HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-04-11313
'BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 pm April 11, 1990
PRESENT: -
Mayor Nichols
Commissioners (5) Connor, Reeves, Berg, Cox, Sprague
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works - Thadani
Acting Asst. Superintendent - Carpenter
City Attorney - Guttman
Deputy City Clerk - Boyle
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Police Chief - McEwen
Structural Engineer - Laguette
(y) Working Supervisor - Sharpstein
O ABSENT:
Commissioner Cannon
Common Council Liaison Blanchard
M City Engineer Gray
cZ
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American Flag.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of Minutes of the March 28, 1990 Board of Public Works
Meeting
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Connor
RESOLVED, That approval of the Minutes of the March 28, 1990
Board of Public Works meeting be postponed until April 25, 1990.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Creeks, Bridges & Parks Items
Commissioner Cox requested the addition of Item C - Ithaca
Industrial Park Proposal for Engineering Services during
Construction - Resolution.
No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE BOARD:
Commissioner Berg entered into the record a letter received from
Rev. Rick L. Bair, Pastor of The Lutheran Church, 109 Oak Avenue,
Ithaca, New York.
Dear Members of the Board of Public Works,
We write to express our distress about the change in the
operation of the parking ramp, garage in Collegetown.
Until one month ago, the garage was open and free on Sundays.
Many of our members and visitors parked in that facility when
they came here to worship, study and fellowship on Sundays. They
were quite encouraged by the availability of that parking for an
hour or two. Not only did it enable people to share in our
church community, but it also encouraged people to share in the
life of the City and of Collegetown, when otherwise they would
not have fought the traffic and invested the time in searching
for a parking space. We have learned that even at 10:30 am on
Sunday mornings a parking space on a Collegetown street is a
scarce commodity.
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April 11, 1990
Whether you intended it or not, the net effect of the change in
the parking garage on this community is one of discouragement.
We do not need further discouragement among us because some in
this community have indicated for a number of years that this
church ought to leave its present location due to the poor (ie.
non - existent) parking. Others have said we should knock down the
Parish House next to the church and gain a few (a dozen ?) needed
parking spaces.
Many of us have been very committed to staying in the City, in
Collegetown, and in service to the neighborhood. We are
committed to continue to promote the health of the neighborhood.
But as Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon listeners know, Lutherans
do that, like they do many other - things, quietly. Currently,
there are nine sections of English as a Second Language (ESL) +
classes meeting in the Parish House. In addition between the two
buildings, (Church and Parish House) there are five sections of
Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and Emotions
Anonymous, plus a two year program on lay ministry that we are
hosting for the Episcopal Church at Cornell. We have hosted
meetings of Drugs Anonymous when they could not find meeting
space at Cornell during a vacation period. Co- Dependents
Anonymous has contacted us recently for regular meeting space.
With the exception of one or two sections of English as a Second
Language, none of these groups are led by members from this
congregation. We see this as part of our community
responsibility and service. All this is in addition, of course,
to the variety of ministries we enjoy with members of our church
community who are residents of the City, of the surrounding towns
and of the three campuses among us.
We write to let you know that we are effected -- deeply -- by the
change, and would like to engage in some conversation about the
situation.
Sincerely,
The Council and people
of The Lutheran Church
Guy Gerard, a 4th Ward resident addressed the Board regarding the
parking request from the Lutheran Church. He feels that the
Board should make an exception for free parking in this case. He
noted that the Lutheran Church is the only church in the 4th Ward
and that they may have to consider moving if they can't find a
solution to the parking problem.
Mr. Gerard also expressed his opinions on the outdoor dining
permit fees issue. He feels that license fees should be based on
administrative costs and that the City should not use these fees
as a money making device.
He also suggested that the City use the surplus money being
generated from the current trash tag system to clean up the
garbage that is strewn throughout the City.
Commissioner Connor read a letter written by Alderperson Neil
Golder who was not able to attend the meeting.
Dear Members of the Board of Public Works:
I am writing to reiterate a request I made of the Board a month
ago concerning a waiver of Sunday morning parking fees at the
Collegetown parking garage. I understand that on March 21, 1990
the Board heard briefly from Pastor Rick Bair of the Lutheran
Church and received a letter from the Church Council on this
matter. Other pressing matters at the time may have kept you
from giving this one full attention.
