HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1991-05-29A
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
May 29, 1991
NOTES
Present: Commissioners Berg, Brandford, Cox, Reeves, Rusoff, Tripp,
Mayor Nichols; Acting Supt. Gray, Acting Asst. Supt. Ferrel, Asst.
City Atty. Kennedy.
Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting.
The following were additions to the Agenda:
Request from Gregory Rolle to block off Cleveland Avenue for community
festival.
Request from Jim Houghton of Downtown Ithaca, Inc. to allow free meter
parking on Friday evenings.
The following were deletions to the Agenda:
Ar
Discussion of automated ticket dispensers in downtown ramps.
Northside land use as it effects consolidation of the Department of
Public Works - see back -up up letter from Bill Gray to Chuck Guttman.
Dryden Road Parking Garage further discussion.
1. Request from Jim Houghton of Downtown Ithaca, Inc. to allow
free meter parking on Friday evenings.
Jim Houghton, 111 Hudson Street, representing Downtown Ithaca Inc.
(DII) was present for discussion. He noted that DII felt it was a
very good idea to promote free weekend parking at the meters and asked
about extending this to include Friday evenings. He noted that the
meters list the hours of operation on Friday evenings till 9 pm.
Mayor Nichols noted that he talked to Pete Malison and he didn't see a
problem with this and that Pete could buy stickers to put on the
meters promoting this. The BPW agreed to extend the promotion of free
weekend meter parking to included Friday evenings.
2. Transit Facility update.
Herman Sieverding, Deputy Director for Planning and Development, was
(W present to give the BPW an update on the Joint Transit Facility. He
noted that the total project cost is $6.5 million but is short $1.3
million due to the lack of UMTA funding. He noted that the Committee
has come up with $825,000 worth of cost savings in the facility to
help this shortfall. He further noted that he has met with the
architects to firm up the cuts and to continue with the design of the
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
(W May 29, 1991
project. Herman noted that UMTA should give their funding commitment
in July, submit 75% of the job package to them, hear from them in
August and submit the package to the Department of Transportation.
Discussion followed about the project cuts. Commissioner Reeves asked
about the other entities involved - Tompkins County and Cornell
University and how they felt about the project now that the UMTA
funding has been reduced. Herman noted that Tompkins County is still
wanting to go ahead with the project and Cornell is tentatively saying
the same thing but is not in a position to positively agree with the
project without more definite figures. Discussion followed about the
firm hired for construction management. Discussion also followed
about specific cuts in the project such as reducing lifts, cheaper
roofing material and the possible elimination of the second floor.
Herman will keep the BPW updated on this project.
3. Southwest Park discussion.
Betsy Darlington on the Conservation Advisory Council was present for
discussion. Acting Supt. Gray noted that he and Acting Asst. Supt.
Ferrel walked through Southwest Park after Mayor Nichols had expressed
concerns about dumping at Southwest Park. He noted that the DPW is
following two simple rules - respect of the current edges of the
At working surfaces and materials delivered are being segregated. He
further noted that there was some material dumped there that looked
like it did not belong there, i.e. household appliances, etc., that
was 3 to 5 years old. Discussion followed. Commissioner Brandford
asked what the DPW uses this area for which Acting Supt. Gray noted
that it is used for storage and disposal. Discussion followed about
alternate sites the DPW could use which Acting Supt. Gray noted there
are none and that the DPW would have serious problems if they lost
this site. Discussion followed about the fill stored at this site.
Betsy asked if the State knows what the City is doing with this site
and suggested that the Parks Commission look into this. Commissioner
Reeves felt it was a good idea for the Parks Commission to review
staff's policy for Southwest Park. Commissioner Rusoff asked what the
Parks Commission's charge would be in reviewing this. Commissioner
Cox suggested that the Parks Commission be charged with
recommendations for long -term use of this site, which the BPW agreed
to. Commissioner Reeves noted that the Planning Dept. has alot of
information regarding Southwest Park which the Parks Commission may be
interested in. The BPW will discuss this after the Parks Commission
gives them their recommendations.
4. Request from Gregory Rolle to block off Cleveland Avenue for
community festival.
The BPW received a request from Gregory Rolle to block off Cleveland
(W Avenue on June 15 from noon to 8:30 for the annual Wheat Street
Festival. The BPW tentatively approved this request with the same
stipulations as last year, canvassing the neighborhood for their
approval, acquiring an assembly permit and any health permits
necessary and possible noise permit.
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
(W May 29, 1991
S. Ithaca Festival regpest to hang flag in Stewart Park.
A request was received from Sherry Hoard - Ashton, the Ithaca Festival
Coordinator, to hang an Ithaca Festival flag in Stewart Park on
Sunday, June 2nd while the Festival is taking place there.
Commissioner Reeves felt that the Festival flag should not replace the
American flag but should fly under it. Discussion followed. The BPW
approved the request from the Ithaca Festival Coordinator to hang the
Festival flag underneath the American flag on Sunday, June 2nd.
