HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-02-23
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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;
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February 23, 1994
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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.
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February 23, 1994
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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
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February 23, 1994
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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
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February 23, 1994
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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
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February 23, 1994
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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:
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February 23, 1994
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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