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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-09-231111 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. September 23, 1992 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (6) – Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Cox, Brandford OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney – Guttman Common Council Liaison – Berg Assistant Superintendent of Public Works (Streets & Facilities) – Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Public Works (Water & Sewer) – Shimer Senior stenographer – Holcomb 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 Board of Public Works Meeting of August 26, 1992 By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of August 26, 1992 be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Approval of Minutes of the Board of Public Works Meeting of September 9, 1992 By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Cox RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of September 9, 1992 be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Budget, Administration and Communications Items Commissioner Reeves requested the addition of Item 16A – Transfer of Payroll Funds (Streets and Facilities). No Board member objected. Highways, Streets and Sidewalk Items Commissioner Brandford requested the addition of Item 13D – Request for Temporary Opening of Allen Street for the Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library Inc. Book Sale. No Board member objected. Executive Session Commissioner Reeves requested an Executive Session at the end of the meeting to discuss a personnel matter. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Proposed Resolution on Security Deposits Mayor Nichols stated that there is a need for a resolution regarding the proposed 30 day time limit on return of security deposits. He stated that landlords have complained that they sometimes do not learn of fines for trash tag violations, which they pass on to tenants, for more than 30 days after the incident. 2222 Mayor Nichols explained that the reason for the long delay is that the Chamberlain does not send out these notices until after the Board has acted on the audit and approved the vouchers due, etc. He feels that the power to approve the sending out of those fees can be delegated to the Superintendent and not to have to wait for the formal vote. He said that he would like this matter to be placed on the Board’s agenda for discussion at a future meeting. City Attorney Guttman stated that the City Chamberlain is preparing a resolution which she will be bringing to the Council Committee of the Whole meeting next week. The resolution will say that the Superintendent will have the authority to approve these bills but at the first meeting of each month, she will bring to the Board a list of all bills to be sent out. Job Development Bond Act Mayor Nichols noted that there is going to be a referendum at the November election for a Job Development Bond Act for $800 million. He stated that according to the process, Tompkins County could receive approximately $3.1 million. The Regional Director is asking the County to prioritize all the various proposals from the City, Town, Villages, etc. Mayor Nichols stated that the deadline for the City’s proposals is October 5. Some of the City’s priorities, which were discussed at the Planning and Development Committee, could include extension of the Cherry Street Industrial Park (to extend that road and purchase additional land there to add to that Industrial Park and do the infrastructure required for further development in that area), there are other proposals involving the purchase of a block that might be used for the future garage. The third possibility is the improvement of the Bikeway along the Flood Control Channel. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARING OF PERSONS BEFORE BOARD: Ithaca-Tompkins Transportation Center Alderperson Blanchard, Chairperson of the Ithaca-Tompkins Transportation Center spoke to the Board in favor of the resolution to purchase 2 buses that is on the agenda today. However, she would like the Board to delay their decision to hire the 3 bus drivers, which is also on the agenda. Alderperson Blanchard announced that the grand opening of the Ithaca-Tompkins Transportation Center will be on October 27 at 2 p.m. and she hoped that Board member will attend this event. North Tioga/Farm Street Resolution Alderperson Hoffman addressed the Board in support of the resolution that is on the agenda regarding the North Tioga/Farm Street All-Way Stop sign. Brick Circle on the Commons Alderperson Schroeder spoke to the Board regarding some geographical errors that are in the drawing of the proposed brick circle on the Commons. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: Request for Temporary Opening of Allen Street By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, Allen Street is a street within the City which has not been abandoned or discontinued but is presently closed to traffic because of the existence of obstructions which have arisen in the street, and WHEREAS, the Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library, Inc. will be holding an event at their property on Esty Street between Allen Street and Meadow Street from 3333 Saturday, October 10, through Monday, October 19, which event is expected to result in a large amount of traffic on Esty Street, and WHEREAS, the Chief of Police of the City of Ithaca has recommended that Allen Street be temporarily reopened to traffic on a one-way basis during the term of this Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library event so as to minimize traffic congestion in the area, and WHEREAS, the Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library, Inc. have offered to remove the existing obstructions in Allen Street prior to October 