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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2019-07-16BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 6:05 p.m. July 16, 2019 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (4) – Blalock, Greene, Jenkins, Morache OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin Transportation Engineer – Hathaway Common Council Liaison – Brock Executive Assistant – Servoss EXCUSED: Commissioner (2) - McCormick, Warden City Attorney – Lavine Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – W hitney Director of Engineering – Logue Director of Parking – Messmer ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: Supt. Thorne requested that item 7A be deleted from the agenda. No Board member objected. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: The Mayor had no communications at this time. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Emily Nester, city of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the Spencer Road/Stone Quarry Road intersection, stating that most cars did not stop or slow down at the intersection, noting that pedestrians and cyclists did not have a stop sign on Spencer Road and drivers didn’t realize it. She stated there were no payment markings, and there should be some traffic calming measures. Walking on Spencer Road caused concern for pedestrian safety. Carla DeMello, Morris Heights Road, addressed the Board regarding the intersection of Spencer Road and Stone Quarry Road. She stated that p rior to dead-ending the road, large vehicles wouldn’t need to turn around on Spencer Road in order to make deliveries. She requested that a dedicated turn-around be installed for large trucks. She further stated that traffic had increased 300% on the 300 block of Spencer Road since the change, and requested lowering the speed limit and installing speed humps or rumble strips to slow traffic. Benjamin Kirk, Spencer Road, indicated he had s ent the following email and letter to the Board earlier in the day: Hello My name is Ben Kirk and I am the secretary of the Spencer Road Neighborhood Association. We wanted to share some concerns we have about the consequences of the incomplete work that was done to close off the 400 block of Spencer Road, as well as some consequences that the closure of the Spencer/Stone Quarry Road intersection as had. We have composed a letter detailing our observations, with specific requests of action from the city. Please find the letter here. We have attempted to include pictures and videos to more clearly highlight our concerns and recommendations. We hope you will give this letter and supporting documentation your serious consideration. Some residents from Spencer Road plan to attend this evening's BPW meeting to further elaborate on the points that have been made here. We are in favor of today's proposed item to lower the speed limit along the 300 block of Spencer Road, but we have further concerns we hope can be addressed swiftly. Thank you for your time. If you have any questions about our letter, please let me know and I'll pass them along to the other members of the SRNA. Ben Kirk Secretary, SRNA Board of Public Works Page 2 July 16, 2019 Regular Meeting To the members of the Ithaca Board of Public Works The 400 block of Spencer Road was initially closed off to traffic from the 300 block and from Stone Quarry Road on August 21, 2018, and work on the intersection and surrounding area ended on October 31. In November and December, members of the BPW acknowledged that the project was not finished. Despite this, it is now July and still nothing further has been done. We in the neighborhood have noticed several consequences, both as a direct result of the missing elements not yet installed from the plan as well as the impacts the barrier’s installation has had on traffic and quality of life along Spencer Road. This letter is to share the impacts that this incomplete project has had on our neighborhood. Consequences of intersection job not being finished  Poor Drainage o Rain runoff from South Hill is pooling along the northbound lane of Spencer Road at the transition with Stone Quarry Road, or runs directly into the driveway/yard of 338 Spencer Road along southbound lane  See this video o Sidewalk leads into muddy pit during warmer months o In the winter, this runoff freezes, creating an ice/slush mixture that is hazardous to pedestrians and vehicles o Request: regrade pavement to route water towards storm drains and away from properties and sidewalk. Check drains regularly to ensure clear drainage  Insufficient stop lines or crosswalks o Stop signs are installed at Spencer/Stone Quarry Road transition and at Spencer Road/South Meadow Street Extension intersection, but no stop lines are painted except for one at crosswalk across South Meadow Street Extension o Drivers do not know where to stop; many do not stop at all at either intersection. o Planned crosswalk for Spencer/Stone Quarry Road transition has not been painted, causing hazards for bicyclists and pedestrians using bike lane to continue along Spencer Road, who are generally not visible to downhill traffic due to angle of hill and have no direction to stop.  