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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1993-06-09E BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. June 9, 1993 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols _ Commissioners (5) Rusoff, Tripp,, Reeves, Gerard, Brandford OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public 4orks - Gray Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities - Ferrel Common Council Liaison - Berg Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Boyle EXCUSED: Commissioner Smith T— PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: LO Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the T American Flag. CO APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Z Due to short staffing in the Clerk's office the Minutes of the May G 12, and May 26, 1993 Board of Public Works meetings were not ready G for approval. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Buildings Properties and Transit Items Commissioner Runoff requested the addition of Item A - Award of Contract for Asbestos Removal for Strand Theater - Resolution. 110 Board member objected. Highways. Streets end Sidewalk Items: Commissioner Reeves requested the addition of Item D - Transit Mix Concrete Bid Award - Resolution, and Item E - Asphalt Concrete Bid Award - Resolution. No Board Member objected. Parking and Traffic Items: Commissioner Tripp requested the addition of Item B - Request to Restrict Parking of Valley Road - Resolution. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR, Mayor Nichols reported that the City has begun discussions regarding consolidation of transit systems with the County. The County will be reimbursing the City $435,000. for the City costs of operating Ithaca Transit in 1994. The Mayor further explained that they are attempting to merge Ithaca Transit, Tomtran, Cornell Transit and possibly Gadabout into one central transit system. Commissioner Reeves, Alderperson Blanchard and the.Mayor are on the Negotiating Committee representing the City. The Mayor asked the Board members to keep these discussions in mind when dealing with transit issues. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Anne and George Bantuvanis, 203 Ithaca Road addressed the Board in support of the Request to Restrict Parking on Ithaca Road,agenda item. Mrs. Bantuvanis noted the all day parking problems, the heavy traffic flows on Ithaca Road, and the visual difficulties they experience while backing out of their driveway. 1 10 BPW Minutes June 9, 1993 REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: Deputy City Controller Thayer reported that the City has purchased a new computerized cash register for Newman Municipal Golf Course which will improve the accounting reports and cash flow controls. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL LIAISON• Alderperson Berg read the following statement into the record from Alderpersons Blanchard, Romanowski and Daley: June 4, 1993 Board of Public Works City of Ithaca 108 E. Green Street Ithaca, NY 14850 "We are writing as a follow up to the Board's decision of 26 May to pursue the abandonment of South Titus Avenue with the aarent pp ultimate goal of extending the triangular open apace to the banks Of Six Mile Creek. While we do not, at this time, intend to challenge the Board's decision, we do feel that an explanation is in order. Alderpersons Blanchard and Romanowski would like to explain paid no neighborhood t otheealmosts 2O too l to reactionwof residents directly abutting the street. Alderman Daley would like to explain to the Traffic Task Force why its recommendation not to close the street was ignored. We note that Commissioner Reeves, in casting an opposing vote, did explain her position. We are requesting similar courtesy from each of the other Commissioners; at a minimum, a summation of the reasons for the vote to abandon in the face of clear opposition from immediate neighbors and a negative staff recommendation. Please respond, in writing, at your earliest convenience. We have explanations to make to constituents and committee members." Commissioner Berg reported that the City is working with Cornell University, Ithaca College, Tompkins County to establish a debit card system for payment of parking garage and transit fees. Commissioner Berg encouraged the Board to provide input. Commissioner Berg also reported that he is still continuing to investigate the possibility of neighborhood participation in the maintenance of area parks. r Commissioner Tripp responded, for the record, that she neither has the time, inclination, or interest in responding in writing to the letter submitted by Alderpersons Blanchard, Romanowski and Daley, but is available every Wednesday from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. at the Board meetings, and should anyone inquire as to the reasons behind her vote, she would be happy to discuss it with them. Commissioner Rusoff also stated for the record, that she finds writing letters very time consuming, but would be happy to talk to any of the Alderpersons on the phone, or,at the Board meetings. Commissioner Gerard stated that he would 3be ha p matter further with any Alderperson either on t s he phone or this person,.but also does not write letters. Deputy City Clerk Boyle noted that she is behind on preparing the Board of Public Works minutes, and that the Alderpersons may not receive the minutes of this meeting for a few weeks. Alderperson Berg stated that he would deliver the Board's responses to Alderpersons Blanchard, Romanowski, and Daley. 