10, 1992 and to indemnify and hold the City harmless from any claim or liability that may arise as the result of their work in removing such obstructions; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That contingent upon the Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library, Inc. agreeing to indemnify and hold the City harmless from any claim or liability that may arise as a result of their action in removing the existing obstructions to Allen Street, in a form satisfactory to the City Attorney, and the Friends of the Tompkins County Library, Inc. actually removing such obstructions, that Allen Street be reopened to traffic on a one-way basis running southerly from Esty Street to Court Street from Saturday, October 10, 1992 through Monday, October 19, 1992, after which time it will again be closed to traffic; and the Department of Public Works, the Traffic Engineer and the Chief of Police are hereby directed to take all appropriate steps to effectuate the temporary opening of the street to traffic as above specified and the closing of the street to traffic after October 19, 1992. Police Chief McEwen explained to the Board the necessity of reopening this street for the book sale. Mayor Nichols read a memo from Deputy Fire Chief Brian H. Wilbur agreeing with Police Chief McEwen regarding the need for the reopening of this street during the book sale. Deputy Chief Wilbur stated in his memo that without providing some relief for the anticipated heavy traffic because of the book sale, it is clear to him that Esty and Meadow Streets in that area would be completely clogged with vehicles and that would make access for emergency vehicles nearly impossible and would create substantial risk for all motorists and pedestrians in the area during the sale. Henry Theisen, Attorney for the Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library, Inc., stated to the Board that the Friends are willing to pay for the cost of clearing up that street for its reopening, and as is stated in the resolution, they are agreeing to indemnify and hold the City harmless from any claim or liability that may arise as a result of their action in removing the existing obstructions to Allen Street. Further discussion followed on the floor with City Attorney Guttman and Asst. Supt. Ferrel answering questions from Board members. Mayor Nichols stated that he wants to make it very clear that the Department of Public Works will only be responsible for signage. Police Chief McEwen stated that this is a unique situation, and this is a reasonable way to solve this problem. He stated that the Friends of the Library, on the first two days and possibly the third, will pay for extra police officers to control traffic at Meadow and Esty Streets and they have also agreed to get volunteers, who will be trained and outfitted to deal with the parking and the traffic movement in the street itself. City Attorney Guttman asked how the street will be closed after the book sale. 4444 Police Chief McEwen responded that there is a 4-foot pile of dirt in that street now and that dirt will be replaced after the sale. He advised City Attorney Guttman that he believes this needs to be stated in the Agreement. Ms. Regina Lennox, speaking for the Friends of the Library, stated that the Friends of the Library will replace the dirt in the street. A vote on the motion resulted as follows: Ayes (5) - Gerard, Tripp, Rusoff, Cox, Reeves Nays (0) – Abstention (1) – Brandford Carried REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Alderperson Berg requested that the Board review the possibility of having recycling receptacles in key, highly-trafficked, pedestrian areas in the City where there are public facilities of disposing for trash, particularly in the Collegetown area. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT: Asst. Supt. Ferrel reported for Supt. Gray on the following items: Engineering Project Report on the Commons – The General and Electrical contractors have finished their demolition work. The Plumbing contractor is still doing some demolition. Sidewalk contract – The work is being done primarily in the Southside area. Approximately 50% of the work is completed. Green Street Parking Garage – The work there is almost totally completed, except for some drain grates. Johnson Boat Yard Survey – The survey has been completed but there is some interpretation problems. State Street Bridge (across six Mile Creek) – Last Fall the City received a red flag from the State because there was a crack on one of the beams on the west wall. All the repairs have been made and the bridge is back on line. Seneca Street Bridge – About two weeks ago, the City received a yellow flag warning from the State. There are some rusted joist gussets and deteriorated concrete on the west end. The bridge is closed and our crews are working on it. North Cayuga Street Bridge – The contractor has been delayed as the water and sewer crews have been installing a main over the bridge. The contractor should begin his paving work next week. The intersections of Farm and Cayuga and Cascadilla and Cayuga Streets have been closed for about a week while the paving is being completed. REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER AND SEWER: Asst. Supt. Shimer reported to the Board on the following items: Pipe Repairs on Cayuga Street Bridge – The installation of the pipe has been completed. The repairs were done differently than in the past, therefore, there was considerably more work than had been anticipated. Video Taping of Sewer Lines – This project is ongoing. 