HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-08-300
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-BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. August 30, 1989
PRESENT: Commissioners (5) - Reeves, Sprague, Cox, Cannon, Daley
ABSENT: Mayor Gutenberger (excused)
In the absence of the .,,Mayor Commissioner Reeves chaired the
meeting.
OTHERS PRESENT:
Acting Deputy City Clerk - Holcomb
Asst. City Attorney - Beers - Schnock
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Purchasing Agent - Clynes
Common Council Liaison - Nichols
City Engineer -Gray
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Vice Chair Reeves led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to
the American Flag.
MINUTES:
Approval of the Minutes of the July 26, 1989 Board of Public
Works Meeting
Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the July 26, 1989 Board of Public
Works meeting be approved as published.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (4) - Reeves, Sprague, Cannon, Cox
Abstained (1) - Daley
Carried
Approval of the Minutes of the August 16, 1989 Board of Public
Works Meeting
The approval of the August 16, 1989 Board of Public Works Meeting
was postponed until the September 13, 1989 meeting.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Highway Items
Commissioner Sprague requested the addition of Item 13C - Award
of Contract for Granite Curbing - Resolution.
No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:
Mayor Gutenberger requested Vice Chair Reeves to convey to the
Board that due to other unexpected time commitments, Joseph Spano
will not be able to serve on the Board of Public Works.
REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER:
City Engineer Gray reported on the following:
Mitchell Street
The curbing is about 70 per cent completed today (August 30,
1989) and the remainder should be finished tomorrow. The street
should be completed and back in service shortly after Labor Day.
Hillview Place
The setting of curbs and laying of the gravel base has resumed on
Hillview Place and the curbing will start soon.
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BPW Minutes
August 30, 1989
Willard Way
The Department of Public Works will start working on Willard Way
as soon as the crews have completed Mitchell Street and Hillview
Place.
Tree Removal and Pool Closing
The Department of Public Works is working on tree removal and
are preparing to close Cass Park Pool this week.
Water Tanks
The contractor has finished his work on the water tanks.
The Maple Avenue tank is.now in the process of being filled with
water.
Quarry Street Retaining Wall
The stone facing on the Quarry Street retaining wall is in
progress at this time. The masonry work is slow work and will
continue for approximately one month.
Stewart Avenue Bridge
The Stewart Avenue Bridge project is proceeding and the
contractor is on schedule. The sub - structure work is nearly
completed and the deck grating should start in about another
week. '
Fire Stations
There are serious problems with underground utilities at the
South Hill site. Most of the underground utilities will need to
be re -laid.
Lake Street
Lake Street has a lot of private work in progress which has had
an impact on our public work. We are trying to adjust grades and
coordinate some proposed work with some of the private
contractors. A meeting has been scheduled for next week to look
into some coordinated work. The City is working on sidewalks
near the area of Gun Shop Hill.
BUILDINGS AND PROPERTIES ITEMS:
Department of Public Works Operations Report
The Board of Public Works received a report from former
Superintendent Dougherty and Acting Superintendent Fabbroni
outlining the concept for consolidation of Department of Public
Works functions.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed this report and found that the
Department functions need a centralized location to avoid
duplication of activities and to serve the public more
efficiently, and
WHEREAS, many Department functions are located in City Hall which
could better perform their activities from a central public works
facility, and
WHEREAS, the relocation of these functions would permit more
available storage space to other City departments at City Hall;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works endorses the concept
submitted by the former Superintendent and Acting Superintendent
for consolidation of the Department of Public Works functions.
Carried Unanimously
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BPW Minutes
August 30, 1989
HIGHWAY ITEMS:
License Fees Review
The Board of Public Works reviewed a proposal from the City
Engineer requesting the establishment of a minimum fee for
license and encroachment agreements.
Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
WHEREAS, after reviewing this proposal, the Board agreed that
staff research time is usually far greater than the cost of the
agreement for the private property owner based on current
estimates; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works agrees that all license
and encroachment fees should have a minimum annual charge of
$50.00, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works- respectfully requests
that Chapter 33 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code reflect the
changes outlined above, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the City Clerk
to send a copy of this resolution to the Charter and Ordinance
Committee for review with a note that there seems to be a
contradiction in the wording.
Assistant City Attorney Beers - Schnock explained that the Board of
Public Works has consistently issued building encroachment
agreements. She stated that Chapter 33, with respect to the
encroachment permits, has been interpreted to mean permits as
opposed to revokable agreements or encroachments involving
property rights between the City and the property owner. The
Building Commissioner issues permits for marquees, canopies, or
more temporary types of structures or signage on the property.
Vice Chair Reeves stated that as
on this matter, since there is not
should we refer this to the Board
the Whole for discussion or should
Ordinance Committee.
