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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-03-25169 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. March 25, 1992 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (6) Rusoff, Tripp,-Reeves, Gerard, Cox, Brandford OTHERS PRESENT: Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities - Ferrel Asst. Superintendent of Water & Sewer - Shimer Asst. City Attorney-- Kennedy Common Council Liaison - Berg Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Boyle Assistant Civil Engineer - West Community Development Coordinator - Norton M PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Co Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the M American Flag. s 7 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: M Approval of the Minutes of the February 26 1992 Board of Public Q Works Meeting By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the February 26, 1992 Board of Public Works Meeting be approved with a correction to page 2 under the Report of the City Controller, the word "prospective" be substituted for the word "perspective ". Carried Unanimously By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That approval of the Minutes of the March 11, 1992 Board of Public Works Meeting be deferred until the April 8, 1992 meeting. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Highways, Streets & Sidewalks Commissioner Brandford requested the addition of Item B - Award of Contract for Trees - Resolution. No Board member objected. New Business Commissioner rerard requested the addition of Item A - Six Mile Creek - Resolution. No Board member objected COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Nichols reported that the Planning & Development Board gave its preliminary approval to the Weisburd Project at the March 24, 1992 meeting. Final approval of the project is scheduled for April or May. He stated that one item that will require discussion is the portion of the land which runs along the road, it has been suggested that the City take this as part of their right -of -way. Mayor Nichols requested that Assistant Civil Engineer West address the Board. Mr. West reminded the members of the Board that they had received a packet of information regarding the project and pointed out the areas in question to the Board. He stated that it would make sense to use all of that property as the right -of -way. He further 1.70 BPW Minutes March 25, 1992 stated that there are also a number of other parts of the property that the developer would like the City to accept. Ms. Norton addressed the Board in response to a question from Commissioner Gerard regarding the amount of open space required under the cluster zoning provisions. She explained the various alternatives available to the City. She also addressed the concern of the preservation of certain tree species in this area. Council Liaison Berg reported that the Planning Board is not requiring the installation of sidewalks on this project. Commissioner Reeves requested that this issue be discussed further. Community Development Coordinator Norton suggested that Mr. Weisburd attend the next Regular meeting on April 8, 1992 to address these issues. REPORT OF CITY CLERK: Deputy City Clerk Boyle advised the Board that the Clerk's Office is without one staff person for approximately four to six weeks. The Clerk's Office is hoping for temporary help with minutes and typing. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY: Assistant City Attorney Kennedy reported that the Deschere case was dismissed last week by Judge Olds in City Court. Judge Olds stated that Mr. Deschere would have to bring an Article 78 proceeding because he brought his matter to the Board, who ruled on it. He had his opportunity to have a hearing on the issue and now if he doesn't like that determination, he will have to go to Supreme Court. Mr. Deschere has approximately two months to decide whether or not to proceed in this manner. Assistant City Attorney Kennedy advised the Board that they would be receiving a memo from her office on the Americans with Disabilities Act. It will be the first phase of memos coming out of the Attorney's Office regarding the responsibility of public entities such as the City, and in particular, the Board, for making sure that accessibility is available for people who have different kinds of disabling conditions. She further stated that the City needs to take affirmative steps toward making sure we can communicate with those who may have speech or hearing impairments. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Council Liai §on Berg reported that the second round of bids for the Municipal Pool have come in and are approximately $1001000 over the budgeted amount. Council will be discussing this at the Committee of the Whole Meeting tonight and voting on April 1, 1992. REPORT OF ASST. SUPT. STREETS & FACILITIES• Assistant Superintendent of Streets & Facilities Ferrel reported on the following projects: Ithaca Transit will be providing service to the Farmers' Market. There will be a four week trial period beginning June 6, 1992. The Market will be charged $34.00 per hour fm the service, minus any fare back revenues. After the trial period, the service wilL be evaluated to see if it should be continued. The Market will promote this bus line extension i ,their printed advertising. The Green Street garage rehabilitation has begun. The North Cayuga Street bridge bids have been received. The funding must be updated before the award is made. 171. BPW Minutes March 25, 1992 The City Court facility bid documents were released today. The bid opening is scheduled for the end of April. Construction will begin in early June. The Commons' preconstruction meeting has been completed. Work should start soon. Commons Brick Design Assistant Civil Engineer West discussed the Commons renovation and brick design project. He explained that the renovation bids were under budget, so there is an opportunity to create a geometric brick design for the circle, in front of Center Ithaca (intersection of Tioga and State Streets). There is a short time period in which to complete the work, so if possible, staff would like the Board to review the design soon so it can be delivered to the architect by April 1, 1992. Staff will present the design to the Commons Advisory Board on April 3, 1992, and formal proposals L(") will be delivered to the contractors in the first week in April. iD Construction should begin in mid - April. The project should cost M approximately $5,000. - $10,000., if no delays are involved. 7 The Board will host a public comment period regarding this project M at the April 1, 1992 Committee of the Whole meeting. A short Q discussion followed regarding this project and possible reactions. Clean -up Week will take at least two weeks due to the snow storm on Sunday. All trucks are being weighed as they go into the landfill so accurate tonnage will be recorded, and a cost for this project can be formulated. The first two days of collection generated 30 tons of material, approximately 70 tons of trash is collected on a normal week. Commissioner Cox stated for the record that he wished to thank the County and the City for this opportunity. The night crew finished work last week, so if there are future snow storms, overtime will be required for evening work. Stewart Park - boathouse is being upgraded, the shore line has been cleaned up with debris going to Southwest Park to be composted, and the fencing around the tennis courts is being replaced. Cass Park - the ice has been removed from the rink. The Vacancy Review Board approved filling the golf course working supervisor position from within existing staff. The paperwork for the environmental review of the golf course maintenance building site has been started. Repair appraisals are forthcoming for the damaged Ithaca Transit bus. Receiving estimates from local companies has been difficult, so this matter may be taken out of state. There was a recruiting outreach meeting held at Southside Community Center. This meeting was attended by Rick Ferrel and Jim Miller in compliance with Affirmative Action Advisory Committee's request regarding seasonal employees. Softball contracts are being drawn up pending review of the costs of maintaining the ball fields last year, and the projected costs for this year. The Softball Association is funding approximately one -third of the cost for maintenance of the fields. Last year's cost to the City was $23,000. Discussion was held regarding lighting complaints, and parking on the grass at the fields. 1.72 BPW Minutes March 25, 1992 REPORT OF ASST. SUPT. FOR WATER & SEWER: Assistant Superintendent for Water & Sewer Shimer reported on the following projects: The capacity issue and the Kline Road issue have been discussed with the SJS. Water and sewer agreements have been completed and sent to the Town for their review. Proposals to videotape 25,000 to 50,000 feet of sewer pipe will go out next week. Roof bids will be opened on Friday for the water Treatment Plant. The interim improvement designs for the Water Treatment Plant will be completed by April 8, 1992. Construction should begin on schedule. The Hillview Place survey has been completed. Installation of a water main and hydrant is complete on Woodcrest Avenue. Sewer main and laterals are being replaced in the 100 block of North Quarry Street. This is to correct a realignment problem caused several years ago by a small mud slide. The return rate for the lead & copper surveys has been good. A total of 4,000 questionnaires will be mailed. The Learning Web students have completed the interior painting of the Water Treatment Plant and are interested in returning to paint the exterior this summer. Last. year's Gorge Ranger will be returning and is tentatively scheduled to begin work on May 23, 1992. Repairs to filters 7 and 9 are ongoing. If the weather cooperates, number 9 should be back on line within