HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2014-02-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:50 p.m. February 10, 2014
PRESENT:
Vice-Chair Jenkins
Commissioners (4) – Acharya, Darling, Goldsmith, Morache
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Attorney – Lavine
Superintendent of Public Works – Thorne
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities – Benjamin
Director of Engineering – West
Common Council Liaison – Fleming
Executive Assistant – Gehring
Director of Parker – Nagy
Alderperson – Brock
EXCUSED:
Mayor Myrick
DAC Liaison – Roberts
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Acharya requested the addition of item 9.5, Trash Tag Controversy.
Director of Engineering West requested the addition of Item 8.2A, entitled “Award of Contract
for Ithaca Commons Repair and Upgrade – Contract 3B, Electrical – Capital 724 – Resolution.”
Item 9.6 entitled “BOHA Ithaca Police Historical Sign Dedication” was added as well.
No Board member objected to the above.
Mike mentioned the letters received from the Hot Truck and Louie’s Lunch. The letters would
be added under New Business.
MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Myrick was not present.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS FROM PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
David Kornreich, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding odd/even parking. He
registered complaints that the City has not maintained his street over the winter even though
he has had to move his car every night. He expressed concern that the lack of leaf removal
would cause backing up the storm drains and gutters.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
Commissioner Acharya responded to the public comment, thanking Mr. Kornreich for his
comments, and stated he would provide the subcommittee addressing odd/even parking with
Mr. Kornreich’s concerns.
REPORTS
Superintendent and Staff
Asst. Supt. Benjamin reported that crews had been busy clearing snow; ice has been a
problem with the extreme cold weather; and Fall Creek was beginning to clear up from the ice
jams though Cascadilla Creek was still full of ice.
Asst. Supt. Whitney reported averaging three water main breaks per week, in addition to one
each weekend. Alderperson Fleming asked what residents could be told to prevent frozen
pipes that cause water main breaks. Discussion followed regarding the number of breaks this
year compared to previous years.
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Regular Meeting
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the December 9, 2013, and January 27, 2014, Board of Public Works
Meeting Minutes - Resolution
By Commissioner Morache: Seconded by Commissioner Goldsmith
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the December 9, 2013, and January 27, 2014, Board of
Public Works Meeting Minutes be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
VOTING ITEMS:
Buildings, Properties, Refuse and Transit:
Award of Contracts for Ithaca Commons Repair and Upgrade – Contract 3B, Electrical –
Capital Project 724
By Commissioner Darling: Seconded by Commissioner Morache
WHEREAS, bids were received on February 6, 2014, for Ithaca Commons Repair and
Upgrade including general construction and electrical work, and
WHEREAS, Common Council established Capital Project 724 for Ithaca Commons Repair and
Upgrade, and
WHEREAS, Power and Construction Group, Inc., of 96 West River Road, PO Box 30,
Scottsville, New York, submitted the lowest qualified responsible bid for electrical work in the
amount of $1,393,041.50, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the contract for electrical work related to the Ithaca Commons Repair and
Upgrade is hereby awarded to Power and Construction Group, Inc. of Scottsville, New York for
their bid of $1,393,041.50, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor be and hereby is authorized to execute this contract, and that the
Superintendent of Public Works be and hereby is authorized to administer the same.
Director of Engineering West explained that staff was still reviewing the submitted bids for the
general construction contract, but they have a desire to award the electrical contract to keep
the project moving forward for completion by Thanksgiving 2014.
A Vote on the Resolution Resulted as Follows:
Carried Unanimously
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Appeal of Snow Removal Bill for 618 South Plain Street
Commissioner Jenkins stated she was inclined to reduce the bill for sidewalk clearing. Asst.
Supt. Benjamin expressed admiration for the neighbors looking out for each other; however,
the work was done by the city and should be billed.
Commissioner Morache noticed that significant snowfall occurred on December 15, 2013, but
the sidewalk wasn’t plowed until December 18th, which was plenty of time for the property
owners to clear the walks. Commissioner Acharya expressed his opinion that the city should
be stricter in enforcing the 24 hour rule for clearing sidewalks of snow and ice.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the work plan for the sidewalk snow plow
throughout the city, noting crews move around the city after each snow event.
Commissioner Goldsmith proposed that the bill be cut in half because the resident was 95
years old. He further said the rationale for reducing the bill amount might be to promote
helping neighbors.
The Board agreed to vote on a resolution containing a 50% reduction in the fee at the next
meeting.
House at 967 East State Street
Former Supt. Bill Gray joined the Board for the discussion of this item, and explained his
recommendation to purchase the property at 967 East State Street. He stated that plans for
during the construction of the new water plant were almost complete, and in order to continue
working, including necessary lab work, the house could also be utilized as a contractor office.
