HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2013-05-06BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. May 6, 2013
PRESENT:
Vice Chair - Jenkins
Commissioners (5) - Darling, Morache, Leccese, Paine, Acharya
OTHERS PRESENT:
Acting Supt. of Public Works - Benjamin
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer — Whitney
Common Council Liaison — Fleming
Information Management Specialist - Myers
Director of Engineering - West
EXCUSED:
Mayor Myrick
DAC Liaison — Roberts
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Margaret Sutherland, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board representing the neighbors on
Spencer Road regarding the intersection of Stone Quarry Road and Spencer Road. She
requested that the Engineering Staff provide the report regarding their
recommendations for improvements to this intersection to the Board and the
neighborhood in the near future. She explained the problems and safety concerns
experienced by the neighborhood at this intersection.
Tom Hanna, Friends of Newman Golf Course, provided the following report to the Board
regarding the status of golf course:
In the November 2012 report the Board approved on the viability of a private option for
managing the golf course, it was concluded that:
• Private management of all golf course activities is not a good option for Newman
at this time but should be re- evaluated in three years.
The emerging management plan for the golf course, under the approved budget
for 2013, follows the "lessons learned" from private management methods, and
should be implemented by the city.
Here are the Basic Recommendations the Board accepted for 2013, along with a status
report:
• Hire a new golf course manager as soon as possible — January 15 if possible.
(No hire is expected before the end of May 2013)
• Secure a multi -year concession for the food and beverage service by January 15
latest. (A draft Concession RFP was prepared in early fall, 2012, but was not
processed. The current concession with Fall Creek House provides just $2000
per year with city costs being roughly the same amount.)
• Re -frame the Newman program budget to include all recreational activities and
revenues attached to the Newman property. (Yet to be addressed)
• Support energetic marketing and promotion of the golf course to maximize
revenues in 2013 and following years. (The mayor added $1000 to the 2013
budget for advertising; that budget was approved. BPW approved a package of
promotional rates for 2013. Plans are being made for further marketing during
the season. Friends of Newman members have worked with acting Golf Course
Manager, Tim Lane, on two initiatives. One has added a second morning Senior
May 6, 2013
Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes
Golf League. The other added a new annual Tournament to promote Youth Golf
under collaboration with the Community Coalition for Healthy Youth. It was held
for the first time on Saturday, May 4, and was a great success.)
The emerging management plan was to have the golf course be financially self -
sustaining by the end of the 2015 season. That plan included a significant reduction in
staffing (50% FTE reduction in the maintenance Working Supervisor position -- savings
of $26K), creation of a new entry -level Golf Course Manager position (reducing the
salary line from $62K to $42K), and a re- deployment of seasonal wage workers (putting
a portion of the Manager's effort on the grounds crew.)
Two significant developments have occurred that will undercut this plan. First, the Golf
Course Manager position was classified higher than Friends of Newman proposed, with
the result that the starting salary will be at least $8K more than planned. Second,
Common Council made Ithaca a licensed Living Wage employer. While neither of these
changes will have an impact in 2013, they will increase wages and salaries by more
than $13K and fringe costs by as much at $11 K in 2014 without any wage or salary
raises. This cuts deeply into the personnel savings adopted for 2013 and will have an
even greater impact as time goes on. Staffing hours to manage the golf course are
already at the absolute minimum.
The following people addressed the Board in opposition to the proposed resolution on
the agenda entitled "Green Garage Trash Facility Program Improvements" and
requested that additional time be spent discussing the proposal with affected parties,
and encouraging the Board to table a decision until that occurs:
Joseph Gaylord, Manager — American Crafts by Robbie Dein (on behalf of Mr. Dein)
Frost Travis, owner of Center Ithaca
Gary Ferguson, Downtown Ithaca Alliance Director
RESPONSE TO PUBLIC:
Director of Engineer West responded to comments about the report concerning the
intersection of Spencer Road and Stone Quarry Road. He noted that staff are aware of
the need to provide a report to the Board and have some preliminary recommendations,
but would like additional time before reporting to the Board.
Board members requested that this item be placed on the agenda for the May 13, 2013
meeting.
He further responded to comments made about the proposed trash facility at the Green
Street Garage. He explained the need to make changes to the current facility to
facilitate better management and oversight of the facility. He further stated that the City
is losing money the way the facility is currently being operated and that a change in
operations is required.
Commissioner Acharya responded to comments made about Newman Golf Course and
requested that discussion of the golf course be placed on the May 13, 2013 agenda.
REPORTS:
Acting Superintendent Benjamin reported that the forestry crew is busy with planting
trees, work on the curb realignment on Elm Street will begin within the next couple of
days, and work on the tea pavilion at Stewart Park continues. They expect the tea
pavilion to be available for use by the public by May 15th ; although there is a lot of trim
work still needed, light fixtures need to be installed, and construction and installation of
the new handrails needs to be completed.
Director of Engineering West reported that work on the Commons reconstruction project
is progressing. The fence /barriers are up and ready to have individual panels painted
by local groups /artists. Demolition of the clock tower on the West End will take place
within the next couple of days. He further reported that staff has been asked to work
with other city departments and local agencies to develop a proposal to submit for the
next round of TIGER grant funding.
May 6, 2013 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes
Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that crews will start work on Edgecliff Place to install the
larger water lines to accommodate the sprinkler system for the fraternity there. They just
received the permit for the sewer main work needed for the Seneca Way project. Staff
would prefer the cost for the project not be part of the department's operating budget.
