HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2012-05-14BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:48 p.m. May 14, 2012
PRESENT:
Vice-Chair – Jenkins
Commissioners (5) – Acharya, Darling, Goldsmith, Leccese, Morache
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin
Common Council Liaison – Fleming
Executive Assistant – Gehring
EXCUSED:
Mayor Myrick
City Attorney – Lavine
DAC Liaison – Roberts
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Leccese requested that Item 10.1, Ithaca Motion Picture Project” be added to
the agenda.
No Board member objected.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
There were no communications from Mayor Myrick as he was not present.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Richard Huber, Town of Ithaca, addressed the Board to request the repair of Ferris Place. He
explained that the conditions of Ferris Place are not safe and have decreased his property
value. He has difficulty renting his property, and the street cannot be maintained due to the
condition of the street.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
Supt. Gray responded by explaining that Ferris Place is the only location in the City that is
made of cobblestone, and it would be an expensive street to repair if the cobblestone is
replaced, which many people would prefer over asphalt or brick.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding repairing the street until funding is available to
replace the cobblestone. Asst. Supt. Benjamin stated that the cobblestone had disintegrated
beyond repair and the City did not have the materials to repair it. Commissioner Goldsmith
suggested that grants might be available for the restoration of historical streets. The Board
requested that Supt. Gray look into grants or a capital project to repair the street.
Alderperson Fleming arrived at 4:57 p.m.
REPORTS
Superintendent and Staff
Supt. Gray reported that the paving of Green and Seneca Streets was complete, though
pavement markings had not been painted. He further stated that reconstruction of Ithaca Road
was planned for the summer.
Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that the 600 block of East State Street was re-opened on
Friday, the horse that was at the west end of the Commons was moved to the east end and
the base for a new Martin Luther King Jr. memorial was at the west end. He further stated that
the carousel would be installed this week, and applications were being reviewed for Natural
Area Rangers.
Board of Public Works Page 2 May 14, 2012
Regular Meeting
Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that crews completed four of twelve service hookups on the 900
block of East State Street for Collegetown Terrace, four more hookups would be completed
next month in the 700 block, then four more in the 800 block of East State Street. He further
reported that crews were working on Valentine Place and Seneca Street for Breckenridge
Place Apartments.
VOTING ITEMS:
Water and Sewer:
Water Treatment Plant – Possible Resolution
O’Brien and Gere Consultants Rick Gell and George Rest joined the Board for the discussion
of this topic.
Supt. Gray provided a short history of the multi-million dollar design contract for a new water
treatment plant that was broken into several phases. He explained that the contract was at the
point of needed expansion, requiring additional funding to continue the design phase through
to completion. He provided a history of the Water Treatment Plant Rebuild Project from 1994
until present for the benefit of the new commissioners and explained that the Board would be
given the chance to ask any questions.
Mr. Gell explained that the Board of Public Works made the decision in 2008 to rebuild the
water treatment plant rather than purchase water from Bolton Point. He further explained the
site plan review process and stated that substantial community input was received during site
plan review, which caused some minor design modifications. He described the proposed
changes to the project, including adjustments to the building design, the creation of a structure
to pull or push water from Bolton Point in the event of an emergency, dam safety upgrades and
dam gatehouse replacements that would be completed at the same time, the membrane
process, and the underestimation of the demolition of the old building. He stated the changes
would cost approximately $7.25 million.
Mr. Rest explained that the estimated costs presented in 2006 for the entire project increased
due to inflation. Supt. Gray explained that the design stage covered 30% and contingency
amounts, at this time, were 15% of the total estimated costs.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the debt related to the project that the City would
acquire and expected water rate increases. Mr. Gell stated that the debt would have a
relatively small impact on individual customers.
Further discussion followed on the floor regard water rates and how much the rates should
increase in order to insure the City would receive enough revenue for this project.
Supt. Gray stated that a resolution and contract would be on the Board’s agenda for June 4,
2012, for the Board’s approval. He further explained that several smaller contracts for
individual pieces of the projects would be presented to the Board (i.e. work in the reservoir,
building demolition, etc.). He stated that construction was expected to begin the spring 2013,
though the contract for the membranes could be signed as early as the fall 2012.
NEW BUSINESS
Ithaca Motion Picture Project
Diana Riesman, founder of Ithaca Motion Picture Project, joined the Board for the discussion of
this topic.
Commissioner Leccese explained the e-mail she received from Ms. Riesman regarding
modifications to the Wharton Building in Stewart Park. She stated that Ithaca Motion Picture
Project requests the Board pass a resolution of support for the project. The Board provided
their general support for this project.
Supt. Gray cautioned that if the project was as successful as the group hoped it to be, the
community may not like the amount of changes to Stewart Park. Ms. Riesman noted that the
project has received support from Friends of Stewart Park and several other community
groups. Supt. Gray stated that a resolution would be provided in the Board’s next meeting
agenda.
Board of Public Works Page 3 May 14, 2012
Regular Meeting
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Executive Session
Motion to Enter Into Executive Session to Discuss Possible Land Purchase – Resolution
By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Morache
RESOLVED, That the Board enter into Executive Session to Discuss Possible Land Purchase.
Carried Unanimously
The Board entered into Executive Session at 6:35 p.m.
Reconvene
The Board reconvened into regular session at 6:55 p.m. with no formal action taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
Kathrin D. Gehring Svante L. Myrick
Executive Assistant Mayor