HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-07-13
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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.
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July 13, 1994
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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
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July 13, 1994
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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
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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
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July 13, 1994
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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
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July 13, 1994
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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
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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