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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 pm. March 14, 1990
PRESENT:
Mayer Nichols
Commissioners (6) - Cox,:.Sprague, Reeves, Cannon, Berg, Connor
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works - Thadani
Asst. Superintendent of Public Works - Fabbroni
City Engineer - Gray
City Attorney - Guttman
Deputy City Clerk - Boyle
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
(� Alderperson Daley
Alderperson Golder
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance m
g to the
American Flag.
Q
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of Minutes of the February 14 1990 Board of Public
Works Meeting
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Connor
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the February 14, 1990 Board of
Public Works meeting be approved as published.
_Approval of Minutes of
Works Meeting
By Commissioner Sprague:
RESOLVED, That the mint
Public Works meeting be
Paul Tess which should
paragraph.
Carried Unanimously
the February 28, 1990 Board of Public
Seconded by Commissioner Cox
rtes of the February 28, 1990 Board of
approved with a correction to the name
read Paul Testa on page 3 in the 1st
Carried Unanimously
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Neil Golder, 4th Ward Alderperson, addressed the Board regarding
the Dryden Road parking garage. Alderperson Golder stated that
he has been contacted by the Pastor of the Lutheran Church on Oak
Avenue who is concerned because the attendance at his Church is
being affected by the parking fees charged on Sundays in the
Dryden Road garage. Alderperson Golder commented that he has
heard that the Church may haves nl any +-r. + ,a.,.._ �� _ ,___ .
next to the Church to install
consider moving. Alderperson
the effects of the 24 hour pa:
parking and also the revenues
suggested that the garage not
1:00 pm to allow people to atte
Fabbroni stated that the 24 h
term parking and that revenues
also mentioned that this is a
fees until the end of May. C
and seconded by Commissioner C
the Committee of the Whole for
a parking lot or the Church may
folder asked the Board to research
-king fees in regards to long -term
generated from Sunday parking. He
charge on Sundays from 8:30 am to
nd services. Asst. Superintendent
r parking fees are reducing long -
have significantly increased. He
:rial period for the 24 hr parking
i a motion by Commissioner Cannon
onnor this matter was referred to
further discuss;nn_
Yarrow Nelson of the Ithaca Bicycle Planning Commission addressed
the Board regarding the Hudson Street bicycle path. Mr. Nelson
summarized his memo of March 13, 1990. Discussion followed with
Mayor Nichols notifying Mr. Nelson of the forthcoming resolution
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2 BPW Minutes
March 14, 1990
regarding this matter. Further discussion was deferred until the
bicycle path resolution was presented.
Joseph Daley, 2nd Ward Alderperson addressed the Board regarding
a traffic enforcement officer. Alderperson Daley proposed that
the City hire an additional police officer to work only with
traffic enforcement. He suggested using the revenue that this
would produce to pay the officer's salary. Alderperson Daley
will be presenting his proposal to the Human Services Committee
and would like the Board to submit a resolution supporting it.
Mayor Nichols suggested that this matter also be referred to the
Police Commissioners Board. On a motion by Commissioner Reeves
and seconded by Commissioner Berg this matter was referred to the
Committee of the Whole. Chief McEwen will be notified of this
agenda item.
REPORT OF CITY CLERK
Deputy City Clerk Boyle asked the Board members if they would
prefer having the Board of Public Works minutes mailed directly
to their houses. The Commissioners stated that this would be
easier for them.
Deputy City Clerk Boyle also requested that the Commissioners
be careful about moving the desks around in the Common Council
Chambers because of the recent problems with the sound equipment
and also asked that they spread the word to the people on other
committees they may serve on.
Deputy City Clerk Boyle suggested that speakers before the Board
fill out name and address cards as speakers do when they address
Common Council.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT:
Superintendent of Public Works Thadani reported on the following:
Letter of Resignation - Larry Fabbroni
Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni has submitted his letter of
resignation which becomes effective April 4, 1990. Larry has
accepted a job with Cornell University and everyone wishes him
well in his future endeavors.
Superintendent Thadani will be performing both his and the Asst.
Superintendent's duties until a replacement is hired.
Court Facilities
The report on the Court facilities was received this afternoon
and will be given to Common Council with the Board's
recommendation before their March 28, 1990 special meeting.
Northside Consolidation
The contract for the consolidation of the DPW facilities is being
prepared now and will be completed in 3 - 4 weeks.
City Hall Telephone System
Specifications are being prepared for the new telephone system
for City Hall. All -Mode has made a presentation of the
capabilities of their equipment.
GIAC Asbestos Removal
A letter has been sent to Diane Sams of GIAC confirming that the
asbestos removal will be completed before their summer programs
begin.
Simeons Restaurant
A resolution will be forthcoming to the Board requesting approval
for the sale of alcohol on the Commons for Simeon's restaurant.
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BPW.Minutes
March 14, 1990
3rd & 4th Ward Parking Study
Discussions are starting on the 3rd & 4th ward parking problems.
A Committee has been formed including Alderpersons Johnson and
Booth and BPW Commissioners Cox, Berg and Reeves.
Catch Basin Stencilling
The Department of Public Works will be providing stencils, paint
and "brushes for area school children, in conjunction with the
Conservation Advisory Copncil, to stencil "No Dumping" signs on
the City's catch basins.
REPORT OF ASST. SUPERINTENDENT:
Asst. Superintendent of Public Works Fabbroni reported on the
following:
Cascadilla Wall
CO Work is slowly proceeding on the Cascadilla Wall. Work has been
O hampered due to the unpredictable weather.
Stewart Park
The restrooms at Stewart Park are completed.
CO
Q Cass Park Maintenance Facility
Work on the office space has been completed.
Night Crews
The night crew will return to day shifts next week.
Trash Tags
Approximately 85 - 90% of City residents are complying with the
new trash system. There appears to be more recyclable materials
out and less trash to pick up. There have been some problem
spots including the Collegetown area. Enforcement issues still
need to be worked out with the County.
Signalization
Work on the signalization study is progressing. This study is
intended to help the City upgrade the traffic signals in the
central business district.
Meadow Street
The contractor who is widening Meadow Street for Wegmans and Tops
may consider extending his work down to Clinton Street as long as
the City provides the materials. City Engineer Gray, Asst.
Superintendent Fabbroni and the contractor will be meeting at a
future date to discuss this matter further.
Youth Bureau Building
Work has started on the Youth Bureau building. Dropped ceilings
are being installed in the office spaces to reduce sound effects
caused by the building structure.
Hazardous Communications
The hazardous communications study is proceeding. The consultant
has met with the Water and Sewer Department. The study will
conclude with an update to our hazardous communications plan and
will also include basic safety training for our employees.
Stewart Park Willows
Willow tree plantings will begin shortly.
Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni thanked the Board for their good
wishes and their encouragement over the years.
Commissioner Connor asked Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni if
progress has been made regarding the City producing garbage tags
for single person households. She stated that the County was not
planning on addressing this until June and wondered if the City
could move on it now. Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni stated that
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BPW Minutes
March 14, 1990
he was not aware of any reasons that the City could not start
researching this now. Commissioner Cannon stated that it was on
the Committee of the Whole agenda for next week.
Commissioner Connor asked Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni if the
Board had given approval for the Meadow Street project. He
responded that it was funded from the operating budget which did
not require Board approval but also stated that this project has
been discussed for approximately 10 years now and has received
Mayoral approval in past administrations.
REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER:
City Engineer Gray reported on the following:
Thurston Avenue Bridge
The documents are in the process of being printed. The project
will go out to bid on March 191 1990 with bids due back April 19,
1990. Construction is scheduled to start on June 11, 1990.
Watertank
Documents are being prepared for the Cornell Street and Oakwood
Avenue watertank projects.
Hudson Street
The documents have been signed. - NYSEG should begin working on
March 19, 1990 and the contractors should start that week also.