6. School District requests.
Thys Van Cort, Director of Planning and Development, was present to
discuss this item. He noted that he met with School District
officials regarding the property the Board of Education owns near the.
proposed site of the GIAC pool. Thys noted that the Board has not
active plans to expand the buildings, however they did have a few
requests for the City. They would like to keep their construction
vehicles parked there, they requested a place to store their bulk
storage piles and asked if the City could take over maintenance of the
green area. Discussion followed. Thys suggested that the bulk
storage piles be stored in Southwest Park. Discussion followed about
this and the BPW agreed that it was not a good idea to store these
piles. Discussion followed about the lease for this property which
the Asst. City Atty. will review. Discussion followed about the
parking of the construction vehicles which Thys and Acting Supt. Gray
will work out. Discussion followed about the City maintaining the
green area which the BPW did not want to do. Acting Supt. Gray, Thys
and the Asst. City Atty. will discuss these items further.
7. ProRosed GIAC pool discussion.
Thys Van Cort was also present to discuss this item. He noted that
Common Council allocated $450,000 last year for this project which is
in high gear now. The pool is to be an in- ground pool with a 40' x
75' kiddie pool. He noted that a client committee was formed to
oversee this project. He noted that the pool will not be used in the
winter. Commissioner Rusoff suggested still maintaining this in the
winter and the installation of night lighting. Discussion followed
about installing bicycle racks which Thys will look into and the
possible dog problems that may occur. Thys noted that if everything
goes as scheduled the pool will be opened for swimming in 1992.
S. Authorization to enter into contract with Malcolm Pirnie for
improvements to Water Filter Plant.
The Committee has "power to act" on this resolution.
17. WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS - Commissioner Cox.
A. Authorization to enter into a contract with Malcolm Pirnie for
improvements to Water Filtration Plant.
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
May 29, 1991
Resolution
by Commissioner Cox; seconded by Commissioner Berg.
WHEREAS, for the past three years, money has been set aside in the
City's Capital Project budget for improvements to the Water Filtration
Plant, and
WHEREAS, if these improvements are not done in a timely manner, it
could adversely affect the City's water supply, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Acting
Superintendent of Public Works to enter into a contract with Malcolm
Pirnie for an amount not -to- exceed $59,520 for the design of interim
improvements to the Water Filtration Plant.
Discussion followed. Commissioner Cox suggested that the resolved
paragraph be amended to "an amount not to exceed $66,00011, as
suggested by Acting Supt. Gray. No Board member objected to this
amendment.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
It Carried unanimously
9. Authorization to enter into contract for Green Street Garage
improvements.
The Committee has "power to act" on this resolution.
12. BUILDINGS PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS - Commissioner Rusoff.
A. Authorization to enter into a contract for repairs to the
Green Street Parking Garage.
Resolution
by Commissioner Rusoff; seconded by Commissioner Cox.
WHEREAS, the City authorized a capital project for renovations in the
Green Street Garage in 1989, and
WHEREAS, the Engineering Department has received a proposal to finish
the partially completed contract documents in order to put them out to
bid, and
WHEREAS, the proposal from Novelli
$16,960 and a range of $12,000 to
the work, now, therefore, be it
Engineers has an estimated fee of
$22,000 for this initial phase of
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends to Common Council
a contract with Novelli and Co. Consulting Engineers for an amount
not -to- exceed $20,000.00 and be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Engineer is directed to return to the Board
with a recommendation for services during construction and a review of
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
May 29, 1991
project schedule and project budget at the time the project is put out
to bid.
Discussion followed. Acting Supt. Gray noted the original resolution
authorized the Acting Superintendent of Public Works to enter into the
contract without going through B &A and Common Council. Commissioner
Cox suggested that the first resolved be amended as follows:
Friendly amendment
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Acting
Superintendent of Public Works to enter into a contract with Novelli
and Co. Consulting Engineers for an amount not -to- exceed $20,000 for
engineering services related to the restoration of the Green Street
Garage.
No Board member objected to this amendment.
A vote on the resolution as amended resulted as follows:
Carried unanimously
8. Town of Ithaca South Hill recreation way.
Commissioner Reeves noted that the BPW needed to review this item as
the Town is preparing a memorandum of understanding for this project.
Acting Supt. Gray showed the BPW a map and suggested that the BPW
consider giving the Town a right -of -way that already exists.
Discussion followed about this trail. The BPW agreed to Acting Supt.
Gray's recommendation and will let the Town know.
9. Request from Flag Day Parade Committee to hang banner on W.
State St. and cost yellow ribbons on trees and parking
meters.
The BPW received a request from the Welcome Home Committee of the Flag
Day Parade Committee to hang a street length banner on the 100 block
of West State Street and to post yellow ribbons on trees and the
parking meters. Commissioner Reeves noted the City tree ordinance
does not allow any posting on trees. Discussion followed.
Commissioner Rusoff was concerned about the length of time the banner
is requested to be up which is two weeks. Asst. City Atty. Kennedy
cautioned the BPW about letting the yellow ribbons be put up as they
would have to allow other organizations to put up their requests.
Discussion followed. The BPW agreed to the banner and yellow ribbons
on the meters for a one week limit but will probably discuss this item
at the next COW meeting as many members did not feel comfortable with
this.
4W Meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm.
Notes by
Lisa Cornell
Administrative Secretary
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