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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-03-14293 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 294 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. 295 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 29()' 4 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 Q 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 297 298 6 BPW Minutes 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 2919 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 ............... 3,467.39 300 8 BPW Minutes 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