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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. 2222 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. 3333 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 4444 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. 5555 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 6666 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 7777 ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Connie J. Holcomb Benjamin Nichols Senior Stenographer Mayor