HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-10-281111
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. October 28, 1992
PRESENT:
Mayor Nichols
Commissioners (6) – Cox, Reeves, Gerard, Tripp, Rusoff, Brandford
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Public Works (Streets & Facilities) – Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Public Works (Water & Sewer) – Shimer
City Attorney - Guttman
Common Council Liaison – Berg
Commons Coordinator – Deming
City Chamberlain - Parsons
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 October 14, 1992
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the October 14, 1992 Board of Public Works meeting
be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Building, Properties and Transit Items
Superintendent Gray requested the addition of Item 12.C – Request for Contract for Sale
of Bricks and Item 12.D – Request to Release Right Title Interest from 402 Third Street.
No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:
Cost of 1993 Trash Tags
Mayor Nichols reported that the 1993 budget assumes that the cost of trash tags for 1993
will remain the same as for 1992.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARING OF PERSONS BEFORE BOARD:
Spencer Road
Mrs. Margaret Neff, whose husband owns Jr’s Auto Repair at 400 and 406 Spencer Road,
addressed the Board regarding making that block one-way going north. She is in
opposition to that block of Spencer Road being made one-way. She handed out a
statement to Board members of her opinion and discussion followed with Mrs. Neff.
Mr. Gene Welch, 411 Spencer Road, also spoke to the Board in opposition to the
proposed plan of making that block of Spencer Road a one-way road.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS:
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following items:
New Transit Facility – The new Transit Facility’s grand opening was held on Tuesday,
October 27th.
Court Facility – The new Court Facility construction is proceeding.
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Hector Street Curb – The curbing on Hector Street has been modified.
Municipal Pool – The Municipal Pool is behind schedule. The bathhouse construction is
almost complete.
REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS & FACILITIES:
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following items:
Hector Street – Ditch drainage work is going on in the Hector Street area. Drainage
work in the lower Hector Street area will begin next week.
Transit Facility – On November 9, the new Transit Facility will be open for
maintenance.
Collegetown Garbage Cans – The crews are in the process of replacing the 27 garbage
cans in the Collegetown area.
Stewart Park – The park is closed. The caretaker has moved out of the house and it will
be winterized and closed.
Elmira Road Tree Planting – The tree planting on the Elmira Road is in progress.
Extended Hour Parking Study – The figures for this study have been distributed and
Mr. Ferrel suggested that they be discussed at the next Committee of the Whole and the
Board concurred.
REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER AND SEWER:
Assistant Superintendent Shimer reported to the Board on the following items:
Wastewater Treatment Plant – Is being prepared for cold weather operation.
Water Plant – Has been inspected by the Health Department.
Watershed Signs – Have been installed.
Gorge Ranger Report – The Gorge Ranger report will be forthcoming.
Sciencenter Hydrant – The hydrant at the Sciencenter has been removed and a new one
will be installed.
Videotaping Program – A presentation will be made in late November or early
December on the videotaping of the sewer lines that has been on going.
Beavers – The beavers are causing serious damage to the trees in the watershed area and
the issue needs to be looked at soon.
PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS:
14.A Spencer Road Traffic Pattern
On May 21, 1992, a 90 day trial traffic pattern was implemented on Spencer Road and
later extended to end on November 1, 1992. The Engineering Department collected
traffic data from Spencer Road, Albany Street and the surrounding area before and after
the change was made. The Board has received this data along with reports from
residents, the Traffic Engineer, Superintendent of Public Works and the Chief of Police.
The Board of Public Works must decide whether to make the “new” traffic pattern
permanent or to return to the original configuration.
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Resolution
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the data which was taken from
Spencer Road, Albany Street and the surrounding area, and
WHEREAS, the Task Force on Traffic Issues has not had a chance to review any of the
data, look at long term impacts, or provide any input; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests input of this configuration from
the Task Force on Traffic Issues, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the temporary configuration should be made permanent to provide
stability to the current situation.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor with Superintendent Gray answering
questions from Board members.
It was the consensus of the Board that the final Resolved clause shall read as follows:
“RESOLVED, That the present configuration be continued until further change to
provide stability to the current situation.”
Commissioner Reeves, stated, for the record, that she will not support this resolution
because of the difficulties in enforcement, the impacts on the Spencer Road residences
and businesses, and also because of the impact that they have seen on Albany, Wood,
South Streets and Tiptoes Avenue and a fact that a child was struck on Albany Street
recently. She stated that she feels that it is much more fair to distribute the problems
rather than create this impact on Albany Street.
A vote on the resolution, as amended, resulted as follows:
Ayes (4) – Rusoff, Tripp, Gerard, Mayor Nichols
Nays (2) – Reeves, Cox
Abstention (1) – Brandford
Carried
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS:
12.A Request Permission for Horse-drawn Wagon Rides on Commons and
Perimeter
Debbie Warren Holley of the Ithaca Times has approached the Board requesting
permission to allow horse-drawn wagon rides around the Commons from November 28th
to December 19, 1992. The horses will be contracted by the Ithaca Times with Marquis’s
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides. On Saturday, November 28th, Santa will be brought onto the
Commons by wagon entering the Commons on Tioga Street, and exiting at the Aurora
end of the Commons.
