HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-12-021111
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. December 2, 1992
PRESENT:
Mayor Nichols
Commissioners (5) –Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Cox, Brandford
ABSENT:
Commissioner Rusoff
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Senior stenographer – Holcomb
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Public Works (Streets & Facilities) – Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Public Works (Water & Sewer) – Shimer
Common Council Liaison – Berg
Commons Coordinator’s Assistant – Brigid Hubberman
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 November 18, 1992 Board of Public Works Meeting
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the November 18, 1992 Board of Public Works
meeting be approved with editorial corrections as noted by Commissioner Reeves.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Highways, Streets and Sidewalk Items
Commissioner Brandford requested the addition of Item 13C – Award for purchase of a
One Ton Dump Truck.
No Board member objected.
Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Items
Commissioner Cox requested that there be a substitute resolution for 17B – Hillview
Sewers – Acceptance of City Attorney’s Proposal to Homeowner (tabled from 8/12/92).
No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Request for Permission to Allow Carriage Rides in the Commons Area
Ms. Brigid Hubberman from the Commons Coordinator’s Office spoke to the Board
regarding the request from the Bradley’s re. Carriage rides in the Commons area. She
stated that the only concern they have is that the DII has worked hard on the holiday
program and has wagon rides available. They are afraid there will be a misconception
with the public confusing the carriage rides and the wagon rides. She wondered if the
carriage rides could begin after the holidays.
Mayor Nichols suggested that the resolution concerning this matter be moved to this
point in the meeting.
Resolution No Board member objected.
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard
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RESOLVED, That the resolution requesting permission to allow carriage rides in the
Commons area be put before the Board at this time.
Carried Unanimously
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS:
* 12A. Request for Permission to Allow Carriage Rides in the Commons Area
Candice and Drew Bradley have requested permission for carriage rides around the
Commons area. The Bradley’s plan to start the rides on December 10, 1992 and continue
until May 31, 1993. The rides will be approximately a half hour in duration with services
between 4:30 and midnight, weather permitting, on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays,
except on December 12th and December 19th when they will begin their rides at 5:00 p.m.
They would like to have loading and unloading space available near Simeons Restaurant.
Resolution
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard
WHEREAS, Candice and Drew Bradley have requested permission for carriage rides
around the Commons and downtown area; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the Carriage rides under the
condition that the Bradley’s make arrangements for routes and loading zones with the
Chief of Police and Department of Public Works staff, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requires all necessary safety equipment
on the carriages, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Bradley’s leave all utilized facilities in a clean and orderly
manner.
Mayor Nichols referred to a memo from Police Chief McEwen regarding the hours of
operation for the carriage rides.
Mr. Drew Bradley explained to the Board that they stand to lose between $5,000 and
$6,000 if they have to wait to start the carriage rides after Christmas.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard
RESOLVED, That permission for the Bradley’s carriage rides is subject to approval by
the City Attorney as to adequate insurance coverage by the Bradleys and a certificate of
good health from a veterinarian regarding the health of the horses.
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion as Amended
A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
1993 Budget
Alderperson Berg reported that Common Council passed the 1993 budget at its December
2 meeting.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS:
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following:
Transit Operations – The transit operations move to the new facility is very near to
being completed.
Commons Project – The Commons Project is in the process of being closed out.
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North Cayuga Street Bridge – This project went very smoothly and the City has
received many compliments on the way the project turned out.
City Court Facility – The work will be ongoing for possibly another year. The
structural framing for the new building is almost complete.
GIAC Renovations – The plumbing work, which had to be more extensive than
originally thought is almost finished, the finishing work and the painting are getting
started. It appears that the work will not be finished until mid-January.
Festival Lands – The Attorneys Office has asked for some more survey work related to
the Festival Lands.
Community Development Block Grant – We are being invited back to participate in
the Community Development Block Grant applications.
REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS AND
FACILITIES:
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following:
Hector Street Storm Sewer – A storm sewer is being installed at the lower section of
Hector Street. The crew has hit solid rock so the work is going very slowly.
Southside Break-in – There was a break in at Southside with quite a bit of damage being
done.
Collection Lock Boxes – The collection lock boxes are ordered after standardizing the
equipment. They will be installed as soon as they arrive.
Train Wrecked Transit Bus – The bus is back together and running. There is some
detail work to be completed and a road test. It should be back on the road next week.
There will be a detailed parts and labor bill forthcoming on the repairs being done in-
house. Doing the work in-house resulted in considerable savings.
Cass Park Rink – Approximately $5,000 has been spent on unexpected repairs on the
refrigeration system so far this year. We are filing for a grant to fund the major repair
work needed.
REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER AND SEWER:
Assistant Superintendent Shimer reported on the following:
Pilot Grease Program – We are using one of the septage tanks to accept grease from the
grease traps in the restaurants around town. He explained the process and stated that he
will keep the Board updated.
Lab Analysis Bidding – We are working on preparing bid specifications and documents
for lab analysis. He stated that they are going to try bidding all their lab analysis for both
the water and sewer plant.
Interim Project at Water Plant – The foundation has been poured and they are
beginning to form the chemical tank pads that will be in the facility and they hope to
begin laying block soon, weather permitting.
Corrosion Control Study – They are beginning a corrosion control study. The Board
will be kept updated.
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HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS:
* 13A. Award of Bid for Material Spreader
Bids were received on November 17, 1992 for one Material Spreader to be used in snow
removal operations.
Resolution
By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and specifications; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the low bid with grade 304 stainless steel hopper material of
$8,888.00 from Roberts Equipment, Cazenovia, N.Y. be accepted, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works for Streets and
Facilities be authorized to sign the contract.
