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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2011-07-13BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:50 p.m. July 13, 2011 PRESENT: Vice Chair Jenkins Commissioners (4) – Acharya, Goldsmith, Morache, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney – Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works – Gray Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin Executive Assistant – Gehring EXCUSED: Mayor Peterson Commissioner Warden Common Council Liaison – Zumoff DAC Liaison – Roberts ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: Discussion was held regarding whether the Board would continue their meeting at another location to discuss the 2012 budget or adjourn after completing the agenda items today. The Board agreed to hold an additional meeting to review and discuss the proposed 2012 budget for the Department of Public Works. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: Supt. Gray reported that Cornell University representative Andrew Magre was available to provide an update on the Bridge Means Restrictions project. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: There were no communications from the Mayor since she was unable to attend the meeting. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Heather Bissel, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board to express her opposition to the installation of nets on the bridges. She also voiced her opposition for the Board allowing representatives from Cornell University to make a presentation at today’s meeting that was not previously noticed to the public. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: Commissioner Wykstra thanked Ms. Bissel for her comments, and stated that the City must provide additional public hearings to allow the public opportunity to review proposals, and provide input to the City before it approves any proposal for means restrictions on City bridges. Supt. Gray explained that representatives from Cornell University were asking for permission from the City to put up means restriction on bridges that Cornell University owns, which is not required. He further stated that the information presented tonight might assist the Board in its determination of whether to recommend nets on the City-owned bridges. REPORTS: Superintendent and Staff: Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that a water main break was repaired at the intersection of Route 13 and Hancock Street (near Purity Ice Cream), which caused several residential homes and businesses to be without water for a few of hours. Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that Streets and Facilities crews were working with Water and Sewer crews to repave Seneca Street after water and sewer repairs are complete. Supt. Gray reported that NYSEG was doing extensive work on Seneca and Green Streets, which caused NYS Dept. of Transportation to delay the repaving of the same streets until 2012. He further reported that the contractors hired by NYSEG have caused multiple problems for staff due to their lack of proper traffic control and construction signage. Board of Public Works Page 2 July 13, 2011 Regular Meeting Special Reports: Cornell University representative, Andrew Magre, distributed a handout and explained the sites that were visited by Cornell representatives during their trip to Switzerland to research the means restrictions in place on bridges there. He explained each site that the team visited and noted the maintenance required for each system. He further reported that one bridge with a net system had not had any suicide attempts since 1998, when the nets were installed, but suicides had continued to occur off two nearby bridges that do not have nets. He explained how the nets would be installed here in the City of Ithaca, and stated that they received a lot of technical information from the engineers in Switzerland. Discussion followed on the floor regarding whether the rate of suicides decreased after the nets were installed on different bridges, the Board making the decision to install nets as a type of means restriction on City bridges or not, and the proposed designs. Commissioner Morache requested additional statistical information on how suicides affect people in the community. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the maintenance of netting on the bridges and whether the installation of nets on bridges in Switzerland were considered assets for the community. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the April 27, 2011, Board of Public Works Meeting – Resolution By Commissioner Acharya : Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the April 27, 2011, Board of Public Works Meeting be approved as published. Ayes (5) - Acharya, Goldsmith, Jenkins, Peterson, Wykstra Nays (0) Abstentions (1) - Morache Carried Approval of the Minutes of the June 15, 2011, Board of Public Works Meeting – Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Morache RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the June 15, 2011, Board of Public Works Meeting be approved with noted corrections. Carried Unanimously VOTING ITEMS: Highways, Streets and Sidewalks: Award of Bid for a New Compact Excavator – Resolution By Commissioner Goldsmith: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra WHEREAS, bids were received on June 21, 2011, from four vendors: Tracey Road Equipment, Monroe Tractor, Five Star Equipment and Milton Cat, for one new compact excavator, and WHEREAS, staff has determined that none of the vendor bids meets all specifications, and