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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
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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.
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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.
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Committee of the Whole
April 17, 1991
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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
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