest issue that disqualified many of the streets needing traffic calming were due to emergency services, such as speed humps may not work, but speed cushions may work on those roads. He was looking for Board approval of the program recommendations. Discussion followed on the floor regarding traffic calming initiatives being stopped or delayed because the Fire Department opposed them and staff should ask the Fire Department what the City could do to increase community and traffic safety. Transportation Engineer Hathaway suggested that Ithaca become a NACTO City, which is a national organization that was doing what Ithaca was trying to do in other cities around the nation. Dir. of Eng. Logue stated that all of the traffic calming requests had been submitted by residents, and if the Board did not believe some recommendations would be worth pursuing, that was fine. PARKING AND TRAFFIC: 304 Mitchell Street Request for Residential Parking Permits City Clerk Julie Holcomb joined the Board for the discussion of this topic. Mayor Myrick explained the request and the issues brought up during the Board’s discussion in January 2019. Commissioner McCormick stated that because there was a lack of clarity in the City Code as to who should be grandfathered in and who shouldn’t, he believed that the grandfathered cases should be exceptions to the rule, rather than the other way around. City Clerk Holcomb responded that there was a distinction between granting permits to properties that don’t have enough off -street parking vs. granting permits to individual people due to medical conditions. The big problem is that the City Clerk’s office does not know when properties change hands. Board of Public Works Page 5 February 19, 2019 Regular Meeting Discussion followed on the floor regarding the limited number of reasons for exceptions t hat allow permits to be granted. Out of four situations, a lack of off -street parking was only one. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the property fitting in the rules for the Residential Parking Permit System (RPPS) zone, clarification that the front of the house faced Mitchell Street, which had no on-street parking, but the entrance and driveway was accessible from Delaware Street, which did have on-street parking. City Clerk Holcomb suggested that wording in resolutions granting permit exceptions should include “Resident of such address, and subsequent residents…” or “This individual…” This type of wording would offer clarity to the Clerk’s office for future applications. She further suggested that the Board pass a resolution specifying specific addresses similar to this address that would be automatically granted hardship permits. She noted that 304 Mitchell Street would be issued two RPPS permits. The Board agreed. Resolution to Add a Handicap Parking Sign located at 126 Farm Street WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works (BPW) has promulgated regulations, adopted October 6, 2010, for implementation of a Schedule of Traffic Regulations, which was established by Common Council by Ordinance No. 2010-08, and WHEREAS, in accordance with Chapter 346 of the City Code, entitled Vehicles & Traffic, and in accordance with the BPW Regulations, the BPW may grant hardship requests, and WHEREAS, a request has been received for a handicap parking sign on the east side of the 100 block of Farm Street, in the vicinity of 126 Farm, and WHEREAS, this Handicap Parking space can be used by any driver with a handicap parking permit or license plate; now and therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the BPW hereby approves the installation of a Handicap Parking Sign and space to be installed at the above -mentioned address. Due to a lack of quorum, the vote for this resolution was postponed until the next meeting. Dir. of Eng. Logue stated that this resolution did not need to come to the Board and the staff could grant these requests with only the appeals coming to Board. Resolution to Add a 15 minute Parking Zone in Front of CFCU Community Credit Union on Esty Street WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works (BPW) has promulgated regulations, adopted October 6, 2010, for implementation of a Schedule of Traffic Regulations, which was established by Common Council by Ordinance No. 2010-08, and WHEREAS, the south side of Esty Street, from its intersection with Meadow Street, to a point approximately 210 feet to the east, is now regulated as No Parking Anytime, and WHEREAS, the north side of Esty Street, from its intersection with Meadow Street, to a point approximately 50 feet to the east, is now regulated as No Parking Anytime, and WHEREAS, No Parking Anytime can be used for Standing but does not allow the driver to leave the vehicle, and WHEREAS, the No Parking Anytime zone on the south side of Esty Street mentioned above, is consistently used by clients who park, leave their vehicle, and do business at the Corn ell Federal Credit Union adjacent to this No Parking Anytime zone, and WHEREAS, the No Parking Anytime zone on the south side of Esty Street could also be used as a short-term parking zone, with no impact to the current traffic flow on the street, and WHEREAS, the two aforementioned No Parking Anytime zones on Esty Street mentioned above are