HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-08-29387
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 pm August 29, 1990
PRESENT:
Mayor Nichols
Commissioners (4) Connor, Cannon, Reeves, Cox
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works - Thadani
O Acting Asst. Superintendent of Public Works - Carpenter
O City Engineer - Gray
Asst. City Attorney - Kennedy
Q Council Liaison - Blanchard
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
(n Deputy City Clerk - Boyle
Q
EXCUSED:
Commissioner Berg
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of Minutes of the August 15 1990 Board of Public Works
Meeting
Resolution
By Commissioner Connor: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
RESOLVED, That approval of minutes of the August 15, 1990 Board
of Public Works meeting be postponed until September 12, 1990.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Buildings, Properties and Transit Items
Commissioner Cannon requested the addition of Item A - Award of
Contract for Single Membrane Roofing - Resolution.
No Board member objected.
Water and Sewer Items
Commissioner Cox requested the addition of Item C - Request for
Funds for Industrial Pretreatment Items.
No Board member objected.
New Business
Commissioner Connor requested the addition of Item A - Request
from Fourth Ward Democratic Committee to use public space for
voter registration - Resolution.
No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR:
Mayor Nichols read a petition that he received regarding the
removal of the Monroe /Marshall Street bridge.
"The bridge at Monroe /Marshall Street is an important and desired
feature of our neighborhood. Many of us used it on a regular
basis to get to the stores on North Cayuga Street and to walk to
the Commons. We are concerned about the possibility that the
bridge may be removed before a plan for either its rehabilitation
or reconstruction has been developed and adopted as a Capital
Improvement project "by the Common Council. We urge the Board and
Department'of Public Works not to take any action regarding the
f �
2 BPW Minutes
August 29, 1990
removal of the existing bridge until such a Capital Project has
been approved."
The petition was signed by 34 people.
Further discussion on this matter was referred to the Committee
of the Whole.
COMMUNICATIONS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Betsy Darlington, Chair of the Conservation Advisory Council
addressed the Board regarding the CNG Transmissions Easement.
Mrs. Darlington clarified her role in this project. She stated
that when she learned CNG Transmissions wanted to run a pipeline
across City property she made various comments and
recommendations regarding the project. She stated that she
attended a public hearing on the project in Albany and at that
time felt that her concerns had been addressed and signed a
stipulation which stated what DEC would require of the project.
Mrs. Darlington stated that she signed off on the project on her
own behalf, and not on the behalf of the City or the Conservation
Advisory Council.
Jean Demming, Commons Coordinator asked the Board for permission
to hang a piece of Centennial art work in the second floor
conference room on the blank wall that is currently being used to
show films and slides on. The Board agreed that the art work
should be hung on the blank wall in the conference room and a
standing screen will be used to show films and slides on until
the permanent screen can be purchased.
REPORT OF -CITY ATTORNEY:
Assistant City Attorney Kennedy reported that several tanks of
unknown content were found on City property abutting WVBR's
property on Linden Avenue. She stated that the tanks are on City
property and have to be removed as well as the contaminated
material surrounding them. The approximate cost for this project
is between $10,000 and $25,000. Tests are being run on the
material inside the tanks. Attorney Kennedy suggested that the
tank removal work be done now and legal actions can be brought
against the responsible parties in the future.
Commissioners Cox and Cannon and City Engineer Gray felt that the
City should speak with WVBR now regarding their responsibility in
this matter.
Superintendent Thadani stated that the DPW crews can not complete
this project as it deals with hazardous waste and they do not
have the necessary training to handle hazardous materials.
REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
Council Liaison Blanchard read a letter to the Board from
Alderperson Romanowski:
"Please include on your agenda a request to designate a short
section of the street(s) at the southwest intersection of Farm
and N. Aurora Streets immediately bordering 450 N. Aurora Street
as a 2 -hour limit (public parking) between the hours of 8:00 am
and 4:00 pm daily, Monday through Friday.
The property at 450 N. Aurora Street is currently owned by Dr.
Richard Gardner and houses his "dental practice. This practice
treats a large number of elderly patients.
With our parking fees being as high as they presently are, those
areas, such as this area adjacent to paid parking, tend to be
filled early in the day with long -term parkers. Such a time
limit designation for this area would go a long way to make
parking more available to local renters /homeowners as well as
those who need dental services. It would especially relieve our
389
3 BPW Minutes
August 29, 1990
elderly citizens from some of the burden of finding more
convenient parking to avail themselves of needed dental services,
especially in bad weather.
