A.
Appointment of Commissioners; Board constituted. The
Mayor shall nominate from the electors of the City and, by and with
the consent of a majority of the Common Council, shall appoint six
Commissioners who, with the Mayor acting as the presiding officer,
shall constitute the Board of Public Works.
[Amended 9-6-1996 by L.L. No. 4-1996[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law passed at referendum
on 11-5-1996.
B.
Terms of office; eligibility for reappointment; political
affiliation. At the first regular meeting of the Common Council in
January of each year, the Mayor shall, from the electors of the City,
nominate and, by and with the consent of the Common Council, appoint
two Commissioners to fill the vacancies of the expiring term, which
appointment shall be for terms of three years from the first day of
January. The appointment of such Commissioners shall be made so that
no more than three Commissioners, other than the Mayor, shall belong
to the same political party.
[2]
Editor's Note: This local law passed at referendum
on 11-5-1996.
C.
Vacancies during term. A vacancy other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the manner provided in Subsection B of this section.
D.
Removal of Commissioner from office. Any Commissioner
may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the Common Council
upon charges preferred in writing, served upon the Commissioner against
whom they are preferred, and after such Commissioner has had a reasonable
opportunity to be heard in his/her own behalf.
E.
Compensation of Commissioners; expenses; disbursements.
The Commissioners shall receive no compensation for their services
but shall be reimbursed for expenses and disbursements necessarily
incurred in transacting the business of the Board when duly authorized
by the Board of Public Works and itemized.
F.
Election as Mayor or Council member creates vacancy.
Upon assuming the office of Mayor or Council member, a Commissioner
shall automatically forfeit his/her office, and the vacancy created
thereby shall be filled in the manner as hereinabove provided.
G.
In addition to the appointed members of the Board
of Public Works, the City's Disability Advisory Council (DAC) shall
designate one of its members as a liaison to the Board. The DAC liaison
shall be eligible to participate in all discussions of the Board,
but shall not be a voting member.
[Added 8-6-2003 by L.L. No. 2-2003[3]]
[3]
Editor's Note: This local law also provided
for the renumbering of former Subsections G through J as H through
K, respectively.
H.
Mayor to be presiding officer; Vice Chairperson. The
Mayor shall be the presiding officer of the Board of Public Works
and shall be entitled to vote upon all questions except the appointment
of officers and employees. The Board shall each year select by ballot
one of its number to act as permanent Vice Chairperson, whose duty
it shall be, in the absence of the Mayor, to preside over all meetings
of the Board, with the right to vote upon all matters.
I.
Quorum; meetings; notice of special meetings. A majority
of the members of the Board of Public Works, exclusive of the Mayor,
shall be necessary for the transaction of business, but fewer than
a majority may regularly adjourn from time to time. The Board shall
meet at such time as may be expedient or as it shall from time to
time designate. Special meetings may be called by the Mayor or by
any three members of the Board by 24 hours' written notice, which
may be given either personally or by mail addressed to the places
of business or residence of said Commissioners, respectively.
J.
City Clerk or designee to act as secretary; open meetings.
The City Clerk or his or her designee shall act as secretary of the
Board of Public Works and keep a record of all meetings. The meetings
of the Board shall be open to the public in accordance with the Public
Officers Law.
[Amended 5-4-2005 by L.L. No. 3-2005]
K.
Expenditures and obligations. No contract involving
the expenditure of moneys shall be made except by vote of a majority
of the members of the Board of Public Works. No obligation shall be
incurred nor money expended by the Board except by resolution duly
passed by a majority of the members thereof. In every case, the resolution
and vote thereon shall be recorded in full in the minutes of the Board.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § C-59, Superintendent of
Public Works; other personnel, as amended, was repealed 6-1-2011 by
L.L. No. 5-2011.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § C-60, Inspector of Plumbing,
as amended, was repealed 6-1-2011 by L.L. No. 5-2011.
A.
The Board of Public works shall take charge and, subject
to the limitations herein contained and the direction and review of
the Common Council, shall have control of the following departments
of the City government, of the property belonging thereto and of the
appropriations made therefor:
(1)
Water, except that it shall not in any manner fluoridate
the water under the control of the Water Department of the City government.
(2)
Sewers and Drains.
(3)
Streets and Sidewalks.
(4)
Creeks and Bridges.
(5)
Streetlighting.
(6)
Parks.
(7)
Cemeteries.
(8)
Garbage.
(10)
Such other departments as may be assigned to the Board
under the provisions of § C-82 of this Charter.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law passed at referendum
on 11-5-1996.
B.
Construction, improvement, maintenance and operation
of former airport lands. Jurisdiction for the construction, improvement,
maintenance and operation of the lands formerly comprising the Ithaca
Municipal Airport is hereby vested in the Board of Public Works. Said
Board shall adopt regulations and establish rents for the use of such
lands, but no such regulation or rent shall be effective until approved
by the Common Council.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote
and stimulate interest and learning in the classics of the theater,
films, music and graphic arts and to make land available in a restricted
area within the City of Ithaca for the development of suitable facilities
pursuant to such a plan.
B.
Agreements. The City Manager, with the approval of
the Board of Public Works, is hereby authorized to execute agreements
with individuals or corporations permitting the erection of a theater
and other facilities on former municipal airport lands as more particularly
shown on a map entitled "Ithaca Municipal Airport," dated August 26,
1957, filed in the office of the City Engineer, upon such terms as
said Board may determine, subject to the general conditions hereinafter
set forth.
[Amended 11-3-2021 by L.L. No. 2022-07[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law passed at referendum 11-8-2022.
C.
Preliminary investigation. Before approving any proposed
agreement, the Board shall investigate and determine that the proposed
use conforms to the purpose for which the area is set apart, i.e.,
the development and establishment of a program to promote and stimulate
interest and learning in the classics of the theater, films, music
and graphic arts, which will be of benefit to the community as a whole.
D.
General conditions. The following general conditions
shall apply to and be incorporated in any agreement executed hereunder:
(1)
No agreement hereunder shall extend for a period exceeding
the probable useful life of the proposed facility, as determined by
the Board of Public Works on the basis of the materials and type of
construction used therein. Nothing herein contained shall prevent
the Board, upon the expiration of such agreement, from negotiating
a new agreement with the same applicant under such terms and conditions
as the Board may deem proper, subject to the general provisions of
this section so far as applicable thereto.
(2)
The use or uses of the proposed facility shall be
stated in the agreement, and no other or different use shall be permitted
except by approval of the Board of Public Works.
(3)
No agreement nor any right thereunder shall be transferred
or assigned except by permission of the Board of Public Works. A referee's
deed in foreclosure and assignment for the benefit of creditors and
a conveyance or assignment by a trustee in bankruptcy and all other
similar transactions shall be deemed assignments or transfers within
the meaning of this subsection.
