HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1989-12-13247
-BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 PM December 13, 1989
PRESENT:
Mayor Gutenberger
Commissioners (5) - Cox, Sprague-,,Daley, Cannon, Reeves
OTHERS PRESENT:
Acting Supt. of Public Works - Fabbroni
City Engineer - Gray
Deputy City Clerk - Boyle
City Chamberlain - Parsons
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Assistant City Attorney - Beers - Schnock
Common Council Liaison - Nichols
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
co Mayor Gutenberger led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to
0 the American flag.
D APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Co By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Daley
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the November 29, 1989 Board of
Public Works meeting be tabled due to page 3 missing in several
sets of minutes.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Highway Items
Commissioner Sprague requested the addition of Item B - Hudson
Street Reconstruction - Resolution.
No Board member objected.
Parking and Traffic Items
Commissioner Daley requested the addition of substitute Item B -
Downtown Parking Garages - Resolution.
No Board member objected.
Water and Sewer Items
Commissioner Cox requested the addition of Item B - Amendment to
Waste Water Treatment Plant Equipment List - Resolution and Item
C - Amendment to Water Treatment Plant Budget - Resolution.
No Board member objected.
PETITIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Hudson Street Reconstruction
Susan Cummings, 2nd Ward Alderperson addressed the Board in
regards to the Hudson Street reconstruction project. ' Alderperson
Cummings expressed her thanks to the Board and the staff for all
of their hard work on this project. She feels there will still
be ongoing discussions on the subject of signalization and
traffic control for that area. Alderperson Cummings wanted to
confirm the fact that replacement trees as well as extra trees
were included in the Specs of this project. Acting Supt.
Fabbroni stated that there will be at least one for one
replacement of trees and possibly more if it is possible under
the budget constraints. Further discussion followed on the
possibility of experimenting with the new bare root technique
which is less expensive than regular tree planting.
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BPW Minutes
Dec. 13, 1989
Regulation of Daytime Parking Near Cornell University
Richard Booth and John Johnson, 3rd Ward Alderpersons along with
Sean Killeen, 4th Ward Alderperson addressed the Board in regard
to the serious parking problems that exist in their wards due to
all day commuter parking and long term parking along residential
streets near Cornell University. Alderperson Booth provided the
Board with a memorandum that outlined the problems as well as
offered some possible solutions to this situation. Alderpersons
Booth, Johnson and Killeen asked the Board to consider adopting a
parking scheme which would prohibit all day parking on virtually
all residential streets surrounding Cornell University
throughout most of the Third and Fourth Wards. Alderperson Booth
expressed the importance of having a comprehensive parking plan
in place by August of 1990 when Cornell will be starting a new
parking system which could possibly send an abundance of cars
onto already crowded City streets.
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY:
414 Spencer Street
Commissioner Reeves asked Asst. City Attorney Beers - Schnock if
any progress has been made on the 414 Spencer Street problem.
Attorney Beers - Shnock stated that she has nothing to report on
that subject at this time.
REPORT OF ACTING SUPERINTENDENT:
Appointments
Acting Superintendent Fabbroni reported that he has made the
following appointment:
Raymond Clark, to the position of Auto Mechanic Helper, at an
hourly rate of $6.63, effective December 4, 1989, and he asked
the Board's concurrence.
Resolution
By Commissioner Daley: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
RESOLVED, That the appointment presented by Acting Superintendent
Fabbroni be approved as presented.
Carried Unanimously
Cascadilla Creek
Work on the Cascadilla wall has begun on the west side of the
creek between Hancock and Madison Streets.
_Cass Park Maintenance Building
The Cass Park Maintenance building is expected to be completed by
January, 1990.
Stewart Park Restrooms
Work has started on the Stewart Park restrooms.
Seneca Street Parking Ramp
The City is looking into computerized equipment for the Seneca
Street Parking Ramp. Discussions hate been held with City
Controller Cafferillo in regards to financing this equipment.
Transit Facility
The transit facility is still on track and more information will
be available after the first of the year. The new facilities
will still require the purchase of the adjacent parcel of land.
1989 Budget
The Department of Public Works is out of funds for the remainder
of 1989.
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BPW Minutes
Dec. 13, 1989
Southside Community Center
The second entryway is almost finished. Fire improvements still
need to be completed in the kitchen and an architect needs to be
hired to finish the code study.
Hazard Communication Act .
OSHA has been through all of the city buildings this year and we
have satisfied most of the safety requirements. The last project
to be completed is setting up a Hazard Communication Act that
will provide information to all City employees regarding the
hazards in their workplaces.
REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER:
City Engineer Gray reported on the following:
Project Closeouts
Paperwork is being completed for various project closeouts such
as the bridge projects and the water tank painting project.
O Hudson Street Project
The Hudson Street project is progressing. Bids will be going out
tomorrow to be returned in late January.
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Q Fire Stations
The fire stations are progressing and things look good at this
point.
Water Plant Improvements
One contract is in and the other should be in shortly for
review. The bids for the electrical and pump improvements should
be going out within the next three weeks and the bids for the
physical and chemical handling improvements should be out within
a month and a half.
Sign Crews
The sign crews have been busy replacing many of the missing signs
throughout the City.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Discussions have been held with the County in regards to the
solids from the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
HIGHWAY ITEMS•
Sidewalks at 115 Brandon Place
Mrs. Van Loan approached the BPW about her sidewalk and curb at
115 Brandon Place. This sidewalk and curb is badly broken up and
in need of repair, and she is requesting compensation for repair
as she feels that trucks and City vehicles use this curb and this
resulted in the damage.
Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Daley
WHEREAS, The Board wishes to investigate this problem to reach a
mutual agreement between Mrs. Van Loan and the City; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to
investigate the curb and sidewalks at 115 Brandon Place, and be
it further
RESOLVED, That, if based on Staff's evidence, the damage to the
curb and sidewalk was the result of City vehicles, the City will
replace the curb and sidewalk.
Discussion followed with Acting Supt. Fabbroni mentioning that he
has talked with Henry Blake regarding this matter and it was his
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Dec. 13, 1989
impression that the sidewalk was not damaged by a City vehicle
but was in poor condition because it was old.
A vote on the resolution resulted.as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Hudson Street Reconstruction
Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Daley
1. WHEREAS, this Board of Public Works is considering
authorization to proceed with the reconstruction of Hudson
Street, a project which will rebuild the existing street
including, but not limited to, improvements to sub -base, base,
pavement, curb, storm sewer, pedestrian safety, motorist field of
vision, re- landscaping, and watermains principally within the
right -of -way, with minor exceptions.
2. This project is an Unlisted Action for which the Board of
Public Works has been legislatively determined to act as Lead
Agency for environmental review. The City Conservation Advisory
Council (CAC) is a responding interested agency whose input and
involvement have been included for coordinated review.
3. The Department of Public Works has recommended a negative
determination of environmental significance for this action.
Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works, acting as Lead Agency
in the environment review of this Unlisted Action, hereby does
make a negative determination of environmental significance of
the project as first described and mitigated in Parts I, II, and
III of the City SEQRA Long Form and subsequently further
mitigated by staff response to concerns of the City CAC and other
interested citizens.
Discussion followed*on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS:
Dryden Road Parking Garage
The Dryden Road Parking Garage has been in operation since May
18, 1987 with periodical reviews and minor modifications by the
Board of Public Works. Merchants and residents have recently
approached the Board with their concerns regarding this garage,
which, among these concerns were the lack of available parking
spaces, attendant's hours, and the lottery permit system.
Resolution
By Commissioner Daley: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
WHEREAS, the Board wishes to address these concerns while
maintaining an efficiently operated parking garage for both
long -term and short -term users; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works eliminates the first
hour of free parking and establishes a fee of $.50 per hour for
parking, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the hiring of
three (3) full -time parking lot attendants for daily 24 hour
operation on a temporary basis commencing February 1, 1990 and
ending May 31, 1990, and be it further
RESOLVED, That permit rates for the Dryden Road Parking Garage be
raised $10.00 on both day and night permits, from $35.00 a month
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Dec. 13, 1989
to $45.00 for day permits, and from $25.00 a month to $35.00 for
night permits, and be it further
RESOLVED, That parking 'meter rates be increased to $.50 an hour
in the immediate Collegetown area and to $.50 for two hours at
the Qutlying Collegetown meters, and be it further
RESOLVED, That these chdnges take effect on January 1, 1990,
unless otherwise specified above, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the parking lot attendants be directed to pass out
hand -outs outlining these changes to all vehicles exiting the
garage.
Discussion followed on„ the floor regarding merchant
participation. Commissioner Reeves and Acting Superintendent
(� Fabbroni stated that the Collegetown merchants are aware of these
0 changes.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
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Q
Downtown Parking Garages
The Board of Public Works have spent a great deal of time
reviewing parking rates in the Downtown area. One of the results
from a parking study done by Rich and Associates was the need to
increase parking rates in the Central Business District.
