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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 Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS 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 Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole 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 Page - 4 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole 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 Page - 5