(4)
In considering the approval of any request for a change
in use or for a transfer or assignment of any agreement or any rights
thereunder, the Board shall follow the same procedure and apply the
same standards applicable to original applications.
The Board of Public Works may enter upon any
lands for the purpose of survey and examination; may contract for,
purchase and acquire, by grant, purchase, gift, condemnation or 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 outside 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.
The Board of Public Works shall have charge
of and keep, always subject to inspection, all maps and plans now
owned or hereafter acquired by the City relating to the several departments
in its charge. It shall cause to be made and kept revised a convenient
index to said maps and also to the papers in its office, showing readily
where each map or paper may be found.
The Board of Public Works shall have the power
to adopt and execute plans for the drainage of the City and for the
extension and improvement of the present sewer and water system and
for providing any additional water supply and system that may be deemed
necessary.
A.
Imposition. The Board of Public Works shall from time
to time fix and determine the water rates and other charges to be
paid by all consumers of water and shall provide rules and penalties
for the collection thereof by the City Chamberlain. Such water rates,
penalties and other charges shall be a lien upon the property to or
for which water was furnished or service rendered and shall be collected
in the same manner provided for the collection of City taxes and,
when they remain unpaid, shall be added to the annual City tax on
the property to or for which water was furnished or service rendered.
B.
Application of proceeds. The income derived from such
water rates, penalties and other charges and the proceeds from the
sale of water bonds shall be kept separate and apart from other City
funds and revenues and shall be used for the upkeep, maintenance,
extension and benefit of the waterworks and water system, including
but not limited to power plants, pumps, dams, filters, tanks, feed
pipes and mains in connection with the furnishing of water, and the
payment of the maturing principal of and interest on the water bonds
issued prior to the effective date of the Local Finance Law and on
any obligation issued on or after the effective date of such law,
pursuant to such law, for the purpose of financing the reconstruction
or extension of improvements to and the maintenance or operation of
such water system, either by direct payment or by the setting aside
of a sinking fund for the payment of the principal of said bonds,
as it shall from time to time become due.
C.
Disposition of surplus. Any surplus earnings of the
operation of the waterworks or any other public utility system on
hand at any time after the payment of the items above authorized has
been fully complied with and provided for may be applied by the Common
Council toward the payment of any bonded or other indebtedness of
the City of Ithaca now or hereafter contracted.
A.
Purpose, applicability. A scale of rents, to be called
"sewer rents," is hereby levied and assessed against every lot, parcel
of land, building or premises now or hereafter having any connection
with the sewer system of said City or otherwise discharging domestic
sewage, commercial and industrial waste, water or other liquids, either
directly or indirectly, into the sanitary sewer system of such City,
based on the metered consumption of water to the premises connected
with and served by said sewer system or any part or parts thereof,
the revenue from which rents shall be used for the payments of costs
of operation, maintenance and repairs of the sewer system or such
part or parts thereof for which sewer rents have been established
and imposed, the interest on and amortization of or payment of indebtedness
which has been or shall be incurred for the construction of the sewer
system or such part or parts thereof for which sewer rents have been
established and imposed (other than indebtedness and the interest
thereon, which is to be paid in the first instance from assessments
upon benefited real property) and for the construction of sewage treatment
and disposal works with necessary appurtenances, including pumping
stations, or for the extension, enlargement or replacement of or additions
to such sewer systems or part or parts thereof.
B.
Duty of owner. In addition to any and all fees and
charges provided by law, the owner of any parcel of real property
within the City limits connected with the sewer system of the City
of Ithaca shall pay a sewer rent for the use of such sewer system
based upon the metered consumption of water to said premises in an
amount to be fixed and determined from time to time by the Board of
Public Works of the City of Ithaca. In order that property lying outside
the corporate limits of the City of Ithaca being served by its sewage
disposal system shall bear a proportionate share of the cost of such
system, the charge made for such property shall be apportioned by
the Board of Public Works in addition to the base rate charged to
property located within the City, such charge to be collected and
the collection enforced as herein provided for other sewer rental
charges. For the purpose of determining the charge to be rendered
premises using the sewerage system whereon the water used is derived
in whole or in part from sources independent of the City, the water
used thereon supplied from private sources shall be measured by a
City water meter or by a meter acceptable to the Water and Sewer Division,
to be installed and maintained by the owner or occupant thereof at
his/her own cost and subject to supervision and inspection by said
Water and Sewer Division. The sewer rental charged against such property
shall be determined by the metered consumption of water used on said
premises, regardless of the source from which supplied, according
to the schedule herein and hereinafter adopted by the Board of Public
Works. Whenever the owner or occupant fails to install such meter
and in cases where the Board of Public Works finds it impractical
to insist upon a special meter, said Board may accept the report of
said property owner as to the amount of water used on said premises
or said Board may fix and determine the amount ordinarily consumed
upon said premises by such method as it may find practicable in the
light of the conditions and attendant circumstances of the case in
order to determine the sewer rental charge, all in accordance with
corresponding rates assessed against other similar property.
C.
Collection. In the case of premises whereon the water
used is supplied by the City of Ithaca through its Board of Public
Works, the sewer rental charge herein provided shall be added to the
water bills rendered to the owners, lessees or occupants of such property
and shall be paid at the time the water bill is payable at the office
of the City Chamberlain and shall be collected with and in addition
to the water charge for water service, and no part of the charge for
water service shall be accepted without including therewith the sewer
rental charge. Such sewer rental charge shall be subject to the same
penalty provided for delinquent water bills, and it is hereby made
the duty of said City Chamberlain to collect such penalty for failure
to pay the sewer rental charge when due. In cases of premises whereon
water used is not supplied by the City, said Board of Public Works
will render quarterly to the owners, lessees or occupants of such
property bills for the amount of the sewer rental charged as herein
set forth. If such charge is not paid when due, it shall be subject
to the same penalty as is provided for delinquent water bills, and
the City Chamberlain is hereby required to collect such penalty. In
the event that said bills for sewer rentals rendered for premises
whereon water is not supplied by the City of Ithaca are not paid within
30 days after the rendering thereof, the Board of Public Works shall
certify the same, together with such penalty, and the same shall be
collected and the collection thereof enforced in the same manner in
all respects as City, county and state taxes, and they shall be added
to said taxes subject to like penalty, costs and interest charges.
D.
Effect of nonpayment. All sewer rents for premises
using City water shall be payable, collectible and enforceable in
the manner provided by law for the payment, collection and enforcement
of water charges and, if unpaid, shall be collected in the same manner
provided for the collection of City taxes and, when remaining unpaid,
shall be added to the annual City tax or state and county tax on the
property to and for which sewer service was furnished and rendered.