I've discussed this request with the Alderpersons representing
this area, Carolyn Peterson and Dan Hoffman, as well as Frank
Gombas, our Traffic Engineer and they all concur that this change
would be worthwhile for the reasons outlined above.
Thank you for your consideration."
Discussion followed on the floor. Further discussion was
referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Council Liaison Blanchard requested that the issue of re-
activating the heating devices in the Ithaca Transit bus shelters
O be referred to the transit sub - committee of the Downtown Vision
O Task Force in addition to the BPW Committee of the Whole.
U0 Alderperson Blanchard also reported that the committee working on
the Capital Projects procedures is working on a draft report that
m should be completed by mid October.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT:
Superintendent of Public Works Thadani reported that he has made
the following appointments and promotions:
Brian Conover, to the position of Parking Lot Attendant, at an
hourly rate of $5.49, effective August 27, 1990.
James Schneider, to the position of Custodial Worker, at an
hourly rate of $5.49, effective August 27, 1990.
Chirstopher Parrish, to the position of Wastewater Treatment
Operator Trainee, at an annual salary of $13,9311 effective
August 20, 1990.
Clifford Murphy, promoted to the position of Maintenance
Equipment Operator, at an hourly rate of $8.42, effective August
27, 1990.
Gary Ervay, promoted to the position of Maintainer, at an hourly
rate of $8.13, effective August 27, 1990.
David Livingstone, promoted to the position of Maintainer, at an
hourly rate of $9.30.
Superintendent Thadani also reported on the following:
Solid Waste
The County has offered to reimburse the recycling center
supervisors $6.00 an hour retroactive to August 15, 1990. They
also requested the center be manned six days a week from 8:00 am
to 11:00 am and 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. Superintendent Thadani
stated that he will be protesting the retroactive date and the
$6.00 an hour figure as the City had the center manned prior to
August 15, 1990 and we are paying our personnel more than $6.00
an hour because we have to pay time and a half on Saturdays.
Superintendent Thadani stated that there is a $1,500 - $2,000
differential between what the County has offered to pay and what
the City is asking for.
Superintendent Thadani mentioned that he will also be discussing
the possibility of reimbursement for the curb side recycling
program and sludge composting with Bill Mobbs.
The County Board of Representatives has established the solid
waste disposal fees for 1991 as $62.00 per tcn for garbage and .
4
BPW Minutes
August 29, 1990
$65.00 per ton for construction materials. Discussion followed
on the reasons for the increases in tipping fees. Further
discussion on this matter was referred to the Committee of the
Whole.
Capital Projects Review Committee
The Capital Projects Review Committee has met several times and
has prioritized 26 projects. Recommendations will be forwarded
to the Board after the next meeting.
GIAC Renovations
A request for qualifications has been sent out and 25 different
qualification statements have been received. After screening
these statements, a short list will be comprised and contractors
will be invited to submit proposals.
Youth Bureau Acoustical Remediation Studv
The consultants measured the high noise rates at the Youth Bureau
building with their meters and found that the noise levels in the
building were ranging 75 -80 decibels, where a normal office has a
noise level of approximately 25 decibels. They will continue
taking noise measurements and will prepare recommendations and
suggestions.
REPORT OF ACTING ASST. SUPERINTENDENT:
Acting Asst. Superintendent Carpenter reported that the
following projects are proceeding:
Storm Sewer Cleaning
Catch Basin Repairs
Man -hole ring raising and curb work
Southside Center maintenance
Crosswalk striping
Sign replacements
Storm clean up
Acting Asst. Superintendent Carpenter is also preparing the 1991
Federal operating assistance grant for the transit system.
REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER•
City Engineer Gray reported on the following projects:
Haller Boulevard Water Tank - piping changes to prepare for new
tank
Cornell Street Water Tank — paint is curing, will start water
tests
Thurston Avenue Bridge - utility work being completed
Fire Stations - will be open by mid September
Hudson Street - will be completed by lst week of November
Sidewalk Contract -'is underway
Budget preparations - actual review of water & sewer budgets will
be September 5, 1990
BUILDINGS PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS:
Award of Contract for Single Membrane Roofing
Bids were received on August 22, 1990 for furnishing Single
Membrane Roofing for the Streets and Facilities Office.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
WHEREAS, the bids received included bids for "ballasted system"
roofing which meets the specifications but does not meet
Department staff's qualifications, as a "mechanically attached
design" will reduce maintenance costs and remove load weight
roofing problems, and
WHEREAS, the cost difference between the two different types of
roofing is minimal; now, therefore, be it
391
5 BPW Minutes
August 29, 1990
RESOLVED, That all bids for a "ballasted system" be rejected, and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the contract for furnishing Single Membrane
Roofing for the Streets and - Facilities Office be awarded to
Excelsior Systems, Inc. for their low bid of $16,730 for their
"mechanically attached design" roofing.
Carried Unanimously
HIGHWAY ITEMS:
Encroachment Request at 405 East Marshall Street
Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Connor
WHEREAS, a request was received from Attorney James A. Salk
regarding property known as 405 East Marshall Street, and
WHEREAS, Mark D. Crimmins is the current owner of said premises,
0 and
WHEREAS, as shown on a survey map prepared by George Schlecht
dated August 7, 1987, all of the improvements on the above-
CC described premises are located within the bounds of the property
Q except that a portion of the brick stoop and a portion of the
front fence encroaches onto the public street known as East
Marshall Street, and
WHEREAS, it appears that the continued existence of this
encroachment will not interfere with the use by the public of
East Marshall:'Street; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants an encroachment
for the said brick stoop and fence according to the usual terms,
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute said
Encroachment Agreement on behalf of the City.
Carried Unanimously
PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS:
Formation of Subcommittee to Discuss Possible Restoration of
Possible First Hour Free Parking in Parking Garages
Resolution
By Commissioner Connor: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon
WHEREAS, several merchants in the downtown business area have
approached the Board of Public Works requesting the restoration
of first hour free parking in the City -owned parking ramps as
they are concerned about the negative impact the current parking
situation is having on their businesses, and
WHEREAS, by Resolution dated
recommended that the Board
existing 'first hour park
pressures on the City's real
City revenues from other sou
revenues", and
December 6, 1989, Common Council
of Public Works "eliminate all
free' provisions" to "alleviate
property tax base... by utilizing
rces and by expanding those other
WHEREAS, while the Board of Public Works is sensitive to the
merchants' concerns, a more thorough review of the first hour
p�,,: king revenues should be done by a subcommittee to consist of
the City staff directly involved in the operations of the garages
and overseeing City revenue, before restoring the first hour free
parking; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby establishes a
subcommittee to consist of one member of the Board of Public
Works, one member from Common Council, the Building Systems
Supervisor and the City Controller, to review options for
restoration of first hour free parking in the City -owned parking
garages.
r
392
G
BPW Minutes
August 29, 1990
Discussion followed on the floor. Commissioner Reeves stated
that Alderperson Joseph Daley has offered to Chair this committee
and Commissioner Berg will also be serving on it. The committee
will report its findings to the Board.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
carried Unanimously
CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS ITEMS•
Stewart Park Entranceway
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works reviewed plans prepared by
the City Forester and Parks and Forestry Supervisor, in
conjunction with the Shade Tree Advisory Commission and the
Interim Parks Commission, to modify the entranceway to Stewart
Park, and
WHEREAS, this project will be funded from the Centennial
Commission account, and
WHEREAS, the plans as proposed include a conceptual, painted
bicycle path which shall be further developed with input from the
City Engineer, the Traffic Engineer and the Ithaca Bicycle
Commission; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the plans as
submitted, excluding the painted bicycle path, for the
entranceway to Stewart Park, pending further review and approval
of the City Engineer.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the bicycle path which
will be put back into the design after the Ithaca Bicycle
Commission's input and approval of the City Engineer.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
CNG Transmissions Easement - Discussion
Asst. City Attorney Kennedy reported that CNG Transmissions'
Attorney requested that the City provide the easement that they
sought in return for $4,200. CNG does not seem to be following
up on all of the provisions they promised the City. City
Attorney Kennedy will be filing a notice of claim against CNG
Transmissions for additional damages.
WATER AND SEWER ITEMS:
Commissioner Cox reported that Stearns & Wheler made a
presentation to the Special Joint Subcommittee regarding the
costs involved in expanding the Wastewater Treatment Plant to
accommodate the Town and Village of Lansing and the Town of
Dryden. This group would like to meet again for further
discussions. Commissioner Cox requested that Common Council be
informed of these transactions. A subcommittee has been formed
to begin discussions with Noel Desch who is representing the
three communities.