WHEREAS, Tracey Road Equipment and Five Star Equipment each list multiple deviations from specifications, while Monroe Tractor and Milton Cat each claimed to meet all but one of the specifications, and WHERAS, Monroe Tractor failed to submit supporting documentation that its unit does in fact meet specifications as claimed, and WHEREAS, Monroe Tractor’s bid must be excluded based on the fact that Monroe Tractor failed to comply with Item 6, Instructions to Bidders, by not showing clearly that the item offered meets specifications as claimed, and WHEREAS, staff and other equipment operators were consulted regarding the bid by Milton Cat and found it to be an acceptable unit, notwithstanding its one deviation from specifications; now therefore be it Board of Public Works Page 3 July 13, 2011 Regular Meeting RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby accepts the staff recommendation, deems Milton Cat to be the lowest responsible bidder, and awards the bid for one (1) 305D CR Compact Excavator to Milton Cat, for the sum of $74,177; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, Water & Sewer Division, to enter into a contract with Milton Cat for the purchase of the Compact Excavator. Carried Unanimously Request to Place a Mobile Pagoda/Pavilion in Thompson Park: Trumansburg resident Alan Vogel joined the Board for the discussion of this item. He explained that he had received information from the Fall Creek community, and was told there was room at the Children’s Community Garden to put a pavilion there. He noted that the pavilion was a portable building and could be easily moved. Discussion followed on the floor regarding liability insurance coverage and who would be responsible for damages to the pavilion. Mr. Vogel stated that in the short term, his family would take responsibility for the building. Discussion followed regarding alternate locations for the pavilion, placement of the pavilion in Thompson Park, and adding a wheelchair accessible ramp. The Board generally agreed to the placement of the pavilion in Thompson Park on a temporary basis. Creeks, Bridges, and Parks: Consent to Lead Agency Designation for Means Restriction on City-Owned Bridges – Resolution By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra WHEREAS, 6 NYCRR Part 617 of the State Environmental Quality Review Law and Chapter 176.6 of the City Code, Environmental Quality Review, require that a lead agency be established for conducting environmental review of projects in accordance with local and state environmental law, and WHEREAS, State Law specifies that for actions governed by local environmental review, the lead agency shall be that local agency which has primary responsibility for approving, funding or carrying out the action, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board has one pending application for site plan approval for means restriction on seven bridges as proposed by Cornell University, which includes the three city-owned bridges, and WHEREAS, the Planning Board has indicated its intention to act as lead agency for the environmental review of a proposed site plan for means restriction, and WHEREAS, the applicant is proposing to install horizontal stainless steel mesh nets below both sides of the bridges, supported by steel struts extending fifteen feet from the bridges’ supporting structure. The mesh net will be about twenty-five feet below the bridge railing, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works may be an involved agency for the purposes of environmental review of this action, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby consents to the designation of the Planning and Development Board as lead agency for the environmental review of the proposed means restriction on city-owned bridges. Carried Unanimously DISCUSSION ITEMS: Bicyle Pedestrian Advisory Council’s (BPAC) Concerns for Pavement Markings: David Nutter, BPAC member, addressed the Board to express extensive concerns about the bike lanes within the City, and made suggestions about the construction of new bike lanes. Commissioner Goldsmith requested that Mr. Nutter distribute his suggestions and concerns to the Board for their review and information. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the types of paint that could be used to mark bike lanes. Commissioner Acharya thanked Mr. Nutter for his comments to the Board. Board of Public Works Page 4 July 13, 2011 Regular Meeting Request to Hang Banners with Original Art Work on City Light Posts: Downtown Ithaca Alliance representative Kris Lewis joined the Board for the discussion of this item. She explained how the banners are proposed to be connected to the light posts. The Board expressed their support for the installation of the banners. Supt. Gray noted that the banners would not be mounted if the light posts could not handle the weight. Request for Permission to Perform in the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve: Commissioner Wykstra reported that the Natural Areas Commission discussed this request on July 11, 2011, and they recommended that the Board approve the request. He stated that members of the Commission felt the performance was educational, would educate the public about the natural environment, and how to treat the natural area. The Board generally agreed that Supt. Gray could administratively approve the request to perform in the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m. The Board moved to Second Floor Conference Room for a discussion about the 2012 Proposed Budget with no action taken. Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor