Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-08-26 1 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. August 26, 1992 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (6) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Cox, Brandford OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets & Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water & Sewer - Shimer Common Council Liaison - Berg Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Boyle Assistant Civil Engineer - West Alderperson John Schroeder PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of the July 22, 1992 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the July 22, 1992 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Highway, Streets and Sidewalk Items Commissioner Brandford requested the addition of Item B - Commons Reconstruction - Brick Circle - Resolution. No Board member objected. Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Items: Commissioner Cox requested the addition of Item A - Appointment of Principal Account Clerk - Water and Sewer - Resolution and Item B -Award of Bids for the Interim Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project - Resolution. No Board member objected. New Business Superintendent of Public Works Gray requested the addition of Item A - Stewart and Auburn Park Activities - Report. No Board member objected. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: Superintendent of Public Works Gray reported on the following projects: Green Street Parking Garage - open North Cayuga Street Bridge - work ongoing Municipal Pool - work ongoing City Court Facility - foundation work will begin shortly Solid Waste, MPO, Joint Transit Facility, meetings REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS & FACILITIES: Assistant Superintendent of Streets & Facilities Ferrel reported on the following projects: South Hill Terrace - Building Dept. notified of brush overgrowth Aurora & Prospect Streets - striping complete BPW Minutes August 26, 1992 2 Budget Preparation Highland Place - street reconstruction/gravel basing Brandon & Dunmore Place - curb/asphalt project/drainage problems IT Bus - repairs ongoing Recycling Truck - is in and should be on the road next week Recycling Crews - are rejecting overweight trash bags Signage for Beverly J. Martin School - is on order will be installed before school opens Notes from Natural Gas Conference in Binghamton REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER & SEWER: Assistant Superintendent of Water & Sewer Shimer reported on the following projects: Budget Preparation Water Plant - both clear wells in service/roof is leaking Lead & Copper Testing - 50% of sampling is complete Sewer Videotaping has begun - 10,000 feet completed Fall Creek Drive - water main installation Triphammer Road - fire line installation Dump Truck is in Kline Road - design complete DEC Discharge Permit - appears that it will be denied Meetings with Town of Ithaca on Route 13 water connections BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: Circuit Breaker Box in Bank Alley By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the electrical circuit breaker box recently constructed in Bank Alley is unsightly and obtrusive, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has spent approximately $400,000. on renovations to improve the appearance and quality of the Commons, and WHEREAS, demolition and relocation of the circuit box would cost $7,000. to $10,000.; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this structure be made into a feature by designing the doors to include the legend for the 'Art Underfoot' historic plaque project and possibly to include the Ithaca poem by C. P. Cavafy, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the necessary design work be developed and approved by the Advisory Commission on Art and Design for Public Space and, be it further RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed $3,500. be allocated from Capital Project 248, Commons Improvements to accomplish this work. Lengthy discussion followed on the floor regarding what responsibilities the Advisory Commission on Art and Design for Public Space will have in this project. The Commission will investigate costs, designs, and fabrication methods. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Easement with RHP Enterprises By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the construction of the City Court facility requires a retaining wall which is anchored into the abutting hill side and WHEREAS, said anchors will permanently extend approximately 70 feet into the neighboring property owned by RHP Enterprises, and BPW Minutes August 26, 1992 3 WHEREAS, construction of said retaining wall will require temporary use of the abutting property; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the terms of the encroachment agreement dated August, 1992 establishing such temporary easement for use of abutting property and such permanent easement for anchors. Carried Unanimously Encroachment Agreement for 236 Fall Creek Drive Brian Chabot is the purchaser of property at 236 Fall Creek Drive. The property is currently owned by Cornell University. The survey for this property shows a stone wall, two parking areas and a porch attached to the house encroaching on the City right-of-way line. Resolution By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, Mr. Brian Chabot is purchasing property from Cornell University at the location of 236 Fall Creek Drive, and WHEREAS, said property encroaches into the City right-of-way; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Mayor to enter into an encroachment agreement with Cornell University according to the usual terms. Carried Unanimously Encroachment Agreement for 202 First Street Resolution By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, Stephen and Lori Masiclat are the owners of 202 First Street, and WHEREAS, according to the survey, the existing house encroaches on City right-of-way by .04 feet, more or less; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Mayor to enter into an encroachment agreement with Mr. and Mrs. Masiclat according to the usual terms. Carried Unanimously HIGHWAY, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: South Hill Terrace Sidewalk The South Hill Civic Association has pointed out to the Board of Public Works that there is a hazardous situation at 106-126 South Hill Terrace due to the lack of sidewalks. At present, pedestrians are unable to safely walk up the hill without entering into the street. Resolution By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works would like to pursue the installation of sidewalks at 106-126 South Hill Terrace; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works will hold a public hearing on placement of said sidewalk at its September 9, 1992 regular meeting to be held at 4:00 P.M. in Common Council Chambers in City Hall, 108 East Green Street, Ithaca, New York, and, be it further BPW Minutes August 26, 1992 4 RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to notify the owners of said properties on South Hill Terrace of this public hearing. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the topography of the area and the feasibility of installing sidewalks in that area. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (5) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Brandford Nays (1) Cox Carried Commons Reconstruction - Brick Circle By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the City desires a brick circle to be constructed with trolley rails at the historic intersection of State and Tioga Streets according to drawings by Egner and Associates dated April 24, 1992, and WHEREAS, a price of $47,200. has been quoted by the contractor for fabrication of rails and installation of the brick circle; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the contractor's price of $47,200., and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs the Superintendent to issue a change order in the said amount. Considerable discussion followed on the floor regarding the increase of the cost of the installation of the brick circle. Common Council Liaison Berg strongly suggested that this matter be forwarded to Common Council for their consideration as well. Alderperson John Schroeder explained the remaining repair work to be completed on the Commons and reduced costs of that work. He further explained that the rails will be stainless steel and not bronze as originally planned, due to the effects that snow, ice, and salt would have on bronze. Motion to Call the Question By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the question be called regarding the Main Motion - Commons Reconstruction - Brick Circle. Ayes (5) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Cox Nays (1) Brandford Carried Main Motion A vote on the Main Motion resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEM: Appointment of Principal Account Clerk - Water and Sewer By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the position of Principal Account Clerk has been approved by the Vacancy Review Committee, and WHEREAS, the interviews and reference checks have been completed by staff; now, therefore, be it BPW Minutes August 26, 1992 5 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends the provisional appointment of Joanne Phillips as Principal Account Clerk at an annual salary of $18,837. (Step 4) which is commensurate to the candidate's education and experience, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests that the Budget and Administration Committee review and approve the provisional appointment. Carried Unanimously Award of Bids for Interim Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project The City received and opened bids for the Interim Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project on August 12, 1992. The bids have been reviewed by the City's consulting engineers and they have recommended award to the low bidder for each contract. Resolution By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, bids were received for the Interim Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project, and Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., the City's consulting engineers, have recommended award; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That Interim Water Treatment Plant Improvements Contract 1G - General Construction be awarded to Wellco Inc. of Elmira, New York for their low bid of $266,935., and, be it further RESOLVED, That Interim Water Treatment Plant Improvements Contract 1E - Electrical Construction be awarded to R. MacDonald Electric, Inc. of Victor, New York for their low bid of $12,768. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Audit Report By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract #16 General Fund.....................................$ 35,190.61 Water and Sewer Fund............................. 21,859.42 Joint Activity Fund.............................. 11,574.09 Capital Projects................................. 284,389.84 Solid Waste...................................... 941.16 and, be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Commissioner Tripp reported that she has just returned from a trip to Seattle and was impressed by their bicycle program. She showed a videotape that Seattle has produced regarding their program which highlighted the facts that Seattle has a full-time employee who works out of the Engineering department that manages all bicycle issues and acts as a bicycle liaison to other departments. Seattle also has a large budget for bicycle path construction and improvements. Commissioner Tripp explained that the Ithaca Bicycle Advisory Commission would like to investigate the possibility of having a person in the Engineering department who could manage bicycle issues, as well as Engineer time allocated to BPW Minutes August 26, 1992 6 the Bicycle Commission. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1993 Capital Projects Commissioner Tripp listed all of the possible 1993 Capital Projects and gave a brief background for each project. The Board members voted on each project stating whether they felt that the project was a high priority (3 points), medium priority (2 points), or a low priority (1 point). The following is a list of the 1993 possible Capital Projects in order of priority set by the Board of Public Works: Giles Street Bridge Reconstruction 18 points Hillview Pl/Aurora St Intersection Traffic Light 16 points Spencer Rd/Albany St/Meadow St/Elmira Road Intersection Reconstruction - Planning Project 15 points DPW Consolidation 15 points Mitchell Street Resurfacing 15 points East State Street Reconstruction - Planning Proj. 14 points Linn Street Bridge Reconstruction - Planning Proj.14 points Thurston Ave/Stewart Avenue Bridge Painting Proj. 13 points Cass Park Pool (marsiting) 13 points Cass Park Ice Rink (floor refrigeration repairs) 13 points Spencer Rd/Albany St/Meadow St/Elmira Road Intersection Reconstruction 11 points Monroe St/Marshall Street Pedestrian Bridge 8 points East State Street Reconstruction 7 points NEW BUSINESS: Stewart Park Superintendent Gray reported that there will be a Walk/Run and Zoomobile at Stewart Park to benefit the Cancer Society. They requested that the paths in the bird sanctuary be cleared of fallen trees and poison ivy. Auburn Park Superintendent Gray reported that Hickey's Music Store will be celebrating their 100th year of business on August 28, 1992 from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. The band Desperado will be playing and they are concerned that they may get enough people that they will have to use Auburn Park for overflow. Amplified sound will not be used and all of the neighbors have been notified. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the Board adjourned at 6:30 P.M. Julie Conley Boyle Benjamin Nichols Deputy City Clerk Mayor BPW Minutes August 26, 1992 7 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. August 19, 1992 The following Resolution was passed at the August 19, 1992 Committee of the Whole meeting when the Board of Public Works had Power to Act: Commons Reconstruction - Brick Work and Brick Circle By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, unforeseen conditions below, at least some and possibly all of the existing bricks to be replaced on the Ithaca Commons require a thicker setting bed than first proposed, and WHEREAS, Dellapenna Brothers has asked for a unit price of $3.95 per square foot for a thick set where required; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board accepts the contractors price of $3.95, of additional masonry setting bed, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs the Superintendent to issue a change order in the said amount. Carried Unanimously