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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-05-09331 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 pm May 9, 1990 PRESENT: Mayon Nichols Commissioners (6) - Connor, Cannon, Reeves, Berg, Cox, Sprague r OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Thadani City Engineer - Gray Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor - Ferrell City Attorney - Guttman Council Liaison - Blanchard Deputy City Clerk - Boyle Deputy City Controller - Thayer Commons Coordinator - Deming Deputy Planning & Development Director - Mazzarella O Alderperson Daley PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: m Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Q American Flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of the April 25, 1990 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Connor: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That approval of the Minutes of the April 25, 1990 Board of Public Works meeting be postponed until the May 23, 1990 meeting. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Creeks, Bridges and Parks Items Commissioner Cox requested the addition of Item B - Merry -go- round at Stewart Park - Resolution. No Board member objected. Water and Sewer Items Commissioner Cox requested the addition of Item A Award of Contract for Rehabilitation of the Cornell Street Tanks and Budget adjustment - Resolution. No Board member objected. Report of Special Committees Commissioner Sprague requested the addition of Item C - Approval of Payment of Fire Station Construction and Inspection - Resolution. No Board member objected. New Business City Engineer Gray requested the addition of Item A - City Engineer's budget - Personnel - Discussion. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Nichols reported that there will be a public information meeting tomorrow, May 10, 1990 at 4:00 pm in the Council Chambers regarding the Hudson Street project. c 3 3 21 2 BPW Minutes May 9, 1990 COMMUNICATIONS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Vincent Fuchs of Willseyville addressed the Board regarding traffic problems at the corner of Campus Road and Stewart Avenue. He requested that the City place signs around the intersection indicating danger. Mr. Fuchs also expressed an interest in seeing a parking facility built in the East Hill Plaza. George Sheldon of Lansing addressed the Board concerning his desire to form an outside Market, consisting of six vendors that would set up business on Saturday mornings, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm in DeWitt Park. The merchandise would be all home grown or homemade items, 60% of it would be produce and 40% of it would be crafts or prepared foods. Mr. Sheldon felt this would help the downtown business area and would not compete with the Farmers Market. on a motion by Commissioner Berg and Seconded by Commissioner Connor this matter was referred to the Committee of the Whole meeting of May 16, 1990. John Schwartz of the South Hill Civic Association expressed his desire to see the compromise that the Civic Association and the Mayor's office worked out upheld by the Board of Public Works. He stated that the Civic Association has tried to weigh their concerns over the safety and future of their neighborhood with the existing constraints, money being one of them. He feels however, that these costs should be weighed against the worth of the neighborhood and the lives of the people that live there. Gregory Rolle presented the Board with a petition from the Committee for the Preservation of Juneteenth. The petition requests that Cleveland Avenue, from Corn Street to Plain Street, be blocked off on June 16, 1990 between the hours of 10:00 am to 9:00 pm for a community festival celebrating Juneteenth, a Black Holiday. Mr. Rolle stated that live entertainment, speakers and refreshments are scheduled to occur. He further stated that the Committee would be responsible for clean up and trash disposal as well as enforcing crowd control and capacity limits. Commissioner Cox suggested that this Committee take a poll of the neighborhood so the.neighbors would be informed of this festival and would have a chance to express their opinions regarding it. Mr. Rolle stated that he has people doing that now and will present the results next week. On a motion made by Commissioner Cannon and Seconded by Commissioner Berg this matter was referred to the next Committee of the Whole meeting. David Kacsur of 320 Hillview Place addressed the Board to request permission to have a family picnic in the park next to his house on Saturday, May 19, 1990 to celebrate his graduation from Ithaca College. City Attorney Guttman noted that there may be restrictions on the use of alcohol in this park. Mr. Kacsur was advised to contact the City Attorney's office to discuss this matter further. Paul Sayvetz of 201 Elm Street stated that the Green Party was in favor of the installation of sidewalks on Elmira Road. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Alderperson Blanchard reported on the following: There will be a walking tour of the Commons on Tuesday, May 15, 1990 at 10:00 am. Alderpersons Blanchard and Cummings along with Commons Coordinator Jean Deming, Michael Cannon, Jim Miller and Jon Meigs will be taking pictures and talking to merchants about refurbishing the Commons. Anyone who wishes to attend should meet at City Hall. 333 3 BPW Minutes May 9, 1990 Common Council was not in favor of the free Sunday parking resolution the Board passed regarding the Dryden Road parking garage. They would like the Board to seriously consider this matter before making it a permanent action. REPQRT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: Superintendent of Public Works Thadani reported on the following: Trash Tags The City has ordered 5,000 sheets of "half- tags ". They will be light peach in color and the wording will say "City of Ithaca Authorized Trash Hauler, Weight Limit 17 1/2 lbs., $.3511. They should be ready in two weeks. Thurston Avenue Bridge There was a meeting this morning regarding the proposed traffic detour route for the Thurston Avenue Bridge reconstruction. Representatives from the Fire and Police Departments, Cornell 0 University, Cayuga Heights and the Town of Ithaca were present. (�- If anyone has