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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-02-13BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. February 13, 1991 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (5) Rusoff, 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 City Chamberlain - Parsons Alderperson Cummings Alderperson Daley EXCUSED: O Commissioner Berg PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: m Mayor Nichols led all'present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Q American Flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES_: Abnroval of Minutes of the January 23, 1991 Board of Public Works Meeting Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the January 23, 1991 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Nichols discussed his memo regarding the Asst. Superintendent for Water and Sewer position. Mayor Nichols explained that Common Council passed the Resolution releasing the funding for this position from restricted contingency on the condition that the Board will report back to Common Council within two months with a plan that will define how the $45,791.00 loss to the General Fund will be replaced. Further discussion of this matter will be held at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Alderpersons Susan Cummings and Joseph Daley of the 2nd ward requested that the Board replace the missing street sign at the intersection of Green and Fayette Streets. Alderperson Cummings also noted that a "No Parking Here to Corner" sign is also missing on Fayette Street. Alderpersons Cummings and Daley also requested that the street light in front of 115 Fayette Street be replaced. Alderperson Daley mentioned that this matter has been before the Board in the past and it was his understanding that the Board passed a Resolution authorizing the replacement, but the work has never been completed. Discussion followed on the history of the location and alternatives that could be considered. Further discussion of this matter will be held at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. 1 45? BPW Minutes February 13, 1991 REPORT OF ACTING SUPERINTENDENT: Acting Superintendent of Public Works Gray reported on the following: City Court Facility Common Council voted to increase funds for the City Court Facility Capital Project in order to upgrade the Hall of Justice. Joint Transit Facility The Joint Transit Facility Committee is in the process of selecting an architect for the Joint Transit Facility. The Committee is touring facilities that have been constructed by an architect that they are interested in. Cayuga Street Bridge The Cayuga Street bridge over Cascadilla Creek is scheduled to be under construction and not usable throughout the summer and early fall. Commissioner Reeves will present preliminary sketches, publicity and rerouting plans to the Committee of the Whole next week. Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer A fob description for the Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer is being prepared. REPORT OF ACTING FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR: Acting Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ferrel reported that the following projects are proceeding: Cascadilla Creek - rebuilding a wall at Hancock Street Six Mile Creek - Wall footer complete Pot Holes - Crews out daily State and Aurora Streets storm sewer project - progressing City Attorney's Office - partition completed City Hall and GIAC interior painting - in progress Southside Community Center - dropped ceiling repairs, vandalism repairs Cass Park maintenance building restrooms - the has been installed and painting is in progress Stewart Park concession stand - the is being installed Tree trimming Discussion followed on the Cascadilla Creek wall project and the storm sewer problems on South Cayuga Street. HIGHWAY. STREETS AND SIDEWALKS ITEMS• Request to Close Street for Bicycle Race A request was received from Francis Vanek of the Cornell Cycling Team to close several City streets on Saturday, April 20, 1991 for 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, for the purpose of a bicycle race. Resolution By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the Cycling Team is asking that West Avenue, Campus Road, Stewart Avenue and University Avenue be closed during the above time period, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is concerned about the impact this will have on motorists due to East Avenue being closed, for construction purposes; now, therefore, be it VA RESOLVED, That request of the and submit to initial request. the Board of Public Works Cornell Cycling Team and asks the Board alternate courses BPW Minutes February 13, 1991 denies the initial that they consider mentioned in their Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS ITEMS: Request to Waive Fee for Large Pavilion at Stewart Park and for Amplified Sound A request was received from Cindy Percey, Acting Principal Account Clerk at Streets and Facilities, to waive the fee for the large pavilion at Stewart Park and for amplified sound in connection with Frank Gardner's retirement party on June 7, 1991 from 3:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Resolution O By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford WHEREAS, Frank has been employed by the City for over 33 years and has taken great pride in the maintenance and beautification of Stewart Park; now, therefore, be it m Q RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works waives the fee for the use of the large pavilion at Stewart Park on June 7, 1991 for Frank Gardner's retirement party, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the request for amplified sound with the understanding that if the amplified sound becomes objectionable to other Park users, permission will be withdrawn. Carried Unanimously Newman Municipal Golf Course Increase in Rates During the budget discussions for 1991, Common Council directed the Board of Public Works to increase the Newman Municipal Golf Course fees to help maintain budget neutrality. Resolution By Commissioner.. Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the golf Course Manager has recommended a 20% increase in daily fees and 15% increase in membership fees to help accomplish the directive of Common Council; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works establishes the following fee schedule for the 1991 season of the Newman Municipal Golf Course: Weekday daily pass $ 9.00 Weekend daily pass 10.00 After 6:30 pm /or league 6.00 Senior Citizens - weekday 6.00 Senior Citizens - special (Sunday afternoon) 3.50 Memberships Individual 200.00 Husband & Wife 345.00 Senior Citizens - Individual 160.00 Senior Citizens - Husband /Wife 270.00 Family 395.00 Junior 100.00 and, be it further 3 45;3 454 BPW Minutes February 13, 1991 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Golf Course Manager to update the Board on or about July 1, 1991 regarding the impact these fees have on the users of the Golf Course. Carried Unanimously ISTRATION & COMMUNICATION ITEMS: f Acting_ Assistant Suneri nt t-nainr By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the former Acting Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, Bernard J. Carpenter, retired from the City on January 18, 1991 and Richard Ferrel has been fulfilling those duties since that time, and WHEREAS, Mr. Ferrel has received a preliminary adjustment to his salary to reflect work load changes at the time the Assistant Superintendent departed in April, 1990; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That Mr. Ferrel be appointed the Acting Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, retroactive to Mr. Carpenter's retirement, that his salary be increased 5% while he is in this position, and that the source of funds shall be from account A5010.105, the salary line for the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works. Carried Unanimously Replacement of Bucket Truck The aerial unit on the City's bucket truck ( #16) was damaged in December 1990. This unit is used all year long by the tree crews in street right of ways, the parks and the golf course. The 20 year old unit would cost $35,000. to repair and the repaired unit cannot be certified because it does not meet current standards. Several options for that equipment have been reviewed. The cost of its replacement (a $54,000. unit mounted on our 9 year old chassis) and current concern about the budget, resulted in a review of the 1991 equipment budget. The equipment bid specifications are about to be issued on all the larger equipment. Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded -by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, the aerial unit on truck ( #16) is out of service, is not economically repairable, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the 1991 equipment list and its priorities for operations; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That: 1. The purchase of the street sweeper ($92,000. - 1991 Capital Projects Budget) be delayed one year, and the new aerial unit (54,000.) be substituted. 2. The Budget and Administration Committee be requested to change the Street Sweeping Budget to reflect the continued use of the equipment: A8170.477 Equipment Maintenance from $500. to $2,000. A8170.478 Equipment Parts & Supplies from $800. to $6,800. and the Parks and Forestry budget be changed to allow equipment rental while the new equipment is being bid and delivered: A7111.470 Rent Equipment from $800. to $6,800.- 4 BPW Minutes February 13, 1991 3. Staff delay the purchase of the following items in the 1991 Equipment List until May to provide some time for consideration of impacts due to the State budget: ' A1620 Building Systems Dump Truck $17,500 A5111 Highways Compressor 8 � 500 M Discussion followed on ythe floor. Acting Superintendent Gray stated that alternatives° such as utilizing rental equipment or contracting out tree trimming work would be more expensive than purchasing the new equipment. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Amendment to 1991 Transit Budget Acting Superintendent Gray led discussions regarding the City's co contract with Bernard Carpenter for Transit services. Acting O Superintendent Gray suggested that the Board refer a Resolution to the Budget and Administration Committee requesting that funds be transferred from the salary line into the contractual line for payment for Mr. Carpenter. On a motion by Commissioner Cox and Co Seconded by Commissioner Reeves this matter was referred to the Q next Committee of the Whole meeting when the Board will have Power to Act. Staff has requested that the Board of Public Works start charging residents for Water and Sewer special meter readings. This request is based on the number of hours the City Chamberlain's Office spends on processing the paperwork and the amount of time the Meter Readers spend obtaining these special readings. This service is provided as a service to the individual property owner and does not serve a system need or city function. Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, based on the amount of, time spent on special water and sewer meter readings, the Board of Public Works believes that it would be in the best interest of City residents to charge a fee for such readings; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves a charge of $25.00 for any special water and sewer meter readings effective July 1, 1991 following notification to all City water and sewer users through April, May and June billings, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works, by its authority under sections 5.19 and 5.20 to fix charges related to Water and Sewer services, and under section 5.48 to set rules and regulations for the Department, adopts the following modification to section 245.52 of the BPW Rules and Regulations: Section 245.52 Miscellaneous Regulations A. Billing and Enforcement Procedures 8) A charge of $25.00 will be assessed for a request to read a meter and /or produce a bill at a time other than the regularly scheduled reading and /or billing. Discussion followed on the floor regarding meter reading procedures. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 5 455 45()' BPW Minutes February 13, 1991 Request for Scavenger -type Recycling Days Several requests have been received for the Board of Public Works to consider administering scavenger -type recycling days due to the lack of fall and spring clean -up days within the City of Ithaca. The latest request was from Sara Hess of 204 Utica Street. Ms. Hess proposes that these recycling days would be a weekend when residents could put out anything they no longer want for anyone to come and pick -up. Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has discussed and considered the possibility of such recycling days; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works is willing to try the scavenger -type recycling days once, provided that the public is aware that the City will not pick -up any leftover items, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to contact Ms. Hess and request her assistance and ideas for the administration and publicity of the scavenger -type recycling days. Discussion followed on the floor. The Board directed staff to schedule this event during the summer months. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Audit Report Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract #3 General Fund ...... ..............................$ 66,504.61 Waterand Sewer Fund ............................ 0.00 Joint Activity Fund ............................. 8,608.36 Capital Projects . ............................... 144,239.95 and, be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm. Julie Conley Bo le Deputy City Clerk Benjamin Nidhols Mayor N