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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-01-09441 -BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. January 9, 1991 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (6) Rusoff, Berg, Reeves, Tripp, Cox, Brandford OTHERS PRESENT: Acting Superintendent of'Public Works - Gray Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor - Ferrel Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Boyle PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE• Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. Co APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 0 Approval of Minutes of the December 12, 1990 Board of Public Works Meeting Resolution m By Commissioner Berg: Seconded by Commissioner Cox Q RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the December 12, 1990 Board of Public Works Meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Mayor Nichols welcomed the new Board of Works Commissioners, Jill Tripp and Denise Rusoff. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR: Election of Vice Chair for 1991 Commissioner Berg nominated Commissioner Reeves for the position of Vice Chair for 1991, Commissioner Cox seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations. Resolution By Commissioner Berg: Seconded by Commissioner Cox RESOLVED, That Commissioner Reeves be appointed Vice Chair of the Board of Public Works for 1991. Carried Unanimously Mayor Nichols deferred the rest of his report until after Communications and Hearings of Persons Before the Board. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Brenda Kuhn, of the Disability Advisory Council addressed the Board regarding Handicap Parking Spaces in the City Hall parking lot. The Disability Advisory Council would like to see if a sign could be placed on the existing Handicap Parking Space sign that would state that the parking space is reserved for City Hall business only. The Disability Advisory Council would also like temporary handicap parking spaces created for certain events, such as Disability Advisory Council meetings, or any events that may draw disabled people to City Hall. Discussion followed on the floor. Acting Superintendent Gray will pursue these ideas. Brenda Kuhn also spoke about problems regarding the snow and ice removal procedures for sidewalks and curb cuts. The Disability e 1 442 BPW Minutes January 9, 1991 Advisory Council would like to see additional publicity in the newspapers, radio and TV advising people that it is their responsibility to keep their sidewalks clean, and that if a complaint is made against them, they will have 24 hours to correct the situation. The Disability Advisory Council has devised a "Winter Accessible Area ", which is the downtown area from Albany Street to Aurora Street and Court Street to Clinton Street that they would like the Department of Public Works to keep clear. They suggest that the City's meter people, Police Officers, etc. that walk those routes daily, inform the DPW if the walkways and curb cuts need clearing. Discussion followed on the floor. Acting Superintendent Gray noted that first priority during snowfalls is clearing the streets and making the hills safe, when this is accomplished, the sidewalks are cleared. Due to budgetary and staffing constraints, it could be 24 hours before staff can clear the sidewalks. Further discussion followed. Acting Asst. Superintendent Carpenter will review the Winter Accessible Area with the snow removal crews and Acting Superintendent Gray will research youth employment and other possibilities for snow and ice removal on sidewalks and curb cuts. The Board of Public Works will report back to the Disability Advisory Council. Mayor Nichols resumed his report under Communications From the Mayor: Buildings, Properties and Transit Items - Commissioner Rusoff Streets, Sidewalks and Highway Items - Commissioner Brandford Budget Administration and Communication Items - Commissioner Reeves Parking and Traffic Items - Commissioner Berg Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Items - Commissioner Cox Creeks, Bridges and Parks Items - Commissioner Tripp Liaison Assignments: Capital Projects - Commissioners Reeves and Berg Commons Advisory Board - Commissioner Rusoff Conservation Advisory Council - Commissioner Tripp Parks Commission - Commissioner Tripp Planning and Development Board - Commissioner Berg Six Mile Creek Committee - Commissioner Tripp Special Joint Subcommittee - Commissioners Cox, Reeves, Brandford Youth Bureau Board - Commissioner Rusoff Priority of Issues: DPW Consolidation: The Department of Public Works reorganization and consolidation will be a top priority for the Board of Public Works this year. Currently, employee salaries and benefits makeup 2 /3rds of the City budget and these costs are increasing by 6% every year. Common Council and Department Heads have committed themselves to working on staff reductions as the revenues the City collects are not enough to offset the yearly salary and benefit increases without raising property taxes to an unacceptable level. The City now has 450 full time employees, of those 150 are Police and Fire Department staff, and 185'are DPW staff. During 1991 the Board of Public Works will be charged with finding ways of consolidating programs, and researching how new technology and equipment may help reduce the need for additional manpower, so the City can provide equal services with a lower staff level. 2 443 BPW Minutes January 9, 1991 REPORT OF ACTING SUPERINTENDENT: Acting Superintendent Gray reported the following projects are proceeding: Linden Avenue Tank Removal - wifl start on Wednesday Cass Park Bathrooms Christmas Tree chipping Commons Bicycle racks Seneca St. parking garage elevator overhaul Sewer Use Ordinance update Electrical manhole installation - Aurora Street Acting Superintendent Gray stated that. this week is Sally Carpenter's last week. He noted that Sally was extremely efficient and her retirement will be a great loss to the Department. Acting Superintendent Gray responded to Betsy Darlington's memo 0 regarding gravel removal from Six Mile Creek. The Department of Public Works receives annual permits from the Department of Environmental Conservation for this work. A response will be CO drafted to address Mrs. Darlington's concerns. Q REPORT OF ACTING FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR: Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ferrel reported on the following: The highway crew has rebuilt a section of the sidewalk on the 300 block of Cayuga Street that was damaged by flooding. The Cascadilla Creek Wall project will begin shortly. This is a yearly maintenance project and is partially reimbursed by County Flooding and Erosion grant monies. One of the aerial trucks caught a low hanging telephone wire about three weeks ago and damaged both the upper and lower boom, which could cost approximately $20,000. to repair. The truck is 18 years old and is scheduled to be replaced in 2 years. A new unit would cost approximately $40,000. HIGHWAY ITEMS• Award of Contract for Snow Plow Equipment Bids were received on December 14, 1990 for furnishing Snow Plow Equipment. Resolution By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the award of contract for furnishing Snow Plow Equipment be awarded to Roberts Equipment of Cazenovia, New York for their low bid of $6,666.00. Carried Unanimously PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS: 1991 Parking Rates for City -owned Ramps and Lots The 1991 City budget has been reviewed and adopted covering expenses and revenues. The budget incorporates an increase in revenues for parking lots and garages from $545,000. budgeted for 1990 to $623,500 for 1991. (Revenues of $544,700. have been credited as of December 28, 1990.) The State's budget adopted in July 1990 imposed a 7% sales tax on parking fees, which has resulted in increased transaction time at the booths. 3 444 BPW Minutes January 9, 1991 Resolution By Commissioner Berg: Seconded by Commissioner Cox WHEREAS, the City's 1991 budget was adopted with a projected increase in revenues of $78,500., and WHEREAS, the State has imposed a sales tax on parking lot fees; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopts the following fee structure for the parking lots and garages in order to meet its budgetary obligations and collect the tax revenues required: Hourly Parking Fees (tax included) Dryden Road Parking Garage All Others Permit Parking Fees (tax included) Uncovered, All Seneca Street, Undercover Dryden Road, Day Dryden Road, Night $ .60 /hour $ .30 /hour $22.00 /month $36.00 /month $50.00 /month $40.00 /month Carried Unanimously Parking Arrangements for RSVP Volunteers David Smith, Director of the Tompkins County Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) , is requesting free parking for the tax preparation volunteers in the Woolworth parking lot, while they are receiving training at City Hall. Resolution By Commissioner Berg: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants free parking on a space available basis for the RSVP tax counselors in the Woolworth's parking lot during the period of January 14, 1991 through January 18, 1991. Carried Unanimously WATER AND SEWER ITEMS: Delegation of Authority to Superintendent of Public Works to Expunge Water and Sewer Bills The Board of Public Works is charged with overseeing and controlling the Water and Sewer operations. The Board receives numerous requests for expungement of water and sewer bills. The review and discussions of expungements require the City Chamberlain, City Engineer and Water and Sewer personnel to thoroughly research and investigate before making a recommendation to the Board of Public Works. The Board then discusses and approves or denies the, request. This process can be very time consuming. Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Berg WHEREAS, streamlining of the water and sewer expungement process would be in the best interest of the City of Ithaca water and sewer users, and WHEREAS, a number of expungements can be handled at staff level when adequate technical reasons exist; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of 'Public Works delegates limited authority for expungement of water and sewer bills to the Superintendent of Public Works who, in consultation with the City Chamberlain,' may consider the following: Expungement of late penalties on bills 4 445 BPW Minutes January 9, 1991 Expungement of sewer portions of bills due to water leaks where the water did not enter the sewer system Expungement of bills due to incorrect addresses M Expungement of bills for repair work to the water and sewer service Expungement of bills pertaining to replacement of remote water meter readouts Expungement of bills for work done as a result of the City's fault /error, not covered above. and, be it further RESOLVED, That these expungements can only be granted for O technical reasons, and may be rejected and returned to the full Board by the City Chamberlain. Carried Unanimously 7 m REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Q Audit Report Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract #1 General Fund .... ..............................$ 55,244.09 Water and Sewer Fund ..........................$ 0.00 Joint Activity Fund ...........................$ 0.00 Capital Projects ..............................$ 31,747.54 and, be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered. Carried Unanimously Thank you - Mike Cannon Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Cox WHEREAS, Michael Cannon has admirably served the City of Ithaca as a Commissioner of the Board of Public Works since 1988, and WHEREAS, during his tenure, Mike has acted as BPW liaison to the Commons Advisory Board, the Youth Bureau Board and Six Mile Creek Committee; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That on behalf of the entire community and the Department of Public Works staff, the Board of Public Works hereby commends and thanks Michael Cannon for his 3 years of service as a Commissioner of the Board of Public Works. Carried Unanimously Thank you - Pat Connor Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Berg WHEREAS, Pat Connor has admirably served the City of Ithaca as a Commissioner of the Board of Public Works for the past year, and WHEREAS, in the past year Pat has served on the Joint Transit Facility Committee, the Interim Parks Commission and acted as BPW liaison to the Conservation Advisory Council; now, therefore be it 5 44()' BPW Minutes January 9, 1991 RESOLVED, That on behalf of the entire community and the Department of Public Works staff, the Board of Public Works hereby commends and thanks Pat Connor for her past year of service as a Commissioner of the Board of Public Works. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF BOARD OF LIAISONS: Commissioner Berg reported that the Downtown Visions Task Force should be presenting their final report to Common Council in February. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:33 P.M. ulie Conley B le Deputy City Clerk C: Benjamin Nichols Mayor e