See this video.(taken above the Spencer/Stone Quarry Road transition at 9:30 am on Tuesday, July 16)  More than 30 cars pass through the transition in a five minute period (the density of traffic increases during rush hour and weekends)  Virtually no cars actually come to a stop at either sign. Some execute a rolling stop, but many do not slow down at all.  Of note: o At 1:35, a blue Prius and silver SUV illustrate ambiguity on where cars are supposed to stop as they head up towards Stone Quarry Road o At 2:00, a white van uses the Stone Quarry Apartments parking lot as a turnaround (this van reappears later) o At 2:10, a tan sedan rolls through the stop sign coming down Stone Quarry Road, missing the sign entirely o At 3:40, a red pickup truck similarly rolls through this stop sign o At 4:05, the loud bouncing of a pickup-truck drawn trailer on the many potholes of the 300 block of Spencer Road can be heard o At 4:30, three vehicles (including the white van observed above) speed through the intersection towards Stone Quarry Road without any indication of slowing. o Request: paint stop lines by all installed stop signs at these two intersections and paint crosswalk on Spencer/Stone Quarry transition, all of which were part of the original, incomplete plan (and are highlighted on this map)  Poor/no placement of “No Outlet” signs o Many drivers are surprised to find a barrier on the 400 block for Spencer Road due to poor placement of “No Outlet” sign on the 400 block and no signage on 300 block or South Meadow Street extension that Spencer Road access ends ahead o Some drive over barrier; some use residential driveways to turn around, in some cases hitting and damaging resident property. Very few use the hammerhead turnaround installed on 400 block. o Request: install clearer/more explicit signage indicating noncontinuity of Spencer Road  Traffic calming in Spencer/Stone Quarry Road transition o As illustrated above, very few drivers stop at posted signs when passing through Spencer/Stone Quarry Road transition specifically. Often they do not even slow down, driving through the intersection at high speeds. o Request: painting of pedestrian/bicycle crosswalk. Installation of signage indicating upcoming bike crossing/shared roadway. Consideration of raised crosswalk or road narrowing through transition Board of Public Works Page 3 July 16, 2019 Regular Meeting Consequences of barrier’s installation  Problems with mail delivery along the 400 block of Spencer Road o The original plan included a grass strip between the sidewalk and curb on the 400 block of Spencer Road. This was not installed, but the local postmaster was not sufficiently notified about changed placement of mailboxes o Delivery driver must drive onto sidewalk to deliver mail. Post office has informed residents that not all mail can be delivered in this way, and that this temporary solution may be ended completely. o Request: city must consult with postmaster to find long-term solution to mail delivery  Difficulties with ICSD bus pickup/dropoff o There are multiple school bus pickups every morning. Buses picking up students on 400 block must turn around in order to leave. This is happening at the barrier, adjacent to waiting children, instead of the hammerhead turnaround as intended.  See video for example o Request: work with ICSD to identify safest methods to pick up students, including the use of a designated spotter  Problems with snow removal o During winter months, snow plowed from Spencer Road is piled on 400 block barrier, making passage of emergency vehicles over mountable barrier impossible. o Large snow piles also further make school bus turnaround on 400 block challenging (see video) o Snow on bike/pedestrian path is not being cleared. o Request: investigate alternate locations for snow piles. Add bike path to regular snow maintenance plans  Problems with large-vehicle access to Morris Heights Road o After the barrier was installed, residents on Morris Heights Rd received a letter informing them that recycling would no longer picked up. o Residents have also had trouble with FedEx, propane, and other delivery vehicles that have significant difficulty turning on to their road from the southbound lane of Spencer Road. They have noticed this is even more problematic in the winter. o Request: installation of a dedicated turnaround spot on the 300 block of Spencer Road  Road quality improvements and traffic calming needed along 300 block o As found in May, 2019 traffic study conducted by City, traffic volume along 300 block has increased by 90% and average speed has increased substantially as well. o This stretch of road is marred with potholes, many of which have no address to use on city’s pothole report web-form o Once quality of road along this block is improved, traffic speed only certainly get worse o The lowering of official speed limit to 25mph along this block is a great first step, and we understand more changes are being considered. o Request: Install speed hump(s) along 300 block. Install “Share the Road” signs/road markings. Paint green pedestrian/bike lane on both sides Spencer and Stone Quarry Roads are “Urban Collectors,” used by many