E.
Authority of Board. The Board of Public Works shall
have the power to make and enforce such general rules and regulations,
both as to public and private water supply, for the collection, rebating,
refunding or adjustment of such charges for any reason, including
diversion of water from the sewer system, as may be reasonably necessary
to avoid injustice, to the end that all property discharging sewage
in the sewer system will bear its equitable proportionate share with
other property of the cost of operation, maintenance and repairs of
said sewerage system or any extension, enlargement, replacement or
additions to such sewer system or any part or parts thereof.
F.
Sewer Fund. All revenues derived from the sewer rents
imposed hereunder, together with all penalties and interest thereon,
shall be kept by the City Chamberlain in a separate account to be
known as the "Sewer Fund."
G.
Existing contracts. The provisions of this Charter
shall be subject in any event to any and all existing contracts between
the City of Ithaca and present contract users of its sewer system
and to any and all renewals, extensions and modifications, if any,
of said contracts.
The Board of Public Works shall have power to
adopt and execute plans for the purpose of controlling and regulating
the flow of water in the creeks and watercourses and properly protecting
them against overflow and for providing relief channels or additional
watercourses and bridges for the same, as the Board shall deem for
the best interests of the City; to alter, deepen, widen and change
the direction of the channel or current of creeks or watercourses,
or any of them; to increase, diminish, entirely prevent or change
in any manner the customary flow of water and to cause the same to
flow against or upon any other land; and to build walls, embankments
or levees and, if deemed necessary or advisable, to make them of sufficient
width for the construction of streets, alleys or driveways thereon.
It shall take charge of and have control over all permanent public
improvements now constructed along watercourses, maintain, alter,
repair, improve and extend the same and widen and deepen the channel
thereof; shall have charge of all bridges, culverts and sluiceways
and build, rebuild or repair the same; and shall clean and keep free
from obstruction all channels, ditches and sluices thereunder.
A.
Acquisition of land for park purposes. The Board of
Public Works shall have power to adopt and execute plans for the laying
out, improvement and maintenance of the parks and to provide additional
parks either within or without the limits of the City of Ithaca and,
for such purposes, to acquire, by gift, purchase or condemnation,
lands within or without the limits of the City of Ithaca and to lay
out, cultivate and improve the lands so acquired.
[Amended 5-7-1997 by L.L. No. 3-1997]
B.
Public parks. The Board of Public Works shall have
the power to regulate and maintain public parks now established or
hereafter laid out and established by the Board; to preserve, adorn
and protect the same; to prohibit and prevent encroachments thereon
or injury to the trees, shrubs and adornments thereof; to adopt rules
and regulations governing the purposes for which the parks or any
of them may be used and enjoyed; to determine the place for planting
and the relative location of shade or ornamental trees in the parks;
to determine the methods and manner of adornment of the parks; and
in all things to have complete control and authority thereover.
C.
Park defined. The word "parks" is hereby defined to
include all public grounds and places, except cemeteries, which shall
have heretofore been under the control and supervision of the City
of Ithaca and all public grounds and places hereafter acquired by
the City of Ithaca under the provisions of this Charter.
The Board of Public Works shall take charge
and have control of all public cemeteries within the City limits,
with power to preserve, adorn and protect the same; to establish such
rules and regulations governing the care, maintenance, adornment and
uses thereof as may be deemed necessary; to prohibit injury to or
mutilation of any of the adornments or monuments therein; and to prescribe
penalties for the violation thereof.
The Board of Public Works shall have the power
to lay out, alter, discontinue, regulate, straighten, widen, pave,
curb, clean and sprinkle the streets, highways, alleys, bridges and
crosswalks; to prevent the encumbering and obstruction of the same
in any manner; to protect them from encroachment or injury; to construct
sidewalks or cause the same to be constructed; to alter, repair, regulate,
straighten, raise and lower the same; to cause the same to be kept
free and clean from ice, dirt and snow; and to prevent the encumbering,
encroachment upon or obstruction of the same, as hereinafter provided.
Before laying out any highway requiring condemnation proceedings and
before altering or discontinuing any highway, a public hearing shall
be had after notice thereof has been given by publication at least
once in at least two newspapers of the City of Ithaca and by mailing
the same to all the owners of lands through which said new highway
is to run or adjacent to the portion of any highway that is to be
altered or discontinued.
The Board of Public Works shall have the power
to permit excavating in any public street or place in said City upon
satisfactory surety being given to the Board that the excavation so
made will be properly guarded and promptly filled and that any curbing
or pavement removed shall be relaid with all convenient speed; that
the City shall be held harmless from all claims, demands, suits, costs
and damages that may result by reason of the excavation; that the
street or public place so disturbed shall be restored to as good condition
as existed before making the excavation and shall be so maintained
for a period of one year without expense to the Board; and that the
excavation will be made at such time and in such manner and under
such superintendence as the Board may prescribe in the order granting
permission, in addition to the above requirements. Any expense incurred
by the Board in such superintendence, restoration or repairment shall
be a lien until paid upon the premises or lot for the benefit of which
the work was done, to be enforced the same as unpaid claims for the
construction of sidewalks as hereinafter provided, and the Board shall
have a lawful demand against the applicant to whom such permission
may have been given and may sue for and collect the same in the name
of the City, which, when collected, shall be paid to the City Chamberlain
and by him/her credited to the funds against which the expense is
properly charged. During the progress of excavating, at least 1/2
of the street, public place or land shall be kept open and free for
the passage of persons and vehicles. No person or corporation shall
make any excavation in any street, lane or public ground or under
sidewalks without first obtaining such permit in writing.
[Added 9-4-2013 by L.L. No. 3-2013[1]]
A.
Establishment of sidewalk improvement districts; map.
(1)
The City is hereby divided into five sidewalk improvement districts
("districts" or "SIDs"): District No. 1, District No. 2, District
No. 3, District No. 4, and District No. 5. The districts are bounded
as shown on the map titled "Official Sidewalk Improvement District
Map of the City of Ithaca, New York" (hereinafter "SID Map"), and
which accompanies in printed format and is hereby made part of this
section.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: A copy of the Sidewalk Improvement District
Map is on file in the City offices.
(2)
The Superintendent of Public Works or his or her designee shall prepare,
maintain, and keep current the SID Map in accordance with amendments
made thereon pursuant to action of the Common Council.
B.
Construction or repair of sidewalks in districts.
