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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BPW-1994-05-25143 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. May 25, 1994 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (5) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Smith 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 Administrative Secretary - Donna Payne PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE• T Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. T APPROVAL OF MINUTES: m Approval of Minutes of the April 27 1994 Board of Public Works Z Meetinc By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the April 27, 1994 Board of Public Works meeting be approved. carried Unanimously (4-0) ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA Buildinca Properties and Transit Items Mayor Nichols stated there is a substitute resolution for Item 12.A - Request for Easement at 140 East Spencer Street and an addition of Item 12.B - Authorization for GIAC Basketball Court. No Board Member objected. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR Mayor Nichols reported that he expects to make an appointment for the BPW for the position vacated by Paul Brandford. The County has reduced their tipping fee due to the Supreme Court ruling on Flow Control. There remains questions on the status of recycling. Future discussions will be necessary to establish the city's position. Alderperson Johnson arrived at 4:15. Pat Frantz, 433 W. Buffalo St., addressed the Board concerning snow removal. She explained that the amount of snow plowed into her sidewalk this past winter was uncalled for. She suggested that the plows slow down in the future to avoid the situation. Doria Higgins, 2 Hillcrest Drive, wanted the Board to know about the memos issued by Asst. City Attorney Kennedy. Ms. Higgins explained her interpretation of the memos concerning the decision making process for boards and commissions. Commissioner Smith arrived at 4:25 p.m. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER Deputy Controller Thayer reported that the Controller's Office concurs that the Board should hold off on acting on the County's decision to reduce their tipping fee. 04 Um BPW Minutes May 25, 1994 Computer upgrades are continuing; obtaining new software and hardware are being considered. In addition, plans are being made to network City Hall. This will enable the fire and police stations to be networked and the ability to add other city entities. 12 By commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, a recent survey has been completed for the property at 140 East Spencer Street, presently owned by Bernadine Fauls. Said survey shows that the existing porch encroaches within the city's right of way by an amount which varies between .6 and 1.5 feet, and WHEREAS, an agreement has been drawn up by Ms. Fauls' attorney and is being reviewed by the city Attorney's office; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the encroachment contingent upon the approval of the City Attorney, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Mayor to enter into an encroachment agreement with Ms. Fauls according to the usual terms. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS AND FACILITIES: Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following: Giles Street officially opened on Monday storm Drain repairs are taking place on Ferris Place Repairs to the lower end of Hector Street will begin next week 900 block of Stewart Avenue - Retaining wall collapsed last week Spring cleaning concluded last week Asphalt patching has started Commons - new bike racks installed - repairs were made to steps on fountain Graffiti in the Seneca Street Ramp was cleaned up Electrical work is being done on Commons Electrical box at Cass Park pool house was replaced Flashing light at Ithaca /Elmwood was replaced due to an accident Sign Shop is working on center line markings and crosswalks New paver has been ordered and expected,in 3 to 4 weeks Clean up of Collegetown has become a daily routine due to pre - graduation parties Tree crew is assisting in the opening of the pools, they'll begin tree trimming in about two weeks Agreements with DOT for Stewart Park .entrances are ready for the Mayor's signature One quarter of the S &F crews are at W &S doing pipeline operations, and supervisors are asking for more staffing REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT: Superintendent Gray reported on the.following: Requests for use of Parks for the summer are being received Grievances from the unions are being handled There have been updates of transit requirements Work with the MPO and Transit Consolidation Group continues Route 96 Bridge work meetings with DOT WWTP digester is being cleaned T LO MT W Z L BPW Minutes May 25, 1994 Seasonal labor wages Oxford Place repairs Valve exercising equipment is in and being tested Silt Dam being drained for cleaning The second half -time driver for Transit has been hired City Hall Windows Youth Bureau Acoustics Cascadilla Boat House Wood Street Park Design West Inlet site plan I . Clinton Street bridge foundation washout Southwest Park environment work for possible alienation Municipal Pool possible warranty work GIAC basketball court REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISONS Alderperson Johnson questioned the status of the Gorge Ranger. Supt. Gray stated that the ranger has been hired and enrolled in the security training program. 1 By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, Common Council has established a $25,000 Capital Project for renovation of a G.I.A.C. Basketball Court, and WHEREAS, proposals have been solicited for paving and electrical work for renovation of the G.I.A.C. Basketball Court; now therefore, be it RESOLVED? That the Superintendent is authorized to execute the following contracts and agreements for renovation of a G.I.A.C. Basketball Court: agreement with the Ithaca City School District to furnish and install fencing for an amount not to exceed $5,800, and contract with Cortland Paving Company of Lansing, NY for paving and excavation for the lump sum price of $8,875, and contract with Richardson Brothers of Ithaca, NY for furnishing and installing a lighting system for the lump sum price of $4,802, and contract with Paul Brown of Syracuse, New York for striping for the lump sum price of $250. Mayor Nichols noted that the total bid is $24,904. Supt. Gray added that the work should be completed in June. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca, Department of Public Works on behalf of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility is interested in exploring the financial and technical feasibility of generating electricity from a natural gas generator and using the waste heat to further reduce the water content of sludge through a grant with NYSERDA, and 3 145 146 BPW Minutes May 25, 1994 WHEREAS, the projected local cost of such a study, exclusive of in -kind services performed by existing staff, is under $10,000, and WHEREAS, NYSEG will be approached to co- sponsor and further share this local cost; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to sign and submit an "Intention to Propose" for this project to NYS Energy Research and Development Authority by June 1, 1994, and to act as the City responsible official in charge and authorized signature for this project. Discussion followed. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously NEW BUSINESS go-lid Waste Issues Mayor Nichols reported that there was a meeting with the County regarding the court ruling against flow control. The county announced that the tipping fee would be reduced to $55 per ton. Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that the city is a small portion of the county haulers. The entire county generates 40,000 tons while the city's portion is only 3,300 tons. This item will be further discussed as future meetings. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 pm. t,rtLL Q. Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary r 4 `— 4_1 J Benjamin Nichols Mayor