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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-04-27127 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. April 27, 1994 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols _ Commissioners (5) - Gerard, Tripp, Rusoff, Smith, Reeves Mayor Nichols announced that Paul Brandford has resigned from the Board of Public Works. tie asked the Commissioners for their assistance in finding a person to replace him. OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Deputy City Controller - Thayer Council Liaison - Johnson T Senior Stenographer - Holcomb LO Youth Bureau Director - Cohen Co i W PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE• Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the G American flag. By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Minutes - -o£ the March 23, 1994 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Highways, Streets and Sidewalk Items• Commissioner Smith requested the addition of Item D - Stewart Avenue Stabilization - Resolution. No Board member objected. Creeks Bridges and Parks: Proposed Cass Park Rink Improvements Commissioner Gerard requested the addition of Item B - Proposed Cass Park Rink Improvements - Resolution. No Board member objected. Mr. David Nutter spoke to the Board regarding the enhancement proposals. The proposal that includes the Elmira Road sidewalk project is due into the State by June 6, 1994. Mr. Nutter requested that the Board of Public Works send an endorsement of the sidewalk proposal to the MPO Planning Committee to show that the City is behind this proposal. He said that four - fifths of the costs of the sidewalk would be paid for with federal money instead of local money, which should be a big consideration. The Board of Public Works will review this matter at the Committee of the Whole meeting on May 5, 1994. Casa Park Rink Improvements Mr. Joe Cassanitti thanked the Board for consideration of items concerning the Cass Park improvements that are on today's agenda. 128 Atty. Frederick Beck spoke to the Board in support of the proposed improvements to the Cass Park Rink. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT: Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following: Fiber Optic project is being reviewed; GIAC basketball court; Sidewalk contract is being set up; Parking Lot X; City Court /Police project; Parking study of downtown lots complete. REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS AND FACILITIES: Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following: North American Snow Conference in Milwaukee last week; Bare root tree planting program; Arbor Day ceremony scheduled at GIAC pool; Earth Day Clean -up - Stewart Park, City Cemetery and the Ithaca Falls area; Cornell area clean -up is scheduled for the coming weekend; City Golf Course opened for the season last Saturday; Use of Cass Park ballfields; Building systems boiler inspection; Inspection of parking garages scheduled for May 9; Sign Shop started street striping this week; Giles Street landslide project; Yard Waste program; Seasonal change -over of vehicles now complete. REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER AND SEWER Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported tot he Board on the following: Hydraulic study of the water system in progress; Gorge Ranger to begin work for the season; Sewer line program. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS: Youth Bureau Director Sam Cohen explained that there is a resolution going to Common Council transferring two custodial workers and one maintenance worker from the DPW personnel roster to the Youth Bureau personnel roster. He explained the reasons for the change. Mr. Cohen also spoke to the Board in favor of the proposed improvements to the Cass Park Rink. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: A. Request for No Smoking at Cass Park By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received requests to prohibit smoking at the Cass Park Skating Rink, and WHEREAS, the Board has received a recommendation from the Ithaca Youth Bureau and a report from the City Attorney's Office; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the City Attorney's report and the Youth Bureau's resolution, and bE it further RESOLVED, That the Board hereby recommends that Common Council implement a No Smoking Policy during public skating times at Cass Park Skating Rink. Discussion followed on the floor. 2 129 Amending Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That in the Resolved clause the words "during public skating times" be deleted. Carried Unanimously Main Motion as Amended A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously S. Proposed Cass Park Rink Improvements By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, Joe Cassaniti and other concerned citizens appeared before the Board of Public Works on March 9, 1994 requesting support of the Board for improvements to the Cass Park Skating Rink for winter ice skating, and WHEREAS, the specific requests were for wind barriers, bleachers and signage, said items to be planned, built and funded by citizen volunteers, and r LO WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau Advisory Board passed a resolution T— on April 11, 1994 endorsing the proposed improvements tiro the ice m rink and proposed community participation for the funding of the Z project, which reads as follows: "WHEREAS, local citizens have identified a need for protection from the wind, and the availability of seating for community members who are spectators at the Cass Park Ice Rink, and WHEREAS, the IYB Recreation Committee and staff have considered this request and various options to meet the need; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Ithaca Youth Bureau Advisory Committee recommends: 1) that permanent seating be built or purchased for the ice rink, and 2) temporary screening be purchased for the east and west sides of the ice rink as wind protection, and 3) that community participation in building and fund raising for this project should be encouraged." which is made a part of this resolution; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works give preliminary approval to the concept of wind barriers and bleachers at the Cass Park Rink for winter ice skating, and be it further RESOLVED, That the plans for the wind barriers and bleachers including