He stated a new entrance to the water plant could be created through this property after
construction was completed, or the property could be sold. He noted that two neighborhood
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Regular Meeting
meetings were held to inform residents of the options, and most residents on Water Street
would be happy with a new entrance to the water plant, though residents on East State Street
do not want the driveway on their street. If Board is willing to consider this option, staff should
notify the neighborhoods that the option would be discussed at a public meeting.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding notification of the residents, delaying the decision
about what to do with the house after construction is complete (i.e. demolition or sale), and that
only management would use the house during construction of the water plant.
City Attorney Lavine joined the Board.
Supt. Thorne noted that the list price of the property was approximately $200,000, but that
$400,000 was requested which would include construction of the property after the water plant
is complete.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the types of lab work that was required, and
whether the house would be an appropriate location and have the equipment necessary.
City Attorney Lavine stated that if the City does purchase the house and makes the decision to
demolish the house after the water plant was complete, a site plan review would need to be re-
opened for the water plant. Discussion followed on the floor regarding requirements for the
site plan and zoning.
Commissioner Morache expressed support with purchasing the house, contingent upon Board
of Zoning Appeals approval, and he would appreciate having information sessions for
residents along with public input. Former Supt. Gray noted that the use of the house would
replace 2-3 construction trailers that would have been rented during the construction of the
water plant. He further stated that the property would also be utilized as staff parking rather
than having staff park in the construction site.
Alderperson Cynthia Brock joined the Board for this discussion. She stated that the purchase
of the property could be an opportunity to create a new entrance to the water plant that would
be connected to a main road, noting that large deliver trucks currently have trouble turning
from East State Street onto Water Street then into the water plant driveway. However, there is
a feeling of loss of the stately homes on East State Street since Collegetown Terrace was
constructed. She noted that there are several gaps between the houses along East State
Street, so adding another large driveway would be an impact on the neighborhood.
Alderperson Fleming expressed mixed feelings about purchasing the property, noting that
adjacent residents are concerned about construction vehicles and deliver trucks coming and
going next door to them.
Asst. Supt. Whitney expressed concern about where staff and office space would be
maintained during construction due to safety issues.
Former Supt. Gray agreed to distribute a public notice for the next Board meeting to invite
public comment.
Asst. Supt. Whitney noted that if the house is purchased, he would like to replace the large
water and sewer mains that run through the property under the driveway. Asst. Supt.
Benjamin agreed and added that work on the storm drain was needed as well.
Dredging of Creeks after Ice Jam
Supt. Thorne provided an update about the ice jams from early January 2014. He stated that a
lot of the ice jams were caused because the creeks had not been dredged for a long time.
During a recent meeting with Jeanne Foley from New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation, he was provided guidelines to apply for permits to dredge Fall Creek and
Cascadilla Creek. He stated that staff would be working on obtaining the permits.
Sidewalk Program Update
Director of Engineering West explained the press release that was distributed regarding the
hiring of a Sidewalk Program Manager, which would be funded through program proceeds. He
stated the manager would work with residents to develop a work plan in each district. He
noted that a public meeting would be held after the next Board of Public Works meeting.
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Regular Meeting
Discussion followed on the floor regarding an appeals process for sidewalk assessments, not
necessarily just sidewalk credits. Former Supt. Gray recommended that the Board of Public
Works and Engineering should be responsible for building sidewalks, whereas Common
Council and the City Attorney should be responsible for appeals and assessments.
Asst. Supt. Whitney mentioned the driveway to the Cliff Park Water Tank that is owned by the
resident, but the City uses the driveway as an easement. He suggested the City pay the
assessment amount for the driveway. No Board member objected.
“Forever” Trash Tags
Commissioner Acharya began the discussion regarding whether the City should offer a longer
period of time for residents to use up old trash tags at the beginning of each year, create a
“forever” trash tag, or do nothing.
Asst. Supt. Benjamin responded that staff is not in favor of having a “forever” trash tag
because the cost of trash removal increases each year and there is a fear that residents will
stock up on tags. Commissioner Goldsmith stated that when he exchanged ten old tags for
nine new tags, more money was wasted in completing the tricky transaction than if he’d had
“forever” tags.
Commissioner Acharya suggested the Board wait to hear Mayor Myrick’s opinion about trash
tags. He and Commissioner Morache expressed support for a “forever” trash tag. The Board
agreed to bring this topic back for the next Board meeting.
New Business
BOHA Ithaca Police Historical Sign Dedication
Supt. Thorne explained that Police Chief John Barber requested that a sign be installed at a
location on West State Street/Martin Luther King Jr. Street where an Ithaca Police Officer lost
his life in the line of duty. He stated that a sign post would have to be installed at the location,
with a black and white sign approximately 2 feet by 2.5 feet. Commissioner Morache
expressed concern about cluttering up the right of way.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding using a sign as a memorial for a fallen officer. The
Board agreed the topic should be brought back for further discussion at the next Board
meeting.
Parking Update
This topic was not discussed
Food Truck letters
This topic was not discussed
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Kathrin D. Gehring Claudia Jenkins
Executive Assistant Vice-Chair