(1)
The Board of Public Works shall recommend, subject to amendment and approval by the Common Council, a budget and a schedule of sidewalk construction or repair to be performed in each SID as part of the City's budget for each fiscal year; provided, however, that the budget for the first fiscal year following the year of enactment of this section shall be recommended and approved on such schedule as deemed practicable by the Board of Public Works and Common Council. The Board shall have the authority to include in such budget all or any portion of the cost for past sidewalk construction or repair performed by the City on a property located in and subject to assessments as part of a SID, so long as said cost has not been assessed upon the abutting property owner prior to the effective date of this section. Along with such budget and schedule of work, the Board shall recommend to Council any adjustments it deems desirable to the assessment formula set forth in Subsection C hereof. Such budget may include the issuing of, and payment of the maturing principal of and interest on, any obligation issued pursuant to the Local Finance Law for the purpose of financing the construction or repair of sidewalks pursuant to this section.
(2)
Before the budget and schedule of work required by Subsection B hereof are given final approval by the Board, the City Clerk shall give notice by publication three times in a local newspaper of a public hearing thereon on a date specified, which date shall not be less than 10 days from the first publication. Before the date of public hearing, any person may file with the City Clerk written objections to such budget or schedule of work or any part thereof, which objections shall be presented to the Board before action shall be taken on such budget and schedule of work. At the time so appointed or at such other time to which it may adjourn for that purpose, the Board may hear the allegations of any person interested who shall have filed such objections and may take proof in relation thereto. Such allegations and proofs shall be confined to the matters stated in such written objections. The Board may thereupon alter or correct any assessment as justice may require, finally approve the same and file a schedule thereof with the Common Council, which may amend and confirm the same by local law after a public hearing, and if so confirmed, the amount of each assessment as derived from the assessment formula shall be a lien upon the real property so assessed. Such assessments and, if required, any reassessments, shall be collected in the manner provided in this Charter and the City Code for the enforcement, levy, and collection of City taxes.
(3)
The Board of Public Works or Common Council may include construction
or repair of sidewalk curb cuts and curb accessibility ramps in the
local improvements to be made in a SID. The Board of Public Works
or Common Council shall not include construction or repair of driveway
cuts or aprons, which shall remain the financial responsibility of
the abutting property owner.
(4)
Work performed in a SID pursuant to this section shall be deemed a local improvement, and Common Council declares and finds that the assessment formula in Subsection C assesses each property in each district in proportion to the benefit received by that property from the construction and repair of sidewalks in its respective SID, and that such assessments are necessary to defray the cost of construction and repair of sidewalk in the respective SIDs.
(5)
Nothing herein shall be construed to modify or alter any power of the Common Council, Board of Public Works, or Planning and Development Board to require a property owner to bear the full cost of sidewalk construction or repair as part of the site plan review process pursuant to Chapter 276 of the City Code, regardless of whether said property is located within a SID.
C.
Assessment formula.
[Amended 3-5-2014 by L.L. No. 1-2014]
(1)
ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE
BUILDING SQUARE FOOTAGE
COST OF PAST WORK
DOUBLE-LOW-FOOT-TRAFFIC LOTS
FRONT FEET
LOT
LOT SQUARE FOOTAGE
LOW-FOOT-TRAFFIC LOTS
NONDEVELOPABLE LOTS
PAST WORK
PROPERTY CLASS CODE
SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
SITE CLASS CODE
SLIVER LOTS
VACANT LOTS
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
The annual maintenance fee for nondevelopable lots and sliver
lots is $0; for low-foot-traffic lots, it is $80; and for all other
lots, it is $150.
[Amended 12-14-2022 by L.L. No. 2022-09]
The total square footage of all buildings on a lot as recorded
by the Tompkins County Department of Assessment.
The total sum, including labor and materials, actually paid
for past work; provided, however, that none of the following shall
be included:
Those lots with a Property Class Code of 280 or 281, or substantially
identical successor designations, and with two residences that each
have a Site Class Code of 210, 215, 240, 250, or 270.
[Added 9-1-2015 by L.L.
No. 2-2015]
The length of perimeter, measured in feet, by which a lot
abuts the line of the public street or streets, provided that, if
a lot's perimeter along the line of the public street or streets is
bisected such that a portion of the perimeter is within a SID and
a portion of the perimeter is not located within any SID, only that
portion of the perimeter within a SID shall be included, and provided
further that a sliver lot's front feet shall be deemed to be the lesser
of the lot's actual front feet or 110 feet.
Lot or parcel of land, as set forth by the current City of
Ithaca Tax Maps on file with the Tompkins County Department of Assessment.
The total area of a lot measured in square feet, as recorded
by the Tompkins County Department of Assessment, or as otherwise calculated
by that department.
Those lots, qualifying neither as sliver lots nor as nondevelopable
lots, with a Property Class Code of 210, 215, 220, 240, 250, 270,
311, or 312, or substantially identical successor designations.
[Amended 9-1-2015 by L.L.
No. 2-2015]
Those vacant lots not qualifying as sliver lots with a lot square footage less than the lowest minimum lot size requirements for any development under the City of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance for the zoning district in which the lot is located, as certified by the Director of Planning and Development or his or her designee pursuant to Subsection C(3) hereof; provided, however, that if a zoning district has more than one minimum lot size, the relevant minimum lot size for this purpose shall be the smallest minimum lot size for that zoning district that is not subject to adjustments for residency or number of units.
Sidewalk construction or repair performed on a lot located in and subject to assessments as part of a sidewalk improvement district, and permitted by and performed in accordance with the general drawings and specifications established by the Office of City Engineer, provided that such work is performed at the cost of the property owner of the lot upon which the work is performed or funded by documented contributions made to a business improvement district established by Chapter 149 of the City Code by the property owner of a lot located in said business improvement district for the sole purpose of performing sidewalk construction and repair, and provided further that work completed as required by a site plan review pursuant to Chapter 276 of the City Code is excluded.
The property type classification code, as defined by the
New York State Office of Real Property Services in the Assessors'
Manual, or such other substantially similar documentation later produced
by that office, assigned to a lot by the Tompkins County Department
of Assessment, as may be updated by that Department from time to time.
Construction or repair of any public sidewalk or footpath
intended for the use of pedestrians in a City park or approximately
following along the line of the public street or streets upon which
the lot fronts, including but not limited to sidewalk curb cuts and
curb accessibility ramps, and other actions determined by the Board
of Public Works to be necessary to the construction or repair of said
sidewalk or footpath, including, but not limited to, any paving, earth
work, drainage, and appurtenances; provided, however, that the construction
or repair of driveway cuts, aprons, or a pedestrian mall (as that
term is defined in § C-89B of the Charter) is excluded.
