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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-10-10407 O CD Q BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. October 10, 1990 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (6) - Connor, Cannon, Reeves, Cox, Berg, Brandford OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Thadani Acting Asst. Superintendent - Carpenter City Engineer - Gray Assistant City Attorney - Kennedy Common Council Liaison - Blanchard Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Boyle City Chamberlain - Parsons DPW Fiscal Manager - Carpenter PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the September 26 1990 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Cox RESOLVED, That approval of the Minutes of the September 26, 1990 Board of Public Works meeting be postponed until October 24, 1990. Carried Unanimously ADDIT Special Order of Business Mayor Nichols requested a Special Order of Business. No Board member objected. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Naming of New Road and Industrial Park Mayor Nichols read the following Resolution into the record: WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is responsible for naming the new road and industrial park in the vicinity of Third and Meadow Streets, and WHEREAS, Sally Carpenter has been employed by the City of Ithaca in the Department of Public Works since September 27, 1961, and WHEREAS, Bernie Carpenter, though 72 days shy of his wife in seniority, has been employed by the City of Ithaca in the Department of Public Works since December 8, 1961, and WHEREAS, both Bernie and Sally will be retiring from the City of Ithaca in 1991, after a total of over 58 years of service to the City of Ithaca, and WHEREAS, Sally Carpenter, as Department Fiscal Manager, has brought the Department of Public Works finances and budgeting processes into the nineties and has earned the lifelong respect of all her co- workers through firm and fair treatment and support, and will always be remembered for the Departmental Children's Christmas Party, and ' 1 BPW Minutes October 10, 1990 WHEREAS, Bernie Carpenter, at one time, the City's only Bus Driver, has risen to manage the entire Transit System, and has brought the Ithaca Transit System both State and National recognition and has assisted numerous Superintendents in the management of the entire Department; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works names the new street, Carpenter Circle, and the new Industrial Park, Carpenter Circle Industrial Park, in honor of two of its most dedicated and enduring employees. carried Unanimously Sally and Bernie Carpenter were presented with a Carpenter Circle street sign. �"i'u'•"1�1`- riiivly� scull HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Marsha Fort, Coordinator of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, addressed the Board regarding the asbestos removal project at GIAC which is scheduled to begin on October 15, 1990. Ms. Fort addressed several issues, including: 1.) GIAC staff members were only given 4 days notice of the commencement of this project, and there are numerous programs to reschedule. 2.) GIAC staff has recently been informed that this project could take up to a month to complete. GIAC has a large amount of people using its facilities daily, and Ms. Fort would like to know what arrangements will be made for portable heaters should the weather turn cold. 3.) Staff members and parents are concerned about the safety factors of asbestos removal, who should they contact with their questions? Diann Sams, representing the Ithaca City School District, stated that there is a dumpster parked in the playground area of Central School and GIAC for the disposal of asbestos. Business Director, Gary Lindenbaum would like to talk to the appropriate staff person regarding this matter. City Engineer Gray stated that asbestos removal -is safe for occupied buildings. All of the materials are doubly protected and tested. He further explained that all of the material that goes into the disposal dumpster is fully bagged and sealed. The dumpster will remain at the site until it is full, or the project is completed. Mayor Nichols suggested that City Engineer Gray and Acting Asst. Superintendent Carpenter meet with GIAC staff members tomorrow at 9:00 am at GIAC to further discuss these concerns. REPORT OF CITY CLERK: Deputy City Clerk Boyle reported on the following: Police Chief McEweny has requested r that the �cMinutes of the September 12, 1990 Board of Public Works meeting be amended. During the City Attorney's report on illegal dumping complaint procedures, it was mentioned that the DPW receives copies of all complaints. Chief McEwen stated that this is not correct and would like the minutes to reflect that. 2 409 BPW Minutes October 10, 1990 No Board member objected, therefore a note will be attached to the Minute Book to reflect the correction. Deputy City Clerk Boyle also reported that the description of the two -hour parking zone on North Aurora Street has been attached to the Minute Book. REPORT OF COMMON COUNCIL LIAISON: Common Council Liaison Blanchard reported on the following: Joint Transit Facility Committee The Joint Transit Facility Committee met today to address various problems that have arisen regarding the transit facility. There is a provision in the New York State Constitution which prohibits joint ownership by public and private consortium. The Urban Mass Transit Administration also has regulations that need to be addressed. 0 There will be a joint meeting in New York City with Assistant City Attorney Kennedy, representatives from Cornell, Tompkins County, the Urban Mass Transit Administration and the State m Department of Transportation to discuss various options for the Q design, construction and ownership of this facility. Tompkins County Board of Public Works and Construction Management Committee The County will be preparing a Solid Waste Management Plan to fulfill landfill application requirements. The approximate cost of this plan is $215,000. Recourse Systems, the County's recycling consultant provided background information for the committee to prepare them for future discussions regarding the design, construction and private vs. public operation of the Central Processing Facility. Tompkins County Board of Representatives Meeting The County will be holding a Public Hearing to adopt the amended trash tag legislation. The amended version states that there will be no exceptions to the trash tag option. Mayor Nichols stated that he proposed an amendment to the legislation that would allow any municipality that collects its own solid waste to design their own system, including the form, and charges of trash tags, and the penalties for violations of the legislation. Spencer Road Meeting The Spencer Road meeting was very successful with over 30 people in attendance. Alderperson Blanchard presented background information on the history of the road and traffic counts. Chief McEwen explained how he intends to lessen traffic and speed problems. REPORT OF ACTING ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT: Acting Assistant Superintendent Carpenter' reported that the following projects are progressing: Third Street - completed Plain Street Gravel Basing - should be complete next week Stewart Park Entrance - storm sewers are in Overlay Work - Madison St, Cleveland Ave, Kline Rd, Needham P1 complete Stewart Avenue Bridge 1991 Special Olympics preparation 410 BPW Minutes October 10, 1990 ivew York State Transportation Safety Board The New York State Transportation Safety Board met yesterday and indicated that they will be requiring all transit systems to implement a new system safety program plan. Crosswalk Striping /Sign Replacement The crosswalk striping and sign replacement projects are progressing. Acting Asst. Superintendent Carpenter will provide the Board with a report on the areas that have been completed to date. Acting Assistant Superintendent Carpenter extended his heartfelt thanks for the naming of the new road and industrial park after Sally and himself. REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER: City Engineer Gray reported that the following projects are progressing: Street Lighting requests Sidewalk Contracts Water Tanks Fire Stations Hudson Street Thurston-Avenue Bridge - Route 96/89 Layouts - fo. completed Inlet Island Land Use Committee Route 13 South Widening Discussion followed on the floor regarding the State's Route 13 South widening project. A section of the highway lies within the City limits. Mayor Nichols stated that the Planning and Development Committee will be discussing this matter further. installation of Signs on Grandview Court The Alderpersons of the Second Ward presented the board of Public Works with a petition from residents of Grandview Court requesting the installation of a "Slow, Children at Play" sign on or near the entrance to Grandview Court. Resolution By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Connor WHEREAS, due to construction work done in this area, the "Slow, Children at Play" sign on Grandview Court was removed and has not yet been replaced;,now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the request from the residents on Grandview Court for the installation of a "Slow, Children at Play" sign and directs the Traffic Engineer to arrange for this installation. Carried Unanimously WATER AND SEWER ITEMS: Water and Sewer Rates for 1991 The Board of Public Works has reviewed the 1991 Departmental requests for water and sewer operations, which includes the recommendations of the Special Joint Subcommittee for the 1991 Wastewater Treatment Plant budget. The City Engineer and City Controller have made initial presentations concerning changes in water and sewer rates needed to support these programs. 4 411 Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded WHEREAS, the requests of staff Joint Subcommittee represent a; the Water and Sewer budgets in BPW Minutes October 10, 1990 by Commissioner Cannon and recommendations by the Special I.e'conomical and viable program for 1991; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Water and Sewer budget requests be approved and presented to the'` Mayor and Common Council for their consideration, and be it further RESOLVED, That the City Water and Sewer rates effective with bills rendered and payable January 1, 1991, be established at $1.15 per 100 cubic feet for water and $1.30 per 100 cubic feet for sewer, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the rate for water provided to the Town of Ithaca at the Cliff Street pump station be established at $1.4375 per O 100 cubic feet and that all other rates remain as established. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon m RESOLVED, That the $1.30 sewer rate in the second Resolved Q clause be changed to $1.25. Carried Unanimously Discussion followed on the floor. Commissioner Cannon requested that a press release be issued regarding these new rates as soon as possible. Main Motion as Amended A vote on the Main Motion as amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Request for Expungement of Water and Sewer Bill at 109 South Quarry Street Mark Macenas, owner of the property at 109 South Quarry Street, requested that the Board of Public Works expunge the water and sewer repair bill of $800.83 for extending the existing 3/4" water service to high pressure main service. Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Connor WHEREAS, this work was done at the request of Mr. Macenas, and WHEREAS, due to the nature of the existing service, most of the replacement work had to be done by hand requiring a large amount of labor charges, and WHEREAS, the City Engineer has verified all the charges on this bill to be correct; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies the request from Mr. Macenas for expungement of the water and sewer repair bill for 109 South Quarry Street. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES• Audit Report By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Connor RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract #19 General Fund ....... .........................$ 107,838.01 Water and Sewer Fund ......................... 12,993.92 Joint Activity Fund .......................... 10,103.46 Capital Projects ............................. 351,760.81 A 412 BPW Minutes October 10, 1990 and, be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Joint Transit Facility Commissioner Connor commented that she felt that the graphics on the transit maps, that were produced in conjunction with the Joint Transit Facility, had sexist connotations. She feels that the City should review all material, before publication, that bears its name. Acting Asst. Superintendent Carpenter explained that this map was a joint effort by all of the transit systems in Tompkins County. Cornell University paid for the map without assistance from the other transit systems. The graphics were done by a professional firm. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Budget Information City Engineer Gray passed out a memo on the 1991 DPW budget recommendations. Discussion followed on the floor and this matter will be taken up again at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 5:40 pm. Julie Conley B yle Deputy City Clerk 0 Benjamin Nichols Mayor