Appointment of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee
Resolution ,
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon
WHEREAS, a vacancy for an Operator Trainee exists at the Ithaca
Area Wastewater Treatment Facility, and
WHEREAS, the Chief Operator and Assistant Chief Operator have
done a competitive search and have canvassed the eligible list
for this position and have interviewed several applicants for
this position and have selected Derek Overstrom, who is currently
employed at the Wastewater Plant as a Maintainer, and
39:3
7 BPW Minutes
August 29, 1990
WHEREAS, since Mr. Overstrom has already worked at the Plant for
over two years and during this time has gained considerable
experience and "hands -on" knowledge of all the equipment used for
daily operation of the Plant, and
WHEREAS, to hire Mr. Overstrom as an Operator Trainee would
entail his changeover from the DPW Laborers Unit to the City of
Ithaca Administrative Unit, and the Department is requesting to
hire Mr. Overstrom at Step 4 of the Administrative Contract to
compensate him fairly in'relation to his current salary, and
WHEREAS, the Union President of the Administrative Unit is aware
of the Department's intent to hire Mr. Overstrom at Step 4; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Derek Overstrom be appointed Operator Trainee at
co the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility at an annual salary
of $15,671, contingent upon further approval of Common Council.
Carried Unanimously
Recruest for Enuncrement of Late Penalty on Water and Sewer Bill
m a request was received from Mary Yaple, owner of the property at
Q 211 Williams Street, for expungement of the late penalty on her
water and sewer bill. Ms. Yaple states that her bill was due on
August 15, 1990, but that she did not receive this bill until
August 16, 1990.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Connor
WHEREAS, The City Chamberlain has verified that this bill was
sent out on the last business day of July 1990, and
WHEREAS, the delay in receiving this bill is most likely the
fault of the Postal Service and not City staff; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies the request for
expungement of the late penalty on the water and sewer bill at
211 Williams Street.
Carried Unanimously
Request for Funds for Industrial Pretreatment Items
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Connor
WHEREAS, the Chief Operator of the Ithaca Area Wastewater
Treatment Facility has outlined a need to update the Industrial
Pretreatment Regulations of the Joint Owners and presented a
proposal for this work to the Special Joint Subcommittee, and
WHEREAS, the Chief Operator has requested that funds be available
for testing and enforcement matters related to Industrial
Pretreatment, and
WHEREAS.. the Special Joint Subcommittee has reviewed and
recommends this action to the Board of Public Works; now
therefore, be it ,
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends to the Budget
and Administration Committee that $10,000 be reserved for
pretreatment enforcement and that $9,500 be reserved for review
and updating the pretreatment regulations and that an amount not -
to- exceed $19,500 be derived from Joint Activities Restricted
Contingency Fund J1990 to cover these items.
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Nichols stated that he is preparing a press release
regarding the state of the water facilities and what is being
done to correct the problems that have been incurred.
394
s
BPW Minutes
August 29, 1990
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Audit Report
Resolution
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
RESOLVED, That the bills listed on the following Abstract be
approved for payment:
Abstract #16
GeneralFund .. ..............................$ 87,146.03
Water and Sewer Fund ........................ 681942.23
Joint Activity Fund ......................... 5,193.26
Capital Projects ............................ 135,989.97
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered.
Carried Unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS•
Request of Fourth Ward Democratic Committee to Use Public Space
for Voter Registration
Commissioner Connor reported that the Fourth Ward Democratic
Committee has requested permission to set up a table on Oak
Avenue on the traffic island to hand out voter registration cards
and literature on weekdays from 12:OOn to 2:00 pm from September
9, 1990 to October 9, 1990.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Connor
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants the Fourth Ward
Democratic Committee permission to set up a table on the traffic
island on Oak Avenue to hand out voter registration cards and
literature on weekdays from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm from September
9, 1990 to October 9, 1990.
Carried Unanimously
Executive Session
On a motion by Commissioner Connor and Seconded by Commissioner
Cox the Board adjourned into executive session to discuss a
personnel matter.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.
Julie Conley B yle
Deputy City Clerk
6'vu'� t�� -
Benjam n Nichols
Mayor