The property type classification code, as defined by the
New York State Office of Real Property Services in the Assessors'
Manual, or such other substantially similar documentation later produced
by that office, assigned to each residence on a lot with more than
one residence by the Tompkins County Department of Assessment, as
may be updated by that department from time to time.
[Added 9-1-2015 by L.L.
No. 2-2015]
Those vacant lots with a lot square footage equal to 2,000
square feet or less.
Those lots with a Property Class Code between 300 and 399,
or substantially identical successor designations.
(2)
Each lot in a SID shall be annually assessed for work to be performed
in the district as follows: annual maintenance fee plus square footage
fee plus frontage fee less past work reduction.
(a)
Square footage fee. The square footage fee for all low-foot-traffic
lots and double-low-foot-traffic lots shall be $0. For all other lots,
the lot's square footage fee shall be equal to the lot's building
square footage times $0.02.
[Amended 9-1-2015 by L.L.
No. 2-2015; 12-14-2022 by L.L. No. 2022-09]
(b)
Frontage fee. The frontage fee for all low-foot-traffic lots
and double-low-foot-traffic lots shall be $0. For all other lots,
the frontage fee shall be $50 for each 55 feet of front feet or portion
thereof.
[Amended 9-1-2015 by L.L.
No. 2-2015; 12-14-2022 by L.L. No. 2022-09]
(c)
Past work reduction. A lot's assessment under this section shall
be reduced as set forth herein.
[1]
A lot is eligible for a reduction for the cost of past work
for 20 years from the date the past work was substantially completed
("reduction period"). In each year of the reduction period for which
an assessment, if any, is made pursuant to this section, the lot's
past work reduction shall be an amount equal to 1/20 of the cost of
past work. Should the allowable reduction for the cost of past work
be greater than a lot's assessment under this section in any given
year, the lot owner shall not be entitled to the difference, and the
difference shall not apply to the assessment for any other year.
[2]
The lot owner must provide sufficient evidence to the Superintendent
of Public Works or his or her designee of the nature and location
of the past work performed, the cost of the past work, and the date
the past work was substantially completed. Such evidence must be provided
no later than May 1 of the year preceding the fiscal year for which
the owner seeks a past work reduction; provided, however, that in
the first fiscal year following the year of enactment of this section,
such proof must be provided no later than the deadline, if any, established
by the Board of Public Works, and if no such deadline is established,
such proof must be provided no later than February 1 of that fiscal
year. If the request is approved by the Superintendent of Public Works
or his or her designee, the past work reduction shall automatically
recur in each remaining year of the reduction period. The lot owner
may appeal the determination of the Superintendent of Public Works
or his or her designee to the Board of Public Works at an open meeting
thereafter.
(3)
Certification of nondevelopable lots. The owner of a lot may file an application with the Director of Planning and Development or his or her designee to have the lot certified as a nondevelopable lot. Such applications must be filed no later than the deadline for providing evidence for a past work reduction pursuant to Subsection C(2)(c)[2] above. Such certification shall be granted only to those lots not qualifying as sliver lots with a lot square footage less than the minimum lot size required for development by the City of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance for the zoning district in which the lot is located at the time of application. Once granted, the certification shall continue to be in effect for the lot, regardless of subsequent changes in ownership, until the end of the fiscal year during which the lot square footage increases for any reason to an amount in excess of the minimum lot size required for development; or the minimum lot size for development, as may be revised or amended from time to time, in the zoning district in which the lot is located, is reduced to an amount equal to or lesser than the lot square footage. The owner of a lot that has received a certification pursuant to this provision shall notify the Director of Planning and Development or his or her designee of any change in the lot square footage.
D.
Appeals and reassessments.
(1)
No action or proceeding to set aside, vacate, cancel, or annul any
assessment for a local improvement shall be maintained, except for
total want of jurisdiction to levy and assess the same on the part
of the officer, officers, board, or body authorized by law to make
such levy or assessment or to order the improvement on account of
which the levy or assessment was made. In the event that a court of
competent jurisdiction finds such total want of jurisdiction, this
section shall be deemed repealed, and the sidewalk assessment policy
in § C-73.1 of the Charter shall automatically take effect.
(2)
No action or proceedings shall be maintained to modify or reduce
any assessment for a local improvement, except for fraud or substantial
error by reason of which the amount of such assessment is in substantial
excess of the amount which should have been lawfully levied or assessed.
(3)
Any person or persons, jointly or severally, aggrieved by any determination
of assessment for a local improvement pursuant to this section may
have the decision reviewed by the Supreme Court of New York in the
manner provided by Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
(4)
Whenever any assessments made under the provisions of this section
shall be set aside or shall be decided by any court having jurisdiction
thereof to have been improperly or illegally made or whenever it shall
be ascertained that the proceedings under which said assessment has
been made shall have been so far irregular and erroneous as to make
the collection of such assessment illegal, then a reassessment shall
be made with the same force and effect as if it had been an original
assessment; provided, however, that in the event that no assessment
is thereafter successfully levied, those properties affected shall
be subject to § C-73.1 of the Charter.
E.
Duties of owner. Nothing herein shall modify or abolish the duty
of the owner of lands abutting any street, highway, alley or other
public place in the City to keep the sidewalks, approaches or street
driveways adjoining such lands free and clear of and from snow, ice
and all other obstructions, nor shall anything herein modify or abolish
the liability of such owner for any injury or damage caused by reason
of omission, failure or negligence to keep such sidewalk free from
snow, ice or other obstructions as set forth in § 73.1(B)(1)
of the Charter.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also provided for the renumbering
for former § C-73 as C-73.1.
[Amended 9-7-1988 by L.L. No. 1-1988; 4-5-1989 by L.L. No. 3-1989; 8-5-1992 by L.L. No. 3-1992; 10-7-1992 by L.L. No. 8-1992; 7-2-2008 by L.L. No.
4-2008; 9-4-2013 by L.L. No. 3-2013]
A.
Authority.
(1)
The Board of Public Works shall have jurisdiction
over the construction, repair and maintenance of all sidewalks, approaches
and street driveways abutting any of the streets, highways, alleys
and public places in the City and shall have power to make rules and
regulations with respect thereto, relating to materials, grade, location,
manner and method of construction, dimensions and all other matters
in connection therewith, not inconsistent with the provisions of this
section.
(2)
The Board of Public Works shall have the power to
make rules and regulations regarding the removal of ice, snow, and
other obstructions from sidewalks and to require the area, if any,
between the sidewalk and curb to be kept in a safe condition and the
grass on such area, if any, to be properly mowed.
B.
Duties of owner.
