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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-02-09 1 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. February 9, 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 Alderperson Efroymson 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 January 12, and January 26, 1994 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That approval of the Minutes of the January 12, and January 26, 1994 Board of Public Works meeting be postponed until February 23, 1994. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Budget, Administration & Communications Items Commissioner Reeves requested the addition of Item B - Designation of Emergency Snow Routes - Resolution. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Nichols read the following letter dated February 3, 1994, to Town of Ithaca Supervisor John Whitcomb: "The City has been very disappointed by the lack of response from the Town of Ithaca to our numerous requests for information about the areas in the Town that are currently being served by the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility. At the regular monthly meetings of the SJS during the past year we have been told that the map was "almost finished" and would be provided "next month". As you know the SJS is presently discussing revisions in the Intermunicipal Wastewater Agreement as well as requests for service by other municipalities. It is impossible for us to proceed in any sensible way with these discussions when we are not fully aware of the present situation. We are of course anxious to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement. As partners in a joint enterprise that serves our metropolitan area, we want to work together to iron out difficulties now, and to avoid costly and unnecessary confrontation. The first step in working towards that end is an accurate understanding of where we currently stand. I hope that you can proceed promptly to give us the information which I believe you have in hand." BPW Minutes February 9, 1994 2 Mayor Nichols stated that he has spoken to James Shug, Town of Dryden, who indicated that Mr. Whitcomb has directed the Town Engineer to proceed with this request. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Snow Removal John Efroymson, 2nd Ward Alderperson, spoke to the Board regarding sidewalk and curb cut snow removal procedures. He stated that it is often difficult for homeowners to keep these areas clear when plows continue to fill them in with heavy snow and ice. He further stated that many City sidewalks and curb cuts also have not been cleared and render blocks impassable. Mayor Nichols stated that the current goal is to hire temporary manpower to clear City sidewalks and curb cuts. This will be funded by the snow removal fees charged to homeowners that do not clear their sidewalks. Stewart Park Entrance Joanne Cornish-Epps, Chair of the Parks Commission, spoke to the Board regarding the proposed railroad crossing arms at the entrance of Stewart Park. She stated that the Parks Commission is concerned about the visual aspect of this project as improvements have recently been made to that area. She further stated that the Commission would like to be involved in the planning process of this project. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that Conrail has jurisdiction over that area, and the State is aware that several Board members, as well as the Parks Commission, are not in favor of this project. He explained that the installation of railroad crossing arms is part of a federal grant that the State is administering. The State will reimburse the City if an island, identical to the existing one, is built on the northwest side of the railroad tracks. If the City elects not to install an island, the area will be striped at the City's expense. He further explained that the State would like a Resolution accepting the proposed project, and giving approval to proceed. Upon further discussion the Board referred this matter to the City Attorney to interpret the City's legal rights. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT: Superintendent of Public Works Gray reported on the following: Snow removal and ice control efforts Contract items 1994 Work Program 1993 Activities Summary REPORT OF ASST. SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER & SEWER: Asst. Superintendent of Water & Sewer Fabbroni reported on the following: Water hydrants have been shoveled out and marked There were six major water main breaks so far in February - 200 hours of overtime has been expended Sewer stoppage at Linden and Delaware Avenues Three employees off due to work related injuries BPW Minutes February 9, 1994 3 REPORT OF ASST. SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS & FACILITIES: Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities Ferrel reported on the following: Snow Removal/Sidewalk complaints Snow Removal budget is low - $3,000. out of $50,000. is left in sand and salt budget. The Board may want to review salt policies. Monroe Tree Surgeon work - complete Trash tag violations Bus purchases will be delayed due to the new design of buses and gross vehicle weight allowances. City Hall painting Water & Sewer detour signs being made for main breaks Street sign replacements Equipment repairs PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS: Request for No Parking at 116 Cleveland Avenue (St. James A.M.E. Zion Church) By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request for "No Parking" signs to be installed at 116 Cleveland Avenue for the St. James A.M.E. Zion Church; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the request for installation of "No Parking" signs to allow the equivalent of two parking spaces for pick ups and drop offs at 116 Cleveland Avenue. Carried Unanimously Request for Two Hour Parking on Farm Street By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard WHEREAS, Dr. Richard Gardner, 450 N. Aurora Street has requested the installation of "Two Hour Parking" signs, and WHEREAS, input from the Council representatives and neighboring residents has been received, and the request was found to be acceptable, and WHEREAS, the request has been reviewed by the Planning and Development Board who suggested limiting the period to weekday work hours; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the installation of "Two Hour Parking, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday" signs on Farm Street for the distance of the street frontage of 450 N. Aurora Street, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests staff to schedule this work as soon as time allows. Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS ITEMS: Stewart Park Railroad Crossing WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation proposes to improve the rail-highway crossing at the Stewart Park entrance, and WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation proposes to fully fund the improvements, and WHEREAS, the proposed improvements necessitate minor alterations BPW Minutes February 9, 1994 4 to the highway on which the crossing is located, and WHEREAS, the highway on which the crossing is located are under the jurisdiction of this municipality (except for the Stewart Park entrance crossing which is under the jurisdiction of Consolidated Rail Corporation said municipality having requested our assistance in modifying the crossing); now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca, Board of Public Works does hereby agree to carry out the highway alterations subject to full reimbursement from the State of New York, and, be it further RESOLVED, That Mr. William J. Gray, P.E., Superintendent of Public Works, is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation for the purposes of carrying out said highway alteration. Motion to Table By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard RESOLVED, That the Stewart Park Railroad Crossing Resolution be tabled until further information is available from the City Attorney's office. Carried Unanimously BUDGET, ADMINISTRATION, AND COMMUNICATION ITEMS: 1994 Golf Course Rates By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the proposed 1994 rates presented by Steve Torrant, Golf Course Manager, and hereby approves of the following rates: Memberships Daily Individual $230. Weekday $10. Sr. Individual 190. Weekend 12. Dom. Couple 390. Weekday Sr. & Jr. 7. Sr. Dom. Couple 310. League or 9 holes 7. Family 450. Sr. Cit. Special 5. Junior 120. and, be it further RESOLVED, That these rates are effective until changed. Carried Unanimously Designation of Emergency Snow Routes By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works, in accordance with the Resolution of Common Council adopted February 2, 1994, designates the following streets as emergency snow routes, and these streets shall be marked as required for public information and proper enforcement. Emergency Snow Routes - 1994 Albany Street - Green Street to Elmira Road Aurora Street - South City line to Green Street Cayuga Street - North City line to Green Street Cliff Street - West City line to Octopus Court Street - University Avenue to North Cayuga Street Elmira Road - South City line to Albany Street Green Street - Meadow Street to East State Street BPW Minutes February 9, 1994 5 Hector Street - West City line to Octopus Hudson Street - Coddington Road to Aurora Street Ithaca Road - Mitchell Street to Ithaca Road Meadow Street - Elmira Road to North City line Mitchell Street - State Street to Ithaca Road Seneca Street - East State Street to West State Street State Street - Octopus to Meadow Street State Street - Tuning Fork to East City line University Avenue - Court Street to Lake Avenue Commissioner Reeves stated that she will not support this Resolution as the Fire Chief and Police Chief have not reviewed this list. Motion to Refer By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Designation of Emergency Snow Routes Resolution be referred to the February 16, 1994 Committee of the Whole meeting when the Board will have Power to Act. 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 #3 General Fund...........................................$ 50,703.29 Water and Sewer Fund...................................$ 10,668.66 Joint Activity Fund....................................$ 7,479.73 Capital Projects.......................................$ 70,206.29 Solid Waste............................................$ 27,185.55 Trust and Agency Funds.................................$ 0.00 and, be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved. Carried Unanimously Audit Discussion Deputy City Controller Steven Thayer explained a recent Charter amendment that changed the way Common Council audits are approved. He stated that the Board of Fire Commissioners will be adopting these new procedures and suggested that the Board change their procedures as well. He explained that the City is legally obligated to pay bills presented for payment. He would provide a list of all bills paid by the City to each Board member for review. If someone should question a payment, adjustments could be made to future payments. Discussion followed regarding current audit and budget review procedures. Deputy City Controller Thayer stated that he will prepare a Resolution for the Board to consider at the next regular meeting. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Disability Advisory Council Commissioner Gerard reported that he explained the proposed appearance ticket procedures for snow and ice removal to the Council, and they were in favor of it. Elderly Concerns Regarding Snow & Ice Removal Commissioner Reeves reported that she has a meeting with Linda BPW Minutes February 9, 1994 6 Jain, Building Dept., and Irene Stein, Office of the Aging to discuss ways for elderly people to have their walks cleared without being penalized by the City. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb Benjamin Nichols Deputy City Clerk Mayor