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April 11, 1990
The recently instituted changes at the parking garage (i.e., the
24 hour attendant coverage) have caused a significant hardship on
those who use the Lutheran Church on Sunday morning. For the
reasons below, I am asking that parking fees be waived from
approximately 10:00 am to 12:3Q pm. This is not asking that an
attendant not be on duty, only that those who arrive between
thole times be allowed to park for free.
The Collegetown parking garage is close enough to the Lutheran
Church to make it a convenient place to park for church - goers,
who have a difficult time finding parking spaces in Collegetown
even on Sundays. Approximately 20 people from the church use the
garage on Sunday mornings.
The Lutheran Church and Parish House are the closest thing the
Fourth Ward has to a community center. We don't want to lose
them. Some members of the church council, in part discouraged by
the parking fees, are lobbying to have a church elsewhere, or to
tear down the Parish House for parking space. Either of these
possibilities would be a great loss to the Fourth Ward and to the
community as a whole.
Those people who use the Lutheran Church, whether on Sunday or on
other days, share in the life of the community and of
Collegetown. They patronize local businesses and restaurants.
They come to Ithaca from surrounding towns and college campuses.
The church itself provides a community space that is sorely
needed.
It is important to our City not to lose our businesses and
churches, be they downtown, Collegetown or any other part of the
City. The present case is one where a small change will make a
big difference.
Yours Truly,
Neil H. Golder
Common Council
Further discussion of this matter was referred to the Committee
of the Whole.
Commissioner Connor, a representative of the Fourth Ward
requested that the following issues be put on next week's
Committee of the Whole agenda:
Crosswalks, Garbage problems and Street Cleaning.
Allowing free parking on Sunday- mornings would .bring
many
benefits and few losses. The 24 -hour attendant coverage would
still serve the purpose of preventing long -term parkers
from
CO
leaving without paying, which I understand was one of the
main
Q
reasons for the change. The slight loss of revenue to the
City
does not outweigh the value of having the Lutheran Church where
-�
it is.
CO
The Lutheran Church is the only Church in the Fourth Ward.
It
Q
serves not only as a place of worship, study and fellowship,
but
also serves the local and larger community in many ways.
The
church and the Parish House next door host - -at no charge-
-
activities such as classes in English as a Second Language
and
meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous. These activities are
not
restricted to or run by church members. Most recently residents
of the Fourth Ward had a get- together in the basement of
the
Parish House.
The Lutheran Church and Parish House are the closest thing the
Fourth Ward has to a community center. We don't want to lose
them. Some members of the church council, in part discouraged by
the parking fees, are lobbying to have a church elsewhere, or to
tear down the Parish House for parking space. Either of these
possibilities would be a great loss to the Fourth Ward and to the
community as a whole.
Those people who use the Lutheran Church, whether on Sunday or on
other days, share in the life of the community and of
Collegetown. They patronize local businesses and restaurants.
They come to Ithaca from surrounding towns and college campuses.
The church itself provides a community space that is sorely
needed.
It is important to our City not to lose our businesses and
churches, be they downtown, Collegetown or any other part of the
City. The present case is one where a small change will make a
big difference.
Yours Truly,
Neil H. Golder
Common Council
Further discussion of this matter was referred to the Committee
of the Whole.
Commissioner Connor, a representative of the Fourth Ward
requested that the following issues be put on next week's
Committee of the Whole agenda:
Crosswalks, Garbage problems and Street Cleaning.
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April 11, 1990
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT:
Superintendent of Public Works Thadani reported on the following:
Thurston Avenue Bridge
A serious problem has arisen on the Thurston Avenue bridge. On
Monday, a hole was discovered on the east sidewalk of the bridge.
Currently, both east and west sidewalks have been blocked off.
Signs have been posted instructing pedestrians to use the
pedestrian bridges instead of using the road but pedestrians are
still walking in the road along side the moving vehicles. This
presents a liability to the City and the potential of injury to
the pedestrians. The following alternatives should be considered
during the bridge repair period:
Closing the bridge to vehicular traffic, allowing pedestrians to
walk on the roadway.