(1)
The owner of lands abutting any such street, highway,
alley or other public place in the City shall construct, repair and
maintain the sidewalks, approaches or street driveways adjoining such
lands and shall keep the same in a safe state of repair and free from
defects and free and clear of and from snow, ice and all other obstructions,
and the area, if any, between the sidewalk and curb in a safe condition
and the grass thereon, if any, properly mowed. Such owner shall be
liable for any injury or damage by reason of omission, failure or
negligence to make, maintain or repair such sidewalk and keep it free
from defects, snow, ice or other obstructions. Such owner shall also
be liable for any violation or nonobservance of any ordinance or regulation
relating to making, maintaining and repairing sidewalks, keeping them
free from defects and removing snow, ice and other obstructions therefrom.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent such owner,
by lease or otherwise, from delegating to a tenant or occupant the
duties and liabilities hereby imposed, but such delegation shall not
relieve the owner of his/her primary duties and liabilities hereunder.
(2)
The construction and repair of such sidewalks, approaches,
and street driveways shall be only upon application, in writing, to
the Superintendent of Public Works, without expense to the City and
in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Board.
C.
Failure to comply.
(1)
The Superintendent of Public Works, by notice, given personally or by mail, may require the owner of any land adjoining a sidewalk, approach or street driveway to construct or repair such sidewalk, approach or street driveway in conformity with rules and regulations of the Board of Public Works. In such notice, the Superintendent shall fix a reasonable deadline for the completion of such work, which deadline shall not be less than 60 days after the date of the notice. Upon the failure of the owner to complete such construction or repair within the time limit, the Superintendent of Public Works may cause such sidewalk, approach or street driveway to be constructed or repaired, either by contract or by the Department of Public Works, at the expense of the owner, to be collected as set forth in Subsection E.
(2)
Nothing within this section shall prevent the Superintendent
of Public Works from demanding or causing the immediate repair or
replacement of a sidewalk, approach or street driveway if the failure
to immediately repair or replace such sidewalk poses a significant
public health or safety risk.
(3)
The Superintendent of Public Works may cause the removal
of ice, snow or other obstruction from such sidewalk and may cause
the area between the sidewalk and curb to be rendered in a safe condition
and the grass thereon mowed, at the expense of the owner.
D.
Uniform sidewalk improvements; construction of new
sidewalks on a street or part thereof.
(1)
On petition of interested property owners or on its
own motion, the Board of Public Works may direct that new sidewalks
and street driveways be laid on any street or part thereof pursuant
to plans and specifications prepared and adopted by it. Before determining
to make such improvement, the Board shall hold a public hearing on
such proposed improvement upon not less than five days’ notice,
given personally or by mail or by publication in the official newspaper.
After such public hearing, the Board may determine to make such improvement,
either by contract or by delegation to the property owner(s), or by
the City, under the direction of the Superintendent of Public Works.
E.
Assessments for sidewalk improvements.
[Amended 12-2-2020 by L.L. No. 2021-04]
(1)
The determination of cost, apportionment and assessment of any sidewalk improvement carried out pursuant to Subsection C or D herein shall be governed by the provisions relating to improvement assessments (in § C-89 of the Charter), except that the entire cost thereof shall be deemed to benefit the adjoining owners.
(2)
Any expense incurred by the City pursuant to the provisions
of this section shall be billed to the property owner, together with
an overhead fee of 25%. The bill shall be payable to the City Chamberlain
within 30 days of the billing date or, upon written request to the
City Chamberlain within 30 days of the billing date, shall be payable
in no more than five annual installments. If any bill or annual installment
is not paid by November 1 of each year, the City Chamberlain shall
enter the same as a lien against the premises as provided in § C-54
of the Charter of the City of Ithaca. The Chamberlain shall add the
same to the next assessment roll of general City taxes and shall collect
and enforce the assessment in the same manner and by the same proceedings,
at the same time and with the same penalties as the general City tax
and as a part thereof, except that, in addition to the penalties provided
for in the aforementioned provisions, interest shall accrue on any
unpaid balance from the date of billing to the date of actual payment
at 12% per annum or $3 per month, whichever is greater.
F.
Those provisions of this § C-73.1 compelling owner construction or repair of sidewalk shall not apply to lots or parcels located in a sidewalk improvement district and subject to an assessment for work performed in that district pursuant to § C-73 of the Charter; provided, however, that those provisions of this § C-73.1 regarding the abutting landowner’s duty to maintain the sidewalks adjoining his or her property free and clear of snow, ice, and all other obstructions, and the landowner’s liability for injuries or damages arising from the landowner’s failure to do so, shall continue to apply to all lots in the City; provided further that this section and related provisions in the City Code shall continue to apply to the construction or repair of driveway cuts or aprons regardless of whether a lot or parcel is located in a district or is subject to such an assessment; and provided further that should a court of competent jurisdiction hold, or the City so concede, that § C-73 of the Charter in its entirety or any district created by that section in particular is invalid or unconstitutional, or that any particular property within any district is not subject to that section, any property thereby determined not to be subject to sidewalk improvement district assessments pursuant to § C-73 shall be subject to the provisions regarding sidewalk construction or repair set forth in this § C-73.1.
The Board of Public Works shall have supervision
over all public buildings now opened by the City or hereafter acquired
by it and shall provide for their heating and lighting; superintend
the making of repairs and all alterations thereto; supervise the construction
of all such buildings that may be required for City purposes; and
procure necessary equipment, with a general supervision and control
over all matters pertaining to such buildings and equipment. The above
powers of superintendence shall not be deemed to apply to that portion
of said public buildings and equipment exclusively in the Fire Department
service.
The Board of Public Works is empowered to take
charge and have control of the collection and disposal of garbage
in the City of Ithaca and to adopt rules and regulations governing
the collection thereof.
[Amended 7-2-1975 by L.L. No. 4-1975]
A.
The Board of Public Works shall have power, by rules
and regulations, to require the owners of private property within
the City of Ithaca to cut, trim or remove brush, grass, rubbish or
weeds and, upon default, may cause such grass, brush, rubbish, weeds
or other materials to be cut, trimmed or removed, and the expense
thereof shall be a charge against the owner of said land, provided
that at least five days' prior notice, to be given in such manner
as the Board may determine, shall have been given to such owner requiring
compliance with such rules and regulations. Such rules and regulations
may designate an officer or employee of the Board for the purpose
of carrying into effect the provisions thereof.
B.
Any expense incurred by the Board pursuant to the provisions of this section or Chapter 331, Garbage, Rubbish and Refuse, shall be collected in the following manner: Such expense shall be a lien upon the property to or for which such services were furnished or rendered and shall be collected in the same manner provided for the collection of City taxes and, when they remain unpaid, shall be added to the annual City tax on the property to or for which such services were rendered.
