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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1990-11-14Lm BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE November 14, 1990 NOTES Present: Commissioners Berg, Brandford, Connor, Cox, Reeves, (Cannon excused) Mayor Nichols; Council Liaison Blanchard, Acting Supt. Gray, Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ferrel, Asst. Refuse and Recycling Supervisor Kelly, Asst. City Atty. Kennedy, City Controller Cafferillo, City Chamberlain Parsons. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following were additions to the Agenda: *Discussion of Salt Bids - Rick Ferrel present. *Assistant City Attorney additional reports: (W C) Discussion of Forest Home Drive - present and future. d) Transit Facility: selection of design steering committee members and ownership agreement members. *Expungement of bill for encroachment at Holleys. *East State culvert discussion. *Bus service. *Report on bricks - Council Liaison Blanchard. The following were deletions to the Agenda: *Asst. City Atty. reports: a) Parking ramps: reserved spaces ruling. b) Abandonment of South Tioga Street for County Mental Health Bldg. - back -up information handed out at 10/3/90 meeting. *Water and Sewer bill expungements. 1. Countv Recycling Drop -off Center discussion for 1991 operation, 1991 Curbside Collection Services, trash tags City Controller Cafferillo and City Chamberlain Parsons were present for discussion. Dominick noted recent meetings held with the County regarding operation of the Recycling Drop -off Center and recycling program for 1991. The County is preparing specifications for bids to contract out the recycling collection. It was noted that it costs about $11,734 a month for the City recycling program. Discussion followed about the County taking over the City's recycling program. Some of the pros regarding BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole November 14, 1990 (W this included the possible costs saved, while some of the cons included City commercial pick -ups which the County does not want, the County's inability to recycle cardboard, loss of City employees and possible enforcement related issues. Commissioner Cox also noted that recycling is mandatory in the City and is not yet mandatory in all of the County. City Controller Cafferillo asked the BPW if they were interested in having the County take over the City's recycling program. The BPW asked that the City Controller come back to the BPW with more detailed information. Commissioner Reeves noted that the operation of the Recycling Drop -off Center is also being discussed and Commissioner Cox noted that order is important when negotiating these contracts. Discussion followed about trash tags for 1991. Commissioner Reeves noted previous BPW discussions regarding increasing the price of trash tags by 30 %, based on increased County landfill tipping fees. Discussion followed about the sale of the 1991 trash tags and the remainder of 1990 trash tags. The BPW decided to increase the costs of trash tags for 1991 and putting them on sale December 1st, sell the 1990 tags only until December 15th after which time they may be traded in and credited for 1991 tags. Discussion followed about changing the color of the 1991 trash tags which the BPW felt should be changed. The City Chamberlain and Mayor's office will take care of press releases regarding trash tags. 2. East State Street culvert discussion. Acting Supt. Gray noted that a steel culvert collapsed on East State Street, between the 900 and 1100 blocks, causing substantial damage and making this part of East State Street very unsafe for any type of traffic. Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ferrel was called out and Bill Mobbs, Tompkins County Public Works Commissioner, also helped out, and they decided to close this section of East State Street. Acting Supt. Gray noted that this culvert was installed in 1930 as part of a road improvement project and also noted that he estimates the work to cost between $200,000 and $300,000 and up to 4 to 6 weeks to complete. Discussion followed about how to prevent this type of emergency in the future. The BPW directed staff to move ahead expeditiously with the repair and replacement of this culvert and street. 3. Route 13 Reconstruction discussion. Commissioner Reeves noted that the Planning and Development Committee has asked for the BPW's opinion, as well as other Town and City committees' opinions, regarding this project. Acting Supt. Gray noted the two major options with this project - install a 4 lane highway from the City .line south to Buttermilk Falls and then switch to two -lane, or install a 4 lane highway Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole November 14, 1990 all the way to Route 13A. Discussion followed about the installation of new bridges in conjunction with this project. Discussion followed about the 400 feet +/- within the City that the State would need for this widening project. Commissioner Brandford asked about any special concerns regarding this right - of -way. Council Liaison Blanchard noted that there is a substantial history of wanting to widen this section of Route 13 but couldn't due to the existing railroad abutments which would be removed in accordance with the State project. Discussion followed about these abutments. Council Liaison Blanchard noted that the day care center in that area would like to be eligible for after school care which would require a school bus stop, but can't provide a school bus stop due to the abutments. She further noted that the removal of the abutments would not interfere with the bicycle path. It was noted that Alderperson Schroeder was concerned with removing the abutments as he felt they project a gateway entranceway to the City. Commissioner Cox asked Council Liaison Blanchard how the residents on Spencer Road feel about this project. Council Liaison Blanchard noted that although this wasn't a major topic when the Spencer Road meeting was held, the residents do feel that whatever is done to make Elmira Road more attractive, the more people will use it. The BPW felt they needed more information from the State regarding this project and will ask the P &D Committee to consider this in discussions with the State. 4. Expungement of bill for encroachment at Holleys. A request was received from the owners of Holleys on the Commons for expungement of a license fee bill for encroaching on the City right -of -way at that location. The Building Commissioner inspected this property and found that the building does not encroach on City property. The BPW agreed to expunge this bill. S. Assistant City Attorney additional reports: c) Discussion of Forest Home Drive - present and future. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted that a meeting is scheduled for Nov. 28th between the City, the Town and Cornell to discuss this road. Pat stated that a memo of understanding was initiated in 1985 regarding this road. She will report back to the BPW after this meeting. d) Transit Facility: selection of design steering committee members and ownership agreement members. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy noted the design contract has been signed and that 2 City representatives needed to be appointed to the steering committee. She also noted that another committee will be formed to work on the ownership agreement. Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole November 14, 1990 6. Budget discussion. Acting Supt. Gray noted the request from the Mayor and City Controller to the BPW that they reduce its budget further. He gave the BPW two charts noting the DPW requests and Mayor's recommendations, and asked the BPW for comments. Discussion followed about other City department increases, noting that the DPW received the lowest increase at .7 %, while other departments ranged from 6.0% to 10.7 %. Discussion also followed about the removal of the position of Superintendent of Public Works. Commissioner Reeves noted that the DPW budget will be reviewed by B &A tomorrow night and invited all BPW members to attend or contact her with any comments regarding the budget. 7. Discussion of Salt Bids. Acting Supt. Gray noted the recent bid opening for bulk salt and how this item is brought before the BPW annually. Cargill Salt, Inc. is the closest location to pick up salt at. However, their bid is $32.00 /ton while Akzo Salt Inc.'s bid is $31.00 /ton for salt picked up. The travelling distance is 10 miles to Cargill and 100 miles to Akzo. Thus, applying the mileage factor into this bid, Cargill is the low bid. The BPW will award this bid at their next meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 4