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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-11-07-BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. November 7, 1990 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (5) Cannon, Reeves, Berg, Cox, Brandford OTHERS PRESENT: Acting Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor - Ferrell Assistant City Attorney - Kennedy Common Council Liaison - Blanchard Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Boyle City Chamberlain - Parsons M EXCUSED: 0 Commissioner Connor PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Co Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Q American Flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of the October 10 1990 Board of Public Works Meeting Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the October 10, 1,990 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Approval of Minutes of the October 24, 1990 Board of Public Works Meeting Resolution By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the October 24, 1990 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Water and Sewer Items Commissioner Cox requested the addition of Item A - Expungement of Water and Sewer Bill at 213 Mitchell Street - Resolution. No Board member objected. YuD11C nearing for Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District Charges Resolution to Open Public Hearing By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Cox RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing on the Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District charges be opened. Carried Unanimously No one appeared before the Board to address the Public Hearing. Resolution to Close Public Hearing By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Cox RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing on the Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District charges be closed. Carried Unanimously 1 421 422 BPW Minutes November 7, 1990 Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District Charges Resolution By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Cox RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the Collegetown Special Assessment Benefit Distxi'ct charges, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain be requested to make the billing at the appropriate time. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY: Assistant City Attorney Kennedy reported on the following: Brick Reuse Policy Common Council would like to reduce the price of used bricks from $.50 to $.25 per brick as they are not selling at the current rate. Historic Ithaca has expressed an interest in purchasing a large amount of bricks to pave their back lot. The Board agreed with the price reducement with the provision that the Department of Public Works may reserve as many bricks as they will need for future projects. Joint Transit Facility The Joint Transit Facility contract for the design phase is ready to be signed. Signing of this contract is tentatively scheduled for Friday afternoon. Mayor Nichols commented for the record, that without Asst. City Attorney Kennedy's hard work, this would not have happened. University Avenue /Forest Home Drive Research is ongoing to clarify responsibility for the maintenance of Forest Home Drive and University Avenue. A 1985 memorandum of understanding is ambiguous as to whether the Town or City of Ithaca is the responsible party for maintenance prior to annexation but after the road was repaired in 1985. A 1983 DoT opinion indicates that Cornell is the owner, but the City is responsible for the road as a highway. In the 1985 memorandum, Cornell University agreed to maintain the upper portion of University Avenue and Forest Home Drive and the Town of Ithaca agreed to annex Forest Home Drive. In 1986 Cornell stated that they would only maintain Forest Home Drive for two years or upon annexation by the Town, whichever came first. The Town of Ithaca has not annexed Forest Home Drive as yet. According to the 1985 memorandum of understanding, the City Attorney's office was to serve as lead agency for the legal aspects of this matter. A meeting with Cornell staff and the Town is scheduled. New Market The 1991 agreement has been drafted for the New Market for May 18, 1991 to October 26, 1991. Included in the agreement is the payment for use of parking meter spaces which will be $1,000.00 ($40.00 per week for 25 weeks for 21 metered sites). REPORT OF ACTING SUPERINTENDENT: Acting Superintendent Gray reported on the following: DPW Negotiations The DPW labor contract negotiations are underway. Mental Health Facility Discussions are ongoing regarding South Tioga Street. O 7 Q BPW Minutes . November 7, 1990 REPORT OF ACTING FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR: Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ferrell reported that the following projects are proceeding: South Plain Street - complete ' Asbestos Abatement - complete Third Street - almost complete Storm Clean -up - almost complete Stewart Park entrance — curb will begin next Leaf pick up - ongoing Seneca Street bridge Stewart Avenue - brick replacement be set tomorrow, paving will week Storm Sewer replacement - State and Aurora Streets Night Snow Crews - will start on Nov. 18,• 1990 and will pick up leaves when not snowing Tree Planting Roof Contract - Streets Christmas Lights - have and Facilities building been installed Material spreader and snow plow preparations Street sweeper repairs REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER: City Engineer Gray reported that the following projects are proceeding: Water Tanks - complete Fire Stations - almost complete Hudson Street - almost complete DPW budget - will be reviewed by at 7:30 pm Common Council on Nov. 15, 1990 PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS: Request for All -Way Stop at Jay and Utica Streets A petition was received from residents and parents of children that attend a nursery school in that area for an all -way stop at the intersection of Jay and Utica Streets, in an attempt to slow traffic. Resolution By Commissioner Berg: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon WHEREAS, the Board reviewed this request and received input from the Traffic Engineer regarding this request; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies the request for an all -way stop at the intersection of Jay and Utica Streets as the Board does not feel that the proposed stop signs are an effective solution to the problem, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board refers the petitioners to the Police Chief for his recommendation and consideration with the speeding problems they are experiencing in the Jay and Utica Street area. Carried Unanimously Installation of Street Aprons on Tioga Street The Board of Public Works reviewed recent accident history and a number of complaints regarding speeding on Tioga Street, especially at its intersection with Farm Street. Staff has suggested and implemented several short -term recommendations to improve the line of vision on this street. 