Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1993-12-0881 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. December 8, 1993 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (6) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Smith, Brandford OTHERS PRESENT: Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities - Ferrel Asst. Superintendent of Water & Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison - Berg Deputy City Controller - Thayer City Clerk Staff - Pagliaro PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the T American Flag. LO 1— APPROVAL OF MINUTES: m Approval of Minutes of the October 27. 1993 and November 30 1993 Board of Public Works Meeting z By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the October 27,1993 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Approval of the Minutes of the November 10, 1993 Board of Public Works Meeting was postponed to the December 22, 1993 meeting. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: 13 A Award of Bid for Ice Control Salt Report on Item 16, Consolidation Subcommittee No Board Member objected COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Nichols reported that the City of Ithaca and RHP Inc. are discussing terms that would allow the city to use the Strand property as a city parking lot for the next few years. The city will pave it, and either install meters, or try out a different type of parking system and collect the revenue. When the income exceeds the cost of the paving, meters and maintenance, the profit will be split with RHP Inc. This will add 25 parking spaces downtown. Until paving is done and the meters are installed, free parking will be allowed. There will be an announcement in the Ithaca Journal when the parking lot is available for use. Commissioner Smith recommended limit so that people do not us is meant to encourage shoppers It may be posted "no overnight plowed if necessary. Mayor Nichols is awaiting the Chairperson Daley has told him that the lot have a posted time it for all day parking, since it to benefit from it's availability. parking ", so that it can easily report of the Traffic Task Force. it will be available soon. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Leslie McMahon 323 S. Titus Ave. resides two houses away from the intersection of South Titus and South Plain. She stated that she uses the pedestrian bridge often and feels that it is dangerous. 1 E:1H BPW Minutes December 8, 1993 She states that cars speed down Titus Avenue- They do not slow down for people using the pedestrian bridge and that small children using the bridge are also in danger. Nancy Flynn 414 N. Titus Ave. lives on the other side of the bridge. She spoke on behalf of her neighbors and friends in the area, who use the bridge frequently. She feels that it is a very busy area, and the fact that the bridge ends right on the street, stop signs would slow the traffic and make it safer. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Alderperson Berg reported that at the Common Council Budget meeting, $12,000 was restored to the budget for a yard waste program. This program will include a pickup in the Spring and the Fall. Also established, was a revenue line for parking meters. Alderperson Berg reminded the Board that a work program had been done for 1993. He suggested that the Board review this program as to what has been accomplished and what hasn't gotten done and determine the reason some things have not gotten done. He feels it is important to review the work program and this will help the Board when the 1994 work program is set. He feels the installation of new parking equipment not completed in 1993, is critical and would like to see it be a priority in 1994. REPORT OF ASST. SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER & SEWER: Asst. Superintendent of water & Sewer Fabbroni reported on the following: 1200 Block of N. Cayuga Street - has just finished emergency sewer repair. They uncovered some emergency water repairs that had to be taken care of. They are now taking care of some water repairs in the 1300 block of N. Cayuga Street and should have the street open within two weeks. There is still a lot of sewer work to be done in the next two months, several blocks have bad sewers. There are several contracts ongoing. A Contract has been put out for the Utility Bridge, north of the Water Treatment Plant. There are two main projects at the Water Treatment Plant, roof replacement over the chemical handling area, and finishing up the clear well roof. The water shed area was toured, grd the raw water road is proceeding. Major stream crossing is just about done, so project will move ahead a little more rapidly. There have been three minor landslides. Giles Street sewer pump station is in bad condition. Hopefully it can be repaired at the same time street work is being done. REPORT OF ASST. SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS & FACILITIES• Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities Ferrel reported on the following: Engineering - Commons, Alex Haley Pool, Court Facility projects are being closed out. Energy Reduction Contracts - various locations are nearing completion Working on balancing 1993 Budget Highways- Giles Street has been closed off to start work on landslide area, after Water and Sewer does sewer bypass around the area. They are having a problem keeping barricades in place. They will have to put posts in road and use cable to connect them. T L0 W z 2 BPW Minutes December 8, 1993 Farm and Tioga Streets Intersection - Will start on Monday Parks and Forestry - Golf Course closed officially Thanksgiving week Golf Course Maintenance Bldg- Construction is going along well. Sheetrock, plumbing, heating, and electrical work, is done, plaster work and painting to be done. Outside stain will be done in the Spring. Project is within budget. Cass Park - Had compressor, failure, costly repair, is back on line with no lost ice time. Stump Grinder - has been delivered and the tree crew is grinding stumps and report that machine works well. By Commissioner Rusoff: . Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby agrees to renew the current contract with Recycle Ithaca Bicycle for use of the vacuum Dryer building on Franklin Street, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to work with RIB and their recent concerns with safety issues within the building. Carried Unanimously HIGHWAYS. STREETS, AND SIDEWALK ITEMS• Award of Bid for Ice Control Salt By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, bids were received on December 2, 1993 for Ice Control Salt to be used on the City's Streets during Calendar year 1994; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby accepts staffs recommendation to award the bid to Cargill, Inc., 191 Portland Point Road, Lansing, New York 14882 for their low bids of $26.00 per ton for bulk salt picked up and $28.90 per ton for bulk delivered product. Carried Unanimously PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS: Request for Chance in Parking on Columbia Street By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff Maureen Vivino, 214 Columbia Street, has requested that the parking in the 300 block be changed from odd /even parking to 24 hour parking on the south side, which would be more accommodating to residents. Ms. Vivino is concerned with parking since she often must park far from her