HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-02-20BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
February 20, 1991
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Berg, Brandford, Cox, Reeves, Rusoff,
Tripp, Mayor Nichols; Council Liaison Blanchard, Acting Supt.
Gray, Acting Asst. Supt. Ferrel, Asst. City Atty. Kennedy.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
The following were additions to the Agenda:
Update on the Joint Transit Facility.
Cornell Cycling Team Bicycle Race - new proposal.
Staff report on Wallace lawsuit.
The following were deletions to the Agenda:
Designation of North Willow Avenue.
Proposed Parks Commission Ordinance - report from Commissioner
Reeves.
North Cayuga Street bridge closing - notification to residents,
news media, etc. discussion.
County recycling negotiations.
1. 1991 Transit Budget - Committee has $'Power to Act".
Acting Supt. Gray noted the BPW's review and approval of the
Transit budget during their summer budget meetings. He further
noted that the salary line for the Transit System Manager was
further reduced by $20,000 since the BPW approved it. The
Common Council minutes of December 5, 1990 indicate the desire to
hire Mr. Bernard Carpenter on a contractual basis and Acting
Supt. Gray discussed the resolution for this purpose that he is
proposing. He would also like to include funding for Mr.
Carpenter's expertise in the Asst. Supt.'s capacity.
Resolution
by Commissioner Reeves; seconded by Commissioner Cox.
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works wishes to enter into a
Professional Services Contract for services related to both
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
February 20, 1991
Ithaca Transit and the Streets and Facilities Division, now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests the Budget and
Administration Committee make the following changes in the
budget:
Use of funds Original Proposed
A5630 Bus Operations
.435 Contract Services 32,500 42,500
A5010 Streets Admin
.435 Contract Services 3,000 13,000
Requested change + $ 20,000
Source of funds
A5010 Streets Admin
.105 Salaries 48,729 38,729
Requested change - $ 10,000
and that the remaining $10,000 for Bus Operations shall be at the
discretion of the B &A Committee.
Discussion followed about the future of bus operations and the
BPW felt this should be closely looked at. A vote on the
resolution resulted as follows:
Carried unanimously
It was also noted that this resolution is on the B &A agenda for
this evening.
2. Tompkins Co. Health Dept. Annual Water System Report.
Chuck Baker, Chief Operator at Water Filter Plant, was present to
discuss the Tompkins Co. Healthy Department's Annual Water System
Report. Chuck noted that the Labor Dept. also did an inspection
and found minor problems which the Filter Plant can easily
correct. Discussion followed about the Health Dept's report and
the sanitary violations found at the Filter Plant, which were; 1)
improper chlorine storage and handling, 2) water seepage on the
filter walls, and 3) inadequate chlorine residual. Discussion
followed about the costs to correct the chlorine problems which
Acting Supt. Gray noted about $500,000 to modify the storage
systems for the chemicals and correct the chlorine problem. He
further noted that there is a Capital Project available for these
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Committee of the Whole
February 20, 1991
improvements but the administration of these improvements is not
available due to staff's time constraints. Commissioner Cox felt
the improvements should be made. Commissioner Reeves noted that
Mr. Anderson (from the Health Dept.) is requesting a formal
timetable to be developed by the City to correct these problems.
Discussion followed about the interview process for the Asst.
Supt. for Water and Sewer. The BPW directed the Acting Supt. to
contact Mr. Anderson and let him know that the City is in the
process of recruiting an Asst. Supt. for Water and Sewer who will
be able to deal with and correct the Filter Plant's problems and
then report back to the BPW. Discussion followed about the
candidates for the Asst. Supt. for Streets and Facilities, noting
that some of these candidates were better qualified for the Water
and Sewer position. Commissioner Cox suggested that a regional
search be done for the Water and Sewer position as well, which
Acting Supt. Gray will do.