11 BPW Minutes June 9, 1993 PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS• Request to Restrict Parking on Ithaca Road By commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a petition from the residents of Ithaca Road requestriug the prohibition of parking on Ithaca Road between Mitchell Street and Elmwood Avenue; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board Gf Public Works approves the installation of No Parking signs on Ithaca Road between Mitchell Street and Elmwood Avenue from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to implement the change before August 15, 1993 and that necessary steps be taken in order to notify the public of this change. T— Commissioner Brandford called the Board's attention to the rprivate e City for a"No Parking Area, g ermit. He m feels that these provisions would better serve the neighborhood co needs than prohibiting parking on that section of street. Mayor Nichols and Commissioner Gerard spoke in favor of the Resolution as they believe most of the parking problems are related to Cornell University which should provide parking for these people. Commissioner Brandford spoke in opposition of the Resolution as he feels that the parking at Cornell does not satisfy all occassions. He further stated that City streets belong to all people in the City not just the abutting property owners, and he does not believe that the portion of Ithaca Road in question is an extraordinary situation. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (4) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard Nays (1) Brandford Carried REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: Superintendent o£ Public Works Gray reported on the following projects: Interim Water Treatment Plant Project - ongoing Franklin /Dey St. Emergency Sewer Replacement Project - bids came in high, project will be reconfigured and rebid 1994 Budget Preparation City Court Facility - is scheduled for a July 12, 1993 occupancy Common Brick Work - ongoing 1993 Sidewalk Program - will be bid next week Strand Theater - asbestos removal will begin next week Alex Haley Pool - will open after Dept. of Health testing DPW Consolidation - site plan preparation NYSEG Energy Contracts Automated Parking Equipment Program - ongoing Mitchell Street Curve Design - ongoing REPORT OF ASST. SVPERINTENDENT OF STREETS & FACILITIES Assistant Superintendent of Streets & Facilities Ferrel reported on the following projects: Pot hole Repairs Route 89 - base repairs Eddy Street /College Avenue - micro paving 12 BPW Minutes June 9, 1993 Mutual Housing Site - utility hook -ups, sewer collapse, street reconstruction Meadow Street - curb /catch basin damage South Plain Street - storm sewer replacement Stewart'Park - flood damage / clean -up day / handicap accessibility Cass Park -league delays due to flooded ball fields Newman Municipal Golf Course - opened May 22, 1993 Street Tree Plantings Grafitti Removal Striping Program County Surcharge for Recyclables Found in Trash BUILDINGS PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: Award of Bid Eor Asbestos AT By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Mayor has been authorized by Common Council to proceed with the disposition of the Strand Theater, and WHEREAS, the first step in this process is abatement of asbestos - containing material in the building, and WHEREAS, bids have been received for asbestos abatement in the the Strand Theater; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the contract for asbestos abatement in the Strand Theater be awarded to Asbestos Removal Services of Grand Island, NY, for its low bid of $78,918., and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor be authorized to sign the contract. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the bid and safety precaution checks of bidders. .. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously AIGAWAY STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: Recuest ­"ounce Ice /Snow Removal Bill Rose Marie Belfort, of 402 Hudson Street, has received a bill for snow and ice removal from the Blizzard of 1993. Ms. Belfort claims that she is financially unable to pay bill #92 for $37.49. Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recognizes Ms. Belfort's financial situation as a hardship case and therefore expunges bill #92 of $37.49 for snow and ice removal. Substitute Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the following Resolution be substituted: RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works does not have a mechanism to evaluate "hardship" cases, and therefore regretfully denies the expungement of bill #92 of $37.49 for snow and ice removal. Carried Unanimously Main Motion , A vote on the Main Motion as Substituted resulted as follows: - Carried Unanimously By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by 'Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, Oasis Natural Grocery has requested a 1993 agreement for the use of the sidewalk adjacent to their store on Buffalo Street for outdoor dining; now, therefore, be it 4 T1_ LO W Z 2 BPW Minutes June 9, 1993 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants a 1993 license to use SO square feet on the Buffalo Street right -of -way for the period of June 1, 1993 through October 31, 1993, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor be authorized to sign a 30 -day revocable license agreement, based on the usual terms and conditions, with the gwners of Oasis Natural Grocery, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to establish a license fee for the use of the sidewalk in accordance with the formula used to calculate all other license fees, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the owners of Oasis be obliged to keep the area adjacent to their store clean and free from litter associated with this use, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board urges the owners of Oasis to contact the Board in a more timely manner in 1994. Commissioner Gerard made a motion that the owners Of Oasis be charged a pro -rated fee for the period of time that they were conducting outdoor dining without a permit, but the motion failed for lack of a second. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Request for Installation of Collegetown Directional Siang By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received requests to install directional signs for the Collegetown Business District and for Cornell University, and WHEREAS, the NYS Department of Transportation has approved such signs and the placement of these signs; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the installation of these signs after the final wording has been approved by Cornell and the Collegetown Business Association, and, be it further RESOLVED, That it is recommended that the funding for these signs be allocated from the monies set aside by Common Council for business district signage. - Discussion followed on the floor regarding an agreement the City has with Cornell that they would keep all of their directional signage on State routes. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Transit Mix Concrete Bid Award By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, bids were received on May 27, 1993 for Transit Mix Concrete to be used during the 1993 construction season; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works awards the low unit price bid on each product, items 1 - 5 for Transit Mix Concrete to Saunders Concrete Co., Inc. of Nedrow, NY, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities be authorized to sign the contract. Carried Unanimously E 13 14 BPW Minutes June 9, 1993 Asphalt Concrete Bid Award Bids were received on May 27, 1993 for Asphalt Concrete to be used during the 1993 construction season. Staff has reviewed the bids and adjusted the item prices for ton mileage to the plant location. Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works splits the award of bid for asphalt concrete between General Crushed Stone of Jamesville, New York for their low bid on base and binder course items A, B and C, Top course items G, hot patch mix item I and cold patch item L; and to Genesee LeRoy Stone Corp., of Pavilion, New York for their low bid on top course items D, E, F, and J. and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities to sign the contracts. Carried Unanimously PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS• Reguest to Restrict Parking on Valley Road The manager of transportation for the Ithaca School District has requested that parking be restricted on the north side of valley Road at its intersection with Cornell Street. Conflicts arise between parents who use Valley Road to drop or pick up students if they park too close to the intersection. Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants the request of the Ithaca School District for a "NO Stopping' zone on school days 8:00 - 10:00 am and 2:00 - 4:00 pm on the north side of Valley Road for a distance of approximately 30 feet west of the west curb line of Cornell Street. Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES. AND PARKS ITEMS• Reguest for Waiver of Fee at Stewart Park Pavilion By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the Ithaca Concert Band, which is funded by the City of Ithaca, is planning to hold their. annual picnic for band members at Stewart Park on August 3, 1993, and WHEREAS, the Band is requesting that the fee for the small pavilion be waived; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works waives the fee for the use of the small pavilion on August 3, 1993 for the Ithaca Concert Band, and authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to issue a similar waiver in future years upon request. Carried Unanimously Wood Street Park Improvements The City of Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) is applying for a Community Development Block Grant which would allow for $45,000. of improvements. to Wood Street Park. The client committee has developed a preliminary design which includes various improvements. Resolution b By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the 1993 Community Block Grant assumes a certain level of City funding in work intended for'improvements in the wood Street Park, and WHEREAS, the City funded improvements include construction of sidewalks, street trees, fill, and labor, and L0 T m Z 2 BPW Minutes June 9, 1993 WHEREAS, the IURA is requesting the Department of Public Works to commit funds and manpower to complete these additional items; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants the request to IURA, contingent upon grant approval, and an acceptable final design that is similar in scope to the program reviewed by the Board. Amendinc Resolution By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Resolved Clause be amended to read as follows: "RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the request to the IURA, contingent upon grant approval, funding by Common Council, and an acceptable final design that is similar in scope to the program reviewed by the Board. Carried Unanimously Main Motion as Amended A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES• Audit Report By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED,. That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract All General Fund ........... ..............................$ 73,890.65 Water and Sewer Fund .. ............................... 14,679.17 Joint Activity Fund ... ............................... 4,573.40 Capital Projects ...... ............................... 137,168.40 SolidWaste ........... ............................... 14,887.45 and, be it further RESOLVED, That bill receivable be approved. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS• Eaerav Commission Commissioner Reeves reported that the Energy Commission will be submitting a request for money in the City budget. The committee is attempting to gather information, brochures, magazine subscriptions, etc. for use by City departments. Parks Commission Commissioner Reeves reported that the Parks Commission is concerned with lakeshore and flood control channel stablization. The Commission will be providing recommendations for a Capital Project to help stablize these areas that have sustained damage due to the recent flooding. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. �l.VUw�(7�"lY /J /�LI�.0 l �' Julie Conley Bo le hols Deputy City Clerk Mayor 15