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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-08-10171 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. August 10, 1994 PRESENT: Mayor Nichols Commissioners (5) - Reeves, Seli�mann, Smith, Tripp, Rusoff ABSENT: Commissioner Gerard (excused) Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni (excused) Council Liaison - Johnson (excused) OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Deputy City Controller - Thayer Senior Stenographer - Holcomb Junior Engineer - Yost T LO PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: T— Approval of Minutes of the Board of Public Works Meetida of Jul m 13, 1994 By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the July 13, 1994 Board of Public gWorks meeting be approved with the change as noted below by Alderperson Schroeder. Carried Unanimously Alderperson Schroeder explained that his remarks concerning a meeting of the Parks Commission and the Board of Public Works were intended to convey the following: "According to a Common Council resolution, the Parks Commission needs input from the Board of Public Works concerning its recommendations on using the value of Southwest Park after it is alienated. One way to accomplish this would be a joint meeting between the Board of Public Works and the Parks Commission ". By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the July 27, 1994 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA: Executive Session Mayor Nichols requested an Executive Session at the end of the meeting to discuss possible sale of land. No Board member objected. New Business Commissioner Reeves requested a brief discussion be added to the agenda regarding solid waste. No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR: Energy Commission Mayor Nichols noted that he has received a letter from Lew Durland of the Energy Commission asking for assistance in finding members to serve on that Commission. He would appreciate any help the Board could give him regarding names for possible membership. 1 172 BPW Minutes August 10, 1994 REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT: Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following items: Monitoring Stations for the Wastewater Plant have been installed; Hillview Place and Aurora Street pedestrian push button traffic signals are being put in; Sidewalk contracts are out to bid; Youth Bureau acoustics project is proceeding; Wood Street Park work should begin next week. REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS AND FACILITIES: Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following items: A crew is working on the gravel base job on Triphammer Road; The patch crew is working on Mitchell Street and Second Street; The Cass Park roofing project is being worked on this week; Several streets will be paved the week of August 22nd; The Blue Light system is being discussed with Police Chief McEwen; Copies of the budget hopefully will be to the Board on August 17th. By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, Recycle Ithaca Bicycles (RIBS) is currently using space in the old sludge drier building for their repairs, and WHEREAS, RIBS has requested that the Board of Public Works allow them to use the entire building for their operations; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the request for use of additional space at the old sludge drier building due to the need for space by the Water and Sewer Department, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board encourages staff to work with RIBS to establish an area outside the old sludge drier building which could be utilized for storage. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp "RESOLVED, That there be a further Resolved clause added to read as follows:r That the Board encourages staff to work with RIBS and the Fire Department to establish satisfactory exits." Carried Unanimously Main Motion as Amended A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Request for Plantings at Intersection of Cemetery Road and DeWitt Place By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from residents to plant flowers and shrubs at the intersection of Cemetery Road and DeWitt Place, said parcel for the proposed plantings is within the boundaries in the city cemetery; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the plantings at the intersection of Cemetery Road and DeWitt Place, as shown on the map that was presented by Alderperson Schroeder, and be it further 173 BPW Minutes August 10, 1994 RESOLVED, That based on the Neighborhood Planting Program, the board requests the residents to contact the City Forester for approval of the type of plants to be used. Discussion followed on the floor with Alderperson Schroeder participating. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously HIGHWAYS. STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: A Request for Signage on Cemetery Road By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the residents of DeWitt Place who live near the intersection of DeWitt Place and Cemetery Road have expressed their concerns regarding increased traffic, speeding cars and pedestrians safety at that intersection, and LO T WHEREAS, the residents are requesting the BPW to install stop T signs on Cemetery Road at the intersection of DeWitt Place; now, m therefore, be it Z RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies the request for C stop signs at the intersection of Cemetery Road and DeWitt Place, L and, be it further RESOLVED, That the BPW has reviewed the concerns of the residents, and requests staff to install signs warning of the dangerous intersection, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the BPW requests DPW staff as well as the Police Chief and Fire Chief make recommendations to aid in the development of a more permanent solution for possible traffic reduction and mitigation through the City Cemetery. Alderperson Schroeder spoke to the Board regarding the resolution and made the following changes: The first Whereas clause shall read as follows: "WHEREAS, the residents of DeWitt Place and Cascadilla Park Road, who live near the intersection of DeWitt Place and Cemetery Road have expressed their concerns regarding the way natural topography blocks the intersection from the view of approaching motorists, and also regarding speeding cars and pedestrian safety at that intersection, and" The third Resolved clause shall read as follows: "RESOLVED, That the BPW requests DPW staff as well as the Police Chief and Fire Chief make recommendations to aid in the development of a more permanent solution, which may or may not include the installation of stop signs, for possible traffic reduction and mitigation through the City Cemetery." Alderperson Schroeder's changes were accepted by the Board members and therefore became part of the resolution. Commissioner Reeves reported that she was presented with a petition from Alderperson Schroeder with 23 signatures of residents requesting Stop signs at the Cascadilla Park Road /DeWitt Place intersection. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 3 174 By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works Committee to research and recommend system which will allow the city to collection of monies, regulate usage collection, and BPW Minutes August 10, 1994 Commissioner Ruso£f has charged the Parking a new parking equipment have more control over a and provide better data WHEREAS, the Parking Committee has made its recommendation to purchase a system based on magnetic stripe technology to replace the current system, and WHEREAS, staff has estimated, using the minimal data available, that the current system results in significant revenue lose, provides low quality service, is no longer serviceable and fails to provide adequate audit and management information; 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 the initial phase of a new magnetic stripe parking system for Green Street lot and garage and Seneca Street garage as soon as possible, and be it further RESOLVED, That the scope of work include design, purchase and installation of: gates and detection loops magnetic stripe ticket dispensers ticket readers revenue computers at a budget not to exceed $280,000, and be it further RESOLVED, That up to an additional $70,000 be allocated for a system management station to include conduit, computer and software, and be it further RESOLVED, That the total for the proposed Capital Project will be $350,000. Commissioner Rusoff referred to a memo from the Parking Committee, dated August 10, 1994, regarding Parking Lot Equipment. ,,(The memo is on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Discussion followed on the floor with Junior Engineer Yost answering questions from Board members. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: A. Renuest for Reduction in Fee at Stewart Park By Commissioner Raeoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, four area churches have reserved the small pavilion in Stewart Park for five nights from August +29, 1994 until September 2, 1994 for a revival, and WHEREAS, the churches are askinc or a reduction in the pavilion fee since they are not financially able to afford the established $100 per day fee for exclusive use, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works and the City Attorney's Office have reviewed the request; now, therefore, be it 4 BPW Minutes August 10, 1994 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the request to reduce the pavilion fee, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board does not,,wish to set a precedent on reducing pavilion fees for groups not associated with the city government. Discussion followed on thek floor. Commissioner Reeves read from a memo from the City Attor'ney's office regarding reduction of fees for pavilions. Rev. Jones spoke to the Board regarding the matter. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: T_ Commissioner Reeves noted that she has received calls from LO Barbara Eckstrom asking about a "Clean -up Week" for 1995. T- The Board will review the request from the County. 3 LM REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Z Parks Commission gCommissioner Reeves reported that the Parks Commission has met with the Youth Bureau on July 27th regarding the tennis courts and they were ready to re -vote on the issue this week but the Parks Commission did not have a quorum. Commissioner Reeves noted that the Parks Commission will be meeting with the Board of Public Works on August 17 regarding recommendations for substitute park lands for Southwest Park. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned into Executive Session at 6:00 p.m. Connie J. Holcomb Sr. Stenographer J Benj min Nichols Mayor 175