comments on this detour they should submit them to -� the Superintendent's office by Monday morning. CO 3rd and 4th Ward Parking Study Q Work on the parking study in the 3rd and 4th Wards is ongoing. Alderpersons Booth and Johnson will be holding a Public Information meeting and Presentation on May 24, 1990 at 7:30 pm at Belle Sherman Elementary School. Court Facilities Alderperson Cummings had suggested that the City look into the land next to the Police station that is owned by Roy Parks as an alternative to the other City Court site. Mr. Parks however, is concerned with the possible undermining of the embankment on that property should the court facilities be built there. The City will research these concerns further. Central Business District Parking Study The Committee working on the CBD parking study is working on a job description for a Parking Manager. Northside Consolidation Work on the Northside Consolidation is progressing. The study that Trowbridge and Associates is conducting should be-completed in 2 -4 weeks. Fire Station Tour The tour of the new Fire Stations will be held on Saturday, May 12, 1990. Recycling Center Grand Opening The grand opening of the recycling center on the Willow Avenue site went very well. Seven dumpsters have been installed to collect glass, plastic, newspaper, cardboard and cans. The County has requested that the center be manned during the hours it is open. The City will be looking for volunteer help through the RSVP program and others like it. Commissioner Reeves suggested that the center be open on Saturdays and Sundays. Commissioner Berg suggested that signs be placed on Route 13 directing people to the center. REPORT OF THE ACTING FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR: Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ferrell reported on the following: Street Maintenance The list of streets that will worked on this year has been completed. The stone and oil work will be subcontracted and a memo will be sent to residents a few days before the work is scheduled to begin. 334 a] BPW Minutes May 9, 1990 Third Street The gravel basing project on Third Street is progressing. NYSEG is laying a gas main now and the curb work and backfilling will begin next week. Storm Sewers A storm sewer crew is working on the 600 block of E. Buffalo Street and Sunrise and Hector Streets. Cascadilla Wall Work on the Cascadilla Creek wall will be completed this week. Street Cleaninq The ten week street cleaning process will be completed next week. Striping Alternatives A handout was distributed with the various prices of striping alternatives. It was the consensus that the process we use now is the most cost effective. Road striping will begin this week with the center lines and critical cross walks being completed first. Stewart Park The plantings at Stewart Park have been completed and work on the park entrance will begin tomorrow. Hall of Justice The lobby remodeling at the Hall of Justice is nearly completed. Youth Bureau Sprinkler heads and smoke detectors are being installed in the Youth Bureau building. Commons Flower planting on the Commons will start on Monday. REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER: City Engineer Gray reported on the following: Fire Stations Work on the Fire Stations is proceeding. They can be occupied in mid -June. Work on the Central Fire Station will probably run a month longer due to complications with the communications equipment. Route 13 Work on the Route 13 road widening project is ongoing. Manholes will be rebuilt by City crews in conjgction with this project. Cornell Summer Students The Engineer's office has many good applicants for the summer positions available. The rate of pay has been changed for this year. Water Tanks The bids have been returned for the painting of the Cornell Street water tank. Two bids are out for the demolition of-the old Haller Blvd. tank and one bid is out for the replacement of that tank. , r State Aid to Local Bridge Program The bridge grant has passed through all of the Committees it was required to. The money will be used for projects to be started next year. O m 5 BPW Minutes May 9, 1990 HIGHWAY ITEMS: Establishment of Public Hearing for Sidewalk Assessments Resolution By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That May 23, 1990 at 4:40 pm be established as the date for a public hearing on sidewalks, at which time the owners of property receiving a notice will be given the opportunity to show cause before the Board of Public Works why the sidewalk abutting their premises should not be repaired by the City at the owner's expense and the expense thereof collected in accordance with Section 5.30 of the City Charter. Discussion followed on the floor. Mayor Nichols requested that the minutes reflect that this public hearing is for sidewalk assessments in the downtown area, specifically State, Seneca and Green Streets. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Request to block off part of Geneva Street for Block Party A request was received from the Tompkins County Senior Citizens Council to block off part of South Geneva Street for the purpose of a block party on June 1, 1990. Resolution By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Connor WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed this request and received overwhelming approval from the neighborhood in regard to the block party, and WHEREAS, access to McGraw House will still be possible; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the request to block off South Geneva Street from number 213 northerly to Green Street on Friday, June 1, 1990 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm be granted, and staff will provide the barricades for this purpose. Discussion followed on the floor. Commissioner Cannon requested that "No Parking signs" be placed on that part of the street the night before the party. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS ITEMS: Establishment of City Forester Position Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon WHEREAS, Chapter 67 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code entitled, "Protection and Maintenance of Trees and Shrubs on City Property" also known as the "City Tree Ordinance" authorizes the position of City Forester to be established within the Department of Public Works, and WHEREAS, this position is of extreme importance in administering and enforcing the City of Ithaca Shade Tree Ordinance; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works establishes the position of City Forester at a salary range of $32,244 - $40,702, that being Grade 2 of the City of Ithaca Executive Unit, pending the approval of the Civil Service Commission, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works passes this recommendation onto the Budget and Administration Committee of Common Council for their consideration. Carried Unanimously 335 336 G BPW Minutes May 9, 1990 Merry -go -round at Stewart Park Mr. Montgomery May has operated the merry -go -round at Stewart Park under a license agreement since 1983. Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Berg WHEREAS, the merry -go -round at Stewart Park has been, and continues to be a very important attraction, and WHEREAS, Mr. May has done much rehabilitation to the merry -go- round in the past 7 years; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves a license agreement between Mr. May and the City of Ithaca for operation of the merry -go -round for a three year period at the minimum license fee of $50.00 per year, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Mr. May provide the City with an insurance certificate in the amount of $500,000 naming the City as also insured, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Superintendent to issue said permit to Mr. Montgomery May under the terms and conditions necessary for the safe operation and maintenance of the merry -go- round. Carried Unanimously WATER AND SEWER ITEMS: Award of Contract for Rehabilitation of the Cornell Street Tank and Budget Ad-i ustment The City had planned to paint and repair both Cornell Street and Oakwood Avenue water tanks this year. The Oakwood tank cannot be done until the Haller Boulevard tank is replaced. The Haller Boulevard tank was taken out of service last summer due to its poor structural condition and this has resulted in water pressure problems (low pressure) in the adjacent area. Bids have been requested to remove and dispose of the existing Haller Boulevard tank. Bids have been requested to install a bolted steel tank on the existing foundation. Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the City received bids for the rehabilitation of the Cornell Street Water Tank on May 7, 1990 and these have been reviewed by the Engineer's office; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the low bid of $77,710. be rejected as not complying with the bid requirements of bid item breakdown and bonding and the contract be awarded to Allied Coatings for their bid of $85,300., and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the Budget and Administration Committee amend the 1990 Budget for Standpipe Maintenance (F17- 8344.475) from $120,000 to $200,000 to allow for the replacement of the Haller Boulevard tank and that the source of funds shall be the fund balance of the Water Fund. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the bids. A vote on the Resolution resulted 'as follows: Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Audit Report Resolution By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: 337 VA Abstract #9 General Fund...... .....................$ 53,045.54 Water and Sewer Fund. 161090.04 Joint Activity Fund ...................... 0.00 Capital Projects ......................... 25,178.08 and, be it further BPW Minutes May 9, 1990 RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered. Carried Unanimously Personnel Item - Employee Incentive Award for Pete Albertsman The Board of Public Works has reviewed a request from Richard Ferrel, Motor Equipment Maintenance Supervisor, to increase the salary of Pete Albertsman, Parts and Supply Manager, by 8% according to the clause in the 1990 Administrative Contract, based on employee performance, productivity, responsibility and O length of service. Resolution By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Berg m WHEREAS, the duties and responsibilities of the Parts and Supply Q Manager have steadily increased over the years, evolving from being a basic parts storage into what is currently a central stores warehouse, and WHEREAS, Mr. Albertsman's initiative and skills has helped make this a successful operation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works establishes the salary of Peter Albertsman, Parts and Supply Manager, at $23,032, that being an 8% increase, in accordance with the 1990 Administrative Contract. Carried Unanimously Approval of Payment of Fire Station Construction and Inspection Resolution By Commissioner Sprague: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon WHEREAS, the regularly scheduled Fire Station Oversight Committee meeting of May 7, 1990 was cancelled and has been rescheduled for May 14, 1990, and WHEREAS, regular monthly payment requests for construction and inspection have been approved by the Architect and submitted to the City Engineer; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, The Board of Public Works approves payment of the following pay requests: Bear Electric .........................$ 16,645.90 J.L. Lewis ............................ 9,779.00 McGuire & Bennett ..................... 22,407.30 S &S Mechanical ........................ 11,495.00 Egner & Associates .................... 21400.00 Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Commissioner Sprague expressed his opinion that the Hudson Street project should be built according to the existing design. On a motion by Commissioner Cannon and Seconded by Commissioner Cox the Committee of the Whole will have Power to Act on the Hudson Street issue at the Committee of the Whole meeting on May 16, 1990. 338 0 NEW BUSINESS: BPW Minutes May 9, 1990 City Engineer Gray notified the Board that funds will be transferred from an unused salary line item in his budget to the 100 line item to accommodate the hiring of two Cornell University summer students for 12 weeks. ADJOURNMENT: . On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm. Deputy Planning and Development Director Mazzarella stayed to explain the Central Business District Parking Study to the Board members who were not familiar with the project. Julie C. Boyle Deputy City Clerk t Benjamih Nichols Mayor