5555 Removing Brush at Filter Plant – Crews have been removing brush and small trees from the tops of the clear wells in anticipation of putting a membrane down on top to waterproof the roofs. Court Facility Water Lines – Work has begun to install the new water line for the Court Facility. Freeze Kit – The crew has started using the new freeze kit to freeze water services that were leaking and in need of repair. This method is more environmentally friendly than the freon that was previously used. REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS AND FACILITIES: Asst. Supt. Ferrel reported to the Board on the following items: Highway Paving – The crews are preparing street surfaces to repave. The City paver is out of service at this time and a paver will be rented to finish the work. Surface Treatments – The crew will be doing some surface treatments at various locations in the City for the next two weeks. Brandon Place Storm Sewer – That work is completed and new curbs have been poured in that area. The crews are working on sidewalks at this time. Creek Grates and Culverts – With the heavy rain that we have been having there has been a need to clean the creek grates and culverts daily in many places. Cass Park – New playground equipment is being installed. Glass is being repaired around the rink area and the soccer and football fields have been prepared and are currently in use. Stewart Park – There is a crew working on the shore line at Stewart Park. Golf Course – The tree crew has been working removing a few large trees and doing a lot of trimming. Aerial Truck – The truck is in Syracuse for its annual inspection. Cemetery Vault Damage – There was a vault break-in last week, which resulted in both damage to the vault and theft from inside the vault. The door has been repaired but there is a need to do some blocking in and sealing of that particular vault. There are many vaults in the cemetery that need sealing but the operating budget cannot accommodate any of that work. New York State Transportation Safety Board – There are four people from the NYS Transportation Safety Board at our facility for the next few days going over our transit safety plan. They are reviewing our records and procedures for compliance with the transportation law. Ithaca Transit Safety Plan has been chosen by the State as a model for other small municipalities. Wheat Street Historical Marker – was installed the first week of September. Trash Hauler Meeting – Asst. Supt. Ferrel attended a County trash hauler meeting. The haulers were told at the meeting that the 1993 tipping fee would be between $80 and $90 . 6666 Discussion followed between Asst. Supt. Ferrel and Mayor Nichols regarding the difference between the City’s and County’s methods of handling illegal dumping and the matter of picking up corrugated cardboard. BUILDING, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: Request for Contract to Purchase Two Buses By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, numerous requests have been received for additional bus service to East Hill and soon to be created park and ride lots, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has submitted a request for a grant of funds to the New York State Department of Transportation and the United States Department of Transportation, pursuant to Section 18 of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 as amended, for a project to purchase two (2) 24 foot passenger buses and related equipment, and WHEREAS, the project has been approved by the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Government for Federal and State financial assistance; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Mayor be authorized to sign the Agreement between the City of Ithaca and the State of New York for the above named project, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized to progress and complete the above project, and be it further RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca agrees to provide its share of the project cost, which is estimated to be $14,000, according to the terms of said Agreement, and hereby certifies the availability of this amount for this purpose. The City of Ithaca’s actual project cost, to be determined by the final project Audit, is that which is not reimbursed by Federal Section 18 and State Mass Transportation funds. Carried Unanimously Request to Hire Three Drivers By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commission Tripp WHEREAS, numerous requests have been received for additional bus service to East Hill and soon to be created park and ride lots, and WHEREAS, it will require two (2) 24 foot medium duty buses to provide this additional service which are to be supplied by a capital grant with a City cost of $14,000, and WHEREAS, the NET operational cost for the additional service, including the new drivers is estimated to be $37,699 as shown below: 6160 hours @ $34.00 $209,440 outside subsidy (82%) -171,741 net cost to City of Ithaca $ 37,699 now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the Vacancy Review Committee, Budget and Administration Committee and Common Council authorize the hiring of three drivers to provide this service, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Ithaca Transit System will provide quarterly operational reports as required. 7777 Commissioner Brandford suggested that in the first Resolved Clause, the words “and provide the appropriate funding” be added before the words “the hiring of three drivers . . .” No Board member objected. Discussion followed on the floor with Alderperson Blanchard answering questions from Board members. Asst. Supt. Ferrel explained that in the staff requests line items, these three bus drivers were included in the proposed 1993 budget. He said that when he and Mr. Gray were making some initial cuts, they removed these three bus drivers from the 1993 budget. However, when they did that, it meant putting back in more overtime money and more part-time seasonal money. Mr. Ferrel further clarified that during the Board meetings on the budget, the drivers were put back in and the overtime and part-time line items were reduced and he believes that is the way it has been presented to the Mayor for his budget recommendations at this time. Further discussion followed on the floor. It was pointed out that since the item was part of the 1993 budget discussions, action at this time was not appropriate. Motion to Table By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the request to hire three drivers be tabled. Carried Unanimously HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: North Tioga and Farm Streets The Board of Public Works has heard comments and concerns from residents in the area of North Tioga and Farm Streets. The residents would like to see measures taken which would result in improved safety. Resolution By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed recommendations for the intersection of North Tioga Street and Farm Street; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to install temporary aprons at the intersection, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the installation of signage which alert motorists to the potentially hazardous intersection, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs the Traffic Engineer to reduce parking near said intersection and adjust it as necessary to conform to the new curbline and the goal of improved safety. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Cox RESOLVED, That the second Resolved Clause be deleted from the resolution. A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (2) – Cox, Brandford Nays (3) – Gerard, Tripp, Rusoff Abstention (1) – Reeves Motion Fails 8888 Main Motion A vote on the Main Motion resulted as follows: Ayes (5) – Brandford, Gerard, Tripp, Reeves, Cox Nays (1) – Rusoff Carried Installation of Permanent Apron at North Tioga and Farm Streets By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to install permanent curb aprons and an all-way stop at Farm and Tioga Streets. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford RESOLVED, That the words “permanent curb apron” be deleted from the resolution. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Gerard suggested that there be an amendment stating that the all way stop at Farm and Tioga Streets be for an experimental period of 90 days. The amendment failed for the lack of a second. Main Motion as Amended A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Ayes (2) – Rusoff, Gerard Nays (4) – Cox, Reeves, Brandford, Tripp Motion Fails Sidewalk Assessment The City Chamberlain presented the Board of Public Works with a list of sidewalk assessments to be levied against properties. Public hearings have been held and notices were issued to property owners. The Board has never furnished final assessments to the Controller, therefore a warrant from Common Council to collect on them was not received by the City Chamberlain and bills were not sent. Resolution By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, notices of defect, public hearings and notices of assessment were provided to property owners for the installation and repair of their sidewalk covering work during 1987 to 1990; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the finalization of these assessments, and forwards them to the City Controller for the purpose of collection. Discussion followed on the floor. Motion to Defer By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the resolution regarding sidewalk assessments be referred to the Committee of the Whole meeting of October 7, 1992 with Power to Act. Carried Unanimously 9999 PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS: Use of Lot D by Senior Citizen Council By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Senior Citizen Council has been using Lot D “Woolworth’s Lot” since the 1970’s at a rate of $2.00 per day; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves a 1992 Permit for the Senior Citizen Council’s use of parking Lot D for their daily trips and occasional three day trips, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests staff to negotiate the form of the permit and its reporting requirements with the Senior Citizen Council, using a daily rate of $3.00, including applicable taxes. Carried Unanimously BUDGET, ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATION ITEMS: Transfer of Payroll Funds (Streets and Facilities) By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford WHEREAS, some department projects have been held up due to weather patterns during the summer months, and WHEREAS, the Streets and Facilities Division has had an abnormally high number of full time employees off work due to compensation claims, and WHEREAS, Street and Facilities needs to retain several seasonal employees longer than budgeted in order to accomplish several projects; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That $12,000 be transferred from A2055111-115 to Account A2055111- 120 for the Highway Account and $2,391 be transferred from A2055120-115 to A2055120-120 for the Bridge Account. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Audit Report By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Cox RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract #17 General Fund ………………………………………………………….. $ 32,734.30 Water and Sewer Fund ………………………………………………… $ 22,558.97 Joint Activity Fund ……………………………………………………. $ 22,485.19 Capital Projects ………………………………………………………... $325,783.92 Solid Waste ……………………………………………………………. $ 35,855.65 And be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered, contingent upon approval of the audit by Commissioner Rusoff. Carried Unanimously EXECUTIVE SESSION: By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff 10101010 RESOLVED, That the Board adjourn into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the Board reconvened into regular session and adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Connie J. Holcomb Benjamin Nichols Senior Stenographer Mayor