design, placement, and the materials to be used are subject to the approval of the Building Commissioner, the Fire Chief, the City Engineer and the Superintendent of Public Works, and be it further RESOLVED, That final plans be submitted to the Board of Public Works and the Ithaca Youth Bureau Advisory Board for review and approval. Carried Unanimously BUILDINGS. PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: A. Authorization and Aoreement for Ithaca Festival By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca Festival are desirous of entering into an agreement to cover the events of June 3 through June 5, 1994, and 130 WHEREAS, the Festival directors have met with City staff, including the Police Department, Fire Department and Department of Public Works, to review the details of the events, and WHEREAS, the directors of the Ithaca Festival have met with the Board of Public Works to request the use of specific areas and services for the Ithaca Festival, including the area known as the Strand Parking Lot, and WHEREAS, the Board has recommended that the Ithaca Festival directors coordinate with the Superintendent to contact and receive permission from RHP Inc. to utilize the Strand Parking Lot for purposes other than parking; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the agreement with the Ithaca Festival for the following: 1. The closing of the 100 blocks of South Cayuga Street, North Cayuga Street, and West State Street all day on Saturday, June 4, 1994. 2. The use of DeWitt Park on Saturday, June 4, 1994 for an art exhibit and quiet entertainment. 3. Supplemental volunteer labor to be provided by the Ithaca Festival for trash collection during all phases of the Festival. 4. Additional items covered by the Agreement between the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca Festival for 1994, said Agreement outlines the details and expectations of both parties including finances, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Ithaca. Discussion followed on the floor. Commissioner Reeves expressed her concerns about what notification will be given to the residents of the area as well as the property owners and businesses in the area regarding loud music in that parking lot. Mayor Nichols stated that it is either in the agreement that is being written with RHP or a resolution to Council that says that the use of that lot will require both the permission of RHP and the City. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried unanimously Reuben Weiner, owner of 322 Elmira Road, has requested that the license fee for adjacent city property be expunged since he is not using it. Supt. Gray explained to Board that Mr. Weiner is using city property, not just a right -of -way for accessibility to his property. Other property owners on Elmira Road are generally using the right -of -way for driveways or paying license fees for the intervening property. Resolution By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby authorizes the expungement of the 1994 license fee for'city property adjacent to 322 Elmira Road, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board will 'review city owned property along Elmira Road, which is currently being leased, for the possibility of sale, and be it further RESOLVED, That this expungement is for 1994 and that a 1995 license fee will be issued unless other actions are taken during the review process. 131 April 27, 1994 BPW Minutes Discussion followed on the floor. Deputy Controller Thayer stated that he will research city -owned properties on the Elmira Road for possible sale. A vote on the resolution resulted•a's follows: Ayes (5) - Reeves, Tripp, Gerard, Smith, Rusoff Nay (1) - Mayor Nichols t Carried (5 -1) By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request to expunge a sidewalk snow /ice removal bill from Kathi Monroe, owner of 217 -219 First Street, and T Sri WHEREAS, Ms. Monroe's letter stated that under the lease, her r tenants are responsible and had cleared the walks, and Z WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed staff's response as well as other site observations at that address; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board hereby denies Ms. Monroe's request to expunge the snow /ice removal bill for 217 -219 First Street based on Assistant Superintendent Ferrel's letter dated March 16, 1994 which indicated that 90 feet of walk was cleared. Carried Unanimously R. Request for Exoungement for Snow /Ice Removal - 419 Wyckoff Avenue By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request to expunge a sidewalk snow /ice removal bill from Owen O'Neill, owner of 419 Wyckoff Avenue stating that the property was properly maintained, and WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed staff's response to Mr. O'Neill; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the request based on Assistant Superintendent Ferrel's letter dated March 17, 1994 which indicates that the crew removed a substantial amount of snow and ice from the walk. Carried Unanimously C. 1893 Sidewalk Assessments By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the 1993 Sidewalk Program did not include any work other than that which was the City's responsibility; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public works hereby declares that there are no Sidewalk Assessments to be collected for the 1993 Sidewalk Program and forwards this declaration to the City Clerk and the City Chamberlain for their information, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to work with the City Chamberlain and City Attorney to develop a billing process under which future sidewalk work undertaken for private property owners can be billed directly to them following completion of the work. Carried Unanimously 132 April 27, 1994 BPW Minutes D. Stewart Avenue Stabilization By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, a landslide occurred in the 900 block of Stewart Avenue during April, 1993, which threatens the stability of Stewart Avenue, and WHEREAS, the city wishes to undertake a project to preserve Stewart Avenue and to provide long term stability to this area which is adjacent to a 1977 landslide repair undertaken by the city, and WHEREAS, the city submitted this as Project 11 in its application to the New York State 1993 Disaster Relief Program and received partial funding for the amount of ($348,000 x 58.2578 =_ $202,734; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works request that the Budget and Administration Committee create a Capital Project in the amount of $202,734 and directs staff to proceed with design and bidding of the work once the Capital Project is established, and be it further RESOLVED, That staff prepare any necessary budget adjustment for consideration as soon as adequate information is available. Supt. Gray stated that in the first Resolved Clause he would like the amount to read the full $348,000, not the portion of it that was funded, $202,734. This is a correction coming back from the Budget and Administration Committee. No Board member objected to the change, therefore the resolution shall read $348,000. A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously BUDGET, ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATION ITEMS: A. Request to Establish Capital Project for Purchase of Parking Equipment By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Gerard WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has charged the Parking Committee to research and recommend a new parking equipment system which will allow the City to have more control over collection of monies, regulate usage and provide better data collection, and WHEREAS, the Parking Committee has made its recommendation to purchase a system to replace the current system which is based on magnetic stlYipe technology; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the Budget and Administration Committee establish a Capital Project to provide funding for the purchase of a new* parking system as soon as possible. Discussion followed on the floor. Motion to Table By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the resolution "Request to;EStablish Capital Project for Purchase of Parking Equipment" be tabled so that a monetary amount can be established. Carried Unanimously ** B. Purchase of New Electronic Parking Meter for Lot X By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has been authorized to operate a temporary parking lot in the 300 block of East State Street, and 133 By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request to expunge a sewer bill for the vacant building at 314 Hook Place, and WHEREAS, the Water and Sewer Division was able to determine that the large April 1, 1994 bill was a result of a ruptured water line and recommends that the sewer portion of the bill be expunged; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works agrees to expunge a total of $313.11 from the sewer portion of account #81- 0186951, 314 Hook Place, along with any late fee that has been incurred. Supt. Gray stated that this type of matter, as long as it is technical and doesn't exceed a certain dollar value, Asst. Supt. Fabbroni and he will handle it internally rather than bringing it before the Board. Carried Unanimously By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the City sent notice of a past due water and sewer bill in the amount of $114.84 covering several quarters in 1993, to Allen Akers for his property at 528 North Albany Street in March 1994, and WHEREAS, Mr. Akers has responded that he visited the Chamberlain's Office in January, 1994 to collect this kind of information in preparation for a (successful) law suit in February against the tenant, at which time he was told twice that there were no outstanding bills, and WHEREAS, Debbie Parsons has confirmed this, indicating that the accounts were being transferred to another accounting system for tracking, and explained that due to limitations in the existing software the accounts are marked "paid" when transferred to close them out in the initial system; now, therefore, be it April 27, 1994 BPW Minutes WHEREAS, proposals for electronic parking meters have been received and reviewed; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That staff is directed to purchase a "Dynameter" from CTR Systems of Rochester, NY at a cost "not to exceed $15,000. {exact cost will be provided before voting.} Discussion followed on the floor. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the Resolved Clause be changed to read as follows: "RESOLVED, That staff is directed to purchase an electronic meter system at a cost not to exceed $15,000." Carried Unanimously r Main Motion as Amended Ln A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: T Carried Unanimously m Z ** Editorial Note: At its meeting of May 4, 1994 the Common Council voted not to operate the Parking Lot. C6 WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request to expunge a sewer bill for the vacant building at 314 Hook Place, and WHEREAS, the Water and Sewer Division was able to determine that the large April 1, 1994 bill was a result of a ruptured water line and recommends that the sewer portion of the bill be expunged; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works agrees to expunge a total of $313.11 from the sewer portion of account #81- 0186951, 314 Hook Place, along with any late fee that has been incurred. Supt. Gray stated that this type of matter, as long as it is technical and doesn't exceed a certain dollar value, Asst. Supt. Fabbroni and he will handle it internally rather than bringing it before the Board. Carried Unanimously By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the City sent notice of a past due water and sewer bill in the amount of $114.84 covering several quarters in 1993, to Allen Akers for his property at 528 North Albany Street in March 1994, and WHEREAS, Mr. Akers has responded that he visited the Chamberlain's Office in January, 1994 to collect this kind of information in preparation for a (successful) law suit in February against the tenant, at which time he was told twice that there were no outstanding bills, and WHEREAS, Debbie Parsons has confirmed this, indicating that the accounts were being transferred to another accounting system for tracking, and explained that due to limitations in the existing software the accounts are marked "paid" when transferred to close them out in the initial system; now, therefore, be it 134 April 27, 1994 BPW Minutes RESOLVED, That bill no. 5762 dated March 8, 1994 to Allen Akers in the amount of $114.84 be expunged and that staff research changes in the accounting system which will avoid this type of misinformation in the future. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. l.I"4-11 Connie J. Holcomb Senior Stenographer Benjamin Nichols Mayor