one week. Painting and repairs are ongoing at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Work is continuing on the upgrading of the monitoring stations. HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: Award of Contract for Dump Trucks Bids were received on March 13, 1992 for three dump trucks. Resolution By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Rusoff RESOLVED, That the contract for a rear wheel drive, one -ton dump truck with snow plow be awarded to Maguire Ford, Ithaca, NY, for their low bid of $16,763., and, be it further RESOLVED, That the contract for a dual rear wheel drive crew cab, one -ton dump truck be awarded to Spencer Ford Sales, Inc., of Spencer, NY, for their low bid of $15,644., and, be it further RESOLVED, That the contract for a four -wheel drive, one -ton dump truck with snow plow be awarded- Co Harris Pontiac Oldsmobile of Fulton, NY, for their low bid of $18,806.92, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works (Streets and Facilities) be authorized to sign the contracts. Carried Unanimously 4 173 BPW Minutes March 25, 1992 Award "of Contract for Trees Bids were received on March 13, 1992 for various trees to be planted along the streets this spring. and, be it further RESOLVED, That the contract for 5 Aesculus carnea "Briotti" will not be awarded, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works (Streets and Facilities) be authorized to sign the contracts. Carried Unanimously By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Reeves WHEREAS, the Tompkins /Cortland Labor Coalition has requested the use of the DeWitt Park on April 25, 1992 for a Workers Memorial Day service, and WHEREAS, the planned activities are peaceful and of a memorial nature, and WHEREAS, the Cayuga Nature Center, which has previously been granted the use of the park, has agreed that the memorial service may be held concurrently with their Earth Day celebration; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works gives permission to the Tompkins /Cortland Labor Coalition to use DeWitt Park for the planned activities, and, be it further RESOLVED, That no amplified sound or commercial activity associated with this service be permitted, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Tompkins /Cortland Labor Coalition must obtain all required permits from the Ithaca Police Department for this gathering, and, be it further 5 Resolution By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Cox RESOLVED, That the contract for the following trees be awarded to Schichtel's Nursery, Inc.,;of Orchard Park, NY, for their low bids as follows: 10 Crataegus "Winter King" @ $ 860.00 3 Malus "Madona" @ $ 168.00 10 Acer freemani "Celebration" @ $ 700.00 10 Zelkova serrate "HOlka" @ $ 870.00 10 Tilia tomentosa @ $ 820.00 5 Liquidamber styraciflua @ $ 545.00 5 Sorbus intermedia - @ $ 385.00 10 Sophora japonica "Regent" @ $1095.00 LO plus shipping costs, CD 0) and, be it further RESOLVED, That the contract for the following trees be awarded to _Q Edgewood Nursery, Inc., of Macedon, NY, for their low bids as follows: - 10 Acer planitoides @ $1000.00 10 Amelanchier "Tradition" @ $1000.00 2 Koelreutenia paniculata @ $ 290.00 plus shipping costs, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the contract for 5 Aesculus carnea "Briotti" will not be awarded, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works (Streets and Facilities) be authorized to sign the contracts. Carried Unanimously By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Reeves WHEREAS, the Tompkins /Cortland Labor Coalition has requested the use of the DeWitt Park on April 25, 1992 for a Workers Memorial Day service, and WHEREAS, the planned activities are peaceful and of a memorial nature, and WHEREAS, the Cayuga Nature Center, which has previously been granted the use of the park, has agreed that the memorial service may be held concurrently with their Earth Day celebration; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works gives permission to the Tompkins /Cortland Labor Coalition to use DeWitt Park for the planned activities, and, be it further RESOLVED, That no amplified sound or commercial activity associated with this service be permitted, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Tompkins /Cortland Labor Coalition must obtain all required permits from the Ithaca Police Department for this gathering, and, be it further 5 ]74 BPW Minutes March 25, 1992 RESOLVED, That the park will be left in a clean and orderly condition upon departure. Carried Unanimously By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford WHEREAS, the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation has asked to reserve the parking loop near the Southern lagoon in Stewart Park from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m: on Monday, August 17, 1992, and WHEREAS, the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation agrees to name the City of Ithaca as co- insured in an insurance