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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. 248 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. 249 N 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. m 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 250 4 BPW Minutes 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 251 5 BPW Minutes 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 m 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. 252 6 BPW Minutes 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 $20,000. to offset trhe payment. City Engineer Gray explained the resolution further. Discussion followed on the floor. 253 7 BPW Minutes Dec. 13, 1989 Referral Resolution By Commissioner Daley: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works refer this resolution to the Committee of the Whole with power to act. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Audit Report Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Daley RESOLVED, That bills on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract #23 General Fund ... ..............................$ 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 m 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