Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-04-17n BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE April 17, 1991 NOTES Present: Commissioners Berg, Brandford, Cox, Reeves, Rusoff, (Tripp excused), Mayor Nichols; Acting Supt. Gray, Acting Asst. Supt. Ferrel, (Council Liaison Blanchard excused). Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The following were additions to the Agenda: Staff discussions: g) 1991 Softball contracts. h) Elmira Road sidewalks. i) Seneca /Green Streets - communication from DOT. 1. Proposed use of corrosion inhibitor in City water. Chuck Baker, Chief Operator at the Water Treatment Plant, was present for discussion. Acting Supt. Gray noted that he asked Chuck and Gary Gleason to make a preliminary proposal for the BPW to review. The WWTP already removes phosphates and this is at a minimal cost and this proposed process will be handled as a standard treatment procedure. Acting Supt. Gray noted that he will assemble a packet regarding the phosphates and chemicals as a media release and asked the BPW what they would like to do - would they like a public hearing or public information session before taking action on this process. Chuck noted that he has a packet available about the product to be used in the water for the public's review, however, he does need the Health Dept.'s approval before actually taking action. Discussion followed about the health risks involved and the type of products that surrounding communities are using. Chuck noted that the product to be used is a food grade product that is approved by the USDA. Commissioner Brandford asked that staff provide cost estimates of how much it would cost to dispose the sludge if the product was not used. The BPW directed staff to put together a media packet containing all the information available regarding phosphates and the product used to remove the phosphates and what surrounding communities use for corrosion control for the BPW's review before holding a public information session. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole April 17, 1991 4 la. Water Treatment Plant preliminary work. Chuck Baker, Chief Operator at the Water Treatment Plant, was also present for this discussion. Acting Supt. Gray noted that money has been set aside for over 3 years for improvements to the WTP. He further noted that he is developing a program for these improvements and will come back to the BPW with a complete recommendation. He is suggesting that the City enter into an agreement (an estimated contract of $25,000) with Malcolm - Pirnie for these improvements as Malcolm - Pirnie did reports in 1982 and 1984 and know best what needs to be done at the Water Treatment Plant. Acting Supt. Gray also noted that the BPW needs to consider their options; does the City want to continue to produce their own water ?; does the City wish to enter into a joint effort (similar to the IAWWTF) with other nearby water producers ?; or, does the City wish to do away with the water - producing business altogether? He further noted that the most important item is the replacement of the raw water valve as the City could not produce water without it. Many of the modifications to the WTP would need to be contracted out but some of the work could be done in- house. Commissioner Reeves noted that these improvements were discussed at the Capital Projects review committee. Commissioner Berg asked for a list of priorities to be addressed at the Water Treatment Plant. The BPW agreed with the concept of the improvements at the Water Treatment Plant and Acting Supt. Gray will report back with more information. 2. Cornell Universitv water bills - request for penalty extension. Debra Parsons, City Chamberlain, was present for discussion. She noted that Cornell University is requesting an extension on the late payment period for their sewer bills as most of them are special readings and Cornell does not receive the bill at the same time each month. Commissioner Cox stated that he will abstain from any vote regarding this as it is a conflict of interest for him. Acting Supt. Gray noted that Cornell University's bill paying procedure is probably very similar to the City, taking several weeks for a bill to be authorized to be paid, and suggested that the BPW extend the late penalty period to 30 days. He further noted that the Cornell bills average $100,000 and a 10% late fee would cost Cornell $10,000. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the current late penalty payment and period is more designed for residential customers. Discussion followed. City Chamberlain Parsons noted that at one time these bills were under the "miscellaneous bills" and subject to a lesser late payment charge. Discussion followed about adjusting late payment fees according to the amount of the bill and adopting a policy of any bill over $10,000 to be handled as a miscellaneous bill. The BPW agreed to extend the late payment period to 20 days for Cornell University and asked that staff prepare a recommendation Page - 2 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole April 17, 1991 as to what the amount of the bill should be to get the 20 day grace period. 3. County Courthouse Parking Lot. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the County is asking that 12 of the metered parking spaces in the Courthouse lot be done away with to provide more parking for their personnel. He gave the BPW a map detailing the meters to be taken away. It was noted that this lot is owned by the County but operated and funds collected and received by the City, per an 1984 agreement between the City and the County. Discussion followed. Acting Supt. Gray also suggested that the existing meter rates be increased to $.50 per half hour in this lot to encourage more short -term parking. He further suggested that if the 12 meters are removed that clause 12 in the agreement be removed as it allows the Board of Representatives to park free in the lot. The BPW agreed with this and directed staff to write the County a letter to this effect. 4. Parking meter charges on Saturdays. Mayor Nichols discussed his proposal to make it publicly known that meters are free on Saturdays to help encourage more shoppers and further revitalize the downtown area. He noted the anticipated loss in meter revenue with this proposal. Commissioner Reeves noted that she did not want the DPW to have to make up the loss of this revenue from its budget, which Mayor Nichols assured the BPW that the loss would come from the General Fund. The BPW generally felt that this was a good idea but expressed concern about once this proposal becomes public, employees in the downtown area may try to take up prime meter spots instead of parking in the lots. The BPW decided to discuss this concern with Downtown Ithaca Inc. before publicly releasing this information for their input. Discussion followed about the meter rates charged to the New Market on Saturdays which the BPW noted that these meters are reserved for the Market's use only. S. Request from Matthew Smith for reimbursement of City charges to clear sidewalk. The BPW noted the letter from Mr. Smith regarding the charges for clearing his sidewalk. Acting Supt. Gray distributed copies of the complaint form used at Streets and Facilities to handle these complaints and the procedure the Dept. uses. The DPW tries to verbally contact the property owner but is obligated to clear the sidewalk as once a complaint is received the City is on notice of a hazardous condition and must correct it. Discussion followed about anonymous complaints which the DPW will not accept as this could be a revenge tactic used between neighbors. The BPW denied Mr. Smith's request for reimbursement of City charges for clearing his sidewalk. Page - 3 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole April 17, 1991 6. Staff Discussion: a) Free Ithaca Transit 1991. bus service for Earth Day, April 27, Bernie Carpenter, Transit Consultant, was present for discussion. He asked the BPW to permit free transit bus service on April 27, 1991 in conjunction with Earth Day and Arbor Day as was done last year. He noted that this is on a Saturday and Saturdays are typically the lowest ridership day. Last year's ridership on this free day was about 1800 and was an approximate loss of only $700 to the City. The BPW agreed to this request and directed Bernie to go ahead and publicize this. Bernie also noted that the Parks Commission has requested a bus tour and asked that the BPW to allow the use of a transit bus for this purpose. The tour will take place on Sunday, May 5th and Frank Gardner will be the tour guide. Commissioner Reeves noted that the tour invitation will be extended to Common Council and other City department heads. The BPW-approved the use of the transit bus for the parks tour and noted that the tour invitations will be a joint invitation from the Parks Commission and the Board of Public Works. b) Recycling contract with Tompkins County. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the City will either enter into an agreement with the County regarding recycling before the bids come back (which the County is not willing to do) or the City will wait and get the bid information and make a decision at that time. Discussion followed about the current recycling costs. Acting Supt. Gray will come back to the BPW with more information. C) 1991 Softball contracts. Acting Supt. Gray noted that Bernie Carpenter has been handling the softball contracts for this season and that all three leagues are on the same contract which the City has been wanting to do for years and thanked Bernie for his efforts in arranging this contract. d) Elmira Road sidewalks. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the planners are planning this project. e) Seneca /Green Streets - communication from DOT. Acting Supt. Gray noted that he has received communication from the DOT regarding the repaving of Green and Seneca Streets. Page - 4 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Committee of the Whole April 17, 1991 taw Although the DOT cannot predict when funds will be available for this project, it has been given top priority. f) Expungements /Sanitation violations. Acting Supt. Gray noted that he has been receiving numerous complaints regarding trash violations and just wanted to let the BPW know of some of these complaints. He noted that many of the violations were issued to students and that the sanitation workers are doing all they can to try to leave notes to residents regarding problems with their trash. Discussion followed about the landlords and their obligation to inform the tenants of new garbage information. Acting Supt. Gray noted that most of the landlords pass this fine onto the tenant and that he will probably deny all the requests for expungement of the violations. g) Inlet Valley - Town of Ithaca. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the Town is interested in extending water and sewer services to be able to run water out Floral Avenue to Seven Mile Drive to Bostwick Road and out past Turbacks and then tie back into the City's main and they would have to be connected to the Elm Street tank. To do so, the BPW would have to concur and agreements would have to be updated. Acting Supt. Gray noted that the Town also mentioned that they did not like the water rates the City passed as the rates were passed after the Town water funds were budgeted. He will come back to the BPW with more information regarding the Town's request for water and sewer extension. h) Creation of Senior Civil Engineer position within the Department of Public Works. Acting Supt. Gray noted the memo that Carlos Laguette did to the Board requesting a job title change and more money. He noted that he and Carlos have talked a great deal about getting more money for him and that he felt that when he hired Carlos " ..the City received a bargain." He noted that if this position were created he could relinquish all the engineering duties of his position over to Carlos which would be a tremendous help to him. Commissioner Rusoff noted that she would like to see more information about this position. Acting Supt. Gray noted that he will prepare a job description and come back to the BPW with this item. Meeting adjourned at 6:03 pm. Notes by Lisa Cornell Administrative Secretary Page - 5