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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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Benjamin Nichols
Mayor