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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-07-13 1 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 pm July 13, 1994 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (6) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Smith, Seligmann OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Water & Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison - Johnson Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Conley Holcomb City Controller - Cafferillo Alderperson Schroeder 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 June 8, 1994 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the June 8, 1994 Board of Public Works Meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Approval of Minutes of the June 22, 1994 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the June 22, 1994 Board of Public Works Meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Creeks, Bridges & Parks Items Commissioner Reeves requested the Addition of Item D - Request to Waive Pavilion Fee at Stewart Park - Resolution. No Board member objected. New Business Commissioner Reeves requested the Addition of Item A - Request Power to Act - Resolution. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: David Gardner, 318-320 Pleasant Street, addressed the Board regarding a snow removal bill he received from the City. Alderperson John Schroeder stated that Common Council is interested in having the Parks Commission and the Board of Public Works hold a joint meeting to discuss substitute park land for Southwest Park before any recommendations are considered final. Paul Sayvetz, 201 Elm Street, addressed the Board regarding the new trash tag fees. Mr. Sayvetz feels that the price of the tags should be reduced to equal the actual tipping fees. He further feels that City Officials should explain to the public where the additional money collected from the sale of trash tags goes. Eric Haines, 110 Linden Avenue addressed the Board regarding Children at Play signs he requested for his neighborhood. BPW Minutes July 13, 1994 2 REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Alderperson Johnson reported that Common Council passed the following resolutions at their last meeting: Sale of Bricks Capital Project to Acquire Substitute Park Lands Acquisition of Additional Water Shed Property Establish Wetland Delineation in Southwest Park Establish Drop-In Center Lease Inlet Island substitute land matter will be discussed at August Council meeting. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: Request for Outdoor Dining at 403 College Avenue By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, Greg Merrell, owner of Stella's Cafe, has requested permission for outdoor dining in front of his business at 403 College Avenue, and WHEREAS, there is concern regarding the high level of pedestrian traffic and the narrow sidewalk, and WHEREAS, Mr. Merrell has submitted pedestrian counts for the Board's review; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants a revokable permit for outdoor dining at 403 College Avenue, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to establish a license fee for the space being occupied, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with terms and conditions covering sidewalk times of day, day of week, length of permit, allowing modification or revocation based on experience, and including the sidewalk cleaning clause contained in the Commons outdoor dining permits. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the amount of sidewalk available, and the amount of space that would be needed. Commissioner Rusoff noted that the pedestrian traffic counts that were submitted were very high. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (0) Nays (6) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Gerard, Seligmann, Smith Motion Fails Request for Outdoor Dining at Rulloff's By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request for outdoor dining at Rulloff's, 411 College Avenue, and WHEREAS, the Board denied outdoor dining at Rulloff's in 1991 due to safety concerns and the large amount of pedestrian traffic; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants a revokable permit for outdoor dining at 411 College Avenue, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board directs staff to establish a license fee for the space being occupied, and be it further BPW Minutes July 13, 1994 3 RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with terms and conditions covering allowable times of day, day of week, length of permit, allowing modification or revocation based on experience, and including the sidewalk cleaning clause contained in the Commons outdoor dining permits. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the heavy pedestrian traffic at this location. Superintendent Gray noted that the owner of Rulloff's is interested in removing the permanent bench installed at that location to allow more room for dining. Commissioners Tripp and Rusoff objected to the removal of the bench as it currently serves as a public seating area. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (0) Nays (6) Rusoff, Tripp, Seligmann, Reeves, Gerard, Smith Motion Fails HIGHWAY, STREETS, AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: Request for Snow Removal Bill for 318-320 Pleasant Street By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works received a request to expunge the snow removal bill for 318-320 Pleasant Street; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the request to expunge the snow removal bill for 318-320 Pleasant Street. Discussion followed on the floor with Mr. Gardner questioning the fairness of this bill as no other property on his street had a shoveled path that was wide enough for wheelchair passage. He further noted that the City curbcuts were plowed in during this same time. Superintendent Gray noted that the Department of Public Works did not perform any private work until the City work was completed. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Resolved clause be amended, and a new Resolved clause be added to read as follows: RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the request to expunge the snow removal bill for 318-320 Pleasant Street, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works waives any additional interest charges on the original bill. Carried Unanimously Main Motion as Amended A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Ayes (5) Tripp, Reeves, Seligmann, Gerard, Smith Nays (0) Abstention (1) Rusoff Carried PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS: Request for "No Parking" Signs on Crescent Place By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request to BPW Minutes July 13, 1994 4 prohibit parking at the curve on Crescent Place, and WHEREAS, Superintendent Gray has suggested that parking be removed from inside of the curve, making the turn safer; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to install "No Parking" signs on the inside of the curve on Crescent Place. Carried Unanimously Request for "Children at Play" Sign on Linden Avenue By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff WHEREAS, Eric and Catherine Haines, 110 Linden Avenue, have requested the installation of "Children at Play" signs near their home on Linden Avenue, and WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed staff's response to the Haines' denying their request, and WHEREAS, the Haines' live in a primarily student resident area where children playing is not expected; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the installation of "Children at Play" signs on Linden Avenue. Discussion followed on the floor with Mayor Nichols stating that 3rd Ward Alderperson Booth supports this Resolution. Superintendent Gray and Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni spoke strongly about the fact that these types of signs are usually not effective and tend to give families a false sense of security. They noted that the situation is caused by traffic enforcement issues that need to be addressed. Mr. Haines assured the Board that he understood that he could not rely on the sign alone to protect the safety of his children. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (4) Rusoff, Tripp, Gerard, Smith Nays (2) Reeves, Seligmann Carried CREEKS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS ITEMS: Request to Waive Pavilion Fee at Stewart Park By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from the CSEA Union to waive the pavilion fee at Stewart Park for the union clambake on August 13, 1994; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of waiving the fee for use of the large pavilion at Stewart Park for the CSEA's clambake on August 13, 1994. Carried Unanimously Conway Park Improvements By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the City's 1994 Community Development Block Grant program includes $25,000 in funding for Conway Park improvements, and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency has requested that $5,900 be allocated for certain additional related improvements in Conway Park such as park benches, children swings, and landscaping as detailed in the budget, and BPW Minutes July 13, 1994 5 WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the aforementioned request for $5,900 and has recommended that the work be included in the 1995 Streets and Facilities work plan; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works agrees to include in the 1995 Streets and Facilities budget for Conway Park Improvements an amount not to exceed $30,900 with financing to be provided as follows: a. 1994 Community Development Block Grant funds (approval pending) $25,000 b. Streets and Facilities 1995 Budget $ 5,900 and, be it further RESOLVED, That the implementation of this project shall be subject to the City's receipt of the requested 1994 Community Development Block Grant. Carried Unanimously Request to Waive Pavilion Fee at Stewart Park By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from the Fire Department to waive the pavilion fee at Stewart Park for their picnic on September 17, 1994; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of waiving the fee for use of the large pavilion at Stewart Park for the Fire Department's picnic on September 17, 1994. Ayes (5) Rusoff, Tripp, Gerard, Seligmann, Smith Nays (0) Abstention (1) Reeves Carried Request to Waive Pavilion Fee at Stewart Park By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from the Deputy Controller to waive the pavilion fee at Stewart Park for the City of Ithaca Employee Recognition Picnic on Friday, September 16, 1994; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of waiving the fee for the use of the large pavilion at Stewart Park for the City of Ithaca Employee Recognition Picnic on September 16, 1994. Carried Unanimously WATER, SEWER, AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Trash Tag Rate Reduction By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, Tompkins County has lowered their tipping fee from $105. per ton to $55. per ton, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works feels that the trash tag fee should reflect the tipping fee imposed by the County; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works sets trash tag rates of $2.75 for each 35 lb trash tag (6 for $16.50) and $1.70 for each 20 lb trash tag (6 for $10.20) starting August 1, 1994, and, be it BPW Minutes July 13, 1994 6 further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the use of the surplus of 1993 tags for the 1994 period in order to avoid added cost and time in printing. Superintendent Gray noted that the City Chamberlain suggested that the figure for the 20 lb trash tag be rounded off to $1.75 a piece or 6 for $10.50, so that her staff would not have to work with the additional change. City Controller Cafferillo explained that the Solid Waste budget figures for 1994 were based on 1993 trash tag purchases. To date in 1994 City residents are buying less tags overall, and more half tags than full tags. Tipping fees represent 33% of the solid waste budget. City Controller Cafferillo noted that the 1995 tipping fees are expected to be increased slightly, so he has incorporated this increase into the new trash tag rate. City Controller Cafferillo also noted that the County recycling contract is still unsettled which may also be an adjustment to the solid waste budget. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT: Superintendent Gray reported on the following: Police Station Renovations GIAC Boiler Repairs Street Striping (thermo-plastic) Hector Street - reopened Ithaca Transit - "Shoppers Bus" set up for late August/September which is sponsored by Downtown Ithaca Inc. Green St/Seneca St - DoT repaving Triphammer Road repairs Catch Basin cleaning/repairs Curbing/manhole repairs Parking Equipment Purchase Thurston Avenue Parking meters Collegetown Drainage System Review Conway Park/Wood Street CDBG Projects Hydraulic Water System Modeling GIAC fire alarm/elevator problems Traffic Signalization REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER & SEWER: Assistant Superintendent of Water & Sewer Fabbroni reported on the following: Flow testing - identified 45 defective valves, 24 already replaced In-House Training for Hydraulic Water System Model Gravel removal - gravel catch Street repairs from sewer work YES/Cornell Work-study Students Giles Street/Buffalo Street Pump Station Work Utility Bridge Refurbishing REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Planning Board Commissioner Rusoff reported that Walmart has re-submitted the BPW Minutes July 13, 1994 7 Draft Environmental Impact Statement. She further reported that the Planning Board and staff are currently working with developers regarding the Fane and Novarr Collegetown projects. Parks Commission Commissioner Reeves reported that the Parks Commission will meet with the Youth Bureau to discuss the Stewart Park tennis courts issue. The Commission and Planning Department staff is negotiating with Cornell University for the purchase of Fall Creek Park. To date the Board has not been involved in any of these discussions. Commissioner Reeves has compiled information from the City Code regarding the Shade Tree Advisory Committee, Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee, Circle Greenway, Conservation Advisory Council, and Parks Commission. The Parks Commission will review this information and see if efforts can be combined in some areas. Municipal Pool Commissioner Reeves reported that Police Chief McEwen is extremely unhappy about the mid-block curb cuts and crosswalk striping that was installed on Court Street between GIAC and the Municipal Pool. He stated that this is extremely dangerous for pedestrians as motorists do not expect crosswalks in the middle of a block. NEW BUSINESS: Request Power to Act at July 20, 1994 Committee of the Whole Meeting By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has Power to Act at the July 20, 1994 Committee of the Whole meeting to consider the Fiber Optic Conduit Installation project. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 pm. Julie Conley Holcomb Benjamin Nichols Deputy City Clerk Mayor