HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-01-26 1
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. January 26, 1994
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 - Fabbroni
Common Council Liaison - Johnson
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Deputy City Clerk - Conley Holcomb
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American Flag.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of Minutes of the December 22, 1993 Board of Public Works
Meeting
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the December 22, 1993 Board of
Public Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Snow Covered Sidewalks, Crosswalks
Roey Thorpe, Fifth Ward Alderperson, read a letter from Bob Marra,
142 Linn Street, which stated his concerns regarding snow removal
procedures for sidewalks and crosswalks. He feels that too much
emphasis is placed on plowing the streets and some of that time
should be used on clearing the sidewalks and crosswalks for
pedestrians. He also believes the current Snow Removal Ordinance
which mandates homeowners to clear their sidewalks is ineffective.
Bike Racks, Push Buttons for Crosswalks
Mr. David Nutter, representing the Bicycle Advisory Committee,
spoke to the Board regarding the need for push buttons for
crosswalks on Route 13 at the Willow Avenue and Old Elmira Road
intersections. Mr. Nutter also stated that 2 bicycle racks on the
Commons have been damaged by snow plows and need to be repaired by
Spring.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT:
Superintendent of Public Works Gray reported on the following:
Traffic Engineer Applications - Supt. Gray has received four
qualified applications for the Traffic Engineer position.
M.P.O. Meeting - Supt Gray reported on the M.P.O. meeting he
attended on January 25. It was the first time a full year work
program has been laid out for the members, which received a lot of
comments.
City Hall Heating Project - The City Hall heating project is
completed.
Hall of Justice and Streets and Facilities Projects - These
projects, which were also done under the NYSE&G grant are nearing
completion.
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Mitchell Street Curve - The design drawings for the Mitchell
Street curve are complete and will be available for review in two
weeks.
Inlet Island Land Alienation - Public Works is participating with
the Planning Department on the environmental study of the City
owned lands.
REPORT OF ASST. SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER & SEWER:
Asst. Superintendent of Water & Sewer Fabbroni reported on the
following:
Water Meter Freeze Ups - 35 water meters have frozen in the last
week and a half. That represents approximately .6% of the
services in the City. Normally only three or four meters freeze
up a year.
Water Main Breaks - There are water main breaks on Elm Street,
Green Street, and Willow Avenue. There are also several main
breaks that the crews have yet to discover.
Sewer Treatment Plant - SJS approved a re-evaluation of the
industrial limits. A consultant will be working on that.
Monitoring Equipment - A consultant will be installing monitoring
equipment in the flow stations so that information can be received
back by modem at a computer in the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
REPORT OF ASST. SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS & FACILITIES:
Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities Ferrel reported on
the following:
Snow Removal Efforts - Seasonal Manpower laborers were hired to
help clear sidewalks and remove snow. Trucks have also been hired
to remove snow in the City. Home owners who did not clear their
sidewalks, are being billed for DPW services.
Tree Planting on Elmira Road - The City has received an $11,000
grant from the Small Business Association for continuing the
Elmira Road tree planting project that has been ongoing for the
last two years.
Monroe Tree Service - Currently working on contract for the
department on difficult projects regarding trees which City crews
are not trained for or don't have the proper equipment. They will
be working about two weeks at a cost of approximately $8,000.
HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALK ITEMS:
Request to Expunge Sidewalk Assessment for 218 Delaware Avenue
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, Mr. James Iacovelli, 218 Delaware Avenue, received a
sidewalk assessment in 1992 for work done in 1987, and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed records and the property in question,
and has determined that 245.2 square feet of sidewalk were
repaired during the 1987 Sidewalk Program following all the
required notifications; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies Mr.
Iacovelli's request to expunge the sidewalk assessment for $759.05
for 218 Delaware Avenue.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the history
of this matter.
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January 26, 1994
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
RESOLVED, That the Resolved clause be amended to read as follows:
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves Mr.
Iacovelli's request to expunge the sidewalk assessment for $759.05
for 218 Delaware Avenue.