Using one lane for one -way vehicular traffic and the other lane
for pedestrian traffic.
Allowing two lanes of vehicular traffic with barricades set up on
the edge of the road allowing enough room for pedestrians to use
as a walkway.
Phil Cox, representing Cornell University, has suggested that the
City place plywood over the sidewalks and weld it down as a
temporary means of repair until the bridge goes under
reconstruction in June. Cornell is willing to lend the City the
plywood and possibly some welding equipment to assist in this
project. It is estimated that the repair work will take a crew
of four people approximately one week to complete.
After further discussion the Board decided to close the bridge to
vehicular traffic, while repairs are made, allowing the
pedestrians to walk in the roadway. The Department of Public
Works was requested to put crews together to start repairs
tomorrow and work through the weekend utilizing double shifts.
Appointments
Superintendent of Public Works Thadani reported the following
appointments:
Bob Irvin, to the position of Custodial Worker, at an hourly rate
of $5.49, effective March 19, 1990.
Peter Seeley, to the position of Laborer, at an hourly rate of
$5.49, effective March 26, 1990.
Robert Adams, to the position of Laborer, at an hourly rate of
$5.49, effective April 1, 1990.
Zale Hutchinson to the position of Part -time Custodial Worker, at
an hourly rate of $5.49, effective April 9, 1990.
Superintendent Thadani also reported that he has made the
following promotion: w
Dale Burlingame, to the positioi df Maintainer, at an hourly rate
of $7.03, effective April 9, 1990.
Earth Day
The Department of Public Works, Ithaca Transit, the Wastewater
Treatment Plant, and the Water Filtration Plant will be actively
participating in the Earth Day festivities on the Commons.
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April 11, 1990
Stewart Park
The Interim Parks Commission is considering rearranging parking
at Stewart Park. City Forester Dan Schmoe has completed a
conceptual design of the plantings for the park.
Collegetown Good Neighbor Day
The -Department of Public Works will pick up garbage for the
Collegetown Good Neighbor Day on April 28, 1990.
Northside Consolidation
The contract with Peter Trowbridge and Associates has been
executed. A report will be ready in approximately three weeks.
Sludge Composting Plant
Superintendent Thadani will be looking at one of IBC's sludge
composting plants in Fairfield, Connecticut tomorrow.
Hudson Street
0 The South Hill Civic Association met with City representatives
yesterday in the first of many informational meetings. They will
meet every Tuesday at 8:30 am in the second floor conference
CO room.
Q
REPORT OF THE ACTING ASST. SUPERINTENDENT:
Acting Asst. Superintendent Carpenter reported on the following:
Cascadilla Wall
Work on the Cascadilla Wall is proceeding. The project should be
completed in 2 -3 weeks.
Pedestrian Bridge
Work on the Cascadilla Creek pedestrian bridge is on schedule and
should be ready for dedication on May 26, 1990.
Street Cleaning
Street cleaning throughout the City is proceeding.
Curb Line Repair Work
A crew is working on the curb lines that were damaged during the
winter season.
Youth Bureau Plantings
Crews are completing the Rose bush plantings at the Youth Bureau
and the Stewart Park entrance.
City Beautification
We have received 102 trees and shrubs to plant throughout the
City including the strip of Route 13 from Stewart Park to the
Purity Ice Cream Shop.
Hudson Street
Frank Gardner and Dan Schmoe will be working closely with the
Hudson Street residents during the reconstruction project. They
will be going door -to -door explaining exactly what will be
happening regarding tree and shrub plantings in front of the
resident's homes.
Cass Park.
The maintenance addition is finished and ready to be occupied.
Recycling
The Willow Avenue site is ready for the recycling containers that
the County will be providing.
Trash Tags
The new trash tag system is going well. There doesn't appear to
be a lot of illegal dumping.
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BPW Minutes
April 11, 1990
Paint Booth
The paint booth at the Streets and Facilities center will be
complete in approximately 4 -5 weeks.
Hall of Justice
The Hall of Justice lobby remodeling should be complete in 2 -3
weeks.
Youth Bureau
The installation of dropped ceilings in the Youth Bureau office
spaces should be complete in 4 -6 weeks.
