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