Resolution
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request for permission to allow
horse-drawn wagon rides around the perimeter of the Commons and onto the Commons
on November 28th, and
WHEREAS, the Chief of Police has made his recommendation to the Board for their
consideration; now, therefore, be it
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RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the request for horse-drawn
wagon rides around the Commons between November 28th and December 19th, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Board approve of the wagon entering the Commons on
November 28th, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requires a “slow moving vehicle” emblem
along with other safety equipment on the wagon.
Carried Unanimously
12.B Request for Waver of Fee for Bud Lite Triple Crown Softball Tournament,
1993
The Board of Public Works has been approached by the Chamber of Commerce and
Triple Crown Sports requesting that the fee for the annual National Triple Crown
Slowpitch Softball Series be waived for 1993.
Resolution
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the current request and past
requests for a waiver of fees; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies the request to waive the cost
associated with the Triple Crown Series.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
RESOLVED, That the following Resolved clause be added to the resolution:
“RESOLVED, That staff is directed to work with both the Chamber of Commerce and
the Triple Crown to reduce costs to match the level of service requested by Triple Crown
to provide a successful series.”
Carried Unanimously
A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
12.C Request for Contract for Sale of Bricks
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, the City Landmarks Preservation Commission has issued to Fahs-Ralston
Paving of Binghamton, N.Y. a certificate of appropriateness for the use of approximately
900 historical used bricks to construct a crosswalk at Balch Hall on the Cornell Campus;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the agreement made between
the City and Fahs-Ralston Paving for the sale of these bricks and authorizes the
Superintendent of Public works to sign the agreement.
Carried Unanimously
12.D Request to Release Right Title Interest from 402 Third Street
The land known as “Ithaca Scrap” owned by Ida Weber, is soon to change hands. The
Attorney for the prospective purchaser, Mr. Randall Marcus, is requesting that a 1931
agreement (copy unavailable) be released. The agreement conveyed a right of way across
Block 32 and the right to use the existing spur on Block 31 for construction, maintenance
and operation of a railroad spur from the easterly end of the present switch to the City
premises on Block 33.
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Resolution
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has an existing agreement from 1931 with the owner of
402 Third Street which conveyed a right of way to the City, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Randall Marcuss, Attorney for the prospective purchaser of this land, is
requesting that the City release this agreement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Mayor to sign an
appropriate agreement which will release all City right title and interest of, and if
necessary, to forward this resolution to Common Council for their action.
City Attorney Guttman answered questions and addressed the Board on this matter.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS:
13.A Request for Permission to Place Signage
By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
WHEREAS, Susan Blumenthal has presented the Board with a map which shows
placement of proposed signage which will direct motorists to downtown Ithaca, and
WHEREAS, Common Council has approved funds for installing such signage, though
approval from the Board of Public Works is needed for installation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the sites that are proposed,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to contact the New York State Department of
Transportation as needed for those signs in the State right-of-way, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to install the signs once they are produced and
available.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
RESOLVED, That there be a further Resolved clause added to read as follows:
“RESOLVED, That the Board requests that the design and installation of the signs be
carried out in conformance within existing standards.”
Carried Unanimously
A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS:
14.B Lake Avenue – Permanent one-way Configuration
As part of the North Cayuga Street Bridge Reconstruction, staff had recommended
changes to curb alignments and a change in some traffic patterns to improve operation
othe related intersections.
Resolution
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard
WHEREAS, the 100 block of Lake Avenue between Monroe Street and North Cayuga
Street was proposed to be changed to a one-way street as part of the North Cayuga Street
Bridge Reconstruction; now, therefore, be it
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RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the Traffic Engineer’s proposal to
make the 100 block of Lake Avenue one-way and forwards this resolution to the City
Clerk for incorporation into the Municipal Code.
Commissioner Gerard stated that he is very pleased about the safety of the pedestrian
traffic in this area now.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
BUDGET, ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATION ITEMS:
16.A Request for New Procedure of Billing
Chamberlain Parsons has requested that the Board of Public Works consider changing the
current billing process to a more efficient system. The system currently allows bills to be
sent once the Board has approved them at its regular meetings. Chamberlain Parsons is
proposing to mail these bills weekly upon receipt of the originating documents. All
Department of Public Works Accounts Receivable bills will be recorded and presented to
the Board on a monthly basis. City Attorney Guttman has reviewed this process and feels
a resolution is adequate to make such a change.
Resolution
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from City Chamberlain
Parsons to change Department of Public Works Accounts Receivable billing procedures;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of changing Department of
Public Works Accounts Receivable billing procedures to include billing property owners
weekly and present a list of those billed on a monthly basis to the Board for their
approval.
City Chamberlain Parsons explained the proposed billing method.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Audit Report
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment:
Abstract #20
General Fund …………………………………………………. $ 58,035.58
Water and Sewer Fund ……………………………………….. $ 30,454.24
Joint Activity Fund ………………………………………….... $ 14,973.73
Capital Projects ………………………………………………. $ 446,896.40
Solid Waste …………………………………………………... $ 22,394.00
and be it further
RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered.
Carried Unanimously
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ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Connie J. Holcomb Benjamin Nichols
Senior Stenographer Mayor