HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-09-26399
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 pm September 26, 1990
PRESENT: •
Mayor Nichols
Commissioners (5) Connor, Cannon, Reeves, Berg, Cox
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works - Thadani
Acting Asst. Superintendent - Carpenter
City Engineer - Gray
Asst. City Attorney - Kennedy
Council Liaison - Blanchard
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Deputy City Clerk - Boyle '
(0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:_
0 Approval of Minutes of the August 29 1990 Board of Public Works
Meeting
Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Connor
m RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the August 29, 1990 Board of Public
< Works Meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
Approval of Minutes of the September 12, 1990 Board of Public
Works Meetinq
Resolution
By Commissioner Berg: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the September 12, 1990 Board of
Public Works Meeting be approved as published.
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 Asbestos Abatement - Resolution.
No Board member objected.
Solid Waste Items
Council Liaison Blanchard requested an opportunity to report on
the County's plans for sludge composting and the Central
Processing Facility.
No Board member objected.
Water and Sewer Items
City Engineer Gray requested an opportunity to report on the new
water and sewer rates.
No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE BOARD:
Mark Macenas of 204 Cornell Street requested that the Board
expunge a water service bill he received for his South Quarry
Street property. Mr. Macenas stated that his water service was
hooked up to a 30 pound water main instead of the 100 pound water
main which runs 3 1/2 feet away from it. Mr. Macenas believes
that this error was made by the City and is requesting the Board
to expunge the bill for reconnection of his service as well as
reimburse him for a private plumber he hired to research this
problem.
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September 26, 1990
On a motion by Commissioner Reeves and Seconded by Commissioner
Connor this matter was referred to the Committee of the Whole for
further discussion.
Guy Gerard suggested that the City install bus schedule signs, on
the standard bus stop sign posts, to assist commuters. Acting
Asst. Superintendent Carpenter commented that this is being
discussed as part Of a marketing process that Ithaca Transit is
conducting now.
Mr. Gerard also asked if the Ithaca Transit buses could turn off
their engines instead of idling them between runs. Acting Asst.
Superintendent Carpenter stated that the Ithaca Transit buses
adhere to the New York State regulations which allow a 5 minute
idling limit (except under extreme situations).
Mr. Gerard further commented on the Elmira Road sidewalk issue.
He feels the Board should not label Elmira Road as "unsafe for
pedestrians" as he thinks it would have a negative impact on
pedestrians and the business' in that area.
REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON•
Council Liaison Blanchard reported that she and Alderperson
Romanowski along with Chief McEwen will be holding a public
meeting on Sunday afternoon from 1:00 to 2:30 at the Journey's
End motel regarding Spencer Road traffic problems.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT:
Superintendent Thadani reported that he has made the following
appointment:
James Crandall III, to the position of City Electrician, at an
annual salary of $21,228., effective September 24, 1990.
Superintendent Thadani also reported on the following:
Annual Report
The 1988 -1989 annual report should be complete by the first week
of November.
Wage Negotiations
Wage negotiations with the DPW unit are underway.
Assistant Superintendent Recruitment
The Assistant Superintendent position has been readvertised in
various newspapers and will appear in numerous trade
publications as they are due for publication. The application
cut off date is towards the end of November.
Recycling Drop -off Center
The County will possibly take
recycling drop -off center after
County would also like to know if
use of the Willow Avenue recycling
Further discussion on this matter
of the Whole.
over the supervision of the
the first of the year. The
the City wishes to discontinue
site completely next year.
was referred to the Committee
Employee Recognition Picnic
The DPW offices as well as all other City offices will be closed
at 1:00 pm on Friday, September 28, 1990 for the employee
recognition picnic. Emergency. services will be provided and a
notice with the emergency phone numbers has been published in the
newspaper. Commissioner Reeves requested that the advertisement
also be given to radio stations.
Capital Projects Review Committee
The Capital Projects Review Committee has requested more
information and cost estimates on the City Hall HVAC system and
the regionalization of the Water Filtration Plant.
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September 26, 1990
DPW Consolidation
The DPW consolidation study has been given top priority by the
Capital Projects Review Committee and the Mayor. A scope of work
is currently being prepared.
1991 Trash Tans
Surveys will be completed to determine the average weight of
trash bags, so that the price of trash tags can be adjusted to
coincide with the 1991 tipping fees.
