HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1993-08-25y3
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. August 25, 1993
PRESENT:
Mayor Nichols
Commissioners (6) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Smith, Brandford
OTHERS PRESENT-
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities - Ferrel
Asst. Superintendent of Water & Sewer - Shimer
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
City Clerk Staff - Pagliaro
PLEDGE OF ALLfiGIANCE• '
Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American Flag.
by commissioner Reeves: Seconded *-Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the June 23, 1993, July 14, 1993,
July 28, 1993 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as
published.
Carried Unianmously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA'
Water and Sewer and Solid Waste Item•
Commiss.tioner Reeves requested the addition of Item 17B Award of
Engineering Services for Hydraulic Analysis and Mapping Resolution
and 17C Award of Engineering Services for the Water Treatment
Utility Bridge Evaluation and Report Resolution. No Board Member
objected.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:
Vehicle Maintenance Chargeback: Mayor Nichols reported there have
been various discussions recently, charging back the costs of
vehicle repairs to the appropriate departments. There is concern
about this years budget as routine maintenance has not been
included as a budget item. There will be a Budget Adjustment for
this year and next years maintenance costs will be a budget item.
Repair costs will be backcharged as of July 1, 1993.
Transit Consolidation: Transit Consolidation is proceeding. A
program is being established so that all buses will be painted the
same color and say I T Transit, but will state, operated byi. Ithaca
Transit or C U Transit etc. This program along with integrated
schedules and other changes, should be completed by next June.
Youth Bureau Petition: Mayor Nichols received a petition from 38
employees of the Ithaca Youth Bureau urging that air conditioning
be installed in their building. This is being considered as a
capital project.
Parks Commission: Mayor Nichols received a letter from the Parks
Commission stating that there were new plantings completed and a
play structure put up at Stewart Park without their consultation
In their charge it states that they would review any significant
new projects and they are asking that in the future they be
consulted. Supt. Gray stated that he considered this replacement
and maintenance work, not new projects. Mayor Nichols suggested
that in the future, Department of Public Works should touch base
with the Parks Commission when doing this type of work.
BPW Minutes
August 25, 1993
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY:
Report on Reoulation Violations Responding to a question posed by
Commissioner Reeves regarding penalties. City Attorney Guttman
reviewed the old regulations and new regulations. Prior to
recodification, the Ithaca City. Charter limited penalties that
could be assessed for Violation of BPW Regulations to a maximum of
$50. During Recodification Common Council amended that part of the
Charter to provide that violators could be penalized up to $250 and
or 15 days imprisonment. This applies only to BPW Regulations not
Municipal Code Violations.
The City Attorney will be consolidating all the issues about
garbage, trash and rubbish and into one section, of the Code within
the next.few months.
Proposed• changes to the animal ordinance are being considered. The
question now, is how to deal with enforcement.
Therm Status Update The Attorney General has set up a proposed
final order to Therm. This is the beginning of negotiations with
them. Restoration of the area may be under the supervision of the
Dept. of Environmental Conservation. The City will expect a very
detailed plan of restoration. The city will have input as to how
and what is going to be to be done. Restoration can not be done
until cleanup is complete. A meeting will be held in early October
with Therms' attorney to walk the gorge area, basically, to point
out what needs to be done.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT:
Superintendent Of Public Works Gray reported on the following:
Asst. Supt. of Water and Sewer Dennis Shimer has submitted his
resignation effective September 17, 1993.
DII- has contracted, for 5 consecutive Saturdays, to use several
buses. They will cover specific routes between Cornell, Ithaca
College and Downtown. This will provide free rides for students,
promoting Downtown.
Police Dept.- Renovations to 4th floor will be complete next week.
Strand Demolition- More asbestos was uncovered and has temporarily
stopped demolitiion. Air Monitoring has been done.
Sidewalk Program - work is on- going
City Dam - Stearns and Whaler analysis nearly complete
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Commissioner Gerard asked if a statement could be issued regarding
is
status of Therm. Supt. Gray responded that City Attorney Guttman
handling this matter.