He will be developing cost estimates for that project so that a capital project can be
established. NYSEG has completed the coal tar removal work on the west side of Esty
Street; the east side remains to be completed. Six contracts have been awarded for the
water treatment plant rebuild project and pre- construction meetings for coordination of
the work will be scheduled prior to the work commencing.
VOTING ITEMS:
Buildings, Properties, Refuse and Transit:
Green Garage Trash Facility Program Improvements — Resolution
By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Morache
WHEREAS, the existing trash facility located at the Green Garage requires frequent
costly repair and lacks secure locks, and
WHEREAS, due to inadequate security a far greater number of people and businesses
use the facility than pay for it, and
WHEREAS, in order to provide the service and convenience of a centrally located
disposal facility at a fair and equitable price, now be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests authorization of funds for
purchase and installation of fencing, locks, compactor and trash bags for improving the
functionality of the Green Garage trash facility, and be it further
RESOLVED, The Board of Public Works authorizes the institution of a trash bag
program for use at the Green Garage trash facility at a charge of $4.00 per 35 pound
bag.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding how enforcement of the new rules,
use of special bags and proxy cards would be handled. Further discussion followed on
the floor regarding commercial users versus residential users, what, if any, discounts
might be offered, and the lack of communication about the proposal to principle users of
the current trash facility. In addition, there was discussion regarding the handling of the
collection of trash in general during the reconstruction of the Commons, the construction
of the new projects in the area (Harold's Square /Ithaca Hotel etc.) and future trash
collection of same. Some Board members expressed concern regarding some users of
the facility having to carry garbage a long distance to the facility and the negative visual
impact it would have on The Commons, as well as the incentive it might provide to
current users of the facility who do not pay for its use to renew their contracts with
private trash haulers, and therefore not use the city's facility and what financial impacts
that might have on the City. A few Board members expressed reservations about voting
on the resolution today since they had heard from people today that they were not given
prior notice of the proposal or allowed to provide input prior to today on the proposed
facility.
Motion to Table:
By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Morache
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works table a decision on the resolution until
their next meeting on May 13, 2013.
Ayes (4) Jenkins, Morache, Darling, Leccese
Nays (2) Acharya, Paine
Abstentions (0)
Carried
May 6, 2013 Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes
Parking and Traffic:
To Amend Vehicle and Traffic Schedules XV, Parking Prohibited Certain Hours for
East Falls Street — Resolution
By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Morache
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, residents of the 300 block of East Falls Street have petitioned to change
the on- street parking regulations to be odd /even parking on both sides of the street, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is in agreement with this plan with the
understanding that if the narrowness of the street presents problems in the future that
the Board may revisit and revise the parking regulations to limit day -time parking on one
side of the street, and
WHEREAS, staff has noticed that the entries for East Falls Street in the Schedules do
not reflect the signage as currently posted, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the entries for East Falls Street (from North Cayuga Street to Lake
Street) in Schedule XV, Parking Prohibited Certain Hours be amended to only read
(meaning other block faces are not listed in the schedules and are therefore Odd /Even
parking in accordance with Section 346 -26 of the City Code):
Name of Side Time Limit;
Street Hours /Days
Falls Street South 9 am to
6pm /Monday -
Friday
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Location
From North Cayuga Street
to North Aurora Street
Carried Unanimously
Boat Slip Rental Fees:
Director of Engineering West provided information to the Board on the background of
the approach that the appraiser took with regard to establishing a fair market value for
use of city land. He stated that there is a logical argument to be made here regarding
what portion of the land use is attributed to use by the docks. Discussion followed on
the floor regarding how /where the .47 /square foot use fee was determined.
Board members requested that Assistant City Attorney Krin Flaherty be asked to attend
their next meeting on May 13, 2013 to discuss her findings and recommendations with
them.
Reauest for Posthumous Honors for Officer William Dockstader Sr.:
William Dockstader was a retired Ithaca Police Officer that recently passed away. His
widow, Mae Dockstader, has requested that her husband be honored by dedicating the
Octopus to his memory. Officer Dockstader was on duty on February 24, 1974 when a
log truck traveling down Cliff Street lost control and flipped over in the intersection.
Officer Dockstader did his best to get traffic out of the way, and ended up being
seriously injured when a log hit him.
Board members were provided with the Protocol for Posthumous Honors that was
adopted by Common Council on December 2, 2009. Discussion followed on the floor
regarding whether or not this request fell under the Board of Public Works purview or
Common Council's. Additional discussion followed on the floor regarding the fact that
the requested area for honorarium for Mr. Dockstader is a highway /bridge owned by
New York State and the process one would have to go through to have a State owned
road /bridge dedicated to someone.
N
May 6, 2013
Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes
Alderperson Fleming stated that she would communicate the request for the
Dockstader's, and the concerns raised by Board members as to whose purview this
request falls under to the Mayor and Common Council members. Staff will do research
as well into the past practice of dedicating a piece of infrastructure in the City of Ithaca
to a particular individual to see if there is additional information that might be useful in
making the decision or recommendation.
Appeal of Recycling Violation for 205 Thurston Avenue:
The property owners are requesting a waiver of the fee for this recycling violation. They
had placed their recycling out on the wrong week.
Acting Superintendent Benjamin stated that staff did pick up the recycling. Board
members recommended that the appeal be denied, and that a resolution be prepared
for their consideration for the May 13, 2013 agenda.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Sarah L. Myers Claudia Jenkins,
Information Management Specialist Vice Chair
5