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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2010-08-11BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:52 p.m. August 11, 2010 PRESENT: Commissioners (6) – Jenkins, Brock, Wykstra, Goldsmith, Tripp, Warden OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney – Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works – Gray Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Acting Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin Common Council Liaison – Zumoff Executive Assistant – Gehring EXCUSED: Mayor Peterson DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Commissioner/Vice-Chair Jenkins began introductions of the Board members to David Warden, newly appointed Board of Public Works Commissioner. Supt. Gray introduced Commissioner Warden, noting that he is an experienced Master Plumber who has worked in the City of Ithaca for many years. He has a good working relationship with residents, businesses, and government offices. The Board members welcomed Commissioner Warden to the Board. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: No persons came to address the Board. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: No response was required from the Board. REPORTS: Commissioner Wykstra, as Natural Areas Commission Liaison, reported that the Natural Areas Commission has expressed extreme concern about the damage being caused in the Six Mile Creek Gorge area, such as littering, compaction erosion and damage to trees and foliage. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the role of the Gorge Rangers, the slow police response to the Gorge area when requested, and the use of the increased natural areas by students and residents of the City. Acting Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that the proposed budget for the Gorge Rangers for 2011 has been increased to include one extra hour per day and two extra weeks per season. He explained that this may assist in the protection of the natural area. Commissioner Tripp, as Planning Board Liaison, reported that the Planning Board is discussing the Collegetown Terrace project and the possibility of installing a traffic signal at the intersection of Mitchell and State Streets, which would include a left-hand turn lane onto Mitchell Street. Discussion followed on the floor regarding whether the developer of Collegetown Terrace or the City would be responsible for the cost of the traffic signal, and construction of the turn lane. Commissioner Brock, as Parks Commission Liaison, reported that the Parks Commission discussed personnel and the maintenance of the parks and golf course within the City. She stated that the Commission expressed the need for a City Forester who would have the ability to apply for grants to upgrade the public parks. She further stated that the current manager of Newman Golf Course is scheduled to retire soon. She suggested that the Board discuss whether the management style of the golf course should be reviewed to determine whether changes might be needed. Commissioner Tripp agreed to serve on a sub-committee to discuss park management and maintenance. She requested those meetings be scheduled after the budget Board of Public Works Page 2 August 11, 2010 Regular Meeting discussions. Discussion followed on the floor regarding including the maintenance of the natural areas parks. Acting Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that the paving of Mitchell Street is complete, and crews are currently working on Valley Road. The crews will begin the repaving of Prospect Street, King Street and Queen Street, and hope to complete those projects prior to the beginning of school. He stated that the sidewalk crew is currently working in the Titus Flats and Plain Street area. Commissioner Tripp requested a report of linear feet of sidewalk that has been replaced to date for this construction season for the next Board meeting. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that design work has begun for the new water treatment plant, with discussions being held on a regular basis. The bid has been released for the repainting of the water tanks, which includes new regulations from the state. Discussions with the Town of Ithaca and Tompkins County are underway regarding the proposed new hardfill site and public hearings will be scheduled. The assessments of the dams are almost finished; and crews will begin work on Hopper Place to replace the water and sewer lines in September. He noted that there have been an unusually high amount of water line breaks this year, which create emergency road closures and cause traffic issues. He further noted that the project on Clinton and Prospect Streets will be completed approximately three days late. Supt. Gray reported to the Board on the following projects: • The floor has been installed at the Cass Park Ice Rink. • City Court Building Improvement Project is in the design phase. • Collegetown Traffic Signal Installation is nearly complete. • Cayuga Waterfront Trail Phase 3 is currently under construction within Stewart Park. • TIGER II Grant Application will be submitted soon. • Crane Hogan has filed two lawsuits against the City. • Thurston Avenue Rehabilitations Project is under way. • Cornell is beginning improvements to University Avenue. • Solar hot water heaters will be installed at the Youth Bureau and the Streets & Facilities buildings. • Engineering staff are working to have the small pavilion at Stewart Park inspected by a structural engineer, to determine whether to salvage the existing building or to rebuild it. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the July 14, 2010 and July 21, 2010 Board of Public Works Meetings – Resolution By Commissioner Brock : Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the July 14, 2010 and July 21, 2010 Board of Public Works Meetings be approved with noted corrections. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the minutes, how to submit proposed changes electronically to every, what are substantial changes, what are not substantial changes, and the approval process. Call the Question By Commissioner Wykstra: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Question Be Called on the discussion of the approval process for meeting minutes. Carried Unanimously A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously VOTING ITEMS HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS: Board of Public Works Page 3 August 11, 2010 Regular Meeting Declaration of Lead Agency for the Environmental Review of East Clinton Street Bridge Replacement and Prospect Street Reconstruction Project – Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Brock WHEREAS, State law and regulations and Section 176.6 of the City Code of the City of Ithaca require that a lead agency be established for conducting environmental review of certain proposed actions, in accordance with applicable law, and WHEREAS, State regulations and the City Code specify that the lead agency shall be that agency which has primary responsibility for undertaking, approving or funding the action, and WHEREAS, the East Clinton Street Bridge is located in the City of Ithaca and carries East Clinton Street (State Route 96B) over Six Mile Creek, and Prospect Street is a continuation of Route 96B from the eastern limits of East Clinton Street to South Aurora Street, and WHEREAS, the East Clinton Street Bridge has been rehabilitated numerous times and is in poor condition with areas of severe deterioration, and WHEREAS, Prospect Street and East Clinton Street were built in 1919, with a concrete base laid over native soils and surfaced with bricks, and that concrete base has deteriorated significantly, causing unstable conditions and potholes, and WHEREAS, to improve the streets to accommodate the current level of use, and to render them safer for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, the City of Ithaca retained Delta Engineers, Architects and Surveyors, to prepare a proposed design for the City’s replacement of the bridge and reconstruction of the street, and WHEREAS, on January 6, 2010, the Board of Public Works concurred with the preliminary project scope as presented by the consultant during the meeting, and WHEREAS, in addition to the Board of Public Works, the Planning and Development Board and possibly Common Council are involved agencies for this project, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works does hereby declare its intention to act as lead agency for the environmental review of the proposed replacement of the Clinton Street bridge and reconstruction of Prospect Street (which includes increased bridge and roadway widths, change in horizontal alignment, improvements to the Prospect Street and Turner Place intersection, construction of continuous sidewalks, construction of three new retaining walls, and construction of a separation island near the entrance to City View Apartments), and requests that staff provide notice of the same to all involved and interested agencies. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the status of the original brick on Prospect Street and the plan to tear out the entire street, realign the street, and incorporate a bicycle lane, which would not allow for the original brick to remain. Commissioner Tripp expressed her desire for the City to preserve the old street bricks wherever possible in future road construction projects. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS PARKING AND TRAFFIC: Reserved Parking for People with Disabilities on East Court Street and North Aurora Street This item was not discussed. Parking Rate Review Commissioner Brock suggested increasing revenues for parking by allowing long term parking in the Green Street Parking Garage. She noted that college students are planning their parking needs now and the Board would need to act immediately to Board of Public Works Page 4 August 11, 2010 Regular Meeting remove the 72 hour limit in the garage to provide students an alternative to on-campus long-term parking. She further noted that Thomas Associates will not need parking in the Green Street Garage as of the end of October 2010, which will result in a significant decrease in revenues for the garage. Discussion followed on the floor regarding allowing long term parking in the Green Street Parking Garage. The Board agreed to discuss and vote on the removal of the 72 hour parking limit at the August 25, 2010 meeting. CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS: Wood Street Park: Skate Park Improvement Project Supt. Gray referred to the project update provided by Planning and Development Director Cornish, which was included in the July 14, 2010 agenda packet. Discussion followed on the floor regarding expectations of the skate park community for funding the redesign of the skate park, and fundraising goals for the project. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: BPW Review of Charter Commissioner Tripp led a discussion of the City Charter, Article V titled Board of Public Works, C-58 Commissioners, through C-59 Superintendent of Public Works; other personnel. C-58 Commissioners: Commissioner Wykstra addressed section C-58A and stated his opinion that a reason for stipulating political party restrictions was to take public utilities out of the hands of possible monopolies and private interests but also out of party politics. Discussion followed on the floor regarding political party requirements for Board members and the intent that no one party shall dominate the Board. Commissioner Wykstra explained that at the time the Board was created, the water supply was privately owned and the City determined it was not acceptable. At the same time, reform was occurring to remove party politics. He expressed his desire to retain the stipulation in the Charter to restrict the political party affiliation for the Board of Public Works as it may come into play in the future. Commissioner Brock stated the political party restriction stated in the current Charter is almost exactly the same as what was established in 1903 when the Water Board was created through the State. She further stated that other public authorities throughout the United States are almost identical in structure to what was presented by the City of Ithaca to the State of New York in the establishment of the Water Board in 1903. The Board agreed to keep the clause in the Code as it is written. Commissioner Brock addressed Section C-58C, noting the requirement in the City Charter that two alternate commissioners should be appointed to the Board, but have never been implemented. City Attorney Hoffman noted that it has only been in the Charter since 1998 and may never have gone to referendum. Supt. Gray suggested flagging this and other items that are worth further review by the Board and Common Council. Commissioner Tripp expressed her desire to “clean up” Section C-58H to clearly state the duties and obligations of the Acting Mayor when the Mayor is not available for Board meetings. City Attorney Hoffman expressed confusion as to why the Mayor cannot vote on matters of appointment of officers and employees. Discussion followed on the floor regarding possible reasons for the stipulation in the Charter. Commissioner Tripp addressed Section C-58I, noting City Attorney Hoffman’s question about the quorum being exclusive of the Mayor. Commissioner Warden expressed his opinion that the clauses in the Charter related to the Board were written in a way to keep politics out of the Board. Supt. Gray agreed; Commissioner Wykstra requested that this clause be flagged for further discussion. Commissioner Goldsmith noted that Section C-58K states “majority of the member of the Board” to vote on the expenditure of moneys. Discussion followed on the floor Board of Public Works Page 5 August 11, 2010 Regular Meeting regarding boards and councils taking action with only the majority of the members, not members present. City Attorney Hoffman suggested modifying the section to state “departmental expenditures” rather than all expenditures. Commissioner Tripp agreed and flagged the section for further discussion. C-59 Superintendent of Public Works; other personnel: Supt. Gray noted that job descriptions are written in Human Resources, and adopted through Civil Service. He further noted that salaries are determined through Human Resources and not by the Superintendent. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the Board reviewing job descriptions prior to adoption by Civil Service, and the Board having an intimate knowledge of details of managing the departments within Public Works and what is required of the employees. The Board agreed to discuss this section further with Human Resources. City Budget Guidelines 2011 Supt. Gray reported that 2011 proposed budgets were submitted to the City Controller’s office for review by the City Controller and Mayor. He noted that proposed budgets for the Department of Public Works for both Water & Sewer and Streets & Facilities divisions have been distributed to the Board for their review. Discussion followed on the floor regarding scheduling a special meeting to discuss and review the proposed budgets for the Department of Public Works. City Attorney Hoffman left the meeting at 7:17 p.m. Motion to Hold Special Meeting By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra RESOLVED, That a Special Meeting of the Board of Public Works is hereby scheduled to be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2010, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Streets & Facilities Building, 245 Pier Road, to review the 2011 Proposed Budget for the Department of Public Works. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor