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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-08-12 1 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. August 12, 1992 PRESENT: Commissioners (5) Reeves, Rusoff, Gerard, Cox, Brandford OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets & Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water & Sewer - Shimer Deputy City Clerk - Boyle EXCUSED: Mayor Nichols Commissioner Tripp PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chair Reeves led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of the July 8, 1992 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the July 8, 1992 Board of Public Works Meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Buildings, Properties and Transit Items: Vice Chair Reeves requested the addition of Item A - Approval of Contract for Sale of State Street Bricks - Resolution. No Board member objected. Budget, Administration & Communication Items: Vice Chair Reeves requested the addition of Item B - Creation of Position of Transit System Supervisor - Resolution. No Board member objected. Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Items: Commissioner Cox requested the deletion of Item A - Hillview Sewers - Acceptance of City Attorney's Proposal to Homeowner - Resolution. Commissioner Cox requested the addition of Item B - Disposal of Asbestos Concrete Pipe - Resolution, and Item C - Award of Bid for Water Meters - Resolution. No Board member objected. New Business: Vice Chair Reeves requested the addition of Item A - Electrical Conduit Box in Bank Alley - Discussion. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Denise McGuire, Ayana Conway, Tracey Farrell, and Tia Rudd addressed the Board regarding the Beverly J. Martin School traffic requests. They stated that the caution lights should not be deleted from the request as the school needs them to protect the children. Beverly J. Martin will have a pre-kindergarten program starting in the Fall which will add approximately sixty, 3-4 year olds to the student population. They reiterated the speed and BPW Minutes August 12, 1992 2 traffic problems in that area. The Board explained the traffic solutions that have been proposed by the Chief of Police and asked that the Beverly J. Martin School community allow some time for these changes to take effect. They further explained that if these changes do not have the desired effect, Beverly J. Martin School can request the caution lights again. Melinda Muller, 207 Cobb Street, addressed the Board regarding the Cobb/Worth Street Stop Sign Resolution on the agenda. She stated that it would be better for the children on Cobb street if either a 4-way stop sign was installed, or to keep the stop sign where it is. Susan Blumenthal, Chair of the Downtown Revitalization Leadership Committee, addressed the Board regarding the electrical conduit box on bank alley. She stated that she is very concerned about the location of the box and that Alderperson Schroeder will express her concerns under the New Business Agenda Item. Andrew Gillis, Chair of the Commons Advisory Board, and Chair of the Commons Renovation Project Client Committee addressed the Board regarding the Commons brick work phase of the project. He stated that the merchants were promised that all of the work on the Commons would be completed this year, and he would like to see that the promise is kept. Superintendent Gray explained that the brick work has been delayed because the original bricks were not installed the way the drawings showed, and this was not known before the renovation project was started. Several options are being reviewed at this time regarding how to proceed with the work. Resolution By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works will have Power to Act at the August 19, 1992 Committee of the Whole meeting to act on the Commons Reconstruction/Brick Work matter. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: Superintendent of Public Works Gray reported on the following projects: Green Street Garage - should re-open next week, weather permitting City Court Facility - work underway Municipal Pool - ground water problems under control Commons Rehab - major portion of concrete work complete Sidewalk Contract - bids have been awarded, work to begin shortly N. Cayuga Street Bridge - work on schedule GIAC Renovations - GIAC programs will move to Beverly J. Martin School and the Youth Bureau Johnson Boat Yard Survey - field work completed Spencer Road - traffic counters in place Engineering Summer Students - finished for the year MPO, Joint Transit Facility, Solid Waste & Recycling meetings REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS & FACILITIES: Assistant Superintendent of Streets & Facilities Ferrel reported on the following projects: Budget Preparation - will be ready for Board's review next week Odd/Even Signage - being installed BPW Minutes August 12, 1992 3 Extended Parking Lot Hours - begin Monday, signage will be installed and a press release will be distributed Highland Place - curb reconstruction/gravel basing NYSEG hosted a conference in Binghamton on vehicle power from compressed natural gas. NYSEG is interested in installing a compressed natural gas fueling station at the City DPW site. NYSEG has stated that they will fund most of the project, but they would like the station open to the public. REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER & SEWER: Assistant Superintendent of Water & Sewer Shimer reported on the following projects: Interim Water Treatment Plant - bid opening today Kline Road - bypass meetings with the Town of Ithaca Budget Preparation Lead & Copper Sampling - no lead violations to date RFP being processed to increase the maximum flow of discharge permitted at the Wastewater Treatment Plant Videotaping Inspection Work - to begin shortly BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: Approval of Contract for Sale of State Street Bricks By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford WHEREAS, The Alex Haley Memorial Fund has requested the use of historical used bricks belonging to the City to construct a small plaza at 212 Cascadilla Street; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves an agreement between the City and The Alex Haley Memorial Fund under the condition that the City Landmarks Preservation Commission