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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2013-03-11BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:50 p.m. March 11, 2013 PRESENT: Mayor Myrick Commissioners (5) – Acharya, Darling, Paine, Jenkins, Leccese OTHERS PRESENT: Acting Superintendent of Public Works – Benjamin Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Director of Engineering – West Common Council Liaison – Fleming Executive Assistant – Gehring EXCUSED: Commissioner Morache City Attorney – Lavine DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: The Mayor had no communications at this time. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Chris Milner, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the water quality on Woodcrest Avenue. He stated that the water is tainted and stains laundry on a regular basis. He expressed concern that the only way to fix the problem is to replace the water mains Bill Barton, City of Ithaca, also addressed the Board regarding the quality of water on Woodcrest Avenue. He stated that the quality has been deteriorating over the past several years. He shared a photo of water that recently flowed into his bathtub. He expressed concern that the water may pose health risks and should be tested. Alderperson Fleming arrived at 4:55 p.m. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: Mayor Myrick questioned what the replacement schedule is for water mains in the area of Woodcrest Avenue. Asst. Supt. Whitney explained that the Woodcrest Avenue subdivision was built in 1950-60. Since that time, the sewer mains have already been replaced because they collapsed. The water mains now may be deteriorating and collapsing, causing the discoloration of the water. Asst. Supt. Whitney explained that new pipes might be placed near the shoulder of the road; however, he would have to look at the site to determine costs for replacement of the pipes. This project is not on the current capital project list, nor has a capital project been established for this project. Discussion followed on the floor regarding how the replacement of a water main is determined, and whether the replacement of the pipes on Woodcrest Avenue would warrant an out-of-cycle capital project request, since it is not on the current capital project list. Mayor Myrick asked Asst. Supt. Whitney to add the project to the list of capital projects proposed for 2014. REPORTS: Superintendent and Staff: Acting Supt. Benjamin reported that highway crews installed catch basin valves on Ferris Place and Plain Street. The street crews were working on the floor of the small pavilion, spring street cleaning would begin March 18, 2013. In addition, trash collection is scheduled to go to four days per week beginning April 1, 2013. Board of Public Works Page 2 March 11, 2013 Regular Meeting Director of Engineering West reported that constructive conversations occurred with business owners on Old Elmira Road, a pre-bid meeting was held for the Commons demolition contract, and the STEP Grant Application had progressed from Syracuse to Albany NYS Department of Transportation. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that crews were working on service connections, beginning work at 203 DeWitt Place to replace the water main and install sleeves for easier access after the addition is completed on the house, a sewage blockage at a residence on Cliff Street that had been empty since 1999 was removed, and bid reviews continue for the Water Treatment Plant Project. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the February 25, 2013 and March 4, 2013, Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes - Resolution By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Darling RESOLVED, That the minutes of the February 25, 2013 and March 4, 2013, Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously VOTING ITEMS: Buildings, Properties, Refuse and Transit: Resolution for Award of Contract for Professional Services for Ithaca Fire Department’s Central Station Roof Replacement – Capital Project #784 By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the City has entered into an agreement for the leasing and installation of a photovoltaic energy generation system, to be installed on the roof at the Ithaca Fire Department’s Central Station located at 310 West Green Street, Ithaca, NY 14850, and WHEREAS, the Agreement lists the expected date of installation as “The later of June 1, 2013 or 180 days after NYSERDA’s approval,” and WHEREAS, the roof at Ithaca Fire Department’s Central Station has reached the end of its service life cycle and requires replacement prior to the installation of said solar system at that location, and WHEREAS, the roof replacement must be done immediately to avoid any penalties or delays to the Solar Liberty Solar Panel installation contract/schedule, and WHEREAS, Kingsbury Architecture LLC is under contract at this time with the City for a very similar project, the Youth Bureau Roof Replacement contract, and WHEREAS, staff recommends an award of contract for professional services to Kingsbury Architecture LLC of Ithaca for a not-to-exceed fee of $19,100.00, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby awards the contract for Professional Services for Ithaca Fire Department Central Station Roof Replacement to Kingsbury Architecture LLC of Ithaca, NY for their not-to-exceed fee for services of $19,100.00, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be hereby authorized to enter into and administer this contract. Discussion followed regarding the short timeframe required for the installation of a new roof prior to the installation of the solar panels. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Highways, Streets and Sidewalks: Appeal of Snow/Ice Removal Bill for 335 West State Street – Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Lecesse WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received an appeal of the invoice for sidewalk snow removal by the Department of Public Works on January 3, 2013, at 335 West State Street, and Board of Public Works Page 3 March 11, 2013 Regular Meeting WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed photos and other information provided by city staff, noting that staff removed the ice that had built up on the sidewalk that caused at least one slip and fall, and the protest written by the renter of the property, and WHEREAS, the Board noted that ice on the sidewalk appears to have been caused by water dripping from the building’s roof, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board denies the appeal, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board recommends that the property owner mitigate the ice and snow melt from the roof to prevent this type of ice build up from happening in the future. Carried Unanimously Creeks, Bridges, and Parks: Award of Bid for Floral Avenue Multi-Use Facility – Resolution By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Lecesse WHEREAS, bids were received on February 12, 2013, for the Floral Avenue Multi-use Facility, Capital Project 770, PIN 375463, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the six bids received and made a recommendation for award, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works hereby awards the contract for the Floral Avenue Multi-use Facility to Barrett Paving Materials, 4530 Wetzel Rd., Liverpool, NY for their low bid meeting specifications of $365,082.50, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be hereby authorized to enter into and administer this contract. Carried Unanimously Water and Sewer: Recommendation to Establish a Capital Project and Funding to Replace the Watermain on Edgecliff Place – Resolution By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Darling WHEREAS, the City’s watermain on Edgecliff Place is more than a century old, 4-inch diameter cast iron line through which less than 190 gpm is supplied, indicating the pipe is very heavily tuberculated (lots of lumpy mineral and iron nodules on pipe walls) with a substantially reduced cross section, typical of a pipe long past its replacement due date, and WHEREAS, Cornell University has required full sprinkler systems for fire protection be installed by the end of 2013 at all associated Fraternities and Sororities, and WHEREAS, the existing watermain on Edgecliff Place can not supply adequate fire flow to the fraternity at 1 Edgecliff Place, Zeta Beta Tau, or meet the current and future needs of customers on Edgecliff Place, and WHEREAS, City Department of Public Works Water & Sewer Division staff have completed engineering plans and estimated the cost of replacement to be $60,000.00, less if rock excavation is lower than estimated, and WHEREAS, City Department of Public Works Water & Sewer Division staff estimates one of our crews could complete this work in six weeks or less during the late spring or early summer seasons 2013, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that Common Council establish a capital project with funding not to exceed $60,000.00 to facilitate the construction of a replacement watermain on Edgecliff Place. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS: Proposed Locations for Food Truck Roundups from the Food Truck Association Jes Seaver and Mandy Beem-Miller, Food Truck Association representatives, joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Board of Public Works Page 4 March 11, 2013 Regular Meeting Mayor Myrick explained that the Leadership Tompkins Community Action Project group is working on a new Mobile Vending Pilot Program for the City of Ithaca, and made a presentation to the Board on the status of their project. Ms. Seaver explained that she has been in contact with the group and provided a summary of her conversations with them, noting the difference between the Food Truck Roundup proposal and individual businesses vending in various locations throughout the City. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the roundup proposal, how business owners would vend on private property as well as in the roundup area, and why Thompson Park was suggested first as an option for a roundup location. Ms. Seaver explained the responsibilities the Food Truck Association would have related to the roundups, and the trash removal policy. Commissioner Jenkins expressed concerns about the use of Thompson Park for a food truck roundup, the lack of parking near Thompson Park, and the already unsafe status of the Cayuga Street/Cascadilla Street intersection. She suggested utilizing DeWitt Park on the days the Ithaca Farmer’s Market is not set up. She noted that DeWitt Park is a quality downtown location close to businesses and residents. Commissioner Acharya disagreed and expressed his approval of the use of Thompson Park due to the pedestrian traffic in the area. Discussion followed on the floor regarding fees listed in the proposal. Alderperson Fleming expressed full support for the proposal, and suggested also having a roundup in Bryant Park. Further discussion followed regarding permitting, other potential locations, trash and recycling removal by the Association, the times the trucks would be set up, and the use of social media to notify residents of locations. Mayor Myrick expressed full support for the roundups at Thompson Park, noting that the Food Truck Roundups are more like events. He requested that staff work with the Food Truck Association to create a formal proposal for the Board’s review. He further expressed a desire for this program to begin before the Mobile Vending Pilot Program is in place, which is due to occur later in the year. Ms. Seaver requested information about mobile vending in Cass Park, and if there are specific locations within the park for vending. Executive Asst. Gehring noted that Cass Park Director Jim D’Alterio has requested to be consulted on detailing locations within the park for mobile vending prior to any permits being issued to vendors. Stewart Park Building Rehabilitation – Phase 1 Improvements Report from Friends of Stewart Park Friends of Stewart Park representative, Rick Manning, joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Mr. Manning explained that the tourism grant application submitted in January 2013, requesting funds for renovations, was not awarded to the Friends of Stewart Park. Another tourism capital grant funding cycle is now open, and the application is due March 15th, and Friends of Stewart Park would like to apply for funding. Mr. Manning explained that the original proposal had been modified to include design, construction, and restoration of several buildings in Stewart Park. He summarized the proposal, noting the estimated costs, in which the grant application would request $70,000, and Friends of Stewart Park would raise another $70,000 for the full project. He requested approval and support from the Board to submit the grant application. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the costs of rebuilding of the small pavilion, including design, construction, and labor. The Board gave general consent for submitting the grant application with a letter of support signed by the Mayor on behalf of the City. Support for Friends of Stewart Park Tourism Grant Funds Application - Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Paine RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works is in support of the tourism capital grant proposal outlined in the memo by Friends of Stewart Park dated March 11, 2013. Carried Unanimously NEW BUSINESS: The Board discussed and agreed to hold a joint meeting with Common Council on March 25, 2013, to discuss the Water Treatment Plant Capital Project. Board of Public Works Page 5 March 11, 2013 Regular Meeting ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Svante L. Myrick Executive Assistant Mayor