Joint Transit Facility
Staff from Cornell, the County, and-the City have been reviewing
the request for proposal of the design of the Joint Transit
Facility. A Design Review Committee is being established and the
Mayor needs to appoint two Commissioners to this Committee to
represent the Board of Public Works. There will be a meeting of
the various legal staffs to discuss future agreements.
Mayor Nichols appointed Commissioners Reeves and Connor to the
Design Review Committee for the Joint Transit Facility.
F11
A request was received from St. Paul's Methodist Church for the
use of Stewart Park on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1990 from 7:00 am
to 8:00 am for their sunrise service.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Berg
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the request
from St. Paul's Methodist Church to hold Easter Sunday services
at Stewart Park on Sunday, April 15, 1990, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That this group may use the large pavilion in the event
of rain, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That staff be directed to.open the restrooms at Stewart
Park on that day.
Carried Unanimously
State Aid to Local Bridges
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Connor
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 261 of the Laws of 1988 and Article
20 of the Transportation Law, the New York State Legislature has
authorized and appropriated funds for a State Aid Local Bridge
Program to be administered by the New York State Department of
Transportation, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca desires to participate in such
Program; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the City shall participate in the State Aid Local
Bridge Program, pursuant to the terms of the Bond Act, the
Program Guidelines and State /Applicant Agreement which the
Municipality ratifies and affirmt, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the accomplishment of all State Aid Local Bridge
Projects authorized under the State Aid Local Bridge Program
shall be by Municipal forces or by competitively let contract
with oversight by the City, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Ithaca be and is hereby
authorized to execute all necessary agreements and documents on
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BPW Minutes
April 11, 1990
behalf of the City of Ithaca required by the New York State
Department of Transportation for participation in its State Aid
Local Bridge Program.
Carried Unanimously
Ithaca Industrial Park Proposal for Engineering Services during
Construction
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
WHEREAS, Novelli and Co. has submitted an acceptable proposal for
engineering services during the construction of the Route 13
Industrial Park, and
WHEREAS, the City Engineer recommends full -time inspection and
contract administration during construction of the Route 13
Industrial Park; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approve the Novelli and
Co. proposal for engineering services during the construction of
the Route 13 Industrial Park at a cost of $2,460. weekly for an
estimated 20 weeks at a total amount not to exceed $50,000.
m Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution
Q resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
SOLID WASTE ITEMS:
Trash Tags for Under 35 Pounds
The Board of Public Works has received many inquiries and
complaints regarding the current trash tag system which is
designed for trash up to 35 pounds. This weight is inconvenient
for smaller households.
Resolution
By Commissioner Connor: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
WHEREAS, trash tags that would accommodate a smaller amount of
trash would be more economical and practical for smaller
households; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to notify
Tompkins County Solid Waste Division of the City's intent to
proceed with a "half- tag ", "half- price" system.
Discussion followed on the floor. Further discussion on this
matter was referred to the Committee of the Whole. A vote on the
Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Expungement of Administrative Charges on Trash Tags
A request was received from Tompkins County Social Services to
expunge the administrative charges of $1.60 per sheet on the 758
trash tags sold to Tompkins County Social Services by the
Tompkins County Department of Solid Waste, equalling a total
waiver of $1,212.80.
Resolution
By Commissioner Connor: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works expunges the
administrative costs from the sale of 758 trash tags to Tompkins
County Social Services for low income residents.
Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the Resolution
resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
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BPW Minutes
April 11, 1990
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Audit Report
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Berg
RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved
for payment:
Abstract #7
General Fund ...........................$ 59,165.46
Water and Sewer Fund ................... 5,658.67
Joint Activity Fund .................... 0.00
Capital Projects. 73,748.71
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered.
Carried Unanimously
July Board of Public Works Meetings
Due to the July 4th holiday falling on a Wednesday this year, the
July Board of Public Works meetings need to be rescheduled.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Sprague
RESOLVED, That the following meetings be established for the
Board of Public Works for the month of July 1990:
July 4th - Cancelled
July 11th - Committee of the Whole
July 18th - Board of Public Works
July 25th - Committee of the Whole
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:45 pm.
C.
Julie C. Boyle
Deputy City Cler
Carried Unanimously
Benjamin Nichols
Mayor