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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2013-08-12BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:55 p.m. August 12, 2013 PRESENT: Vice-Chair – Jenkins Commissioners (5) – Acharya, Darling, Goldsmith, Morache OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney – Lavine Acting Superintendent of Public Works – Benjamin Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Executive Assistant – Gehring EXCUSED: Mayor Myrick Commissioner – Leccese Director of Engineering – West Common Council Liaison – Fleming DAC Liaison – Roberts ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: The Mayor was not present. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Julee Johnson, City of Ithaca and Historic Ithaca Board member, addressed the Board to request financial support for a gravestone restoration workshop to be held at the Ithaca City Cemetery. She stated the $3,500 expense would enable a mason to come to Ithaca for the two-day workshop, and would allow City staff and anyone working in parks or cemeteries to attend. She noted that the cemetery is a city park and the Friends of Ithaca City Cemetery had been formed to beautify and maintain the park. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Discussion followed on the floor regarding the need to request the funding from Common Council, the limited funds that are in the Parks Division budget and other committees and boards that Ms. Johnson would need to request funding from to cover the expense. The Board requested that Ms. Johnson return to the Board of Public Works’ next meeting with a formal proposal, and to contact the Parks Commission for their approval. City Attorney Lavine left the meeting at 5:03 p.m. REPORTS Superintendent and Staff Acting Supt. Benjamin introduced Mike Addicott, Newman Golf Course Manager. He stated that Mr. Addicott had a lot of good ideas for changes at the course, though there was a lot of work to be done before changes could be made. He further stated that the new rates should be set by October to take advantage of the winter season for marketing. He explained that because of the living wage requirement, there would need to be a cut in seasonal personnel next year, and he is looking for support from the Board. Commissioner Acharya suggested that Mr. Addicott think about what type of flexibility he would need from the Board in order to support him while implementing needed changes at the golf course. Acting Supt. Benjamin presented a slide show with aftermath photos from the storm on August 8, 2013, and the flooding that was caused. Commissioner Morache suggested the City continue to create a stormwater utility to cover the costs of mitigating flooding. Commissioner Goldsmith suggested forming a subcommittee to work on it. The Board requested that a stormwater utility discussion be added to the next board meeting. Asst. Supt. Whitney expanded on Acting Supt. Benjamin’s report and noted that the Wastewater Treatment Facility water flow went from 5 million gallons to 36 million gallons per Board of Public Works Page 2 January 11, 2012 Regular Meeting day during and immediately after the storm. He further stated that the Wastewater Treatment Facility experience electrical outages of the control circuitry and automation controls for approximately six hours. Commissioner Goldsmith suggested providing this information out to the public about the intensity of efforts the Department of Public Works crews expend to mitigate storm issues and keep the public safe. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the October 22, 2012, July 15, 2013, and July 22, 2013, Board of Public Works Meeting Minutes – Resolution By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Morache RESOLVED, That the minutes of the October 22, 2012, July 15, 2013, and July 22, 2013, Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously VOTING ITEMS: Water and Sewer: Appeal of Water Bill for 202 Elmwood Avenue – Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Acharya WHEREAS, the water consumption at 202 Elmwood Avenue changed significantly in the second quarter of 2013 resulting in a water bill which was considerably larger (31-hcf) than the past 2 bills for 15 and 13-hcf, and the property owner has requested an adjusted bill based on their belief that our technician found no leaks in their plumbing when the water meter was changed out on April 23, 2013, and WHEREAS, the water usage in question is for the second quarter of 2013 and property owner purchased the house at 202 Elmwood in August of 2012 and set up their water account on August 29, 2012, making uncontested payments for the last quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013, and WHEREAS, the old water meter was tested upon removal on April 23, 2013 and found to be overall 97.56% accurate which would yield an average under billing of 2.44% in the customers favor, and WHEREAS, a data log extracted from the new water meter at 202 Elmwood Avenue on July 26, 2013 showed a consistent base line leak of about 1-CF/hr, leading to the discovery of a leaking toilet valve, and WHEREAS, City Code §348-22.J states “The Board reserves the right to attach or detach meters at any time whenever it shall deem it expedient and to charge for the quantity of water measured or used. All water passing through a meter will be charged for, whether used or wasted,” now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request to modify the water and sewer bill covering the second quarter of 2013 for 202 Elmwood Avenue and denies the request based on its understanding that the water was consumed at that address and the resulting wastewater processed, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests that the City Chamberlain work with the property owners to develop a payment plan, and that no late fees or interest be charged on the bill. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS: “Tags to Bags” Trash Program Presentation by WasteZero Steve Lisauskas, Vice-President of Government Affairs at WasteZero, which is the largest pay as you throw provider in the United States, joined the Board for the discussion of this topic. He presented the costs and benefits of the City switching from a tag-based program to a bag- based program. He further explained the pros and cons for the tag-based system, noting that noncompliance issues are much lower with the bag-based system. Mr. Lisauskas explained the benefits of the tag-based program that include some revenue, easy implementation, and national studies indicate this type of program reduces trash by 5% to 20% annually. He stated shortcomings of the program include non-compliance, not using the correct bag size, and it is easy to cut the tags or hide untagged bags. Board of Public Works Page 3 January 11, 2012 Regular Meeting Mr. Lisauskas stated WasteZero recommended the bag-based system, with benefits that include saving money by having to purchase only the bag rather than the tag and bags, a fixed volume of waste that is picked up, increased compliance, and easier waste collection. WasteZero provides an in-service program, utilizing American made bags. He explained that waste collectors wouldn’t have to look for a tag; the colored bags are easy to spot. He stated that preliminary estimates show 156,000 tags are sold each year in Ithaca, estimated at 23-25 pounds of solid waste per tag, which is high for a bag-based system. He estimated that if the city switched to a bag-based program, 174,000 bags would be sold annually, increasing the revenue from $550,000 to $610,000 per year with the existing fee of $3.50 per bag. He explained that acquisition costs were estimated at $.245 per bag, assuming that the city chose a bag color that was less expensive to manufacture. Though a 0% waste reduction was assumed for the estimations, it is typical for a municipality to see 44% solid waste reduction within two weeks of switching from tags to bags. No upfront costs would be incurred by the city; WasteZero is paid as residents purchase the bags. All orders, storage, customer service and financial reporting are provided by WasteZero. City Chamberlain Parsons joined the Board for the discussion of this topic. She explained that the city spoke with WasteZero while discussing switching to a bag-based system for the Commons Trash Compactor, and the Mayor had previously indicated interest in changing to a bag-based system. She expressed concern about storage of the bags, which WasteZero would warehouse the bags, supply outside vendors, and handle orders. The Board moved to the third floor conference room to continue its discussion. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the estimated net income increase, and the current amount of non-compliance within the City. Acting Supt. Benjamin stated that the solid waste crews are very good at finding untagged units and how much a bag of waste weighs. Commissioner Morache expressed concern with using bags instead of allowing trash cans as bags easily rip open. Mr. Lisauskas responded that the colored bags can be placed in trash cans. Extensive discussion followed regarding the average weight of a 35 pound bag being 20 pounds, residents using alternative waste services, whether the city should pick up solid waste, off-setting city-generated trash with picking up residential waste, and the reduction of waste over the past several years by 80 tons per year. Acting Supt. Benjamin reported that 1,900 tons of waste was gathered in 2012. Commissioner Acharya noted that households that produce very little waste might wait to place their trash at the curb until the bag is full to get full value from the bag. Mr. Lisauskas stated that there is an option of having three different bag sizes: 7, 15 or 33 gallons. A different fee could be charged for different size bags, according to the city’s choice. Further discussion followed on the floor about requiring contractors to provide a living wage as it relates to manufacturing of bags in South Carolina. Mr. Lisauskas stated he would request information from his district office regarding wages. 2014 Golf Course Rate Review Acting Supt. Benjamin requested that he discuss the provided resolutions with Golf Course Manager Mike Addicott to get his recommendations. He explained that Mr. Addicott had many years of experience in managing a course. The Board agreed to postpone the discussion. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Svante L. Myrick Executive Assistant Mayor