Ayes (4) - Rusoff, Smith, Tripp, Gerard
Nays (2) - Reeves, Brandford
Carried
Main Motion as Amended
A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows:
Ayes (4) - Rusoff, Smith, Tripp, Gerard
Nays (2) - Reeves, Brandford
Carried
Request to Expunge Sidewalk Assessment for 710 Stewart Avenue
Mr. Geoffrey Banfield, in a conversation with the City
Chamberlain, stated that he appeared before the Board and it was
agreed that he did not owe the assessment. Following all the
usual notices, several site visits and conversations about the
work with Mr. Banfield's workman, the City replaced 325 square
feet of sidewalk at 710 Stewart Avenue on July 17, 1989. Mr.
Banfield is currently being billed for 300 square feet. The
difference appears to represent a block of sidewalk that was
removed by the City to install a handicap ramp at the intersection
of Stewart Avenue and Willard Way in the fall of 1989. There is
no record that the Board expunged the bill for this sidewalk
repair.
Resolution
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, Mr. Geoffrey Banfield, owner of 710 Stewart Avenue,
received a revised sidewalk assessment in 1992 for work done in
1989, and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the files and has determined that the
work was done following all the required notifications; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies Mr.
Banfield's request to expunge the sidewalk assessment for $1012.50
for 710 Stewart Avenue.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the history of this
matter.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Request to Expunge Snow Removal Bill for 223 North Albany Street
Mr. Karl Paulnack, owner of 223 North Albany Street, was present
to address the Board concerning the recent snow fall and
subsequent snow removal by City crews. Mr. Paulnack explained
that when he became the property owner in August, 1993, he
researched all the laws that would affect him as a homeowner,
including the snow removal law. He told the Board that within 24
hours of the first snow fall, he removed the snow to the best of
his abilities. He made a path equivalent to two shovels wide, in
addition to removing the snow from the handicap ramps. On
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Wednesday, January 12, 1994, a City crew stopped at his property
and removed the snow in response to a complaint. Neighboring
sidewalks were left snow covered.
Resolution
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, Mr. Karl Paulnack, 223 North Albany Street, feels that he
made appropriate attempts to remove snow from his sidewalk during
the first two weeks of January, 1994, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Paulnack does not feel that the City Code specifies
how clear the sidewalk must be and that his efforts were
reasonable and conformed with that of his neighborhood; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants Mr.
Paulnack's request and directs staff to terminate the billing
process on the snow removal bill for 223 North Albany Street.
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 #2
General Fund...........................................$75,243.92
Water and Sewer Fund...................................$ 8,307.77
Joint Activity Fund....................................$33,447.88
Capital Projects.......................................$22,027.43
Solid Waste............................................$ 129.61
Trust and Agency Funds.................................$ -0-
and be it further
RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved.
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS:
Golf Course Sub-Committee
Commissioner Reeves reported that a Golf Course sub-committee has
been formed to review the golf course rates and budget.
Commissioners Tripp and Smith will serve on the sub-committee.
Six Mile Creek Committee
Council Liaison Johnson reported that the committee has been
working with John Friedeborn and the City Attorney to make
recommendations regarding a request from Therm concerning
rehabilitation of the spill area.
Parking System Committee
Commissioner Tripp stated that the Parking System Committee needs
another Board member to serve. Commissioners Smith and Gerard
offered to serve on the committee.
Joint Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant
Mayor Nichols reported that progress is slow on the agreement with
the Town of Ithaca and Dryden regarding the expansion of the areas
served by the plant. There are other proposals being presented
that would involve relationships between the plant and the Cayuga
Heights plant, and the shifting of sewage from areas in Lansing.
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Commissioner Brandford suggested that this matter be discussed at
the next Committee of the Whole meeting. Mayor Nichols stated
that the matter should be discussed in Executive Session with the
City Attorney present.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Snow Removal Priorities
Mayor Nichols stated that a meeting has been scheduled for Friday
with DPW staff, City Attorney, Police Chief and Fire Chief to
discuss snow removal procedures.
Discussion followed regarding complaints about the condition of
the streets and sidewalks in the City after the latest snow storm
and the methods the City has available to handle those conditions.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Julie Conley Holcomb Benjamin Nichols
Deputy City Clerk Mayor