3. Update on the Joint Transit Facility.
Herman Sieverding from the Planning and Development Office, was
present to give the BPW an update on the Transit Facility. He
noted that the Committee hired an architect and visited the firm
last week, located in Westchester County, where they toured a
transit facility that the architect had designed. Council
Liaison Blanchard noted that this trip was very educating and
showed Herman further noted that the architect was required to
have $5 million in liability insurance, which cost the firm
$51,000. He noted that the costs total an increase of $20,000 in
the City share which is to be discussed at B &A tonight. The
Tompkins County Board of Representatives approved the design
budget at their last meeting. Herman noted that the project is
now up to $6.4 million and Federal funding should cover $4.6
million of it. Discussion followed about the City land and its
appraised value of $346,000. Council Liaison Blanchard asked the
BPW how they felt regarding this project as she was concerned
about the State and Federal's commitment to this project.
Commissioner Cox was concerned about DPW consolidation plans and
the money to replace this land. Alderperson Daley noted that
this is the only site the City can move on in the time available.
Herman agreed, noting that this is a good site. It was noted
that the project would cost the City $63,000 if the State and
Federal funding did not come through. Discussion followed. The
BPW gave Council Liaison Blanchard their support for this
project.
4. Reguest for bus turn - around at Farmers Market.
Alderperson Daley was present to discuss the Farmers Market
request for a bus turn - around at their Third Street. He noted
that a portion of the chain link fence would need to be
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February 20, 1991
eliminated to accomplish this turn - around. Joe further noted
that the opening day for the Market is April 6, 1991, and that
they would like to have an answer regarding this soon. Joe also
noted that the Market will be having a Sunday market this year.
He passed out a map indicating where this turn - around would be.
Acting Supt. Gray will review this map and report back to the
BPW.
Alderperson Daley also requested that staff restripe the off -
center yellow line at the intersection of Third Street and Route
13, noting that traffic backs up due to the absence of this line.
Staff will look into this matter.
5. Fayette Street lighting.
Alderperson Daley was also present to discuss this issue, noting
that a robbery occurred in this area and that the residents would
like a street light installed there. Commissioner Berg noted
that he did go down to Fayette Street to see what the situation
was and felt that more lighting is needed in front of the homes,
preferably by the home owner. Commissioner Tripp felt that the
streetlight should be installed. Discussion followed about other
requests for lighting if this light was installed. Commissioner
Rusoff felt that each request should be based on the
neighborhood's characteristics. Commissioner Brandford suggested
that staff draw up objective standards for installing
streetlights. Acting Supt. Gray will review this matter further
and get back to the BPW.
6. Loss to General Fund by,Appointment of Asst. Su t. for Water
and Sewer.
Mayor Nichols noted his memo to the BPW regarding the loss to the
City's General Fund by filling the position of Asst. Supt. for
Water and Sewer. He further noted the Common Council resolution
that directed the BPW to come back with alternatives for
replacing that money within 2 months. It was noted that 80% of
the City Engr.'s salary is paid for from the Water and Sewer Fund
and Acting Supt. Gray noted that he does not give 80% of his time
to Water and Sewer operations. Mayor Nichols noted that this
issue has to be resolved and the BPW will discuss this at a later
meeting.
7. Cornell Cycling Team Bicycle Race new proposal.
Acting Supt. Gray noted the most recent proposals from the
Cornell Cycling Team to close City streets for a bicycle race.
He further noted that their preferred route would be Option #1,
starting and finishing on Thurston Ave, between Highland and
Wyckoff Avenues. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the DPW could
provide barricades and that the Cycling Team will be getting
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February 20, 1991
insurance. Discussion followed about this route. Commissioner
Rusoff was concerned about how the residents in this area would
feel about this race. Discussion followed about why this race
could not be done on Cornell property. The BPW asked that the
Cornell Cycling Team canvass the neighborhood in Option #1 to see
if anyone had objections to this race being held and then to let
the BPW know of the outcome.
8. Capital Review Process Public participation committee
update.
Council Liaison Blanchard noted that this Committee's report is
done and the BPW will receive copies of the final report and the
Committee is asking that this report be discussed at a future COW
meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.
Notes by
Lisa Cornell
Administrative Secretary
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