Carried Unanimously
#13B. Request for New Permanent Motor Vehicle Test Site
B. Request for New Permanent Motor Vehicle Test Site
The Motor Vehicle Test site was temporarily moved to Third Street from North Cayuga
Street during the reconstruction of the bridge. The Department of Motor Vehicles has
contacted staff requesting that the temporary site remain permanent.
Resolution
By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants the Department of Motor Vehicle’s
request to make the Third Street test site permanent.
Carried Unanimously
*13C. Award for Purchase of One Ton Dump Truck
By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
WHEREAS, bids were received on December 1, 1992 for the purchase of a One Ton
Crew Cab Dump Truck; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the low bid of $16,514.00 from
Spencer Ford Sales, Inc., and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities be authorized to
sign the contract.
Carried Unanimously
BUDGET, ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATION ITEMS:
*16 A. 1993 Golf Course Rates
The Board of Public Works met with Steve Torrant in late summer 1992 and requested a
review of course rates as part of the budget process. Steve responded in his memo of
October 14, 1992 suggesting a schedule of rates for 1993 and projecting revenues. He
also provided a memo of the same date discussing future needs and directions.
1993 Program Budget
A 7255 Golf Course 110,900
Capitalized Equip. (.20) (14,000) 2,800
Benefits (.35) (48,900) 17,100
(.10) (30,000) 3,000
Equip. Shed Rehab. 7,000
$140,800
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Program Income
A 2050 Revenues Budget Actual
1989 90,000 92,900
1990 100,000 107,700
1991 133,000 124,900
1992 120,000 122,200 (est.)
1993 137,000 144,000 (est.)
Resolution
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, The Board of Public Works has reviewed the recommendations of the Golf
Pro for 1993 course rates and the need for future improvements, and
WHEREAS, Common Council has directed the Board in its 1993 Budget Directions
(resolution 14.16 of December 2, 1992) to establish fees to produce the projected revenue
of $137,000; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board adopts the rates recommended by the Golf Pro in his
memo of October 14, 1992.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
WATER AND SEWER SOLD WASTE ITEMS:
* 17.1 Request to Expunge Trash Violation
Mrs. Thomas Miller, property owner of 201 North Aurora Street, received special service
charges due to a trash violation incurred by her tenant. Mrs. Miller has requested that the
Department expunge the current bill and suggests that if the tenant causes future
violations and services charges, that they also be charge for this bill. Superintendent
Gray has denied Mrs. Miller’s request for expungement of the violation.
Resolution
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the correspondences between Mrs.
Miller and Superintendent Gray, and
WHEREAS, the City Municipal Code, Chapter 69, Section 5, dictates the actions
followed by staff where waste materials were not placed or prepared in accord with the
provisions of the article; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works feels that staff’s actions were in
accordance with the City code and, therefore denies Mrs. Miller’s request for
expungement.
Carried Unanimously
*17B Hillview Sewers – Acceptance of City Attorney’s Proposal to Homeowner
(Tabled from 8/12/92)
Referred to Committee of the Whole with Power to Act
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, a private sewer lateral exists on Hillview Place which serves several
properties located on Hillview Place and which currently connects to the City’s sewer
main in South Cayuga Street, and
WHEREAS, this private sewer lateral is currently in need of repairs, and
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WHEREAS, there have been discussions and negotiations regarding the rights and
responsibilities with respect to this lateral of the City and the owners of properties which
are served by this private lateral; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That contingent upon the owners of all of the property which use this
private lateral, granting to the City of Ithaca, in necessary public utility lines in Hillview
Place; and further contingent upon the owners of all of the properties which use this
private lateral repairing the section of the lateral east of the east line of property of
Vanderburgh (501 South Cayuga Street) to a condition satisfactory to the Superintendent
of Public Works, lateral west of the Vanderburgh’s east property line and to consider the
Hillview Place private sewer lateral as a proper private sewer lateral which is to be
connected to the City’s sewer main in South Cayuga Street, and be it further
RESOLVED, That contingent on the entire private sewer lateral being properly
maintained in the future by the owners of properties which use the private sewer lateral,
that the Department shall continue to allow the private lateral to remain connected to the
City’s sewer main in South Cayuga Street.
A vote on the Resolution to refer the matter to the Committee of the Whole with Power to
Act resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Audit Report
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment:
Abstract #22
General Fund …………………………………………………. $ 48,381.03
Water and Sewer Fund ……………………………………….. $ 13,190.02
Joint Activity Fund ………………………………………….... $ 28,656.18
Capital Projects ………………………………………………. $ 500,486.17
Solid Waste …………………………………………………... $ 28,012.45
and be it further
RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved and rendered.
Carried Unanimously
NEW BUSINESS:
Retirement of Traffic Engineer
By Commissioner Cox: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
WHEREAS, S. Frank Gombas began his career with the City of Ithaca on February 2,
1959, and
WHEREAS, Frank will retire from his position as Traffic Engineer on December 11,
1992, after serving thirty-three (33) years with the Department of Public Works, and
WHEREAS, Numerous Board of Public Works have appreciated Frank’s research,
recommendations and knowledge in many of the issues that have confronted them
throughout the years, this support will be greatly missed; now, therefore, be it
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RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works is indebted to Frank for his thirty-three
(33) years of loyal and dedicated service to the City of Ithaca and extends its thanks and
good wishes for the future.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Connie J. Holcomb Benjamin Nichols
Senior Stenographer Mayor