HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1992-12-23
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. December 23, 1992
PRESENT:
Mayor Nichols
Commissioners (5) Rusoff, Reeves, Gerard, Cox, Brandford
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities - Ferrel
Asst. Superintendent of Water & Sewer - Shimer
Common Council Liaison - Berg
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Deputy City Clerk - Boyle
EXCUSED:
Commissioner Tripp
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 December 9, 1992 Board of Public Works
Meeting
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the December 9, 1992 Board of Public
Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:
Mayor Nichols read the following letter from Victor Rozenfine,
Public Health Engineer, Tompkins County Department of Health, into
the record:
"Dear Mayor Nichols:
Enclosed are the report and forms constituting the 1992 annual
survey of the City of Ithaca's water system.
We are very glad to note that construction of the new chlorination
and chemical handling facilities has begun. This will lead to a
safer operation.
The City's staff at the water plant continues to do an outstanding
job producing safe water with the facility as it exists.
Sincerely,
Victor Rozenfine,
Public Health Engineer"
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Alan Cohen, 302 East State Street, Ithaca, owner of Simeon's On
The Commons, 224 East State Street, addressed the Board regarding
the recent changes to the commercial recycling regulations. Mr.
Cohen stated that he is dismayed that the City is no longer
handling commercial recycling material. He explained that many
downtown businesses do not have the room to store the commercial
recycling bins that private haulers provide them with, and is
concerned that business owners may start disposing of their
recycables with their regular trash.
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December 23, 1992
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Superintendent Gray reminded Mr. Cohen that disposing recyclable
material in regular trash is a violation of the City of Ithaca
Recycling Ordinance. He further explained that the City no longer
collects commercial recycling material due to financial reasons
that are a result of the recycling contract between the County and
the City. The County has stated that their program is only
intended for residential recycling.
Mayor Nichols suggested that Mr. Cohen speak with members of the
Solid Waste Committee of the Tompkins County Board of
Representatives regarding this matter.
Lance Barr, 114 Auburn Street, addressed the Board regarding
installing an All Way Stop at the intersection of Tompkins, Dey,
and Auburn Streets. He stated that a neighborhood petition was
submitted a couple of years ago and traffic counts have been
taken. He asked the Board what the status of this request is.
Mayor Nichols stated that the Board would research this request
and discuss it further at a Committee of the Whole meeting in
January.
Sharon Weaver, 490 Floral Avenue, addressed the Board regarding
the Resolution on the agenda pertaining to the beavers in the Van
Atta's dam area of Six Mile Creek. Ms. Weaver explained that she
is a teacher at Belle Sherman Elementary School and stated that
the children are concerned about the welfare of the beavers. She
further explained that the beavers are a great teaching tool as
many classes spend time in the Six Mile Creek area and Wildflower
Preserve for nature and science lessons.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS:
Encroachment Agreement for 132 University Avenue
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard
WHEREAS, Robert and Kathleen Seibel are the property owners of 132
University Avenue, and
WHEREAS, according to the most recent survey map, the front steps
are on City property 3 to 4 feet, more or less, and has been
reviewed by staff; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Mayor to
enter into an encroachment agreement with Mr. and Mrs. Seibel
according to the usual terms.
Carried Unanimously
CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS ITEMS:
DeWitt Park Usage Policy
By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received requests for
clarification of its policy on DeWitt Park usage, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works desires to be fair and
consistent in its treatment of requests for DeWitt Park usage;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the following policy will serve as the Board of
Public Works' policy in guiding decisions:
- That the Board of Public Works' primary interest is to
maintain DeWitt Park as a contemplative space in keeping
with its function as a Veteran's Memorial and a common space
for several churches, and
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December 23, 1992
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- That requests to use the park will be reviewed by the
Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee on a case-
by-case basis with the exception of requests that involve
amplified sound, including music, and/or the sale of product,
and
- That requests which involve amplified sound and/or sales of
products will be denied by the Superintendent of Public Works
or his designee.
- In all cases recourse of appeal is the Board of Public
Works.
Carried Unanimously
Beavers in Six Mile Creek
There has been much concern about the presence of beavers in the
Six Mile Creek area. The Board requested that a representative
from DEC tour the gorge and make recommendations concerning
possible removal of the beavers.