drivers commuting from south hill to downtown Ithaca, and many of the unsafe driver behavior we have observed and noted -- not stopping at the Spencer/Stone Quarry Road transition, speeding along Spencer Road, and passing over the 400 block barrier -- have been the same vehicles, suggesting many of these commuters are routinely ignoring residential safety. We hope that the City of Ithaca staff can work with the Ithaca Police Department to find a way to more regularly monitor Spencer Road for these traffic violations. This is not the first time we have notified the city BPW about many of these concerns. We submitted a letter in February and formally requested a schedule of completion from Michael Thorne on April 16 and of our Common Council representatives regularly prior and since. No timetable has been provided. We hope our concerns can be addressed swiftly and that communication about their progress will be ongoing. Sincerely, The members of the Spencer Road Neighborhood Association Mr. Kirk further stated there was a fair amount of runoff that was pooling in yards due to the poor drainage, noting that ice builds up in the winter which becomes very dangerous. Aaron Parker, Spencer Road, addressed the Board, stating he often had to walk down the 300 block of Spencer Road, and traffic flow through that area was dangerous. He noted that he walks with a walker, and have had close calls between cars, himself and his service dog. He further noted that drainage in the area was a problem; during winter the road becomes dangerous with ice and summer rains cause mud holes that last for a week or more. Board of Public Works Page 4 July 16, 2019 Regular Meeting Margaret Sutherland, Spencer Road, thanked the City for installing the sidewalk on the 400 block of Spencer Road, but noted that signage was a problem. She stated the “No Outlet” sign was too far up the road, and mail delivery was still an issue in that mail trucks must drive on the sidewalk to deliver mail. She noted that Post Office Deliverers stated that if they couldn’t drive on the sidewalks, the mail would not be delivered. She further requested painted stop lines to encourage drivers to stop on Spencer Road before going up Stone Quarry Road. Claudia Georgia, Spencer Road, agreed with the other residents, and expressed concern about the stop signs and traffic not stopping. She stated that vines were blocking the stop signs from view. She further stated that the post office had indicated they were only delivering first class mail, and that her car, which was parked on the street, was hit when she was out of town, causing it to be totaled. JP Vico, Spencer Road, explained the geographic layout of Spencer Road and Stone Quarry Road intersection, stating that people were driving over the curbing at the dead-end. He expressed concern that the road was very dangerous for children. Pamela Lang, South Street, addressed the Board regarding the Play Street Project and the South Titus Avenue street closure, expressing con cern that City was hiring people to watch the children. She noted that there was a park on Wood Street and on Madison Road that children could play in peacefully. She didn’t understand why the City approved the street closures for kids to play in the street. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Commissioner Greene read the following text on behalf of Rusty Keeler regarding the first three weeks of Free Play: The scoop: play streets is going great. Lots of families and neighbors coming. People are excited about having this to come to. Week 1 we had 80 people. Week 2&3 we had 50 people. Ages 0-76 attending. Lots of people coming by bike (it’s on the bike boulevard!). Just Play Project is starting to staff it with playworkers (some are teens hired by the Youth Bureau) and bringing loose parts for play (bubbles, paint, puppet show stuff). Commissioner Greene further reported that Commissioner McCormick felt it was a positive event with no specific complaints. Mayor Myrick suggested adding this topic to the August agenda for additional Board discussion. The Board agreed. Mayor Myrick read the requests listed in email from residents regarding Spencer R oad. Supt. Thorne explained that the work wasn’t done at the intersection and that City staff were frustrated too because the contractor was not finishing the project. He further stated that staff just decided last week that Public Works crews would complete the project and withhold payment from contractor. He noted that he had watched the video of the school bus with the children standing in the street that residents shared, and he was considering moving the bus stop, but he would like to finish the job first then address the other issues. Asst. Supt. Benjamin explained that the road was not crowned correctly, and that crews would mill and pave Spencer Road in August after the finished their current project. He noted that repaving may cause the traffic to travel faster on Spencer Road. He further noted that NYSEG was planning to be on Spencer Road in the next year or two to install new gas lines, so he didn’t want to install a permanent road because it would be torn up again. Mayor Myrick expressed support for