Resolution
By Commissioner Daley: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
WHEREAS, the demand for parking in the City is a growing problem,
and
WHEREAS, in keeping with plans for additional parking facilities,
the rates for the existing downtown parking garages need to be
increased to satisfy operation and maintenance costs as well as
to satisfy overall City revenue demands; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works eliminates the first
hour of free parking in all City -owned parking garages, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That all parking meter rates be raised to $.50 per hour
in the immediate business district, and to $.50 for two hours in
the secondary areas, and be it further
RESOLVED, That parking permit rates be raised by $5.50 in all
downtown parking ramps, from $12.50 a month to $18.00, with the
exception of Seneca Street under cover which shall be increased
by $10.00 from $20.00 a month to $30.00, and be it further
RESOLVED, That these modifications and increases take effect
January 1, 1990, and be it further
RESOLVED, That parking lot attendants be directed to pass out
hand -outs outlining these changes to all vehicles exiting the
ramps.
Carried Unanimously
WATER AND SEWER ITEMS:
Expungement of Sewer Portion of Water and Sewer Bill
A request was received from Mrs. Stella Mari.nos, owner of the
property located at 108 Hudson Street. The high sewer bill was
the result of a faulty hot water heater which caused the water to
empty onto the dirt basement instead of entering into the city
sewer system.
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Dec. 13, 1989
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
WHEREAS, this high water and sewer bill was due to a faulty hot
water heater and this water did not enter the City sewer; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works expunges the sewer
portion of the water and sewer bill for 108 Hudson Street based
on previous usage, resulting in a total expungement of $183.60
not including late penalties.
Carried Unanimously
Amendment to Waste Water Treatment Plant Equipment List
The Chief Operator has requested that the SJS amend the 1989
Equipment List to include a hydraulic gear puller for use in
plant equipment maintenance. The SJS agreed and forwarded the
request to the BPW for action.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works requests that the 1989
equipment list for the Waste Water Treatment Plant be amended to
include a set of hydraulic pullers- at a cost not to exceed
$1,900.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Amendment to Water Treatment Plant Budget
The City Engineer has been approached on several occasions by
Herb McCall, P.E., for payment of "additional services" rendered
while doing design for the Water Treatment Plant Upgrade.
Because of the lack of a Chief Operator at the plant, the
complexity and age of the plant systems, the changing state and
federal regulations, and the easy availability of Mr. McCall at
the Water Plant he was involved in several plant operational
matters. After numerous discussions, Mr. Gray agreed to
recommend a payment of $20,000 to reflect emergency and
additional work done for daily plant operations. The source of
those funds would be unexpended monies in the plant staff line.
Other payments for additional services, if any, will be made only
as those items are incorporated in the project as change orders
or a change in scope of the project.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Daley
WHEREAS, the City has received additional services from Herb
McCall, P.E. related to the day to day operations of the Water
Treatment Plant, and
WHEREAS, this matter has been reviewed by the City Engineer and
he has recommended a payment of $20,000.; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the Budget
and Administration Committee amend the 1989 budget to increase
line F 8330 -435 by $20,000. for. this payment and reduce line F
8330 -110 by $20,000. to offset trhe payment.
City Engineer Gray explained the resolution further. Discussion
followed on the floor.
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Dec. 13, 1989
Referral Resolution
By Commissioner Daley: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works refer this resolution to
the Committee of the Whole with power to act.
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Audit Report
Resolution
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Daley
RESOLVED, That bills on the following Abstract be approved for
payment:
Abstract #23
General Fund ... ..............................$ 66,600.48
Water and Sewer Fund.. 10,663.90
OJoint Activity Fund .......................... 8,358.76
Capital Projects ............................. 408,696.57
and be it further
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Q RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered.
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
Mayor -Elect Nichols stated that he will be requesting that the
Parks Commission that was originally formed in April of 1988 be
revived. This Commission would include one member of the Board
of Public Works as well as one member of the Department of Public
Works. He asked for the Board's support.
Commissioner Reeves asked
vacant seats on the Board
that his nominations will
stated that he has made up
to join the various Boards
in the City Clerk's office.
Mr. Nichols about the status of the
of Public Works. Mr. Nichols stated
be made January 1, 1990. He also
application forms for people that want
and Commissions and they are available
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board of Public Works will be meeting for a quick session on
December 27, 1989.
ADJOURNMENT .
On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 pm.
Julie C. Boyle J n C. Gutenberger
Deputy City Clerk ayor