will issue a certificate of appropriateness, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to sign the agreement. Carried Unanimously PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS: Extension of Spencer Road Traffic Pattern On May 21, 1992, the Chief of Police and the Traffic Engineer implemented a 90 day trial period for a new traffic pattern on Spencer Road. This trial period is scheduled to end on August 21, 1992, at that time, a decision to implement permanently, extend or discontinue must be made. Permanent continuation of this configuration will need approval of Charter and Ordinance Committee and Common Council. Resolution By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Cox WHEREAS, The Board of Public Works feels that the 90 day trial period has not given enough data to show the yearly traffic variations needed to make a final decision for the Spencer Road configuration; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the Chief of Police and the Traffic Engineer approve an extension of an additional 75 days for the temporary traffic configuration ending November 4, 1992; and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board direct staff to obtain traffic counts, said counts to include speed data, in early August and mid September for review. BPW Minutes August 12, 1992 4 Carried Unanimously Parking Regulation Changes in the Area of GIAC and Beverly J. Martin School There is concern for the existing traffic patterns around the area of GIAC and the Beverly J. Martin School. Currently, school buses load and unload on Buffalo Street creating a vehicular and pedestrian hazard. The City's Chief of Police has reviewed said situation with the School's principal. Resolution By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Cox WHEREAS, The Chief of Police has submitted his recommendations for the area of GIAC and Beverly J. Martin School to the Board of Public Works; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That after consideration of these recommendations, which have been added to the end of this Resolution, the Board directs staff to execute the changes, including the elimination of the mid- block crosswalk on Court Street, which the Chief of Police has recommended in his memo to the Board dated July 24, 1992 and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to make this implementation a priority so that signage may be in effect by August 28, 1992. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PARKING REGULATION CHANGES IN THE BEVERLY J. MARTIN SCHOOL/GIAC AREA The recommendations for sign and regulation changes were submitted by Police Chief Harlin McEwen, and will accomplish the following: 1. School buses that have previously loaded/unloaded on Buffalo Street will do so on Albany Street starting on September 2, 1992. The school buses do not sit waiting for students at the Beverly J. Martin School and are in the middle of runs between other schools. Principal Ed Wright and the School District Transportation Director report that the children are immediately discharged or are lined up to be loaded when the buses arrive and that the only traffic disruption on Albany Street will be for the short periods of loading or unloading and during that time all traffic be required to stop. We all believe this will be a major improvement in the neighborhood traffic situation and will result in less danger and confusion on the Buffalo Street side of the school. 2. A "No Standing Zone" will be designated on Buffalo Street to replace the school bus loading area and this will be used for parents and others who must stop and safely pick up or discharge passengers. Section 1200 of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law sets forth what "STOPPING", "STANDING", and "PARKING" means, and we intend to send this to all school parents with an explanation that the "No Standing" area is being designated for loading/unloading passengers and any vehicles left parked there will be tagged. The school has agreed to advise parents and school staff that the 2 hour parking restriction on Buffalo Street during school days will also be rigidly enforced and that this is for persons coming to the school for short periods of time or having to load/unload articles. Principal Ed Wright has stated that BPW Minutes August 12, 1992 5 he has met with the staff and they will park in other places than this. (They will make increased use of the property the school owns off Court Street for staff parking). 3. Parking will be allowed in the places set forth in the diagram submitted to the Board on Court Street to help alleviate parking needs for GIAC staff and visitors. GIAC endorses this recommendation and in fact, many people are already parking in this area in violation of the current regulations. I have not been able to determine the history of the mid- block crosswalk/curb cut on Court Street. In general, mid-block crosswalks are dangerous and I would recommend it be eliminated. This would require that pedestrians cross at the corner of Court and Albany Streets where at times there is a school crossing guard and the intersection is always regulated by stop signs. If the BPW does not eliminate the crosswalk, then the DPW should be directed to clearly stripe the road for the crosswalk. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard RESOLVED, That a Resolved Clause be added after the first Resolved Clause to read as follows: RESOLVED, That two (2) sets of yellow flashing lights be installed at appropriate locations according to the recommendations of the City Traffic Engineer. Ayes (2) Rusoff, Gerard Nays (3) Reeves, Cox, Brandford Motion Fails Discussion followed on the floor with Commissioner Reeves reading Chief McEwen's memo of July 24, 1992 in which he states that he has a plan to increase parking and traffic enforcement in the area commencing in September. Commissioner Cox explained that he would like to see how these changes will affect the area, and if traffic and speed continue to be a problem, the Board can consider the option of installing flashing lights at a later date. Main Motion A vote on the Main Motion resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Stop Signs at Cobb and Worth Streets By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Cox WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from the residents of Cobb Street to deter traffic and excess speed by use of additional stop signs at the intersection of Cobb and Worth, and WHEREAS, the Traffic Engineer has submitted traffic counts and accident reports to the Board for their review; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to rotate existing stop signs at the intersection of Cobb and Worth Streets from Worth Street to Cobb Street. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff BPW Minutes August 12, 1992 6 RESOLVED, That the last Resolved Clause be amended to read as follows: RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to install four-way Stop signs at the intersection of Cobb and Worth Streets. Ayes (2) Rusoff, Gerard Nays (3) Reeves, Cox, Brandford Motion Fails Main Motion A vote on the Main Motion resulted as follows: Ayes (4) Rusoff, Gerard, Reeves, Cox Nays (1) Brandford Carried Request for "Children at Play" Sign on Cobb Street By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from residents of Cobb Street for signage to alert motorists of children playing in the neighborhood, and WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed the requirements for the installation of such signage; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants the request. Ayes (2) Rusoff, Gerard Nays (3) Cox, Brandford, Reeves Motion Fails CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS ITEMS: Request from Morris Dance Performers to Use DeWitt Park By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Cox WHEREAS, the Morris Dance performers has requested permission to use DeWitt Park on August 2, 1992 for their performance, and WHEREAS, they have also requested to "pass the hat" following their presentation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works allows the Morris Dance Performers to use the park, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board denies the performers to "pass the hat", and, be it further RESOLVED, That DeWitt Park be left in a clean and orderly fashion as the group found it. Carried Unanimously BUDGET, ADMINISTRATION & COMMUNICATION ITEMS: A Resolution Adopting the Recodification and Revision of Part III of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code, Entitled "Board of Public Works Rules and Regulations" By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, a public hearing was held the 5th day of August 1992 by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, notice of which was given as required by the Municipal Home Rule law and the Open Meetings Law of the State of New York, and BPW Minutes August 12, 1992 7 WHEREAS, at said public hearing the Common Council considered the enactment of proposed Local Law No. 3, entitled A LOCAL LAW TO PROVIDE FOR THE RECODIFICATION OF THE LOCAL LAWS, ORDINANCES AND CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS OF THE CITY OF ITHACA INTO A MUNICIPAL CODE TO BE DESIGNATED THE "CODE OF THE CITY OF ITHACA", and WHEREAS, all interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard with respect to the enactment of said local laws, and WHEREAS, Common Council enacted Local Law No. 3 on August 5, 1992; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopts the recodification and revision of Part III of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code, entitled "Board of Public Works Rules and Regulations" as follows: Chapter 329 GENERAL PROVISIONS, BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS LEGISLATION ARTICLE I Adoption of Code by Board of Public Works Section 329-1. Adoption of Code. The resolutions of the Board of Public Works of a general and permanent nature, as codified by General Code Publishers Corp. and consisting of Chapters 329 through 348, are hereby approved and adopted as Part III of the Code of the City of Ithaca, hereinafter known and referred to as the "Code". Section 329-2. Amendments to Code. Any and all additions, deletions, amendments or supplements to any of the resolutions know collectively as "Part III of the Code of the City of Ithaca" or any new resolutions, when enacted or adopted in such form as to indicate the intention of the Board of Public Works to be a part thereof, shall be deemed to be incorporated into such Code so that reference to the Code shall be understood and intended to include such additions, deletions, amendments or supplements. Whenever such additions, deletions, amendments or supplements to the Code shall be enacted or adopted, they shall thereafter be printed and, as provided hereunder, inserted in the loose-leaf book containing said Code as amendments and supplements thereto. Nothing contained in this resolution shall affect the status of any resolution contained herein, and such resolutions may be amended, deleted or changed from time to time as the Board of Public Works deems desirable. Section 329-3. Changes in previously adopted legislation. A. In compiling and preparing the resolutions for publication as Part III of the Code of the City of Ithaca, no changes in the meaning or intent of such resolutions have been made, except as provided for in Subsection B hereof. In addition, certain grammatical changes and other minor nonsubstantive changes were made in one (1) or more of said pieces of legislation. It is the intention of the Board of Public Works that all such changes be adopted as part of the Code as if the resolutions had been previously formally amended to read as such. B. In addition, the following changes, amendments or revisions are made herewith, to become effective upon the effective BPW Minutes August 12, 1992 8 date of this resolution. (Chapter and section number references are to the resolutions as they have been renumbered and appear in the Code.) (1) Chapter 336, Parks and Recreation. [former BPW Ch. 241] (a) Section 336-4 [former Section 241.4] is amended to read as follows: "No person shall drive any motorized vehicle, except wheelchairs, or ride a horse or other animal on the lawn or grass areas of any park." (b) The specific rates are removed from Section 336-6A [former Section 241.6A], providing that such rates be determined by resolution of the Board of Public Works. (c) Section 336-24 [former Section 241.100] is amended to read as follows: "Any person who shall violate any provision of the rules and regulations contained in this chapter shall be subject to a penalty of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.) or imprisonment for a term not to exceed fifteen (15) days, or both." (2) Chapter 342, Streets and Sidewalks [former BPW Ch. 244], is hereby amended as follows: Section 342-50 [former Section 244.100] is amended to read as follows: "Any person violating any of the rules and regulations shall be subject to a penalty not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250.) or imprisonment for a term not exceeding fifteen (15) days, or both, which may be enforced by action brought in the name of the City of Ithaca." Section 329-4. Incorporation of provisions into Code. The provisions of this resolution are hereby made Article I of Chapter 329 of the Code of the City of Ithaca, such resolution to be entitled "General Provisions, Board of Public Works Legislation, Article I, Adoption of Code, by Board of Public Works," and the sections of this resolution shall be numbered Sections 329-1 through 329-6, inclusive. Section 329-5. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section, Article, chapter or part of this resolution or of any resolution included in Part III of the Code now or through supplementation shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgement shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder thereof but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section, Article, chapter or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered. Section 329-6. When effective. This resolution shall take effect immediately. Carried Unanimously WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Disposal of Asbestos Concrete Pipe The Water and Sewer Division has a stock pile of asbestos cement BPW Minutes August 12, 1992 9 pipe which is no longer used. It is in the best interest of the City to dispose of the material which is currently occupying valuable storage space. Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford WHEREAS, staff has determined that the existing inventory of asbestos cement pipe is of no value to the City and will no longer be utilized in new construction or system repairs; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the department to dispose of said pipe at the County Surplus Auction for the salvage value offered by the highest bidder. Carried Unanimously Award of Bid for Water Meters Staff has reviewed the bids submitted for the purchase of water meters. The review included price, availability, quality, and ease of adaptation to future reading technologies. Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids submitted for the purchase of water meters, and recommends the award to Schlumberger Industries, Neptune Water Meter Division, and WHEREAS, Schlumberger Industries meets all specifications and was the lowest bidder on the aggregate total; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works awards the 1992 contract for water meters to Schlumberger Industries for amounts specified in their bid. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Audit Report By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract #15 General Fund.....................................$ 51,183.05 Water and Sewer Fund............................. 8,633.01 Joint Activity Fund.............................. 19,841.59 Capital Projects................................. 145,353.43 Solid Waste...................................... 40,947.93 and, be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered. Carried Unanimously NEW BUSINESS: Commons Electrical Conduit Box Alderperson Schroeder expressed his concern about the concrete electrical conduit box that was installed in Bank Alley on the Commons. He explained that the Bank Alley portion of the Commons was designed to have low planters that attribute to the visual openness and character of that area. The electrical box is a large concrete box that was built on top of one of the low planters, and will have two metal doors that face towards the center of the Commons. The cost of either lowering the electrical box or turning it sideways would be approximately $7,000. - $10,000. Alderperson Schroeder noted that the Advisory Commission on Art and Design for Public Space discussed this matter at their BPW Minutes August 12, 1992 10 meeting last night and reviewed several low cost options. One of the suggestions made was to create a design for the doors that would make them attractive and informative, such as a directory of the Commons commemorative markers, an explanation of the meaning of the brick circle design, and having the poem about Ithaca (Greece), painted on a door. Alderperson Schroeder asked that the Board consider allocating $3,500. to decorate the doors. The Board decided that they need more information on the Commons Renovation Project and costs and will discuss this matter further at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION: On a motion by Commissioner Brandford and Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff the Board adjourned into Executive Session at 6:00 P.M. to discuss a personnel matter. REGULAR SESSION: The Board reconvened into Regular Session at 6:15 P.M. and considered the following Resolution: Creation of Position of Transit System Supervisor Staff has reviewed the current operation of the Ithaca Transit System and reviewed them with the Personnel Office. The new position description has been submitted and classified by Civil Service. This recommendation is based on our current system operations and some of the management options that may become available through the operation of the Joint Transit Facility. Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works request the Budget and Administration Committee amend the Personnel Roster of the Department of Public Works by adding the position of Transit System Supervisor, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the position of Transit System Supervisor be assigned to the City Executive Association at the Grade I salary range ($29,982. - $36,544.), and, be it further RESOLVED, That Nancy Oltz be provisionally appointed to the position of Transit System Supervisor at an annual salary of $31,631., effective August 6, 1992 and that the funds for this change and the associated out of title charges be transferred from A 5630-435 to A 5630-105. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:19 P.M. Julie Conley Boyle Carol Reeves Deputy City Clerk Vice Chair, Board of Public Works