The Board of Public Works and all acting under
its authority shall have the right to use the ground or soil under
any street or highway in the City for the purpose of introducing water
into and through any and all portions of the City, and such right
shall be continuous for the purpose of repairing and relaying water
pipes. Said Board shall cause the surface of such street, highway
or road to be restored to its normal condition.
[Amended 4-22-1997 by L.L. No. 2-1997[1]]
The Board of Public works may, on behalf of
the City, grant to a corporation or individual outside of the City
the right to make connections with the water mains for the purpose
of drawing water therefrom and shall fix the prices and conditions
therefor; but the Board shall not sell or permit such use of water
if or when thereby the supply or pressure for the City or its inhabitants
will be insufficient and may discontinue or terminate such sale or
use at any time.
[1]
Editor's Note: The City determined during
1996 that several local laws enacted by Common Council during the
last 30 years were subject to the mandatory referendum requirement
of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law but were not in fact submitted
to or approved by referenda. Local Law No. 2-1997 corrects the text
of the Ithaca City Code by deleting language inserted pursuant to
unapproved and therefore invalid local laws and reinserting the preexisting
language which is still legally effective.
[Amended 4-22-1997 by L.L. No. 2-1997[1]]
The Board of Public Works may, in behalf of
the City, construct, acquire, purchase, lease, maintain, operate,
lay, relay, repair and acquire the right to use in, on, under or along
lands, easements or rights in lands acquired by the City of Ithaca,
within or without its corporate limits, or in, on, under or along
highways, streets, roads, parks or other public places, within or
without its corporate limits, water mains and pipes, hydrants, standpipes,
reservoirs, dams, pumping stations and other appurtenances for the
water system; and said Board of Public Works may, in behalf of the
City, grant the right to make connections with such water system and
draw water therefrom, either within or without its corporate limits,
and shall fix the prices and conditions therefor; and in determining
such prices in any particular area, it may take into consideration
the amortization of the cost of such general water system and any
extensions thereof in such area.
[1]
Editor's Note: The City determined during
1996 that several local laws enacted by Common Council during the
last 30 years were subject to the mandatory referendum requirement
of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law but were not in fact submitted
to or approved by referenda. Local Law No. 2-1997 corrects the text
of the Ithaca City Code by deleting language inserted pursuant to
unapproved and therefore invalid local laws and reinserting the preexisting
language which is still legally effective.
The Board of Public Works may also in behalf
of the City sell to a corporation or individual outside of the City
the right to make connections with and use the sewers of the City
and shall fix the prices, terms and conditions therefor; but no such
right shall be granted or continued if or when thereby the sewers
of the City, or any of them, will be or become insufficient for the
purposes of the City and its inhabitants.
The Board of Public Works shall have power to
provide for the lighting of the streets, highways, alleys, public
places and municipal buildings in the City and, for the protection
and safety of the public lamps, to prevent the same from being lighted
or extinguished by persons not authorized so to do and to provide
rules and regulations concerning the same and penalties for willful
violation of the rules and regulations so prescribed or willful injury
of lighting appliances.
The Board of Public Works shall take charge
and have control over such other department or departments as may
from time to time be assigned to it by the Common Council of the City
of Ithaca and thereupon shall pass such rules and regulations as may
be necessary for the proper management of the department or departments
so assigned.
A.
The Board of Public Works shall have the power in
all of its departments to make repairs or improvements and perform
any work contemplated within said departments by the aid of its own
employees or by contract and shall have the power to contract for
the furnishing of materials and equipment.
B.
When advertising for bids for public works or purchase
contracts, the Board of Public Works may require security or certified
checks to accompany the bids, assuring the execution and faithful
performance of the particular contract upon which the bid is made.
[Amended 7-10-1985 by L.L. No. 1-1985]
The fiscal year of the Board of Public Works
shall begin on the first day of January in each year. The Board shall,
prior to the first day of March in each year, submit to the Common
Council a statement of all salaries authorized by said Board and an
estimate of the amount which, in its judgment, is required for the
maintenance charge during the year in each department and also the
estimated amount needed for any permanent improvement, specifying
the nature of such improvement. The Board shall include in the estimated
amount required for the Water Department the cost of water for fire
and other municipal purposes.
Each separate department shall be credited with
the amount that shall be appropriated by the Common Council therefor
and charged with the expense thereof. Moneys appropriated for maintenance
or for permanent improvements in one department may not be transferred
to or used for any other purpose or in any other department until
the Board has certified to the Common Council the transfer desired
and the occasion thereof and the Common Council has approved of such
transfer. No contract shall be made or expense incurred in any department
in excess of the amount appropriated to that department and amounts
made available pursuant to the Local Finance Law, and the members
of said Board shall be personally liable for all expenses or indebtedness
incurred in excess of the appropriations by the Common Council to
said Board and such amounts made available pursuant to the Local Finance
Law.
[Amended 11-3-2021 by L.L. No. 2022-07[1]]
The Board of Public Works shall, quarterly and at such other
times as may be required either by the City Manager or by the Common
Council, render to the Common Council an itemized statement of all
its receipts and disbursements properly classified and showing the
balance on hand at the beginning and at the close of the period covered;
and at the close of each fiscal year, it shall submit an annual statement
showing, by suitable summaries, the cost and the income of each department.
Whenever requested by either the City Manager or by the Common Council,
the Board shall also furnish any additional information in regard
to its work or the cost thereof.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law passed at referendum 11-8-2022.
The Board of Public Works may authorize and
direct the payment of bills and accounts incurred by it and may make
such rules and regulations in regard to the auditing and payment of
said bills and accounts and for the payment of all amounts payable
out of the moneys appropriated to the use of the Board and out of
the income derived from the operation of the water plant as it may
deem necessary and proper, and the same shall be paid by the City
Chamberlain. The Board shall file monthly with the Common Council
a detailed statement of all bills and expenses paid, together with
the original vouchers therefor.
A.
Interests in lands. Whenever the Board of Public Works
shall have determined to take and appropriate any lands, interests
or easements deemed by it necessary in the execution of any plan or
improvement adopted by the Board or in the execution of any part of
any plan or improvement in any of the departments under the control
and supervision of the Board, which lands and rights shall not have
been otherwise acquired, the Board may proceed to the condemnation
of the same pursuant to the provisions of the Eminent Domain Procedure
Law.
[Amended 8-5-1992 by L.L. No. 3-1992]
B.
Claims barred by condemnation proceedings. All persons
upon whom or in respect to whose lands, rights or easements condemnation
shall have been had are forever barred from maintaining any claim,
right of action or proceeding to recover damages from the City of
Ithaca by reason of the making of any improvement, alteration or extension
of improvement or work done by the Board or any of the departments
under its control or of any change in the flow of any stream or current,
except in the condemnation proceedings by which said lands or rights
in land were acquired.