incorrectly listed in Section 346-64 Schedule XIV: No Standing, now, be it RESOLVED, That Section 346-64 Schedule XIV: No Standing be amended as follows: Remove the following entry from this schedule: Board of Public Works Page 6 February 19, 2019 Regular Meeting Name Side Location Esty Street Both From a point 50 feet east of Meadow Street to a point 125 feet west thereof Now, be it further RESOLVED, that Section 346-62 Schedule XII: Parking Prohibited at All Times be amended to include the following for Esty Street: Name Side Location Esty Street North From its intersection with Meadow Street, to a point approximately 50 feet east thereof And be it further RESOLVED, That a 15 minute parking zone be established on the south side of Esty Street beginning at a point located three (3) feet east of the east edge of the Cornell Federal Credit Union parking lot entrance driveway to a point located 100 feet east thereof and, now, be it further RESOLVED, That Section 346-68 Schedule XIII: Time Limit Parking be amended to add the following for Esty Street: Name Side Time Limit: Hours/Days Location Esty Street South 15 min: All/All Beginning at a point located three (3) feet east of the east edge of the Cornell Federal Credit Union parking lot entrance driveway to a point located 100 feet east thereof. Due to a lack of quorum, the vote for this resolution was postponed until the next meeting. The Board had no objections. Resolution to Establish No Parking Anytime on Both Sides of the Full Length of Pier Road WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works (BPW) has promulgated regulations, adopted October 6, 2010, for implementation of a Schedule of Traffic Regulations, which wa s established by Common Council by Ordinance No. 2010-08, and WHEREAS, Pier Road is only 22 to 24 feet wide, this pavement width being insufficient to accommodate parking a vehicle fully on the paved roadway without obstructing the traveled way to an unacceptable degree, and WHEREAS, in order for vehicles to park on Pier Road, without obstructing traffic, the vehicles would have to be parked off the edge of pavement, and WHEREAS, there are no paved or gravel shoulders that can be utilized for parking, and the roadsides are mostly grass turf which cannot sustain repeated instances of parking without excessive damage; therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby designates both sides of Pier Road, for the full length of the road as a “No Parking Any Time” zone, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Section 346-62 and Schedule XII be amended to include the following for Pier Road: Name Side Location Pier Road Both Entire Length Due to a lack of quorum, the vote for this resolution was postponed until the next meeting. Section 346-62 Schedule XII Parking Prohibited at All Times Board of Public Works Page 7 February 19, 2019 Regular Meeting Discussion followed on the floor regarding where vehicles were currently parking on the grass along the TCAT property if the parking lots were full. Dir. of Parking Messmer stated the street was too narrow, and crews would post signs on a short distance from Willow Street past the Streets and Facilities property. Resolution to Establish 15-minute Parking on the North Side of East Court Street Adjacent to Temple Beth El WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works (BPW) has promulgated regulations, adopted October 6, 2010, for implementation of a Schedule of Traffic Regulations, which was established by Common Council by Ordinance No. 2010-08, and WHEREAS, there exists an approximately 50 foot “No Parking Any Time” zone located on the North Side of East Court Street adjacent to Tem ple Beth El, which is not presently listed in Section 346-62 Schedule XII Parking Prohibited at All Times for Court Street, and WHEREAS, Temple Beth El operates a pre-school from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and parents need curbside short-term parking to drop off and escort pre-school children into and out of the Temple, and WHEREAS, the current No Parking Any Time zone allows parents to stand to drop of children, but does not allow parents to leave the vehicle and escort pre-school children into and out of the Temple for school, and WHEREAS, Section 346-68 Schedule XVII, must be updated to add this zone; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby changes the designation of the No Parking Any Time zone on East Court Street adjacent to the Temple Beth El to be 15 minute parking, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Section 346-68 Schedule XVII Time Limit Parking for East Court Street be amended to read as follows: Name Side Time Limit Hours/Days Location Court Street (Added 11-16-11) North 15 mins. 