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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2011-08-24NOTES BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:50 p.m. August 24, 2011 PRESENT: Commissioners (4) – Acharya, Goldsmith, Morache, Warden, OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney – Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works – Gray Assistant Superintendent of Public Works – Whitney Assistant Superintendent of Public Works – Benjamin Executive Assistant – Gehring EXCUSED: Mayor Peterson Commissioners Jenkins, Wykstra Common Council Liaison – Zumoff DAC Liaison – Roberts Commissioner Goldsmith chaired the meeting. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: Commissioner Goldsmith added Item 8.1A entitled “Award of Contract for Ithaca Police Department Boiler Replacement.” COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: No members of the public appeared to address the Board. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC There was no response necessary. REPORTS Board Liaisons Commissioner Acharya reported that the Seneca Way project is moving forward, with site plan review planned in coming months. He further reported that representatives from Cornell University presented a report regarding means restriction. Commissioner Acharya further reported that a meeting was held to discuss the Stewart Avenue Design Project. He stated that the design is ready to be presented to BPW. Discussion followed regarding whether the street would be replaced with brick or asphalt. GA stated that the design was created with the assumption that brick will be used. Further discussion was held regarding the types of base used for brick as opposed to asphalt or concrete. The Board expressed interest in seeing the presentation. Superintendent and Staff Supt. Gray reported that Cornell University is beginning the second half of the Cascadilla Creek Gorge Trail Renovation Project and they requested assistance from the City in lowering material from the Stewart Avenue bridge over Cascadilla Creek down to the gorge trail. He stated that the City has agreed to assist and will facilitate the closure of the bridge during the lowering of material. Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that Cornell’s grounds people are working with the City in replacing a stone wall with a guardrail and chain link fence on the back of the guardrail because there is a cliff directly behind the wall. He then reported that crews are working on Tioga Street, and will repave Seneca Street once Water & Sewer crews and NYSEG contractors have completed their projects. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that crews will be working both day and night on Seneca Street so paving crews will have time to pave before cold weather hits. He further reported that there was a water main break on Brindley Road, and the water tank renovation is on schedule to be completed mid-Oct. Board of Public Works Page 2 August 24, 2011 Regular Meeting NOTES Discussion followed on the floor regarding the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that felt in Ithaca on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, and any possible damage that might have occurred to the 60 foot dam. Asst. Supt. Whitney reported that staff visually checked the dam within minutes of the earthquake and noted no damage at the time. Other Department Heads City Attorney Hoffman noted that a new invasive plant called Hydrilla is growing in the inlet that could potentially cause a large problem if it spreads into Cayuga Lake. He stated he was contacted by a City Planner who referred to this situation as an emergency, though the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) had not labeled it as an emergency, and it was suggested that the inlet should be closed. Commissioner Warden requested further information regarding who has authority over the waterway and who should be contacted regarding this “emergency.” ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: VOTING ITEMS: Buildings, Properties, Refuse and Transit: Award of Contract for Ithaca Police Department Boiler Replacement – Capital Reserve – Resolution By Commissioner Warden: Seconded by Commissioner Morache WHEREAS, bids were received on August 23, 2011, for replacement of the boiler at the Ithaca City Police Department, and WHEREAS, the existing boiler is inoperable and irreparable, and WHEREAS, Climate Control Technologies, Inc., 33 Brookside Avenue, Endwell, NY 13760 submitted the lowest responsible bid of $18,295.00, now therefore be it, RESOLVED, That the contract for Ithaca Police Department Boiler Replacement is awarded to Climate Control Technologies, Inc. 33 Brookside Avenue, Endwell, NY for the lowest responsible bid of $18,295.00, and be it further, RESOLVED, That the Mayor be and hereby is authorized to execute these contracts, and that the Superintendent of Public Works be and hereby is authorized to administer the same. Carried Unanimously Parking and Traffic: Amendment to Vehicle and Traffic Schedule XII: Parking Prohibited at All Times and Schedule XV: Parking Prohibited Certain Hours By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Acharya WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Section 346-4 of the City Code to adopt and to amend a system of Schedules in order to administer the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and WHEREAS, the current parking regulations for the 200 block of Pearl St., the 100 and 200 blocks of Cobb St., and the 200 block of Worth St. in the Schedule of Traffic Regulations are not consistent with the posted regulations, and WHEREAS, the Board has decided to update the Schedule of Traffic Regulations to be consistent with the posted regulations, and WHEREAS, a majority of the residents living along the 400 block of Worth St. wish to have the parking regulations in that block changed so as to discourage all-day commuter parking similar to the restrictions placed on nearby blocks, and WHEREAS, extending the posted parking regulation in the 200 block of Worth St. to include the 400 block of Worth St. would likely achieve that goal, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That (in regard to the 200 block of Pearl St.) the entry for Pearl St. in Schedule XII: Parking Prohibited at All Times be amended to read: Name of Street Side Location (From/To) Board of Public Works Page 3 August 24, 2011 Regular Meeting NOTES Pearl Street East Worth St to Mitchell St RESOLVED, That (in regard to the 100 and 200 blocks of Cobb St.) the entry for Cobb St. in Schedule XV: Parking Prohibited Certain Hours be amended to read: Name of Street Side Hours/Days Location Cobb Street East 12:00 pm to In front of 702 3:00 pm/All Cobb Street Mon-Fri Entire length RESOLVED, That (in regard to the 200 and 400 blocks of Worth St.) the entry for Worth St. in Schedule XV: Parking Prohibited Certain Hours be amended to read: Name of Street Side Hours/Days Location Worth Street South 9:00 am to From Elmwood Avenue 1:00 pm/All to Cornell Street 200 and 400 blocks Carried Unanimously Creeks, Bridges, and Parks: Ithaca Motion Picture Project Request for Interpretive Signage – Resolution By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Warden WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has been approached by the Ithaca Motion Picture Project with a proposal to consider the installation of interpretive signs in Stewart Part which record and commemorate the local history of motion pictures and the Wharton Movie Studios which were located on the grounds of what is now Stewart Park, and WHEREAS, following discussion of the proposal, the concept may have a broader application involving other historical or interpretive panels in the park which could provide a historical context to the park for visitors, or grow support for contemplated projects such as the restoration of the Cayuga Boathouse, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That Board of Public Works supports the concept of interpretive signage in the proposal by the Ithaca Motion Picture Project, with the understanding that the project will seek private funding, and that the signs become the property of the City, provided that the concept and the presentation (sign layout, color scheme, material choice, and installation) are developed with city staff such that they allow for an expanded city project to install complementary signage within the park at a later date, and be it further RESOLVED, That a specific design, language and location shall be presented to the Parks Commission and the Board for final approval prior to installation. Carried Unanimously Discussion followed on the floor regarding maintenance of the signs. DISCUSSION ITEMS: 9.1 Protest of Water Bill for 127 College Avenue Robert Terry and Carla Terry, property owners, joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Mr. Terry explained his protest to the water bill they received for this property. He stated that the new meters have caused a number of problems at several of his properties, most of which are resolvable. However, the large bill they received for the second quarter 2011 has proven irresolvable. He said no one could find any leaks at the house, nor anything was found with the system by staff. DW disclosed that he has worked with the Terrys in the past, but not recently. He explained to Mr. Terry that the Board wants to know what went wrong as much as they do. He asked about the timing between when they received a leak report and when an inspection was completed on the property to look for leaks. Supt. Gray explained the difference between the types of leak reports, one is created when the system does not find any no-flow periods which is normal for a residential home. The other type is created according to large changes of actual consumption. Board of Public Works Page 4 August 24, 2011 Regular Meeting NOTES Discussion followed regarding the inspection that was held to ensure there were no leaks, other scenarios that could cause such a large jump in water consumption, data logs for the property. DW suggested that the data logs be attempted again to see if the meter is storing information. Supt. Gray stated that staff will research the meter to ensure it is working correctly. He further stated that he will bring back a resolution expunging the bill if nothing is found that could cause the spike. He may replace the meter and send it back to the manufacturer. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor