HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2013-03-25BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Joint Meeting 4:51 p.m. March 25, 2013
of Common Council and
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Alderpersons (10) — Brock, Clairborne, Dotson, Fleming, Kerslick, McCollister, Mohlenhoff,
Murtagh, Proulx, Smith
Commissioners (4) — Acharya, Darling, Jenkins, Morache
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney - Lavine
Acting Superintendent of Public Works - Benjamin
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer — Whitney
Director of Engineering — West
Executive Assistant — Gehring
City Controller — Thayer
Former Superintendent of Public Works — Gray
EXCUSED:
Commissioners (2) — Leccese, Paine
DAC Liaison — Roberts
Mayor Myrick opened a regular meeting of the Board of Public Works at 4:51 p.m.
VOTING ITEM:
Award of Contract for Ithaca Commons Reaair and Unarade Proiect — Demolition
Phase — Resolution
By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Darling
WHEREAS, bids were received on March 21, 2013, for the Ithaca Commons Repair and
Upgrade Project, and
WHEREAS, Capital Project 724 includes funding to demolish the existing infrastructure to
realign the underground utilities and replace pedestrian facilities and amenities, and
WHEREAS, Ritter & Paratore Contracting, Inc. of 2435 State Route 5, Utica, NY 13502,
submitted the apparent low bid of $407,000.00, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the contract for Ithaca Commons Repair and Upgrade Project — Demolition
Phase is hereby awarded to Ritter & Paratore Contracting, Inc. of 2435 State Route 5, Utica,
NY 13502 for their submitted low proposal of $407,000.00, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works is hereby authorized to enter into and
administer this contracts.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the Board meeting adjourned at 4:56 p.m.
Mayor Myrick declared the joint meeting of Common Council and Board of Public Works open
at 5:01 p.m.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Tom Hanna, Eddy Street, addressed the meeting attendees regarding the water treatment
plant project. He stated that Larry Fabbroni had addressed Common Council in 1993 about
the replacement of the water treatment plant. It is now 2013 without a final decision. He
wished the committee well in its discussion and hoped for an expeditious resolution.
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Board of Public Works
Joint Meeting
DISCUSSION ITEM:
Water Treatment Plant Rebuild Project
Former Supt. Gray distributed a price estimate if the City were to choose the purchase option
and become clients of Bolton Point. He explained that the documents distributed in the
agenda packet contained twenty years of documentation, research and debates. O'Brien and
Gere completed a study in 1996; he stated that if the water treatment plant had been rebuilt
in 1998, it would have cost twenty million dollars, but it would not have been the same plant
that is proposed today. The proposed plant would incorporate possible regulation changes
for the next thirty to forty years.
O'Brien and Gere Engineer Rick Gell joined the Board and Council for the discussion of this
topic. He stated that he is available to address any questions the Board or Council might
have. Former Supt. Gray noted that the Common Council meetings in October 2009
contained discussion of many of the questions this Council had.
Former Supt. Gray explained that the current costs were $3.05 per 1,000 gallons, and it
would be $5.00 per 1,000 gallons after rebuild. Mr. Gell explained that an analysis of all
expenses of the current plant was completed in 2006. At that time, it was estimated that the
costs after rebuilding the new plant would increase, due to an increase of chemical usage,
increased energy consumption, annualized allowance for membrane replacement, and
increased staff costs. Former Supt. Gray noted that a recent study by American Society of
Civil Engineers reported water prices would increase by a factor of 2 -3 over the next 10 years
and Ithaca's water rates were not high.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the potential increase in the City's carbon footprint
if the purchase option was chosen by Council. Mr. Gell explained that membrane technology
was not new technology and that it was becoming a standard system among water treatment
systems. Former Supt. Gray stated that in the rebuild option, 2/3 of the City's water supply
would travel by gravity to customers, whereas 100% of the supply would have to be pumped
from Cayuga Lake in the purchase option, which would increase the carbon footprint.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the estimated $8.9 million of work necessary in Six
Mile Creek if the City chose the purchase option, which would include work at the dams and
reservoirs.
Further discussion followed on the floor regarding expected nationwide water rate increases
and the reasons for the increases, which include tightened regulations; the requirement to
return Six Mile Creek to its pre- existing conditions if the City chose to join with Bolton Point,
and the expected costs of maintenance of the water main.
Alderperson Proux requested information about the increased costs between the rebuild
options versus the purchase option. O'Brien & Gere Engineer Rick Gell responded that
capital costs would be lower if the City chose the purchase option.
Former Supt. Gray noted that the City would need to borrow over the next three years if it
chose the rebuild option, and that capital bonds would increase over the next eight years, but
he believes water rates would remain lower than $7.98 per 1,000 gallons for the next three
years.
Alderperson Brock noted that the decision to rebuild the plant was made by Common Council
three years ago. Mayor Myrick stated that he wanted to ensure everyone knew why the
water rates would be increasing substantially over the next few years.
Commissioner Acharya responded that though Common Council made the decision three
years ago, but the City was not bound by that decision. He urged Council to not take the
decision lightly, as other cities have become bankrupt after hard decisions had been made
lightly.
Commissioner Jenkins asked about the deadlines for building the new plant. Engineer Gell
responded that new regulations would go into effect in October 2013 that would require new
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March 25, 2013
technologies, of which the City would be considered out of compliance. After October 2013,
the City will begin paying fees for not meeting regulations.
Alderperson McCollister began a discussion about the possibility of climate change and
draughts, and how water rates would be affected if there are fewer users. Former Supt. Gray
explained that minimum billing was charged for all customers, and that Cornell's
Meteorological Department does not believe there is any risk of draughts at this time.
Alderperson Proulx thanked Common Council and the Board for having this conversation
again. He asked about development in the watershed. Former Supt. Gray explained that the
City would never own the entire 47 square miles that make up the watershed, so it would be
at risk for development, however, the City can monitor all developments and work with the
Tompkins County Planning Department to ensure the watershed is maintained. Engineer
Gell noted that the City had retained a local attorney that analyzed all rules and regulations
related to the watershed for the creation of the dEIS.
Common Council generally agreed they have all information they needed to make a decision
regarding the water treatment plant at their next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Kathrin D. Gehring Svante L. Myrick
Executive Assistant Mayor