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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2010-04-21BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:45 p.m. April 21, 2010 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Brock, Tripp, Wykstra, Goldsmith OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney - Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Acting Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Benjamin Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Common Council Liaison – Zumoff Executive Assistant – Gehring GIAC Program Coordinator – Thomas City Controller – Thayer Director of Planning & Development – Cornish EXCUSED: DAC Liaison – Roberts Power to Act – Award of Contract for Modifications to Alex Haley Municipal Pool Bath House – Resolution By Commissioner Brock: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith WHEREAS, the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) has received an anonymous gift to make alterations to the Alex Haley Pool Bath House to provide better accommodations, and WHEREAS, GIAC has agreed to transfer the full donation to the city for the purpose of funding said alterations, and WHEREAS, quotes for undertaking the alterations were solicited and received on April 21, 2010, and WHEREAS, time is of the essence with the approach of the pool season, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the contract for alterations to the Alex Haley Pool House is awarded to the low bidder, McPherson Builders, for the lump sum cost of $15,988.00 contingent upon confirmation of funding in the full amount of the bid from the GIAC Board or the donor. GIAC Program Coordinator Thomas and City Controller Thayer joined the Board for the discussion of this item. GIAC Program Coordinator Thomas explained that GIAC received an anonymous donation of $10,000 to repair the Alex Haley Pool House and the donor would look into covering the rest of the costs listed in the lowest bid for the repairs. Commissioner Goldsmith expressed concern about the sizable differences between the bids. City Controller Thayer explained that the City must pay prevailing rates, which causes projects to be quoted higher than private projects. Discussion followed on the floor regarding receiving confirmation from the donor that the funds would be provided to the City for this project. A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows: Carried Unanimously Cass Park Docks and Dragon Boats– Discussion John Mayer, Ithaca Dragonboat Club President, addressed the Board regarding the boat docks. He explained that the Dragonboat Club had used the boat dock in Cass Board of Public Works Page 2 April 21, 2010 Committee of the Whole Park for many years. He further stated that the club appreciated the offer to utilize the southern-most dock for 20 days, and requested usage of the dock beyond 20 days. Alex Deyhim addressed the Board stated that the quality of life is high in Ithaca, which includes the Dragonboat Club. He stated that he had been a member of club for two years and it is one of the many reasons for remaining in Ithaca. Commissioner Jenkins arrived at 5:19 p.m. Director of Planning and Development Cornish and representatives from the Ithaca Dragonboat Club to joined the Board for the discussion. Mayor Peterson explained that the Superintendent of Public Works is authorized under the new Chapter 170 of the City Code, Use of City Real Property, to award a permit for the use of parkland for up to five days for no more than four times a year, equaling a total of twenty days. She further explained that Common Council would need to authorize a license for the seasonal use of parkland for lengths of time longer than twenty days. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the history of conversations regarding the Dragonboat Club’s use of the docks, and the City allowing exclusive use of parkland and the docks, and the Public Trust doctrine. Director of Planning and Development Cornish explained that according to federal grant requirements (which were used to build the docks) for a public facility serving low and moderate income residents, in can be interpreted that at least 51% of the docks must remain available for public use. Further discussion followed on the floor regarding the boat club’s boats remaining tied to the docks, rather than removing the large boats from the water after each practice. Mr. Mayer requested that permission be granted to enter the water and dock the boats at the southern dock with the understanding that if there’s a delay in the issuance of a license, the boat club may be asked to remove the boats. Power to Act – Approval of March 17, 2010 Meeting Minutes (Motion to Lift from Table) By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the resolution for Approval of March 17, 2010 Meeting Minutes be lifted from the table. Carried Unanimously Discussion followed on the floor regarding removing the Mayor’s statement from the minutes. Commissioner Brock requested to have a summary of the statement in the minutes rather than the entire statement verbatim. Commissioners Wykstra and Goldsmith requested that the statement and memos that were mentioned in the Mayor’s statement be preserved as part of the record. Motion to Table By Commissioner Brock: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith RESOLVED, That the Board table the approval of the minutes for March 17, 2010, and request a proposed summary of the Mayor’s statement from the secretary for review at the next meeting. Ayes (3) – Wykstra, Goldsmith, Brock Nays (3) – Tripp, Jenkins, Peterson Abstentions (0) Motion Failed Amending Resolution By Commissioner Brock: Seconded by Commissioner Wykstra RESOLVED, That the first paragraph of Administrative Communications on page 5 be amended to read “Mayor Peterson expressed concern that the City was not made aware of the Dan Mitchell’s Ithaca Beer Stewart Park Rehabilitation Group activities at the park.” Carried Unanimously Comment [MSOffice1]: I do not believe there is a city policy regarding exclusive use of parkland Board of Public Works Page 3 April 21, 2010 Committee of the Whole Main Motion as Amended A Vote on the Minutes as Amended Resulted as Follows: Ayes (3) Jenkins, Peterson, Tripp Nayes (3) Brock, Wykstra, Goldsmith Abstentions (0) Failed Dredge Spoils Area Candidates – Discussion Director of Planning and Development Cornish joined the Board for the discussion of this item. Supt. Gray explained that Ecologic consultant Ed Hinchey would be available for a visit to the City’s proposed dredging site and Ecologic representative Liz Moran would attend the Board meeting on May 12, 2010 to answer any questions the Board had. Mayor Peterson left the meeting at 6:29 p.m. Supt. Gray explained that the Planning Dept. provided an updated version of the Reconnaissance Report. He stated that Senior Planner Nicholas would provide a summary of the changes along with comments she has received regarding dredging for the Board. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the responsibilities of the City and the State pertaining to scouting a location for the dredging spoils, and alienating parkland, if it becomes necessary, to make parkland legally available to use as a dredging spoils site. Supt. Gray stated that a major portion of the Board meeting on May 12, 2010 would be devoted to the dredging discussion to ensure the Board makes a recommendation in June 2010 so the Planning Committee can vote on it in June 2010 and have Common Council consider it at their in July 2010 meeting. Power to Act - Protest of Sidewalk Snow Removal Bill for 704-06 North Cayuga Street – Resolution This item was not discussed. Power to Act - Protest of Sidewalk Snow Removal Bill for 708 North Cayuga Street – Resolution This item was not discussed. Power to Act - Protest of Sidewalk Snow Removal Bill for 348-50 Elmira Road – Resolution This item was not discussed. Power to Act - Appeal of Water Service Repair Invoice for 525 West Buffalo Street – Resolution This item was not discussed. Administrative Communications: Commissioner Tripp requested a straw poll of the Board members, asking if any member was interested in revisiting the golf course rates this year. Commissioner Jenkins expressed an interest in removing non-resident rates. Commissioner Brock stated she did not support the increase of the golf cart rates. No other Board member objected. ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor