Loading...
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. 2 BPW Minutes January 26, 1994 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. 3 BPW Minutes 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 4 BPW Minutes January 26, 1994 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. 5 BPW Minutes January 26, 1994 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