Resolution
By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
WHEREAS, Mr. Roger Miner from the DEC toured the area with City
staff and assessed the population of beavers as two or three
individuals with poor growth potential, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Miner determined their impact as minimal and not
justifying their removal, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Miner acknowledged that the decision of removal
remains with the City during the regular trapping season; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works thanks Mr. Miner for his
time and effort, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board will not take any action to remove the
beavers from the Six Mile Creek area, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board welcomes a joint monitoring of the
situation by staff and Six Mile Creek Committee members, and
requests to be kept informed and consulted in any further findings
thereof.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the intent of the
Resolution.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commission Reeves
RESOLVED, That the second Resolved Clause will read as follows:
"RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works will not take any action
to remove the beavers from the Six Mile Creek area between Van
Atta's dam and the lower reservoir at this time, and, be it
further"
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion as Amended
A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows:
Ayes (4) Nichols, Rusoff, Cox, Gerard
Nays (2) Brandford, Reeves
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December 23, 1992
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Carried
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Audit Report
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford
RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved
for payment:
Abstract #23
General Fund........................................$ 52,208.44
Water and Sewer Fund................................ 12,499.61
Joint Activity Fund................................. 9,241.23
Capital Projects.................................... 243,511.61
Solid Waste......................................... 27,231.20
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved.
Carried Unanimously
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Commissioner Reeves noted that Superintendent Gray is prepared to
discuss the 1993 Department of Public Works Work program, but will
postpone his report until January when Commissioner Tripp will be
present.
NEW BUSINESS:
Thank You to Commissioner Philip Cox
WHEREAS, Phil Cox was appointed to the Board of Public Works in
1989, and
WHEREAS, Phil has served on various committees during his term on
the Board, and
WHEREAS, Phil was elected Chairman of the Sewer Joint Committee in
1990 where through his capable leadership he was instrumental in
finalizing the Sewer Use Ordinance for the City of Ithaca, Town of
Ithaca and the Town of Dryden, as well as being the guiding force
in helping define the boundaries of the Wastewater Treatment Plant
service area, finding a solution to the Kline Road sewer problem,
and helping members of the SJS through the myriad of information
dealing with determining the excess capacity of the Wastewater
Treatment Plant, and
WHEREAS, Phil has brought many talents to the Board of Public
Works such as engineering expertise, his knowledge as past City
Engineer, concern for the City as a long time resident, strong
leadership skills, and a dry sense of humor, and
WHEREAS, during Phil's tenure on the Board of Public Works some of
the more notable projects include Hudson Street reconstruction,
establishment of Carpenter Business Park, Dryden Road
reconstruction, reconstruction and replacement of five City
bridges, the new City Court facility, and last but not least, the
beaver problem in Six Mile Creek; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works extends to Phil its
sincere thanks for all his time, effort, and support to the Board
and to the City, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works extends to Phil its best
wishes for success in all his future endeavors.
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December 23, 1992
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Carried Unanimously
Commissioner Cox thanked the Board for their warm wishes, and
noted that though they may not have always agreed on issues, he
commends this Board for all of the hard work and energy that they
bring to solving various City problems. He further commented that
although they are not always appreciated, the civic duties the
Commissioners perform are worthy of note, and that he will always
remember the energy that this Board has expended.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 4:55 P.M.
Julie Conley Boyle, Benjamin Nichols,
Deputy City Clerk Mayor
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December 23, 1992
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. December 16, 1992
The following Resolution was passed by the Board of Public Works
at the December 16, 1992 Committee of the Whole meeting when the
Board had Power to Act.
Hillview Place Sewer Lateral
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
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
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 properties
which use this private lateral, granting to the City of Ithaca, in
a form acceptable to the City Attorney, an easement to install,
operate and maintain any existing or future necessary public
utility lines in those portions of Hillview Place owned by the
owners of properties which use this private sewer lateral, namely
501 South Cayuga Street and 105, 107, and 108 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 a mutually agreeable point located between Cayuga Street and
the west edge of the porch on the property of Vanderburgh (501
South Cayuga Street) to a condition satisfactory to the
Superintendent of Public Works, that the Department is authorized
to repair the section of the lateral west of the aforesaid point
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 existing easement between 501 South Cayuga and 105
Hillview Place (Mechanic Street in original) be updated to include
all involved properties and filed with the City Clerk in
accordance with Section 348-12 of the City Code, and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That contingent on the filing of the easement and the
entire private sewer lateral being properly maintained in the
future by the owners of properties which use the private sewer
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December 23, 1992
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lateral, the Department shall continue to allow the private
lateral to remain connected to the City's sewer main in South
Cayuga Street.
Carried Unanimously
(Commissioner Cox absent from meeting)