REPORT OF ACTING ASST. SUPERINTENDENT:
Acting Asst. Superintendent Carpenter reported that the following
projects are progressing:
Brick repair - Primary and Secondary Commons
Tree grate enlargements - Primary and Secondary Commons
(Y) GIAC Heating system - completed
0 Southside Community Center exterior painting
Sign replacement - all City entrance signs have been replaced
Information stickers placed on parking meters
Plain Street gravel basing
CO Stone and oil street repairs - 16 streets completed
Q Permanent patching on utility cuts
Cross training of DPW employees
Ithaca Transit
The Contract Auditing Bureau has been using Ithaca Transit as a
model for a procedural manual they will be producing. Acting
Asst. Superintendent Carpenter will be composing a policy and
procedure manual for Ithaca Transit to be available for future
staff.
The Ithaca Transit surveys are printed. The mailing cost for
the surveys is prohibitive, so the Transit System will be
calling on volunteers, such as Alderpeople to help distribute
them randomly, throughout the City.
REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER:
City Engineer Gray reported that the following projects are
ongoing:
Cayuga Street bridge - design and survey work
Reservoir siltation survey
Industrial Park Road - adoption preparation
Haller Boulevard Tank - should be complete by
Hudson Street
Thurston Avenue Bridge
Fire Stations
Sidewalk Contract
Stewart Avenue Bridge
Industrial Park
Linden Avenue Tanks
Budget Preparation
Commercial Avenue drainage work
the end of the week
Route 13 Widening
The State is considering widening Route 13 to four lanes from
Buttermilk Falls State Park to approximately Route 13A. They
will be coordinating this project with the City.
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BPW Minutes
September 26, 1990
BUILDINGS. PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS:
Award of Contract for Asbestos Abatement
Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Connor
WHEREAS, a review of bids and contract award was requested by
the Board of Public Works following its resolution dated
September 12, 1990, to award one contract to Abscope
Environmental, and
WHEREAS, subsequent review revealed potential savings of
approximately $14,000 by award of multiple contracts as allowed
in the contract documents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the award of
passed September 12, 1990 is
asbestos abatement are awarded
City Hall - Buffalo
GIAC - Flower
Hall of Justice - Abscope
contract to Abscope Environmental
rescinded, and that contracts for
as follows:
Asbestos
City
Environmental
based on bids submitted September 5, 1990.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
$19,200
19,272
18,410
Carried Unanimously
HIGHWAY ITEMS•
Street Name at Meadow Street Industrial Park
Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
WHEREAS, the Meadow Street Industrial Park is scheduled to be
officially opened on September 27, 1990, and
WHEREAS, in conjunction with this project, a new road has been
built, and the Board is considering adopting this road as a City
street; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works asks the Ithaca Urban
Renewal Agency to submit all documentation necessary to the Board
for the purpose of adopting this road as a City street.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Expungement of License Fee Bill for 401 -411 Elmira Road
A bill was issued to Mr. William Zikakis for occupying City
property at 401 -411 Elmira Road. Mr. Zikakis is asking to be
relieved of this licensing fee bill as he is in the process of
redeveloping this property and intends to remove all of his
property from the City right -of -way.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Connor
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works agrees to expunge the
City of Ithaca license fee bill #2617, issued to Bill Zikakis
Chevrolet, Inc., in the amount of $213.85, upon verification -from
the City Engineer's Office that Mr. Zikakis has removed all his
property from the City right- of-
,way at 401 -411 Elmira Road.
Commissioner Berg stated for the record that he will abstain from
this vote due to a conflict of interest.
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September 26, 1990
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (4) Connor, Cannon, Reeves, Cox
Nays ( 0 )
Abstentions (1) Berg
Carried
PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS•
Two Hour Parkinq Limitation on North Aurora Street
The following Resolution was previously tabled by the Board of
Public Works.
Dr. Richard A. Gardner has once again repeated his request that
the City establish a two -hour parking zone in the area of his
office at 450 North Aurora Street.
Resolution
By Commissioner Berg: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
M WHEREAS, the initial denial of this request was because it was
(� not practical to enforce such a parking regulation at that time;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the request of Richard Gardner be approved, and,
m be it further
Q
RESOLVED, That the Traffic Engineer be directed to establish two -
hour parking zones in the vicinity of 450 North Aurora Street as
appended to the minutes of this meeting.