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday Between the driveways for 720 West Court Street and 710-712 West Court Street Court Street North 15 mins. All/All From a point 20 ft. west of Tioga Street to a point 70 ft. west of Tioga St. Due to a lack of quorum, the vote for this resolution was postponed until the next meeting. Dir. of Parking Messmer explained that a preschool was located in the building, so the existing No Parking regulations caused problems for parents trying to drop children off at preschool. CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS: Resolution Accepting Title to Portions of Brindley and Taber Streets and Assuming Maintenance Responsibility WHEREAS, a Project for the Brindley Street Bridge Replacement over Cayuga Inlet, P.I.N. 375611 (the “Project”) is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code, as amended, that calls for the apportionment of the costs such program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20% non-Federal funds; and WHEREAS, the project involves the construction of new roadway and bridge on a relocated horizontal alignment that will connect Taber Street with the West State Street/Taughnnock Boulevard intersection, and Paragraph 346-68 Schedule XVIII Time Limit Parking Board of Public Works Page 8 February 19, 2019 Regular Meeting WHEREAS, on June 7, 2017, the City of Ithaca Common Council authorized the City of Ithaca to pay in the first instance 100% of the federal and non -federal share of the cost of Right-of- Way Acquisition phase of the Project; and WHEREAS, Congdon & Co. Inc. has facilitated the acquisition of 1098 square feet of real property located at 120-140 Brindley Street on behalf of the City of Ithaca, and WHEREAS, in accordance with the City of Ithaca Charter Section 53, “The Board of Public Works may enter upon any lands for the purpose of survey and examination; otherwise, in the name of the City of Ithaca all lands, water rights, easements, privileges and franchises and all other real and personal property whatsoever, either within or outs ide of the corporation limits of the City of Ithaca, which are necessary, in the judgment of the Board, for any of the purposes herein set forth and shall have the right to enter upon, take possession of and appropriate all such property and to do any and every act or thing that may be necessary to carry out the full intent and purpose of all the provisions contained in this Charter;” now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca, through its Board of Public Works, agrees to accept real property acquired by Congdon & Co. Inc. for the project and agrees to maintain same, and it is further RESOLVED, That this resolution shall take effect immediately. Due to a lack of quorum, the vote for this resolution was postponed until the next meeting. Dir. of Eng. Logue explained that the City had already purchased the property, and the Board needed to authorize the formal acceptance of responsibility for the property on behalf of the City. Authorization for Mayor to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the Town of Ithaca to Permit the Town to Use the Route 13 Pedestrian Bridge for the Gateway Trail - Resolution WHEREAS, the City owns a pedestrian bridge that runs over Route 13 ("Route 13 Pedestrian Bridge") and the City also holds a permit i ssued by the New York State Department of Transportation ("NYSDOT") authorizing the City to occupy and maintain the Route 13 Pedestrian Bridge within the State’s airspace; and WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca wishes to use the Route 13 Pedestrian Bridge for th e purpose of constructing a public trail, known as the "Gateway Trail," which is a portion of long -term joint project to establish a trail system serving this area; and WHEREAS, the Town will be replacing decking to the bridge, and staff is supportive of the Town’s improvements and use; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works is supportive of entering into an MOU with the Town, and recommends that Common Council authorize the mayor, upon the advice of the City Attorney, to execute the submitted MOU for the Town’s use of the pedestrian bridge as part of the Gateway Trail. Due to a lack of quorum, the vote for this resolution was postponed until the next meeting. Dir. of Eng. Logue explained that the Town of Ithaca was trying to build a trail using the Gateway Bridge, and NYSDOT was requiring this resolution authorizing the Town to put their trail on our bridge. WATER AND SEWER: Denial of Appeal of Water Service Installation Billing for 926, 930, 936 Hector Street – Resolution WHEREAS, on April 4, April 11, and April 13, 2018, the Water and Sewer Division of the City of Ithaca DPW installed new water and sewer services at the request of the Owner of 926, 930 and 936 Hector Street, and WHEREAS, the property owner states he was not aware the he would be responsible for costs associated with the installation, and Board of Public Works Page 9 February 19, 2019 Regular Meeting WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works discussed the appeal at their regular meeting on January 15, 2019, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the appeal to dismiss the bills associated with the installation of new water and sewer services for these three properties, and be it further RESOLVED, That any balance on the bills not be subject to late fees or interest until 30 days beyond of the date of this Resolution, and that the owner may also, at his option, contact the City of Ithaca Chamberlain’s Office to arrange an extended repayment plan for the amount of the invoices. Due to a lack of quorum, the vote for this resolution was postponed until the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. Kathrin D. Servoss Svante L. Myrick Executive Assistant Mayor