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REPORT OF ASST SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER '& SEWER:
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Asat. Superintendent of Water & Sewer Shimer reported on the
following:
Gorge Ranger - will be finished as of September 4th, approximately.
Water Shed - Continuing with work there
utility Bridge - moving along, trying to obtain easements
Valve at College Ave.- completed
Commissioner Reeves asked about status of the sewer collapse at
York and Cayuga, and Titus and Geneva. hsst. Supt. Shimer stated
that standard bid procedures will be done for the sewer repairs.
Kline Road is done.
Water Main - work will start on Monday at City line on Route 13,
tying into town line.
REPORT OF ASST. SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS & FACILITIES:
Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities Ferrel reported on the
following:
Hillview and Aurora - three of the four lights are installed, the
fourth will be installed Thursday and should be operational
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BPW Minutes
August 25, 1993
next week. A decision has to be made on what hours and days the
light will be operating.
Sign Shop - has been busy painting crosswalks and slow school
signs several locations. Restricted parking signs are all in place.
Highway Items - octopus Bridge approach is done,but the crews are
still working on bridge deck at night, and will be for about three
more weeks. Waite Ave. and intersection of Tripphammer Rd. and
Jessup Rd, both completed. Plain St, between Seneca and Green
delayed, the paver has broken down. On Tioga St. between Buffalo
and Cascadilla Creek, crewi have run into old trolley track ties,
and old yellow brick, so more excavation, repair and overlap will
needed.
Curb Crew - Will be working in the 500 Block of S. Aurora St. and
it will be necessary to detour one lane of traffic to Hudson St.
Buildings Systems — Commons towers, electricians have installed new
circuit boards.
Parks and Forestry - Fall tree - planting order is in and on November
4th they will be doing a large scale bare rooting program.
Pool Closings - GIAC on September 6th. Cass Park August 29th.
Commissioner Brand£ord asked if anything will be done on Hector St.
before winter. Curb Crew will going to Hector St.and pr6pare the
edge for granite curbing after Aurora St. project.
REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS-
Debra Parsons, City Chamberlain gave a status report on the 1HR
free parking stickers. They are on order and should be here by
August 30th but that date is not guaranteed by the printer.
Discussion followed, on the publicity that will be done and other
ways to alert parkers to the 1Hr Free Parking Program. Commissioner
Gerard asked about caps on parking permits. By Board action there
are no caps at this time, but this could be subject to change.
BUILDINGS PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS-
Re
quest to Reduce License Fee
By Commissioner Rusof£: Seconded by Commissioner
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request to reduce
the license fee for the property at 1201 -1205 North Tioga Street,
and,
WHEREAS, Tsvi Bokser, property owner, claims that a portion of land
in the original license fee is not in use by his business; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed and approves
of the request for the reduced license fee since the portion of
land is not in use by the property owner.
Discussion followed. Supt. Gray stated that he will look into this
and report back next week.
Motion to Table
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Tripp
RESOLVED, That this resolution be tabled until the next Committee
of the Whole meeting when the Board will have the Power to Act.
Carried Unanimously
Request for use of State Street Bricks
By Commissioner Rveof£: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, Tsvi Bokser, owner of '413 West State Street has requested
the use of 3,500 State Street bricks for a walkway in front of his
business, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission passed a
resolution approving the request at $.25 a brick; now,, therefore be
it
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BPW Minutes
August 25, 1993
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the sale of
bricks to pave the "tree- lawn" in front of 413 West State Street
and the adjacent property on the west, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to
enter into this agreement. carried Unanimously
PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS: one Hour Free FaFki MARKING
Erom TC3 o Extend Sec tided by Commissioner Ru soff
By Commissioner City Tripp:
WHEREAS, the City has recently reached an agreement with Downtown
Ithaca Incorporated to sell stickers at a reduced price to
distribute to patrons for one hour free parking, and
WHEREAS,-Tompkins Cortland Community College is now a member of DII
and will be allowing students to receive stickers for parking, and
WHEREAS, TC3 believes that its "one hour" classes (50 minutes class
time) will require students to park for more than one hour and has
requested that the city provide a grace period which would allow
students to arrive and leave class without an additional fee, and
WHEREAS, the Board has carefully considered this request and its
impact on the garage operations as well as the overall lack of
experience with the brand new one hour free parking program; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies this request, and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board would like to work with DII and its •-
members (in particular TC3) to improve the program as experience
with it accrues.