Elm Tree Lawsuit
The City is going to court regarding a 1985 claim that the City
created a hazardous condition by cutting down a dead Elm tree and
allowing the roots to rot under a sidewalk which caused the
sidewalk to settle. Tom West will be representing the Engineer's
Office.
Fire Stations
Work on the Fire Stations is 90% complete. The exterior work
will begin shortly.
309 Buffalo Street
Frank Gombas and City Engineer Gray have looked at the 309
Buffalo Street parking problem. It appears that people are
stopping in front of the driveways to drop their children off for
school thereby blocking the driveways. Traffic Engineer Gombas
feels that "No Parking" signs would be redundant since people
know they are not allowed to park in front of driveways anyway.
The traffic police have been notified of the situation and will
be checking on it.
City Engineer Gray stated that he will provide the Board members
with a copy of a memo he received from Tom West regarding the
Banfield sidewalk issue.
In conjunction with the local Earth' Day celebration, the
Conservation Advisory Council is planning to paint stencilled
messages on City storm sewers advising people not to dump toxic
waste into them. This work will be a community effort, enlisting
the help of local school children.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is supportive of the efforts
of the Conservation Advisory Council to undertake the project of
stencilling City storm sewers; now, therefore, be it
O
m
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5 BPW Minutes
March 14, 1990
RESOLVED, That the Board directs the Department of Public Works
to furnish all necessary material needed for completion of this
project.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
RESOLVED, That the last resolved read as follows:
RESOLVED, That the Board directs the Department of Public Works
to furnish all necessary material up to $100. in value needed for
completion of this project.
A vote on the Amending Resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes: (3) Sprague, Cox, Cannon
Nays: (3) Reeves, Berg, Connor
Mayor Nichols voted Nay breaking the
A vote on the Main Motion resulted as follows:
Ayes: (6) Sprague,
Nichols
Nays: (1) Reeves
HIGHWAY ITEMS•
Elm Street Reconstruction
tie.
Motion Fails
Cox, Cannon, Berg, Connor, Mayor
Carried
Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works and staff have met with
residents of Elm Street and have decided that the Elm Street
Reconstruction project needs further engineering evaluation and
project coordination; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Elm Street Reconstruction Project be
indefinitely postponed and not included in the Department's
overall schedule for projects in 1990.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Connor
RESOLVED, That the last Resolved read as follows:
"RESOLVED, That the Elm Street Reconstruction Project be
postponed, a decision reached by September 1, 1990 and the
reconstruction project be included in the Department's overall
schedule for projects in 1991."
Carried Unanimously
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Berg: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon
RESOLVED, That the first Whereas read as follows:
"WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works and staff have met with
residents of Elm Street and have decided that the Elm Street
Reconstruction project needs further engineering evaluation and
project coordination including soliciting participation from
residents of the Elm Street neighborhood"
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion as Amended
A vote on the resolution as amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
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March 14, 1990
Hudson Street Bicycle Path
Resolution
By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
WHEREAS, the needs of the bicycling public are accommodated by
the general scope, of work included in the Hudson Street
Reconstruction Project, and
WHEREAS, maintaining parking and providing a separate bicycle
lane would result in wider paving than the intended 30 foot wide
pavement, and
WHEREAS, this would adversely effect the neighborhood, the
environment and the budget; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Reconstruction of Hudson Street shall proceed
as shown on the drawings prepared by John S. MacNeill, Consulting
Engineer, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That parking be removed from Hudson Street south of
Hillview Place and the road striped for a designated bicycle lane
on the west side providing a Class II bicycle route for uphill
riders only, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works respectfully requests
the Planning and Development Department prepare an overall
policy regarding bicycle lanes for use in future projects.
Discussion followed on the floor. Commissioner Cannon asked that
wording be added to state that the City Engineer has recommended
that the crown be maintained in the center of the road so that
the center line will not be on the crown but will be moved over a
little. After further discussion, it was decided that the
wording was already included with the statement "as shown on the
drawings."
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Nichols left the meeting at 5:15 pm. In his absence
Commissioner Reeves chaired the rest of the meeting.
CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS ITEMS:
Mowing Policy for Festival Lands
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Berg
WHEREAS, many field bird species are declining throughout the
Northeast, and
WHEREAS, the meadow area of the Festival Lands is a critical
resting, nesting, and feeding area for resident as well as
migrating field birds, including some rare species, and
WHEREAS, Ithaca has a large and growing population of bird
watchers who enjoy birding in this area, considered a "birding
hot spot ", and
WHEREAS, according to lepidopterist and naturalist Robert Dirig,
the Festival Lands are an important collector point for many
species of migrating butterflies, and
I
WHEREAS, the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology recommends that
mowing of this field area be done no more than once a year, such
mowing to be between July 16 and September 1, and
WHEREAS, Finger Lakes State Parks personnel has for some years
mowed the Festival Lands as a favor to the City; now, therefore,
be it
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7 BPW Minutes
March 14, 1990
RESOLVED, That the Department of Public Works establish a mowing
policy that is in accordance with the Laboratory of Ornithology's
recommendations, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Department of Public Works inform the Regional
Office of Finger Lakes'State Park's of the new mowing policy, and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That the operators of the mowers be directed not to
enlarge the lawn area by encroaching into the meadow area.
Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution
resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Award of Contract for Ithaca Industrial Park
Co Resolution
O By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon
WHEREAS, bids were received on March 7, 1990 for the construction
of the Ithaca Industrial Park; now, therefore, be it
CC RESOLVED, That the contract for Ithaca Industrial Park
Q construction be awarded to Rizzo Construction for their low bid
of $356,467. as recommended by Peter Novelli and Associates,
Consulting Engineers following their review, contingent on the
acquisition of the necessary permits and right -of -way for the
project.
Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution
resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
WATER AND SEWER ITEMS:
Expungement of Late Penalty on Water & Sewer Bill
A request was received from Nancy Avery of the Home Dairy for
expungement of the late penalty of $76.86 from the water and
sewer bill at that location. The due date on the bill was
February 15, 1990, and Mrs. Avery made the payment on February
16, 1990, thinking this was equivalent to a postmark dated
February 15, 1990.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
WHEREAS, there is no legal requirement mandating the
Chamberlain's Office to accept postmarks as payment date; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works, with the recommendation
of the City Chamberlain, denies the request from Nancy Avery of
the Home Dairy for expungement of the late penalty of $76.86 from
her water and sewer bill.
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Audit Report
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved
for payment:
Abstract #5
General Fund .......................$ 58,999.78
Water and Sewer Fund ............... 3,467.39
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March 14, 1990
Joint Activity Fund ................ 39,848.55
Capital Projects ................... 1331704.02
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered.
Carried Unanimously
Community Dispute Resolution Center
The Board of Public Works has met with Judy Saul, Director of the
Community Dispute Resolution Center. Ms. Saul explained her
agencies' services and has offered the Department of Public Works
the opportunity to use her agency at no cost for one service.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is supportive of the Community
Dispute Resolution Center and the fine work it has done to
resolve issues in the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works graciously accepts the
offer from the Community Dispute Resolution Center for one free
introductory service to aid the Department of Public Works in a
future matter that necessitates the involvement of a neutral
third party to help resolve that matter in a satisfactory manner
to both the Department and the other party.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes: (5) Connor, Cox, Berg, Sprague, Reeves
Abstentions: (1) Cannon (conflict of interest)
Carried
REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS:
Commissioner Connor reported that the Conservation Advisory
Council is interested in obtaining information regarding the
signalization study.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Commissioner Cannon reported that the Downtown Ithaca Business
Association is considering reimbursing the City $40,000. for
restoring the one hour of free parking in the parking garages.
Discussions are still ongoing at this point.
Commissioner Cannon also stated
the golf course issue discussed
of the Whole meeting.
that he will have an update on
last week at the next Committee
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 5:40 pm.
C:
Julie C. Boyle
Deputy City Clerk
Benjamin ichols
Mayor