Discussion followed on the floor.
far as procedure is concerned
that wording in the Charter,
of Public Works Committee of
it go only to the Charter and
Commissioner Daley stated that he thinks that the intent of the
Board of Public Works is clear and that it is now up to Charter
and Ordinance Committee to review and clarify with proper
language.
Vice Chair Reeves stated that in the Charter, permits are defined
but agreements are not. She will send a letter along with the
resolution asking for a definition of permits, agreements, and
who shall be responsible for their approval.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (4) - Reeves, Sprague, Cox, Daley
(Cannon out of room)
Carried
Encroachment Request at 414 Spencer Road
A request was received from J. Frederick and Julia M. Welling of
Houston, Texas, property owners of 414 Spencer Road for an
encroachment agreement at that same address.
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4 BPW Minutes
August 30, 1989
Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Daley
WHEREAS, after reviewing this request, the Board decided that the
building proper should be permitted as an encroachment agreement,
and the overhanging roof and drive - through should be granted
through a license agreement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants an encroachment
for the building proper and a license agreement for the
overhanging roof and drive - through according to usual terms, and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board requests that prior to any revocation to
the above agreements, the Landmarks Preservation Commission be
given the opportunity to review such agreements, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the
necessary documents on behalf of the City.
Vice Chair Reeves explained that this property is on the corner
of Spencer and Meadow Streets and that the drive - through overhang
is on City property. City Engineer Gray suggested that the Board
of Public Works do a license agreement.
Commissioner Cannon asked the Board if the reason for an
encroachment agreement was that the owners were going to dispose
of the property.
Asst. City Attorney Beers - Schnock explained that this was the
usual form request from an attorney and explained that the
property was subject to a purchase offer at this time.
Commissioner Daley reported that this property does have some
historical value due to the stone pillars. The Landmarks
Preservation Commission wanted to make sure that they would have
some opportunity to comment.
Asst. City Attorney Beers - Schnock asked if it was the intent of
the Committee of the Whole to bind the City and the property
owners by this resolution, or was the intent to make it just a
recommendation for consideration or is it intended to make it a
condition of the agreement.
Commissioner Sprague answered that he would hope that it would be
just a consideration and not contingent.
Commissioner Daley said that it would-be binding only on the City
not on the property.
Commissioner Sprague stated that he does not understand the
meaning of the way it is worded in regard to any revocation of
the above agreements.
Commissioner Daley responded that the Board can revoke a license
if in the opinion of the Board that that space that is now an
encroachment is necessary for widening the street or some other
necessary improvements to the intersection. We can revoke a
license but we cannot revoke an emcroachme,nt, which is the reason
for having a license rather than an encroachment. Commissioner
Daley wanted the Landmarks Preservation Commission to at least
review it to make sure that in that process we didn't just decide
to remove some structure that might have some historical merit to
it. We can't control what the owner does, only whether the City
decides to tear it down.
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August 30, 1989
City Engineer Gray asked if it would be cleaner if you leave that
out and just request that the property be reviewed by the
Landmarks Commission for its consideration if that's what you are
concerned about.
_Award of Contract for Granite Curbing
Bids were received on August 30, 1989 for furnishing granite
curbing as shown on the bid sheet.
Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Daley
RESOLVED, That the contract for furnishing granite curbing be
awarded to Syrstone Inc., of North Syracuse, for their low bid
per unit prices.
Carried Unanimously
PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS:
Octopus Signal Light
The Board of Public Works received a memo from Alderperson
Peterson urging signalization improvement at the Octopus.
Resolution
By Commissioner Daley: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
WHEREAS, the Board received input from the Traffic Engineer
regarding the present traffic signal and noted that any traffic
device installed would be on an interim basis before actual New
York State Department of Transportation improvements are enacted,
and
WHEREAS, the DoT has offered the City assistance in improving
signalization at the Octopus to refine the existing traffic flow;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works supports the concept
of improving existing traffic flow at the Octopus and directs
staff to contact the DoT for suggestions on doing so.
Carried Unanimously
WATER AND SEWER ITEMS:
Sludge Disposal Agreement
The Special Joint Sub - Committee met on August 22, 1989 and
discussed sludge disposal concerns with Tompkins County Solid
Waste staff.
Further discussion followed on the
floor.
Commissioner Cox stated" that he
certainly would not
want to
saddle the owner with any obligations to chase around
with the
Landmarks Preservation Commission
if the owner wanted to
tear the
porch or that overhang down.
Common Council Liaison Nichols stated that the owner is asking
for the encroachment because it
is on City property.
If he
wants to tear it down them he
presumably no longer
needs an
encroachment.
