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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-02-23 1 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. February 23, 1994 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (5) - Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Smith, Brandford OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Asst. Superintendent of Water & Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison - Johnson Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Conley Holcomb EXCUSED: Commissioner Rusoff 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 Meetings By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the January 12, and January 26, 1994 Board of Public Works meetings be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Report of Special Committees Commissioner Reeves requested the addition of Item C - Request to Amend Budget for SBA Grant - Resolution. No Board member objected. Highways, Streets, and Sidewalk Items Supt. Gray requested the addition of Item C - Request for Power to Act at the March 2, 1994 Committee for the Whole meeting for County's Road Materials Bid - Resolution. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Nichols requested that City Controller Cafferillo report on the status of the Solid Waste budget. City Controller Cafferillo stated that the City sold 6,245 fewer sheets of full tags and 1,943 fewer sheets of half-tags than estimated, which resulted in a shortfall of approximately $130,000 in the 1993 Solid Waste budget. He further explained that the recycling program is costing more than anticipated due to personnel problems. The County recycling contract is $180,000., and the City's recycling program exceeds that amount. City Controller Cafferillo suggested that the Board review the following options: 1. Request funds from the General Fund to subsidize the Solid Waste Budget; 2. Raise the price of trash tags; 3. Charge the Yard Waste Program back to the General Fund; BPW Minutes February 23, 1994 2 City Controller Cafferillo further stated that the 1994 projections have been adjusted to reflect what the City is actually spending. He also noted that the County recycling facility opening has been delayed until March 1995. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY: Assistant City Attorney Kennedy reported to the Board on the following: -- Sidewalk Assessment at 112 Marshall Street -- Railroad crossing work at Stewart Park -- Authority of Board regarding parking and traffic items REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT: Superintendent of Public Works Gray reported on the following: -- Equipment repairs and `94 equipment purchases -- `94 Tree program -- Traffic Signal synchronization changes -- Pothole repairs -- Six Mile Creek ice jams relief (at Plain Street) -- Mitchell Street curve drawings nearly complete -- Parking Meter equipment -- Maple Avenue improvements -- Engineering computer networking REPORT OF ASST. SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER & SEWER: Asst. Superintendent of Water & Sewer Fabbroni reported on the following: -- Grossman's frozen water main -- 12 water main breaks so far in 1994 -- Utility Bridge consultant work -- Modeling study-- mapping nearly complete and verified -- Hydrant Flow testing to be done in March -- Water System RFP is proceeding BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: Request for Easement at 146 East State Street By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the new owners of 146 East State Street have approached both the City and the Tompkins County Trust Company seeking permission to install a fire escape on the back of their building, and WHEREAS, the City does not claim ownership of the alley that 146 East State Street wishes to encroach on, but does not object to the installation of a fire escape, and WHEREAS, staff and the Ithaca Police Department both have concerns about the proposed fixed stairway design of the fire escape; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works agrees to grant an easement for a fire escape north of 146 East State Street (tax parcel No. 70-2-13) insofar as the City may be an owner, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor is authorized to sign a final agreement, negotiated by the City Attorney, which is mutually acceptable to staff, the Ithaca Police Department and Tompkins County Trust Company. BPW Minutes February 23, 1994 3 Extensive discussion followed on the floor with Superintendent Gray voicing his concerns regarding a fixed stairway leading up the back of the bank building. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (4) - Brandford, Smith, Reeves, Gerard Nay (1) - Tripp Carried (4-1) HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: Request for Power to Act at Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Meeting on March 2, 1994 - Dunmore Place - One-Way By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works will have Power to Act at the March 2, 1994 Committee of the Whole meeting regarding Dunmore Place - one-way traffic pattern. Carried Unanimously Request for Power to Act at Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Meeting on March 2, 1994 - County's Highway Services Bid By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works will have Power to Act at the March 2, 1994 Committee of the Whole meeting regarding participation in the County's Highway Services bid. Carried Unanimously PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS: Thurston Avenue Parking Meter Modification By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Smith WHEREAS, during the 1994 budget process, Common Council authorized funding for parking meters on Thurston Avenue, and WHEREAS, the Bicycle Advisory Council by memorandum dated January 12, 1994, made a request to the Board of Public Works to eliminate proposed parking meters on the curve on the south side of Thurston Avenue from Risley Hall to Fall Creek Drive, the approximate number of meters being 14. The area has been identified as an important bicycling connection between City streets and the Cornell bikeway system, and WHEREAS, the Bicycle Advisory Council further requests that the current "No Parking" zone in front of Risley Hall be extended to Fall Creek Drive; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the elimination of the proposed parking meters on the south side of Thurston Avenue from Risley Hall to Fall Creek Drive, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the installation of the remaining proposed parking meters and the "No Parking" zone signs be installed at the same time, preferably during the summer before students return for the Fall 1994 term, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the map showing both the original proposal for parking meters and the current revisions be made part of this resolution. Commissioner Tripp stated that the Police Chief has no objections to this Resolution. Discussion followed on the floor regarding all night parking on BPW Minutes February 23, 1994 4 the north side of Thurston Avenue. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Smith RESOLVED, That the area on the north side of Thurston Avenue, from Wyckoff Avenue to Wait Avenue, will not be subject to the odd/even parking. Discussion followed regarding the impacts this amendment may have on street cleaning and traffic patterns. A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (2) - Smith, Gerard Nays (3) - Tripp, Reeves, Brandford Motion Fails Main Motion A vote on the Main Motion resulted as follows: Ayes (4) - Smith, Tripp, Reeves, Brandford Nay (1) - Gerard Carried (4-1) WATER, SEWER, AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Request Approval of Disposal Rates for Trucked Waste at Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, the Sewer Joint Subcommittee, based upon the Plant Operator's recommendations, approved disposal rates at its January 24th meeting for trucked waste to the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment facility; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the following disposal rates of trucked waste to the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment facility as recommended by the Sewer Joint Subcommittee: Trucked Septage: Base Cost: $19.50 Tipping Fee: $20.85 County Fee: $10.00 $50.35 per 1,000 gallons A One Dollar ($1) Administrative Cost will be added by County per load) Trucked Waste to Headworks: Cost: $.75 per pound of BOD A Six Dollar ($6) minimum will be charged In-County A Ten Dollar ($10) minimum will be charged Out-of-County Trucked Waste to Septage Receiving: Base Cost: $19.50 per 1,000 gallons Tipping Fee: $ .125 per pound of solids* County Fee: $10.00 per 1,000 gallons A One Dollar ($1) Administrative Cost will be added by County per load. * If solids are less than two percent (2%), tipping fee BPW Minutes February 23, 1994 5 charges will be adjusted as follows: A Six Dollar ($6) Minimum will be charged per 1,000 gallons In-County and a Ten Dollar ($10) Minimum will be charged per 1,000 gallons Out-of-County, and be it further RESOLVED, That said proposal rates are based on a County tipping fee of $50 per wet ton and will be adjusted accordingly as the County tipping fee is changed. Carried Unanimously Request Approval of Local Limits Development Review Contract for Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant By Commissioner Brandford: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant has received proposals to perform engineering services for the Local Limits Development Review, and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant staff has reviewed the proposals and recommended that the engineering firm of Blasland, Bouch & Lee, Inc. to perform the Local Limits Development Review at a cost not to exceed $4,500., and be it further RESOLVED, That the contract services provided shall include the following: 1.Design a supplemental sampling and analysis program for Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant and contributory significant industrial users to permit recalculation of maximum allowable headworks loading. 2.Attend a meeting with City staff and Cornell University to define the wastewater flow contribution. 3.Review existing Cornell University flow contribution. 4.Recalculate the maximum allowable headwork loading to develop revised local limits. 5.Prepare and submit to the City a report summarizing the findings of the local limits development review, and be it further RESOLVED, That said funds will be derived from existing Joint Activity budget amounts. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Audit Report By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Brandford RESOLVED, That bills listed on the following Abstract be approved for payment: Abstract # 4 General Fund...........................................$ 29,710.48 Water and Sewer Fund...................................$ 9,240.59 Joint Activity Fund....................................$ 16,560.18 Capital Projects.......................................$ 14,064.02 Solid Waste............................................$ 15,238.97 BPW Minutes February 23, 1994 6 Trust and Agency Funds.................................$ 0.00 and be it further RESOLVED, That bills receivable be approved. Carried Unanimously Request to Amend Current Audit Procedure By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has requested the Controller's Office to perform a review of the current status of the Board's auditing procedure relating to Department of Public Works accounts and claims, and WHEREAS, the Controller's Office has recommended amendments to the current auditing procedure to reflect a more efficient accounting activity for the payment of bills and accounts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works modifies its auditing procedure of accounts and claims by repealing the current audit approval process and adopting the following audit procedures: 1.Controller's Office shall audit the accounts and claims every two weeks. 2.The audit abstract of the bills paid for the two-week period shall be distributed to each Board member at the Board's regular meeting. 3.Questions or concerns related to the audit abstract may be raised at the regular meeting for consideration in the payment of future bills. 4.Actual vouchers or invoices shall be available, if requested by the Board, for review, and be it further RESOLVED, That the proposed substitute for the Board's auditing procedure shall be effective March 9, 1994. Carried Unanimously Proposed Appointments to Energy Commission By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Smith WHEREAS, the City Charter, Chapter 50 ENERGY COMMISSION, Section 50-3 Membership contains the provision that members of the Energy Commission are appointed by the Mayor upon the recommendation of the Board of Public Works; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends to the Mayor that Lewis Durland and Bruce John be reappointed to the Energy Commission for another two-year term. Carried Unanimously Request to Amend Budget for SBA Grant By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Smith WHEREAS, the City has applied for and received an $11,000 grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for the National Small Business Tree Planting Program; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the City's 1994 Budget be amended to reflect the Small Business Tree Planting Program Grant of $11,000 as follows: BPW Minutes February 23, 1994 7 Increase Revenue Account: A-3989 Home and Community Service $11,000 Increase Appropriation Account: A-7111-435 Parks and Forestry Contractual $11,000 Carried Unanimously REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Youth Bureau Board Commissioner Gerard reported that he attended the last Youth Bureau Board meeting. Mr. Joe Cassaniti's issues with Cass Park were discussed at the meeting. Commissioner Reeves stated that she responded to a letter that she received from Mr. Cassaniti regarding various improvements that he would like to see made at Cass Park. These improvements include: bleachers; a wind screen or other enclosure so people who are watching skaters will be protected from the elements; signage moved so that it doesn't obstruct the vision of people standing inside the lobby; and no smoking inside the building or around the rink because Cass Park is an athletic facility. Mr. Cassaniti has written letters to various City Officials and staff regarding his requests. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Discussion of Salt Policy at the Committee of the Whole Meeting Commissioner Reeves reported that the Board renewed their support of the present salt policy at the February 16, 1994 Committee of the Whole meeting. She stated that the Department of Public Works has continuously used the low salt policy which was established in 1986, and that the Board saw no reason to take any action and encouraged the Department to continue with its current mode of operation. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb Benjamin Nichols Deputy City Clerk Mayor