house. WHEREAS, staff has requested input from the residents of the 300 block of Columbia /street, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed resident input; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, the regulations to prohibit parking from 9:00 am until Noon on the south side of the 300 block of Columbia Street be implemented, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board hereby directs staff to install appropriate signage as soon as scheduling allows and to alert the residents of this action. Discussion followed. The Board asked that the minutes reflect that should this resolution compound problems for those living in the 200 block of Columbia, the residents can come back before the Board to ask the Board to reconsider this resolution. Carried Unanimously M M. BPW Minutes December 8, 1993 By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusof£ WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from the First Unitarian Church to use the "No Parking" zone and to bag meters, only on Sundays, for additional handicap spaces; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board hereby approves of the Church's use on Sunday of three meter bags and a bag to cover the "No Parking" sign to make these spaces exclusively for handicap spaces, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests the church to report back on or about May 1, 1994 concerning how the bags work, at which time the Board will review the possibility of removing the "NO Parking" sign and installing meters. Carried Unanimously By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from DII to alleviate traffic flow of motorists exiting the Seneca Street Garage during the holiday season from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public works directs staff to establish a system to allow vehicles to exit the Seneca Street Garage in a more timely manner, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to work with the Mayor.to adjust budgets to cover overtime for employees to assist in this operation. Carried Unanimously By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received request from residents of South Titus Avenue for the installation of stop signs at several locations due to speeding and lack of traffic enforcement in the area; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That after considering the input from residents and staff, that an all way stop be implemented at South Titus and South Plain Street, and, be it further r RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to install the appropriate signage to warn motorists of the stop signs and that the media be notified of the installation of the stop signs. Extensive discussion followed on the floor. Commissioner Reeves read a memo from Superintendent Gray objecting to the installation of the stop signs at this time. She also had information from Chief McEwen, Deputy Chief Barnes and two traffic officers that they also object to the installation of stop signs at this location at this time. The Police Department said that radar will be set up, to determine if speeding is a problem on this street. Commissioner Gerard stated that he felt that this Intersection has been a problem for some time. There is now more pedestrian traffic -and also more vehicle traffic using Titus Avenue as a through street to get to Meadow Street. He feels that residents over the years have been attempting to get some action taken, and that something should be done now. Commissioner Reeves stated that she opposes the installations of stop sign and agrees with Chief McEwen that this is an enforcement issue and should be handled by the Police Department. Commissioner Smith stated that he has traveled in this BPW Minutes December 8, 1993 area and he feels there is a problem where the pedestrian bridge enters into Titus Ave. and therefore feels that the stop signs should be installed. Ayes (4) Rusoff, Gerard, Smith, Mayor Nichols Nays (2) Reeves, Brandford Commissioner Tripp out of room at time of vote ? Carried BUDGET, ADMINISTRATION. AND COMMUNICATION ITEMS• Commissioner Reeves reported City Attorney Guttman informed Council Members that there is a contract pending for the Seacord property. She called a BPW Consolidation Sub- committee meeting as there are some water and sewer concerns that need to be addressed. T REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: LO Audit Report T By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp m RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract i23 General Fund ............. ..............................$ 88,629.04 Water and Sewer Fund ..... ..............................$ 14,433.03 Joint Activity Fund ...... ..............................$ 36,627.29 CapitalProjects ................... ....................$132,769.11 Solid Waste .............. ..............................$ 17,192.92 Trust and Agency Funds ... ..............................$ -0- - and be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Commissioner Reeves gave an update on shopping carts. Her committee would like to work with Chief McEwen and the City Judge to identify problem areas and reach an agreement on an approach. She has set up a timetable. January, they will meet again with store owners and/ or store representatives to explain to them what plans the committee has come up with, and to re- affirm their cooperation. February, develop public information materials and get information to the press. March, would like to do an intensive media program to announce a trial period during which the Police Department stop people and give them a warning. In October, regular enforcement process would begin. Commissioner Reeves attended the Energy Commission meeting on November 22, 1993. The Commission would like to start the process to implement a city energy plan. They would like to work on a long and short range plan. They would like to identify projects and make plans before there is a crisis situation. They would also work to obtain any grants that might be available to the city for projects. The Commission feels that the city should have an Energy Coordinator. Commissioner Rusoff reported on the Planning Board meeting. There was a discussion about the work plan and various members suggested things that need to be accomplished in 1994. 1. Continued work on Inlet Island 2. Continued work on Southwest Park 3. working on a possible grant for an economic development zone in the Southside going along Elmira Rd. to the north. 4. Continued work on a computerized database. : rI: n BPW Minutes December 8, 1993 5. Continued work on a making the downtown design plan part of the citywide master plan. 6. Rezoning along Elmira Road. She will bring back to the Board more information when plans are more definite. She would be glad to reflect their opinion to the Planning Board. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mayor Nichols asked Asst. Superintendent Ferrel if there were any plans regarding the yard waste program. Superintendent Ferrel responded that at this time he does. not have a plan set up. He stated it will be a curbside collection, most likely April through November. There will be a regular collection, but he has not set up a timetable at this time. He should have more information in the next few weeks. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. l 0no �1 a,f.�an Carol PagliVro City Clerk Staff r L' Benham n Nichols Mayor