3 423 424 BPW Minutes November 7, 1990 Resolution By Commissioner Berg: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the Board is interested in further improving the visibility at the intersection of Farm and Tioga Streets with a long -term permanent improvement; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the*Board of Public Works, with the recommendation of the Traffic Engineer, directs staff to install 6 foot wide corner aprons at the intersection of Farm and Tioga Street. Discussion followed on the floor. Commissioner Cox requested that the Fifth Ward Alderpersons talk to the residents of that area to get their input on this project. Motion to Table By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Berg RESOLVED, That this Resolution be tabled pending further discussion with staff, Alderpersons and residents of the affected area. Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS ITEMS: 1991 Contract for the New Market at DeWitt Park Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Berg WHEREAS, the New Market is interested in renewing their contract with the City of Ithaca for use of DeWitt Park on Saturdays from May 18, 1991 to October 26, 1991 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, based on the same stipulations and terms agreed upon in the 1990 contract, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is willing to approve the same contract as last year with a change in the parking meter payment arrangements to be that the New Market agrees to pay $40.00 per week, payable monthly, for parking for the duration of the 1991 New Market season; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Acting Superintendent of Public Works to enter into said contract with the New Market for 1991. Discussion followed on the floor regarding a petition that was received from 4 DeWitt Mall merchants objecting to the hours of the New Market and the lack of parking around their stores caused by it. Commissioner Cannon requested that the Resolution be deferred until next week so Board members could contact the DeWitt Mall merchant regarding this matter. Motion to Defer By Commissioner Cannon: Seconded by Commissioner Cox RESOLVED, That this Resolution be deferred until the Committee of the Whole meeting of November 14, 1990 when the Board will have "Power to Act ". A vote on the Motion to Defer resulted as follows: Ayes (2) Cox, Cannon Nays (3) Reeves, Berg, Brandford Motion Fails Further Discussion followed. Mayor Nichols instructed the New Market to be ready to leave at 1:00 pm as their contract states. 4 425 BPW Minutes November 7, 1990 Main Motion A vote on the Main Motion resulted as follows: Ayes (4) Reeves,. Berg, Cox, Brandford Nays (1) Cannon r Carried WATER AND SEWER ITEMS: Expungement of Water and Sewer Bill for 213 Mitchell Street Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Cannon WHEREAS, a bill was issued to Mr. Anthony Petrillose of 213 Mitchell Street for replacement of the curb box lid at that address, and M WHEREAS, according to the Acting Water and Sewer Director, this O replacement was due to damage caused by a City snow plow; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works expunges Water and Sewer Co Bill #14712 issued to Mr. Anthony Petrillose of 213 Mitchell Q Street, in the amount of $15.00 for replacement of the curb box lid at that address. Carried Unanimously Discussion followed on the' floor regarding delegation of expungement matters to staff. Further discussion of this matter was referred to the Committee of the Whole. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Audit Report Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Cox RESOLVED, That bill listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract # 21 General Fund . ..............................$ 33,724.30 Water and Sewer Fund ....................... 39,773.75 Joint Activity Fund ........................ 5,512.41 Capital Projects ........................... 116,345.34 and, be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered. Carried Unanimously NEW BUSINESS: Carlos Laquette Commissioner Reeves read a letter she received from Cornell University in regard to Carlos Laquette, into the record: "Dear Carlos, On behalf of everyone at Cornell, I want to thank you and your colleagues in the Public Works Department for your efforts to complete work on the Thurston Avenue bridge in a way that minimized disruption to the university's academic programs. We especially appreciate the linking of your construction cycle with the excavation phase of our library project. The accelerated schedule you undertook also meant that the bridge was closed only for the first weeks of the academic year, significantly reducing inconvenience to members of the university community and the 42() BPW Minutes November 7, 1990 large number of local citizens who use that bridge to cut across the campus to get to the City. I also would like to commend you and the contractor on what appears to be a very handsome job. The cooperative planning efforts between your office, the contractor, and corresponding offices at Cornell are encouraging and continue to be a source of gratification to the university. With best regards. Cordially, John F. Burness Vice President" Hudson Street Mayor Nichols suggested that Commissioner Berg contact Hudson Street residents to see if they are interested in having a ceremony for the opening of Hudson Street. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:13 pm. Julie Conley Boyl Deputy City Clerk 2 Benjamin Nichols Mayor