Carried Unanimously
Various Siqnaqe Requests
Alderperson Daley requested that the Board of Public Works
consider installing signs on the following streets: a "No
Through Truck Traffic" sign on North and South Titus Avenue; a
"Not a Through Street" sign on the 500 block of South Cayuga
Street; a "Dead End" street sign on the 600 block of South
Cayuga Street; and a "Children at Play's sign on Grandview Place.
Resolution
By Commissioner Berg: Seconded by Commissioner Cox
WHEREAS, the Board has thoroughly reviewed this request, with the
input of the City Engineer; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies the request for a
No Through Truck Traffic" sign on North and South Titus Avenue
as there is already an enforceable truck route system in the
City, making this signage unnecessary, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies the request for a
"Children at Play" sign on Grandview Place, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the request for
a "Not Through Street" sign on the 500 block of South Cayuga
Street to replace the existing graphic picture sign depicting "No
Trucks ", and a "Dead End" street sign on the 600 block of South
Cayuga Street to replace the missing "Dead End" sign, and directs
the Traffic Engineer to arrange for these installations.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (4) Connor, Reeves, Berg, Cox
Nays (0)
Commissioner Cannon was absent from the room when
vote was taken.
Carried
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September 26, 1990
SOLID WASTE ITEMS:
Council Liaison Blanchard reported on the following topics
discussed at the Tompkins County Board of Public Works and
Construction Management meeting held earlier today:
Sludge Composting
The County has indicated that they will be responsible for sludge
composting throughout the County in the future. They plan to
expand their current sludge composting operation at Landstrom
landfill until the new landfill is built. The County is
expecting to have an expanded sludge composting operation at the
new landfill by August of 1992. The costs for disposing of
sludge is expected to be less than $62.00 a ton.
Central Processing Facility
Resource Associates has made a presentation to the County showing
different perspectives of what the new facility will look like.
The current plans show a dense row of Evergreens between
Commercial Avenue and the motel. It has also been suggested that
a 6 to 8 foot tall fence be installed between Commercial Avenue
and the Evergreens to further protect the motel from noise. The
daily traffic in that area will include approx. 40 garbage
trucks, dump trucks, people delivering recyclable and household
hazardous waste products, etc.
Council Liaison Blanchard reported that the next meeting will be
held on October 10, 1990. A recycling consultant will be
presenting the pros and cons of private operation of the facility
versus public operation.
WATER AND SEWER ITEMS:
City Engineer Gray reported that the water rates may be changing
from $.90 per 100 cubic feet to $1.15 in 1991 and the sewer
rates may be changing from $.90 per 100 cubic feet to $1.40 in
1991. Water and sewer rates have not been adjusted for 3 years.
Further research will be conducted on these rates.
The Board is scheduled to adopt the new rates on October 11,
1990.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Audit Report
Resolution
By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded
RESOLVED, That bills listed on the
for payment:
Abstract #18
by Commissioner Berg
following Abstract be approved
General Fund ....... ...................•..........$ 129,449.51
Water and Sewer Fund ............................ 37,705.41
Joint Activity Fund ............................. 6,544.01
Capital Projects . ............................... 138,920.12
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered.
Carried unanimously
City of Ithaca Energy Commission as a Subcommittee of the Board
of Public Works
The City of Ithaca Energy Commission was formed several years
ago, organized to be under the direction of the Planning and
Development Committee. During that time, the Energy Commission
has found many of its projects and issues deal more directly with
those under the Board of Public Works' jurisdiction. The Board
has reviewed and endorsed the concept of placing the Energy
Commission under its direction.
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September 26, 1990
Resolution
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Connor
WHEREAS, placing the Energy Commission under the jurisdiction of
the Board of Public Works will be advantageous to both groups, as
energy- related projects are of concern to both groups; now
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the proposal of
the Energy Commission to reorganize under their direction, and
be it further ,
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests the Energy
Commission to appoint a liaison that would periodically report to
the Board.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT• .
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm.
Julie Conley Boy e
Deputy City Clerk
Benjamin Nichols
Mayor
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