[Amended 5-19-1976 by L.L. No. 4-1976; 3-2-1977 by L.L. No. 2-1977]
A.
Authorization of paving and other street work and
pedestrian mall. The Board of Public Works, on its own motion or upon
petition of owners of abutting property, may consider and tentatively
authorize the paving, repaving, resurfacing or surface treatment of
any street or portion of a street and the construction of curbs and
gutters in any street or portion of a street and the construction,
reconstruction of or addition to a pedestrian mall and may determine
all matters relating to the type, materials and method of construction
thereof. The Board may hold a public hearing in regard to any such
improvement and shall hold such a hearing whenever such improvement
is assessable as hereinafter provided, after giving notice by publication
at least once in a local newspaper not less than five days before
such hearing. Any such hearing must be held before the Board and tentatively
authorizes such improvement. The Board shall then make an estimate
of the cost of such proposed improvement and file with the Common
Council such estimate and a requisition for appropriation of the funds
necessary for the work.
[Amended 12-7-1983 by L.L. No. 1-1983]
B.
PAVING
PEDESTRIAN MALL
REPAVING
RESURFACING
SURFACE TREATMENT
Definition of terms. For the purposes of this section,
the following definitions of terms shall be controlling:
A roadway constructed with or without a cushion or binder,
with a base course and a wearing course consisting of blocks or slabs
or constructed with a cement or bituminous binder.
A public thoroughfare designed as a promenade for pedestrians
from which motorized vehicles are to be restricted or prohibited.
Renewal of a pavement.
Renewal of the surface of a pavement.
Treatment of the finished surface of a roadway with bituminous
material.
C.
Assessment of cost for paving. The cost of the original
paving of any street shall be borne as follows: The area of street
intersections and 50% of the remainder of such original paving shall
be a charge against the City at large, and the remaining 50% shall
be a charge against the abutting properties, apportioned according
to their respective front-footages. The cost of repaving, resurfacing
and surface treatment and the widening of paved streets shall be charged
against the City at large, and no part of such expense shall be levied
against the owners of abutting properties.
D.
Assessment of cost for construction of curbs and gutters.
The cost of original curbs and gutters, when constructed or installed
in connection with the original paving of a street anywhere in the
City or when constructed or installed in connection with already existing
streets in the City, except in those areas of the City zoned R-1a,
R-2a, R-3a, R-U, R-1b, R-2b and R-3b, shall be apportioned as follows:
Fifty percent of such cost shall be a charge against the City at large,
and the remainder shall be a charge against the abutting property
owners, apportioned according to their respective front-footages.
The cost of construction, installation, renewal or repair of curbs
and gutters for already existing paved streets in zoned areas of the
City designated R-1a, R-2a, R-3a, R-U, R-1b, R-2b and R-3b shall be
a charge upon the City at large.
[Amended 4-5-1978 by L.L. No. 3-1978; 12-7-1983 by L.L. No. 1983]
E.
Assessment of cost of constructing, reconstructing
or constructing an addition to a pedestrian mall. The cost of constructing,
reconstructing or constructing an addition to a pedestrian mall shall
be borne as follows: Not less than 15% shall be a charge against the
City at large, and not more than 85% shall be a charge against properties
which the Board of Public Works, subject to confirmation by the Common
Council, shall determine and specify to be especially benefited, apportioned
in accordance with a rate schedule to be established therefor from
time to time by the Board of Public Works, to be determined on any
equitable basis, including but not limited to a system of classification
for purposes of establishing differential rates, which rate schedule
shall be subject to confirmation by the Common Council. Before any
such rate schedule is finally established, the Board of Public Works
shall hold at least one public hearing thereon, after giving notice
by publication at least once in a local newspaper not less than five
days before such hearing.
F.
Manner of assessment. Upon the completion of any improvement
of which all or any part of the cost is charged to abutting owners'
properties as above provided, the Board shall cause to be prepared
a map and a statement showing the cost thereof and the apportionment
and assessment against the respective properties benefited and shall
give notice by publication three times in a local newspaper of a public
hearing thereon on a date specified, which date shall not be less
than 10 days from the first publication, at which time any person
interested may appear and be heard in relation thereto. The Board
may thereupon alter or correct any such assessment as justice may
require, finally approve the same and file a schedule thereof with
the Common Council, which shall confirm the same, and when so confirmed,
the amount of each assessment shall be a lien upon the real property
so assessed. The Council may prescribe and apportion deferred payments,
make such regulations as may be deemed advisable for the payment thereof
and provide for a percentage addition to any such deferred payments
at a rate not exceeding 6% per annum, to be determined and fixed by
said Council, together with any fees and expenses which may be incurred
in connection therewith. Such assessments, percentages, fees and expenses
shall be collected in the manner provided for the enforcement, levy
and collection of City taxes.
[Amended 7-10-1985 by L.L. No. 1-1985]
The Board of Public Works may make, alter and
modify, publish and enforce from time to time such rules and regulations
not inconsistent with the law and any other provisions of this Charter
or the ordinances of the City of Ithaca as may be deemed necessary
for the conduct of all its departments, for the government of the
Superintendent of Public Works and for the performance of all work
authorized by it.
A.
Penalties authorized; recovery of damages. The Board
of Public Works may prescribe penalties for willful or malicious acts
by any person or persons whereby any of the property or rights under
the control of the Board in any of its departments shall be interfered
with, impaired, obstructed or injured and may enforce the penalties
and recover the actual damages sustained thereby in the manner provided
in this Charter, crediting the money so recovered to the department
to which it properly belongs.
B.
Limitations on penalties for violation of rules and
regulations; action to recover penalty. The Board may prescribe penalties,
not exceeding a fine of $250 or 15 days' imprisonment, or both, for
the violation of any of the rules and regulations adopted by it in
any of its departments, which rules and regulations, when regularly
adopted, may be enforced by action brought in the name of the City
of Ithaca, and the amount so recovered shall be paid to the City Chamberlain
and be credited to the department to which the moneys so recovered
properly belong. No action shall be brought to recover any penalty
for violation of any such rule or regulation unless a notice generally
describing the same shall have been published at least once in the
official newspaper of the City of Ithaca prior to such violation.
[Amended 4-17-1974 by L.L. No. 2-1974; 8-5-1992 by L.L. No. 3-1992]
Any act whereby any property, apparatus or appliances
pertaining thereto which shall be under the power and control of the
Board of Public Works in any of its departments shall be willfully
or maliciously injured, impaired or obstructed or the water supply
shall be rendered less pure shall be deemed a misdemeanor, and the
person or persons convicted thereof shall be punished accordingly.