Discussion followed on the floor on how to work with TC3. A vote
on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously
WH1LR nu.. .�.-
Ex un a Water and Sewer Bill for 7.03 sourn
Re asst to
Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
By Commissioner
the Streets and Facilities Division accidently damaged the
WHEREAS,
lead water service at 703 South Plain Street, and
WHEREAS, communication between the Water and Sewer Division and Mr.
Norelli's agreement
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John Norelli, property owner, resulted in Mr.
a cost which would
to upgrade from a lead to a copper service at
reflect only the upgrade to copper, and
WHEREAS, the bill is in line with what Mr. Norelli was told to
expect; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies Mr. Norelli's
request to expunge the bill.
all lead services be replaced
it is
encountered, d recommendation due to health Masons
as the are
Discussion followed, regarding the history of the this case. Mr.
less costly to replace the water
Norelli was told that is would -bo
service as it was uncovered.
Ayes (4) Brandford Reeves Smith Rusoff
Nays (2) Gerard Tripp Carried
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BPW Minutes
August 25, 1993
by commissioner Brandford :Seconded Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed proposals and interviewed the two firms
that were collectively decided to have the most cost efficient and
minimally disruptive design conoepts with regard to the
environmentally sensitive area whe re the utility bridge currently
exists, and
WHEREAS, staff has made a final decision to recommend to award the
work to Resource Associates; of Cortland, New York, for a sum not
to exceed #3,500.00, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works awards the Water Treatment
Plant Utility Bridge Evaluation and Report to the firm of Resource
Associates of Cortland, New York, for a sum not to exceed
$3,500.00, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That funding for this project shall be provided by
Capital Project #502 -Water System Improvements, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to
execute the contract.
Carried Unanimously
By commissioner Brandford : Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed seven proposals and interviewed four of
the firms that were collectively decided to be the most cost
efficient, experienced and capable, and
WHEREAS, staff has made a final decision to recommend to award the
work to T.G. Miller Consulting Engineers, of Ithaca, New York, for
a sum not to exceed $50,000.00; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works awards the Water
Distribution System Hydraulic Analysis and Mapping Project to the
firm of T.G. Miller Consulting Engineers of Ithaca, New York for a
sum not to exceed $50,000.00, and be it further
RESOLVED, That funding for this project shall be provided by
Capital Project #502 -Water System Improvements, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to
execute the contract.
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Audit Report
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, That bills listed of the following abstract be approved
for payment:
ABSTRACT # 16
General Fund ............. ..............................$ 65,951.91
Water and Sewer Fund ..... ..............................$ 21,491.13
Joint Activity Fund ...... ..............................$ 21,072.60
CapitalProjects ................... ....................$299,108.79
Solid Waste ........... ............................... .$ 11,890.20
Trust and Agency ......... ..............................$ 617.87
and be it further
RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved.
Carried'Unanimously
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BPW Minutes
August 25, 1993
REPORT O BBOARD LIAISONS
Planning Board Commissioner Rusofi reported on the scoping session
for Wal -Mart, several people spoke, and their recommendations will
be included in the scoping document.
Commisioer gi ensforntheRTompkins that g Station. approval was
Shopping Cart Project A meeting was held on August 23, 1993 to try
to develop a program that would help deal with the problems of
abandoned shopping carts. The idea was posed that a transport type
cart be available at a modest fee at many stores, and other
locations. Under present circumstances, the merchants are reluctant
to press charges, making the shopping cart ordinance virtually
unenforceable.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Hillview and Aurora Licht Discussion took place as to how to
program this light, (operating at what hours, and flashing at what
hours). At this time pedestrian override will not be in service.
Light will be traffic activated on side street approach, but will
be cycled.
ADJOURNMENT:
( on a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
\� ko o �� Benjami Nichols \
Carol Clerk Staff Mayor
City Clerk Staf£
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