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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BPW-1991-01-23447 -BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. January 23, 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 Asst. City Attorney - Kennedy City Controller - Cafferillo Deputy City Controller - Thayer Common Council Liaison - Blanchard Deputy City Clerk - Boyle M PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 0 Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. CD APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of the January 9, 1991 Board of Public Q Meeting Works Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Berg RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the January 9, 1991 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Reeves requested th Resolution to replace Item 16 A - Restricted Contingency - Resolution No Board member objected. e addition of a substitute Request to Release Funds from COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Nichols reported that Richard Simberg, from the New York State Department of Transportation has responded to Traffic Engineer Gombas' letter on behalf of Rachel Finn. NYSDOT will conduct a review of the Tops location on Meadow Street concerning pedestrian safety and will report their findings and recommendations to Traffic Engineer Gombas. Acting Superintendent Gray noted that Frank Gombas had also requested that DoT review the Wegmans location on Meadow Street as well. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: City Controller Cafferillo was present for discussion regarding the Transit Supervisor position. Mr. Cafferillo explained that the Transit Supervisor position has not been eliminated from the budget, but the funding for the position has been reduced. Due to necessary budgetary cutbacks, Common Council voted to hire Bernie Carpenter back on a part -time contractual basis. The intention is to upgrade the Assistant Transit Supervisor to Assistant Transit Manager and not fill the Asst. Transit Supervisor position. City Controller Cafferillo explained that the City is trying to reduce its staff through attrition and we must take advantage of all the upcoming retirements and try to reorganize City departments so we can provide the same services 1 448 -BPW Minutes January 23, 1991 with less manpower'. City Controller Cafferillo also noted that the Board can make a recommendation to the Budget and Administration Committee at any time to reinstate funding for the vacant position and the.matter will be reevaluated at that time. The Board of Public Works expressed their displeasure at not being included in the decision making process since these positions are under their charge. They further stated that they would like to be informed of all matters going to the standing committees or Common Council regarding the Department of Public Works so that they will have a chance to respond and offer any objections or recommendations they may have. Further discussion followed regarding initial discussions that will be held at tonight's Budget and Administration Committee meeting concerning combining financial activities in the Youth Bureau and Department of Public Works. REPORT OF ACTING SUPERINTENDENT: Acting Superintendent Gray reported that the following projects are proceeding: Linden Avenue Tank Removal - the tanks have been removed along with 20 cubic yards of soil for testing. NYSEG Grant - DPW is applying for a $4,000, grant from NYSEG for tree plantings under power lines. Water Shed Rules - the Water Shed rules are completed, they will be submitted to the Board for review and will then be submitted for public review. .. Water and Sewer OSHA Inspection - certain areas need to be reviewed in the Water & Sewer Department due to changes in trenching requirements. Six Mile Creek Retaining Walls - the retaining walls of Six Mile Creek,in the Titus Avenue area, are being reinforced due to heavy water flows. Ithaca Transit Support of Police Operations - Bernie Carpenter will be updating the 1968 report "Ithaca Transit Supporting Police Operations" in case there is a need for transportation for large groups of people. REPORT OF ACTING FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR: Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ferrel reported that the following projects are proceeding: Complaints - many complaints have been received regarding snow removal procedures and the new trash tags. Equipment preparation for spring and summer seasons Equipment specifications preparation Safety plan /Right to Know plan - work on these plans is proceeding and they should be irk• effect shortly. N 449 BPW Minutes January 23, 1991 BUDGET, ADMINISTRATION & COMMUNICATION ITEMS• Request to Release Funds from Restricted Contingency Resolution By Commissioner Reeves:, Seconded by Commissioner Cox WHEREAS, the Water and Sewer operations of the City are suffering from the lack of full -time professional direction and need immediate attention, including the implementation of previously funded capital projects, ;and WHEREAS, even before taking Superintendent of Public Works, sufficient time to give the attention that they need, and on the position of Acting the City Engineer did not have Water and Sewer services the WHEREAS, the Mayor and Common Council have set the consolidation of the Department of Public Works as a priority for this year and have established a capital project for that effort, and O WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has determined that an essential component of the future organization of the Department of Public Works is the creation of the position of Assistant Co Superintendent for Water and Sewer, and Q WHEREAS, the funds for the position of Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer were included in the 1991 budget; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works urges strongly that the funding for the position of Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer be released without delay from Restricted Contingency and that this position be advertised as soon as possible. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Audit Report Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded RESOLVED, That bills listed on the for payment: Abstract #2 by Commissioner Cox following Abstract be approved General Fund ....... ..............................$ 61,965.59 Water and Sewer Fund .............................$ 11,708.72 Joint Activity Fund ..............................$ 23,969.79 Capital Projects ... ..............................$ 279,602.90 and, be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Inlet Island Land Use Committee Commissioner Cox reported that the Inlet Island Land Use Committee should have a series of recommendations to offer Common Council in approximately one month. Youth Bureau Board Commissioner Rusoff reported that the Architect who conducted the acoustical study on the Youth Bureau building is no longer with the architectural firm selected for this job. Sam Cohen has only been given an initial report of the findings. The Youth Bureau is withholding $600. from the $3,000. contract until a final report is distributed by the architectural firm. 3 450 BPW Minutes January 23, 1991 Joint Transit Facility Committee Council Liaison Blanchard reported that the Joint Transit Facility Committee is planning a trip to Buffalo on February 13, 1991 to tour three facilities that were constructed by the design firm that is being considered for the new facility. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:30 P.M. Julie Conley Bo le Deputy City Clerk 4 6-Y,-, lj�- �, Benjamin Nichols Mayor