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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BPW-1993-11-107s BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. November 10, 1993 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (6) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Smith, Brand£ord OTHERS PRESENT: f Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities - Ferrel Common Council Liaison - Berg Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Holcomb Alderperson Blanchard Alderperson Johnson r PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: L0 Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the r American Flag. 7m APPROVAL OF MINUTES: L Approval of Minutes of the October 13, 1993 Board of Public Works C Meeting G By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the October 13, 1993 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Buildings. Properties and Transit Items Commissioner Tripp requested the addition of Item A - Request Permission for Horse -Drawn Wagon Rides on Commons and Perimeter - Resolution, and Item B - Funds to Support Transit ADA Program - Resolution. No Board member objected. Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Items: Commissioner Brandford requested the addition of Item A - Award of Bid for Emergency Work on North Cayuga Street Sewer Line Leak - Resolution. No Board member objected. On TWTCDTTOWA awn RF.a RTWag nR ovunnuR urrnoR TRR RnGRn. By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing regarding the Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District be declared open. Carried Unanimously No one appeared to speak at the Public Hearing. Resolution to Close Public Hearing By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing regarding the Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District be declared closed. Carried Unanimously Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the Collegetown Special Assessment Benefit District Charges for 1:94, and, be it further 1 76 BPW Minutes November 10, 1993 RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain be requested to make the billing at the appropriate time. Carried Unanimously Andrew Ruins, Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles, asked the Board to renew their one year, 30 day revokable lease for the Dryer Building on Franklin Street. He addressed the Board's concerns regarding the appearance of the site, as well as several break -ins that have occurred during the past year, and noted that scrap metal is confined to a small outdoor area, and that all windows in the site have been secured by boards and wire, and a full divider has been erected to separate the Water Dept. side. He further asked the Board to allow them access to a second exit door in case of an emergency, and to reconnect an existing bank of lights. Mayor Nichols responded that a 30 day revokable lease may still be possible, but that discussions are underway with a possible buyer for the building, and Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles should start looking for an alternate site. John Johnson, 3rd Ward Alderperson, addressed the Board with concerns of his constituents. He noted the parking changes on Ithaca Road, and stated that the resident of 404 Mitchell Street is having difficulties getting out of her driveway because of visual impairments. He further commented that people have expressed interest to him for an annual "junk" pick -up day. Alderperson Johnson also noted the need for street sign replacements at the intersections of Mitchell Street /Ithaca Road, and Cornell Street /Eastwood Avenue. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Council Liaison Berg suggested that the Board consider including the installation of parking meters on Thurston Avenue, and other areas in the 1994 budget. He noted that this would alleviate parking problems in this area and generate revenue for the City as well. Commissioner Brandford expressed concern that the funds for the meter installation would be derived from the DPW budget, but the revenues generated would be placed in the General Fund. He further noted the other DPW budget priorities. Commissionexr Reeves suggested that this item be discussed further at the Committee of the Whole meeting when more information is available. Resolution By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works have Power to Act at the November 17, 1993 Committee of the Whole meeting to consider installing parking meters at various locations in the City. Ayes (4) Rusoff, Tripp, Gerard, Smith Nays (2) Reeves, BrandfordB Carried Council Liaison Berg also questtoped the removal of weekly yard waste collection from the budget. He that he would like to see this service restored to the budget and asked the Board for their support. T In MT W z M BPW Minutes November 10, 1993 Resolution By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Board have Power -to Act at the November 17, 1993 Committee of the Whole meeting regarding recommendations to Council on the 1994 budget. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT: Superintendent of Public Works Gray reported on the following: Buffalo Street Pump Station replacements 30 Foot Dam Service Road - work progressing Cayuga Street Water Main Repairs - Discussions regarding extending bus service to 2:00 am Stewart Park Boathouse - work ongoing GIS Mapping System - policies and,procedures being established Dam Study - preliminary study complete REPORT OF ASST. 6UPERINTENDENT OF STREETS & FACILITIESa : Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities Ferrel reported on the following: Leaf pick -up will be extended one week Hector Street curb installed N. Titus Avenue curb replacement Night Crews begin work next week Farm /Tioga Street project - to begin shortly Giles Street landslide - work to begin shortly Elmira Road tree planter installation Bare Root Program - complete Tree plantings /NYSEG Underwire Trees Grant Golf Course maintenance building construction Cass Park compressor repairs Stewart Park garbage collection has been reduced by half University Ave /Stewart Ave 4 -way stop installed Seasonal employee lay -offs Budget Preparation By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp Debbie Warren Holley of the Ithaca Times has approached the Board requesting permission to allow horse -drawn wagon rides around the Commons from November 27 until December 19, 1993 on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. The horses will be contracted by the Ithaca Times with Marquis' Horse -Drawn Wagon Rides. On Saturday, November 27, 1993, Santa will be brought onto the Commons by wagon entering the Commons on Tioga Street, and exiting at the Aurora end of the Commons. 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 27, 1993; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the request for horse -drawn wagon rides around the Commons between November 27th and December 19th, 1993 contingent upon approval of the Police Chief and the Fire Chief, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requires a "slow moving vehicle" emblem along with other safety equipment on the wagon. Carried. Unanimously 77 W. BPW Minutes November 10, 1993 Funds to Support Transit ADA Program By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, Common Council placed $10,000. in the Restricted Contingency account for future ADA requirements in the Transit Systems, and WHEREAS, the Transit Operations Committee is now prepared to proceed with the Americans with Disabilities Act Program and has requested that the member systems make the funds available; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the Budget and Administration Committee arrange for the funds to be released and placed in the Ithaca Transit Contractual Services line (A5630- 435). Carried Unanimously PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS: Request to Make Dunmore Place One -Way By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received concerns from residents of Brandon and Dunmore Place regarding problems of through traffic, and WHEREAS, after discussion with residents, a review by staff and comments from the Fire Chief and Police Chief, the residents have asked that Dunmore Place be made one -way from Brandon to State Street in an attempt to reroute traffic that is using the State Street /Dunmore Place intersection and Brandon Place as a bypass; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That based on the approval of the residents of Brandon and Dunmore Place, the Board of Public Works hereby request the Chief of Police to issue an order making Dunmore Place one -way from Brandon Place to East State Street on a 90 -day, temporary basis, with a review in 30 days, and that Superintendent of Public Works, As Acting City Traffic Engineer, be requested to give his approval of said order, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board hereby directs staff to install appropriate signage to declare Dunmore Place a one -way street on a trial basis, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Police Department patrol this area in order to enforce thei.one -way street as well as other traffic violations. Alderperson Johnson explained the residents opinions of this Resolution and submitted a petition with 19 signatures on it which reads as follows: "We the undersigned support the proposed plan to turn Dunmore Place into a one way street leading from Brandon Place to State Street. We understand that this is proposed on a trial basis for three months after which the City will decide together with the neighborhood on its relative merits." Amending Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff - RESOLVED, That the first Resolved clause be amended to read as follows: "RESOLVED, That based on the approval of the residents of Brandon and Dunmore Place, the Board of Public Works hereby request the Chief of Police to issue an order making Dunmore Place one -way from Brandon Place to East State Street on a 90 -day, temporary basis, with a review in thirty days which shall include comments from the Fire Chief, and Police Chief, as well as DPW staff, and that the T LO T m Z 2 BPW Minutes November 10, 1993 Superintendent of Public Works, as Acting City Traffic Engineer, be requested to give his approval of said order, and..." Carried Unanimously Main Motion as Amended A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Request for Removal of Parking Meters on State Street at Former Fire Station #5 By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard Tom Newton of the Fire House Theater has requested that the meter in front of the old Fire Station #5, 136 West State Street be removed on order to receive deliveries. The Fire House Theater receives deliveries at the front overhead door. Currently, there is a meter in place at the curb cut, causing limited access to the driveway. Mr. Newton has approached the Board and is requesting that the meter be removed. WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request to remove the meter located in front of the Fire House Theater at 136 West State Street; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to remove the meter as soon as possible so deliveries may be made. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the possible use of this space for private parking. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the Resolved clause be Amended as follows: "RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to remove the meter as soon as possible so deliveries may be made and that the resulting space be designated as a "No Parking" zone ". Ayes (5) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard,, Smith Nays (1) Brandford Carried Main Motion as Amended A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Request to Remove Parking Meter on West Green Street at Ithaca Journal By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, the loading zone in the 100 block of West Green Street at the Ithaca Journal is not sufficient to accommodate the Journal deliveries thereby causing traffic congestion, and WHEREAS, the Journal is requesting the removal of one meter to extend the present loading zone, and WHEREAS, the Chief of Police has explained to Pam Johnson, Journal Publisher, that if the meter is removed, the loading zone rule would be rigidly enforced; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of removal of meter #1520 in the 100 block of West Green Street in order to enlarge the delivery zone to accommodate deliveries to the Ithaca Journal. Extensive discussion followed on the floor with Council Liaison Berg stating that he feels that the Board should not approve this request as one meter has already been removed from that area with Pq 79 M BPW Minutes November 10, 1993 the intention that the Journal was going to expand the curbcut to facilitate easier deliveries and fewer traffic disruptions. He further stated that the Journal never expanded the curbcut and built a structure where the expansion was to take place. He suggested that if the Board passes this Resolution, the Journal should be billed for the additional lost revenue to the City. Commissioner Reeves reviewed a memo from Police Chief McEwen which recommended the removal of this parking meter, with the assurance that the Police Department will rigidly enforce. violations. Commissioner Brandford noted that the traffic disruptions are also caused by deliveries to the other businesses in the immediate vicinity and not just the Journal. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (5) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Smith Nays (1) Brandford Carried By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp Staff has been aware of a broken sewer main in the 1200 block of North Cayuga Street since July 1993. Attempt to televise the damage have been unsuccessful. Staff has determined that an emergency condition now exists due to the partial collapse of the road surface and the accelerating schedule of the sewer cleanings to prevent blockage of the line. The work can not be delayed until 1994. WHEREAS, a broken sewer main was detected in the 1200 block of North Cayuga Street in July 1993, and has been declared an emergency condition in November 1993 by the Superintendent, and WHEREAS, staff has received and reviewed proposals for replacement of the main; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works awards the contract to R. L. Stever of Endwell, New York for their proposal of $18,600 for replacement of 276 feet of sewer main with funds to be derived from CP 603, and be it further RESOLVED, fihat the Board authorizes the Superintendent to enter into such an agreement. R.L. Stever and Assoc., Inc $19,500 $18,600 w/o gravel G. DeVincentis and Son, Inc $22,943 Paolangeli Construction $28,982 Finger Lakes Construction $29,603 i F.G. Compagni Construction Co.,Inc $49,999 ._ Carried Unanimously (5 -0) Commissioner Gerard absent for vote R xi BPW Minutes November 10, 1993 REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Audit Report By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract 121 General Fund ............. ..............................$ 55,476.92 Water and Sewer Fund ..... .4 ............................$ 22,671.18 Joint Activity Fund ...... ..............................$ 7,846.98 CapitalProjects ................... ....................$145,553.65 Solid Waste .............. ..............................$ 12,738.55 Trust and Agency Funds ... ..............................$ -0- and be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved. Carried Unanimously T (5 -0) L0 Commissioner Gerard absent for vote T- M Resolution Z By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works have Power to Act at the November 17, 1993 Committee of the Whole meeting to consider the Audit Report. Carried Unanimously (5 -0) Commissioner Gerard absent for vote REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Commissioner Gerard gave Liaison reports for the following Committees: Six Mile Creek Committee Therm spill restoration plans are being addressed. A report will be forthcoming soon. The Committee is currently discussing erosion concerns caused by a Bolton Point water main. Conservation Advisory Council A response statement has been drafted for the Southwest Park Land Use Plan. Parks Commission The Commission voted that the Festival Lands meets the criteria of implied dedication status as park land. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Commissioner Reeves reported that the meeting with the Parks Commission regarding possible land alienations will be deferred until they can meet with Planning and Development Director VanCort. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. .�i.Ecc.i'c��.l {�oecBmb Julie Conley Holcomb ABnj,n Nichols Deputy City Clerk Mayor 7