installing speed humps or rubber rumble strips to help slow traffic down. Transportation Engineer Hathaway responded that the first thing to do would be to lower the speed limit and increase enforcement on the road. Mayor Myrick stated he would be willing to meet with the neighborhood association on site to discuss further traffic calming measures. Discussion followed on the floor regarding installing physical barriers to help slow traffic, setting the speed limit as low as the law allowed, checking on additional signage and the possibility of moving the existing signs, reaching out to the Town of Ithaca to request installing more signs in their area to warn truck traffic of the steep intersection, asking the Sign Shop to install flags on the stop signs to bring more awareness to drivers. Transportation Engineer Hathaway noted that the City’s traffic calming program for this year was approved, but it was Board of Public Works Page 5 July 16, 2019 Regular Meeting up to the Board whether to add more to the work plan or not. He further stated that speed feedback signs could be added along with the new speed limit signs. Mayor Myrick reiterated that the City would fix drainage issues, change the speed limit, and add flashing lights to help slow traffic. He asked Alderperson Brock if she and Alderperson McGonigal could meet with the school district regarding relocating the school bus stop, and stated he already had a meeting scheduled with the post office. Alderperson Brock agreed, and asked if City crews could move the mailboxes from the far side of the sidewalk to next to the curb to assist with mail delivery. Asst. Supt. Benjamin responded that anything was possible, but having the mailboxes right next to the street could cause problems with snow removal. REPORTS Special Committees of the Board Commissioner Greene requested, on behalf of Commissioner McCormick, that an additional Board member join the Bicycle Movement Working Group, which would be reviewing Blueprint for Better Bicycling Study that was funded by NYSERDA and NYSDOT. The study looked at bicycle and pedestrian circulation throughout the city. Mayor Myrick suggested talking to Commissioner Warden about joining the work group. Commissioner Greene agreed. Board Liaisons Commissioner Blalock, Planning Board liaison, reported that a new high-end apartment building in Collegetown was to be discussed at next week’s meeting. He further reported that the City Harbour project had resurfaced and the Carpenter Park project were being discussed at the next meeting. Issues that these large projects could cause include pedestrian connections and crossing Route 13 near Aldi. Commissioner Morache expressed his opinion that anything the City could do to install more Route 13 crossings to connect the northside neighborhood to the waterfront would be great. Commissioner Greene stated he would like to see the City take a proactive approach to implementing different crossings of Route 13, and requiring the developers of these large projects fund some of the bike/pedestrian improvements. Commissioner Morache mentioned needing legal crossings across the railroad tracks. Superintendent and Staff Supt. Thorne reported that business was going as usual. Nothing new to report. Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that Auburn Street had been paved and Willow Avenue was paved to Marshall Street. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: 2020 SID Assessment Rolls, Budget and Work Schedule Public Hearing Resolution to Open Public Hearing By Commissioner Greene: Seconded by Commissioner Morache RESOLVED, That the public hearing regarding 2020 Sidewalk Assessment Rolls, Budget and Work Schedule be declared open. Carried Unanimously Sidewalk Program Manager John Licitra joined the Board and explained that each year a public hearing must be held regarding the assessment rolls and work plan. No members of the public spoke during the public hearing. Resolution to Close Public Hearing By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the public hearing regarding 2020 Sidewalk Assessment Rolls, Budget and Work Schedule be declared closed. Carried Unanimously BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, REFUSE AND TRANSIT: Street Permit Fees for Work Zones on the Commons This topic removed from discussion. Board of Public Works Page 6 July 16, 2019 Regular Meeting HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: Six Corners Intersection Public Comment Summary Transportation Engineer Hathaway explained the Six Corners Intersection Project. Doug Stansbury, Managing Engineer from C&S Companies, presented the scope of the project and explained three alternatives for improvements to the intersection: Option 1 – upgraded traffic signals with pedestrian crossing signals on each road. Option 1A – Same as Option 1, but road is lowered to increase sight visibility for drivers. Option 2 – a single lane roundabout with pedestrian crossing signals at each lane. Councilperson Gearhart joined the Board for the discussion of this topic. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the intersection improvement options. Councilperson Gearhart stated that the presentation made during the public meetings held in the neighborhood swayed many residents to increase support for installing a roundabout. Currently there aren’t any pedestrian crossing controls; the roundabout would install pedestrian controls that would increase safety for pedestrians. He suggested installing flashing lights on the roads for cars as they approached the roundabout to warn drivers to slow down. Commissioner Blalock asked about support from Cornell, since this roundabout was basically their gateway. It was noted that the current situation required police to sit at the intersection to change the traffic lights manually after sports events and graduation. Mayor Myrick stated that this project was at the top of the list of projects that the City would be asking for funds from Cornell. Transportation Engineer Hathaway noted that he had been in contact with transportation staff at Cornell who expressed support for the roundabout option. The Board generally agreed with choosing Option 2 , a single-lane roundabout. It was agreed that a resolution would be included the agenda next month. Recommendation to Pursue a Climate Smart Communities Grant - RESOLUTION By Commissioner Greene: Seconded by Commissioner Morache WHEREAS, the NYS DEC is offering a Climate Smart Communities Grant Program funding opportunity with a due date of July 26 and past grant recipients of this program have funded sidewalk projects; and WHEREAS, the City’s Engineering Division have documented the need for new sidewalk construction along 500-1000 Giles St., and past Sidewalk Improvement District (SID) work plans have funded design studies along this corridor; and WHEREAS, new sidewalk along this corridor would promote safer pedestrian access to the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and increase access to the downtown commercial and public centers; and WHEREAS, if the City was awarded this funding, the grant is a 50% match, then the SID #2 budget in 2020 would pay for the City’s share of the project, and appropriate environmental reviews would be needed by the Board of Public Works before final approvals, now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board recommends, subject to amendment and approval by the Common Council, the City’s attorney’s office and Engineering Division be granted permission to pursue this grant as best fits the needs and interests of the City, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be and hereby is authorized to execute these contracts and to administer the same. Carried Unanimously PARKING AND TRAFFIC: Amendment to Vehicle and Traffic Schedule II: Speed Limits – Proposed Resolution By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Blalock 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 of Ithaca Transportation Engineer has determined that the speed limit along the entirety of Stone Quarry Rd. and along the 300 block of Spencer Rd. should be lowered from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour, and Board of Public Works Page 7 July 16, 2019 Regular Meeting WHEREAS, the Board concurs with this determination, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That Schedule II: Speed Limits be amended to read: § 346-52. Schedule II: Speed Limits. A. In accordance with the provisions of § 346-6, speed limits other than 30 miles per hour (and not associated with school speed limits) are hereby established as indicated upon the following described streets or parts thereof: Name of Street Speed Limit (mph) Location Stone Quarry Rd. 25 Entire length Spencer Rd. 25 300 block Carried Unanimously Amendment to Vehicle and Traffic Schedule I: Traffic Control Signals and Schedule VIII: Stop Control Intersections – Proposed Resolution By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins 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 of Ithaca Transportation Engineer has determined that the traffic control operation at the Court Street and Plain Street intersection should be changed from signalized control to all-way stop control, and WHEREAS, the Board concurs with this determination, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That Schedule I: Traffic Control Signals and Schedule VIII: Stop Control Intersections be amended as follows: Schedule I: Traffic Control Signals. The following intersecting streets or locations are hereby designated for control by a traffic signal: 20. Court Street and Plain Street 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: Court Street and Plain Street Transportation Engineer Hathaway explained that the blinking red signal was not causing everyone to stop, so residents had asked for a four-way stop. He explained that the traffic signal would be bagged and stop signs would be installed, however, the signal could be either put back into service or removed in the future. Discussion followed on the floor regarding ways to ensure drivers saw the stop signs rather than not stopping at all because the signal was bagged. Transportation Engineer Hathaway responded that the intersection would be monitored and adjusted as needed. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Kathrin D. Servoss Svante L. Myrick Executive Assistant Mayor