O
Commissioner Cox stated that the
owners are going to
sell the
property, this is just cleaning up
some legalities.
7
Co
A vote on the resolution resulted
as follows:
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Carried Unanimously
_Award of Contract for Granite Curbing
Bids were received on August 30, 1989 for furnishing granite
curbing as shown on the bid sheet.
Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Daley
RESOLVED, That the contract for furnishing granite curbing be
awarded to Syrstone Inc., of North Syracuse, for their low bid
per unit prices.
Carried Unanimously
PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS:
Octopus Signal Light
The Board of Public Works received a memo from Alderperson
Peterson urging signalization improvement at the Octopus.
Resolution
By Commissioner Daley: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
WHEREAS, the Board received input from the Traffic Engineer
regarding the present traffic signal and noted that any traffic
device installed would be on an interim basis before actual New
York State Department of Transportation improvements are enacted,
and
WHEREAS, the DoT has offered the City assistance in improving
signalization at the Octopus to refine the existing traffic flow;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works supports the concept
of improving existing traffic flow at the Octopus and directs
staff to contact the DoT for suggestions on doing so.
Carried Unanimously
WATER AND SEWER ITEMS:
Sludge Disposal Agreement
The Special Joint Sub - Committee met on August 22, 1989 and
discussed sludge disposal concerns with Tompkins County Solid
Waste staff.
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6 BPW Minutes
August 30, 1989
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
WHEREAS, the SJS has recommended that they join with the County
to appeal to New York State concerning a recent ruling that
declares sewage treatment plant sludge a non - recyclable material,
and
WHEREAS, the SJS requests that the County consider exempting and
giving a waiver to the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility
concerning the recently enacted tipping charge, and
WHEREAS, City staff and the County Solid Waste staff can arrive
at an agreement concerning leachate from Caswell Road hauled to
the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility, thus possibly
lowering the charges based on individual load strengths; now
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works concurs with and
endorses the Special Joint Sub - Committee's recommendations
resulting from their meeting on August 22,.1989.
City Engineer Gray stated that there is a request before the
County's Public Works Committee on September 8, 1989 to raise
the question about whether sewage sludge is a recyclable profit.
The County Solid Waste Acts all along basically regarded that
this is something that should be recyclable. There is included
in the resolution that the County Board passed, a $40 tipping fee
for next year. There is a waiver for recyclable materials but
the County, to date, does not consider sewage sludge to be
recyclable. Their request in here for the exemption, is that
they are asking that the County consider sewage sludge to be
recyclable and if they do that then we ,would be exempt from
paying the $40 tipping fee. In the process of discussing monies
that we would pay them, the discussion of leachate came up. The
Caswell Road facility has leachate coming in and it is a very
mild to a weak sewage. We agreed that we would make that
determination. The agreement was just based on its strength and
we should make the determination and charge them accordingly.
The dollars that they will save won't begin to reflect what we'll
end up paying for the disposal of sewage sludge. It is not a
one - for -one trade.
Commissioner Cox remarked that he is having trouble understanding
why the County would waive tipping fees on recyclable material.
If it is recyclable why is it going to the landfill.
City Engineer Gray responded that if recyclable materials
arrived that was separated from other materials, it would not go
into their landfill - -it will be recycled. That is not clear in
their resolution but he inferred that from the way it was
written. City Engineer Gray said there is a resolution that was
passed by the County in 1982 and another one in 1986 or 1987 when
the City agreed to build the septage facility to handle
Countywide septage, including leachate. The County agreed to be
the lead agent in the resolution of sludge disposal as a
Countywide matter. The problem for the SJS and the City as a 70%
bill payer is that the bills for disposing of sewage sludge" are
going to come due long before the County gets around to resolving
this matter. The County has their hands full sighting the
landfill, getting through the baling station, and just
recycling.
Further discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
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August 30, 1989
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Audit Report_
Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Daley
RESOLVED, That bills listed below on the following Abstract be
approved for payment:
Abstract #16
General Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 82,208.02
Water and Sewer Fund. . . . . . . . . . $ 7,464.28
Joint Activity Fund .. . . . . . . . . . $ 15,597.33
Capital Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . $370,160.62
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
C� " �-
Connie J. Holcomb Ti Reeves, Chairman
Acting Deputy Clerk
and be it
further
0
RESOLVED,
That bills
receivable be approved and
rendered.
Carried
Unanimously
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Commissioner Reeves
announced that she will
be away until
Q
September
20, 1989
and Commissioner Daley
will chair the
Committee
of the Whole Meeting on September
6, 1989 in her
absence.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
C� " �-
Connie J. Holcomb Ti Reeves, Chairman
Acting Deputy Clerk