HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1996-09-25BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. September 25, 1996
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen (present and voting on Item 14A only)
Commissioners (6) - Davidoff, Ehrhardt, Reeves (Vice -Chair, Presiding), Seligmann, Smith, Vargas
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Deputy City Clerk - Kaupe
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
Common Council Liaison - Mackesey
EXCUSED:
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Vice -Chair Reeves led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Amcrican flag.
2. MINUTES:
3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
4. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS:
5. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
6. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC:
7. REPORT OF CITY CLERK:
8. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY:
9. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER:
10. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
11. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters:
American Waterworks Assoc meeting; paving work; NE Transit RFP; Mitchell St; Vinegar Hill pump station; Rt 96
- Buffalo St water main; valve turning program; watershed gravel removal; traffic counts; NYS signalization projects
(K-Mart signal upgrade); W&S/S&F computer installations; Cass Park Pool bids; Sue Kittel - data collection
improvements; NYSEG - gas main on W. State; Youth Bureau project document cleanup (liens); Clinton St bridge
repairs; staff discussion re: "Cliff St Weeks" - annual repair periods - coordinated projects; light pole maintenance
and safety problems
Commissioner Reeves asked for the status of the W&S rates [budget work taking precedence]
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the board on the following matters:
Highways: Mitchell St overtime; Mitchell/Cliff/Marshall/Cascadilla paving; pictures and report on street problem
areas
Sign Shop: downtown parking signage
Electrician: light pole deterioration -emergency repairs - Jim Crandall needs help with maintenance
Other items: meeting with Thruway Auth on dredging project for lower Inlet and 6-Mile Creek - spoils site needed
Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the board on the following matters:
water service shutoffs; dechlorination bldg; O'Brien and Gere studying water plant electrical controls; WWTP bid
from Stearns & Wheler; use study for cost sharing from Stearns & Wheler; Mitchell St; silt dam slide gate and silt
removal; German Cross Rd gauging station; bank stabilization; water planning study kickoff meeting; Route 96
progress
12. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS:
13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS:
14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS:
A. Replacement of Street Trees in 100 Block of Cayuga Street
By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
WHEREAS, in September of 1993, the Board of Public Works granted permission to Joe Ciaschi, owner of Clinton Hall,
112 North Cayuga Street, to remove three Sophora japonica trees on city property contingent that the trees would be
removed one a year and with the replacement of a tree no smaller than a 4 inch caliper, and
WHEREAS, during the summer of 1996, conversations took place between Mr. Ciaschi and the City Forester regarding
the removal and replacement of the three trees in front of Clinton Hall, and
WHEREAS, a permit was issued to Mr. Ciaschi for removal of the trees with the understanding that it would be in
accordance with the board's resolution of 1993, and
WHEREAS, on September 8, 1996, Mr. Ciaschi removed all three trees at 112 North Cayuga Street, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ciaschi failed to notify the city of the date of removal which did not allow the city time to remove the
holiday lighting from the trees or protect the planting in the flower beds; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works wishes to convey its dissatisfaction for Mr. Ciaschi's disregard to the
1993 board resolution permitting removal of the three trees, one tree per year over three years, in front of Clinton Hall,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the board imposes the conditions of Chapter 306-50 of the City Code upon Mr. Ciaschi concerning
the removal and replacement of street trees, and be it further
RESOLVED, That based on City Code that the equal caliper of removed trees will be replaced within the city: three -
three and one half inch trees and nine - two inch trees with the species recommended by the City Forester in his letter of
September 12, 1996 which is made part of this resolution, and be it further
RESOLVED, That Mr. Ciaschi be billed for the overtime plus administrative charges for the City Electrician who was
called in on September 8, 1996 to remove the lighting from the location after the trees had been removed, replacement of
plantings and any other bills or charges that result from compliance with the City Code.
Discussion followed on the floor with Mr. Ciaschi.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Ayes (7): Seligmann, Smith, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Davidoff, Vargas, Cohen
Mr. Ciaschi was given a copy of the Resolution and supporting material.
Letter from City Forester Andy Hillman attached the resolution.
15. TRAFFIC ITEMS:
16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS:
A. Rejection of Bids for Titus Flats Park Handball Court.
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works put out bids for the installation of a Handball Court in Wood Street
Park, and
WHEREAS, the Office of the City Engineer and the Office of Community Development have received bids for the
construction of a handball court at Titus Flats Park on Wood Street, and
WHEREAS, the current funds available are roughly $13,000 in CD funds and another $13,000 in unexpended capital
project funds for Wood Street Park; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the contract for construction of the handball court wall be awarded to McPherson Builders for
their low bid of $15,959, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the court surface shall be constructed by the Department of Public Works and shall be funded by
Community Development for up to $9,000.
Discussion with Paul Stevenson present
Motion to Table
Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously
17. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
18. WATER SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS:
19. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Commissioner Ehrhardt reported on the following matters:
• South Hill Terrace traffic changes packet given to board
• Spencer/Albany/Elmira traffic changes meeting 10115 7:00pm
• meeting with Northside residents - traffic calming experiments
• BAC client committee meeting 10/26 to discuss bike routes
20. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS:
Commissioner Seligmann reported on the following matters:
• Recreation Partnership renewal approvals are needed for this year
21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
22. NEW BUSINESS:
23. ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion by Commissioner Seligmann, seconded by Commissioner Smith, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
William Kaupe
Deputy City Clerk
Carol Reeves
Vice -Chair