HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2011-09-14BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:50 p.m. September 14, 2011
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Commissioners (6) – Acharya, Goldsmith, Jenkins, Morache, Warden, Wykstra
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney – Hoffman
Superintendent of Public Works – Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
Executive Assistant – Gehring
EXCUSED:
Common Council Liaison – Zumoff
Assistant Superintendent of Streets & Facilities – Benjamin
DAC Liaison – Roberts
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:
There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Peterson stated that the presentation regarding Smart Growth and Density would begin
at 5:30 p.m. at the Human Services Building. She suggested keeping the Board meeting short
in order to attend the presentation. No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Tom Seaney, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board to propose a parking option for the Court
Street parking lot area.
Commissioner Jenkins arrived at 5:00 p.m.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC:
There was no response to the public.
REPORTS:
There were no reports provided.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the May 11, 2011, August 10, 2011, and August 17, 2011 Board of Public
Works Meeting Minutes – Resolution
By Commissioner Acharya: Seconded by Commissioner Morache
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the May 11, 2011, August 10, 2011, and August 17, 2011,
Board of Public Works Meetings be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
VOTING ITEMS:
Water and Sewer:
Protest of Water Bill for 127 College Avenue – Possible Resolution
Supt. Gray provided a short summary of the protest and explained that though the new meters
were designed to retain hourly use data, it appeared that the meter installed at this location
was not retaining that information. However, he further explained that there was no reason to
believe the meter was otherwise malfunctioning.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding meter readings of supposedly malfunctioning water
meters, the number of meters that malfunctioned among the number that were replaced, and
what attempts were made to obtain the hourly use data from the old meter. Asst. Supt.
Whitney offered to attempt to extract the data from the old meter again to provide further
information to the Board for their meeting on September 21, 2011.
Board of Public Works Page 2 September 14, 2011
Regular Meeting
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Memorandum of Understanding for Vendor Sales of Trash Tags:
City Attorney Hoffman stated the proposed Memorandum of Understanding was routine in
form, and noted that he would provide the Board with a resolution for their review and
consideration at the September 21, 2011 Board of Public Works Meeting.
Flooding Update:
Mayor Peterson reported that she was at the Tompkins County Emergency Management
Center beginning at 4:00 a.m. the day of the storm and found it very interesting to view
operations from the County’s standpoint. She noted that the Ithaca Fire Department, Ithaca
Police Department and City of Ithaca Department of Public Works staff worked very
cooperatively to retain the city’s infrastructure and ensure public safety.
Commissioner Wykstra reported that during the peak of the storm, 33 million gallons of water
traveled through the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Supt. Gray noted that, in 25 years, this
storm was the first time the creeks flooded, rather than the lake. Mayor Peterson thanked
everyone for working together during this storm emergency.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:27 p.m.
Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson
Executive Assistant Mayor