policy covering this gathering; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works gives permission for the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation to use the parking loop, and instructs staff to post the loop 24 hours in advance and to provide barriers as necessary to reserve the use of the loop, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation will contact the Ithaca Police Department to determine whether normal staffing will provide them with the police assistance they require, and must contract with the IPD for assistance if overtime will have to be paid, and, be it further RESOLVED, That staff will assist the Foundation in investigating the possibility of using tokens or some other system to permit the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation to pay for concessions and /or _ merry -go -round rides for its members, and, be it further •- RESOLVED, That the reserved area will be left in a clean and orderly condition upon departure. Carried Unanimously Award of Contract for the Reconstruction of the North Cayuga Street Bridge over Cascadilla Creek Resolution By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Reeves WHEREAS, bids were received and opened on March 17, 1992 for the reconstruction of the North Cayuga Street Bridge over Cascadilla Creek, and r WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and the bidders' qualifications, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the 1989 budget (for 1990 construction) and updated it with the 1992 bid, increasing the project budget from $525,000. to $575,000.; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That staff is directed to review funding sources (Bridge Reserve and CHIPS) with the City Controller and the Chair of the Budget and Administration Committee, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the contract for reconstruction of the North Cayuga Street Bridge be awarded to G. DeVincentis and Son of Binghamton, New York, for their low bid of $392,824.10 contingent upon funding of the Post Bid Budget, and, be 'it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor be authorized to sign said contract. Carried Unanimously 3 175 BPW Minutes March 25, 1992 Amendment to Contract with John S. MacNeill, Jr P.C. Consulting Engineers for Additional Design and Contract Administration Services Resolution By Commissioner Gerard: 'Seconded by Cox WHEREAS, the City is committed to the reconstruction of the North Cayuga Street Bridge over Cascadilla Creek during 1992, and WHEREAS, demands upon 'engineering staff preclude contract administration and inspection, and WHEREAS, John S. MacNeill, Jr., P.C. Consulting Engineers has provided design services through bidding; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the City Engineer be authorized to amend the agreement with John S. MacNeill, Jr., P.C. Consulting Engineers for engineering services for an additional amount not to exceed In $44,500. co (T) Discussion followed on the floor. Commissioner Rusoff stated that —� she will not support this Resolution because she objects to the m City contracting with John S. MacNeill, Jr. P.C. Consulting Engineers, due to a letter Mr. MacNeill wrote to Hudson Street residents regarding the Hudson Street reconstruction project. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (4) Gerard, Reeves, Cox, Brandford Nays (2) Tripp, Rusoff Carried By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, Michelle Ferlo, of 610 North Cayuga Street, has informed the Board that she received a bill for a special service charge for picking up incorrectly tagged garbage the day following normal collection, and WHEREAS, Ms. Ferlo has told the Board that she did put her garbage out incorrectly tagged because she was not aware that the new trashtag regulations were in effect, and that she did leave her garbage out until the day following collection because she was not aware that there was a twenty -four hour limit, and WHEREAS, the City Municipal Code, Chapter 69, Section 5, dictates the actions followed by staff where waste materials were not placed or prepared in accord with the provisions of the Article, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works made reasonable efforts to inform the public about the new trashtag regulations for 1992, through various methods, including news releases and legal notices; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board denies Ms. Ferlo's request for an expungement of the service charge for the trash violation. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the unreadability of the tag placed on Ms. Ferlo's garbage by City crews. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Tripp RESOLVED, That the following Whereas and Resolved clauses be added after the fourth Whereas clause, and that the existing Resolved clause be deleted: 17(i BPW Minutes March 25, 1992 WHEREAS, Ms. Ferlo asserted that she was unable to read the warning tag placed on her trash can because of the method by which it was placed on the trash; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board agrees to expunge Ms. Ferlo's service charge for the trash violation. A vote on the Amending Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (4) Rusoff, Tripp, Gerard, Cox Nays (2) Reeves, Brandford Main Motion as Amended: A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Ayes (3) Cox, Gerard, Rusoff Nays (3) Reeves, Tripp, Brandford Mayor Nichols voted Aye breaking the tie Carried Carried REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Audit Report Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Cox RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following abstract be approved for payment: Abstract $6 General Fund .......... .....................$31,762.99 Water & Sewer Fund ......................... 13,319.77 _ Joint Activity Fund ........................ 24,699.95 Capital Projects ........................... 32,916.13 Solid Waste Fund ........................... 12,869.50 and, be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Carried Unanimously Bicycle Advisory Council Commissioner Tripp reported that the BAC will be requesting a budget for bikeway planning and construction during the coming year. The Board will be presented with a proposal regarding what that budget should consist of, and what parts of projects will need funding. Th6y would like their budget to consist of a percentage of the current budget which is dedicated to car travel in the City. The BAC would also like to have an update in the fall regarding what hazards on bike paths have been cprrected. Disability Advisory Commission Commissioner Tripp related a conversation she had with a resident of the south Hill area regarding the person's handicapped son and the family's attempts to have some rules waived at Cass Park to enable the child to use a personal floatation device in the pool. This type of rule is routinely waived at the State parks. Commissioner Tripp will take this 'matter pup with the Youth Bureau as they set the rules and regulations for the pool.. SJS Commissioner Cox reported that tlfere is a sub - subcommittee dealing with the question of capacity of the plant in an attempt to respond to the Town of Dryden's request to buy additional capacity. The SJS did approve a pre- treatment sewer use ordinance which will be distributed to the three participating municipalities for adoption. 9 177 BPW Minutes March 25, 1992 NEW BUSINESS• Six Mile Creek By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Tripp WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is fortunate to be the largest landowner in the Six Mile Creek area which 1) serves as the crucial matrix for its water supply system; and 2) is widely and historically recognized as a unique ecological and recreational value; and ' WHEREAS, these two functions are, and should be held as, mutually beneficial and compatible; and WHEREAS, consistent with its charge, the Board of Public Works is considering maintenance and upgrading projects for its water supply system; and WHEREAS, consistent with its charge, the Conservation Advisory Council has expressed its concern of potential environmental CD impacts and its willingness to offer constructive input to the M Board relevant to these projects; now, therefore, be it D RESOLVED, That this Board reaffirms its sensitivity to the environmental value of the Six Mile Creek area, and in its aim to Q protect all the City's assets, will actively consider the CAC's input while maintaining sound engineering standards; and be it further RESOLVED, That this Board welcomes an open and constructive dialogue with the CAC and /or its spokesperson on this and future issues relevant to both. Commissioner Gerard offered an explanation of the intent of the resolution. Commissioner Reeves suggested that this resolution should not be limited to Six Mile Creek because there are other areas that involve the CAC. She also stated for the record that she is distressed that she hasn't seen the CAC willing to give constructive input to the Board relevant to the projects. Commissioner Brandford stated he will vote against this resolution because he feels it is unnecessary and inappropriate. He further stated that the CAC has made no attempts to discuss this issue with the Board, only DPW staff, the Six Mile Creek Committee, and Common Council. Mayor Nichols stated that he thought the Resolution should address the issues of the Board setting policy for the protection of the Six Mile Creek area, and the Board making a commitment to complete environmental studies before it undertakes any projects. Commissioner Tripp offered to write an alternate resolution for the April 8, 1992 meeting. On a motion by Commissioner Cox and Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff this matter was tabled until the April 8, 1992 meeting. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:10 P./MM.. Ju ie Conley Boy a Benjamin Nichols Deputy City Clerk Mayor