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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
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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.
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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
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