HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-09-14T
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. September 14, 1994
PRESENT:
Mayor Nichols
Commissioners (5) - Smith, Seligmann, RUSOff, Tripp, Gerard
ABSENT!
Commissioner Reeves (excu4ed)
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public
Assistant Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent
Deputy City Controller -
Common Council Liaison -
Senior Stenographer - Ho
Works - Gray
of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
Thayer
Johnson
Lcomb
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE•
Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiahce to the
American flag.
MINUTES•
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusofi
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the August 24, 1994 Board of Public
Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Budget. Administration and Communications Items
Mayor Nichols requested the addition of Items: (A) Request for
Power to Act for City Court Project - Amendment of Architects
Agreement and -(B) Request for Power to Act for 1995 Transit Budget.
Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni requested the addition of Items:
(C) Use of $10,000 of Capital Reserve #26 and (D) Request for
Transfer of Funds.
No Board member objected.
Creeks. Bridges and Parks
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel requested the addition of Item B:
Award of Contract for Consulting Services for Cass Park Rink.
No Board member objected.
Parking and Traffic Items•
Superintendent Gray requested the addition of Item A: Request for
"No Parking" Signs on Dunmore Place.
No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:
Mayor Nichols stated that he had a meeting with representatives of
the Sciencenter regarding a grant they have received called "Youth
Alive Program ". He explained that the program will start out with
6 or 8 city resident teenagers from low income /minority families.
It is a three -year program and there is a training program that
goes with it. The second year they will be building exhibits for
the center and the third year they actually work as guides and
teaching others and they add six teenagers a year so there will be
18 involved by the third year
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Mayor Nichols explained that space becomes an issue; where are they
going to set up space for people to work, etc. They are now
pursuing more vigorously the issue of whether or not they can use
some of the space that is now being used by RIBS.
Extensive discussion followed on.the floor regarding the space that
is being used by RIBS.
Commissioner Tripp, for the record, stated that as a RIBS
supporter, as a bicycle supporter, she thinks it is inappropriate
for DPW to keep housing RIBS. She stated that it is a youth
oriented program and it needs appropriate supervision. It needs to
be associated with the Youth Bureau or Southside or sooner or later
someone is going to get hurt.
REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER:
Computer System Software Update
Deputy City Controller Thayer reported that we are continuing to
upgrade computer system software. Next week training will start
with finance personnel and then it will spread out to other
departments. Payroll will be one of the first ones to be upgraded.
It will take at least a year to get the whole system up and
running. Both software packages will be carried for a long period
of time.
Transit Budget Adjustments
Deputy City Controller Thayer reported that the Controllers Office
has been working on a number of transit budget adjustments.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT:
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following items:
Transit Consolidation meeting
20 Year planning document from the Planning Committee of the MPO
Conduit Work
Wood Street Park
Sidewalks contract
Southwest Park wetland delineation project
Mitchell Street work
Traffic System Engineer interviews scheduled for Monday, Sept. 19
Island at Green and State Streets being re- figured
Municipal pools closed for season
REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS AND FACILITIES•
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the
following stems:
Triphammer Road re- opened last Friday
East State Street from Mitchell to City line was paved last week
Giles to Columbia Street has been paved
Second Street was paved over the sewer excavation area
Willow Avenue overlaid from the railroad tracks to Fier Road
Oxford Place being stripped of asphalt
Stewart Avenue bricks being worked on
Asphalt being installed on the path leading from Brandon Place to
Valley Road
South Cayuga Street Bridge over Six Mile Creek will be closed for
2 -3 weeks for bridge deck repairs
Seneca Street Ramp step repairs -
Nancy Oltz and Asst. Supt Ferre; ettended a seminar it Binghamton
about a new drug /alcohol testing mandate through the federal
government, which will affect the department, effective January 1,
1995. It is mandated but the City will be expected to fund it
itself so Asst. Supt. Ferrel will be adding something to the budget
for the cost of that.
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Supt. Gray stated that this mandate will not be only for bus
drivers. It will involve all safety sensitive divisions of the
department.
REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDIANQT10FE WATER AND SEWER,
Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the
following items:
Silt Dam off Burns Road being worked on
Turner Place water problems being worked on
Utility Bridge by Super 8 Motel being worked on
Sludge Lagoons at Wastewater Treatment Plant
Route 96 meeting with State
Changes that will be made with the Route 96 project
BUILDINGS. PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS•
A. Request for Block Dance in Woolworth Lot
By Commissioner Rnsoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, GIAC and MAGPY (Mothers and Grandmothers Protecting Youth)
have requested the use of Woolworth Lot (Lot D) on September 9,
1994 from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. for a block dance similar to
those of several years ago, and ,
WHEREAS, the two organizations have obtained the necessary permits
and contacted the local businesses for their reactions; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the use of the
Woolworth parking lot for a block dance, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the organizers of the event are responsible for
restoration and clean up following the event, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board requests a follow -up report on the event
from the organizers as well as any comments from the Police and
Fire Departments.
Carried Unanimously
PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS•
A. Request for "NO Parking• Signs on Dunmore Place
Laura Rotondi of 926 East State Street has requested that the Board
of Public Works install "No Parking" signs across from her
driveway. She has explained that the new one -way regulation on
Dunmore Place makes it difficult to back out of the driveway and
maneuver the vehicle in the proper direction.
Resolution
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request from
Laura Rotondi of 926 East State Street to install "No Parking"
signs across from her driveway, and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the site and recommends against any
restrictions because the pavement is 24' curb to curb and the
driveway for 926 East State Street is approximately across from the
driveway for 916 East State Street; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies Ms. Rotondi's
request to prohibit parking on the north side of Dunmore Place.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor.
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Motion to Table
By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Smith
RESOLVED, That the resolution to consider a request for "No
Parking" signs on Dunmore Place be tabled.
Ayes (3) - Smith, Gerard, Tripp
Nay (1) - Rusoff
Abstention (1) - Seligmann
Carried (3 -1 -1)
CREEKS. BRIDGES AND PARKS:
A. Request for Use of Stewart Park for Hike a thou
By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
WHEREAS, Family and Children Services along with the Housing Task
Force has requested the use of Stewart Park for a bike -a -thon on
October 1, 1994 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., and
WHEREAS, the two organizations would like to barricade off the road
which encircles the tennis courts and ball fields, allowing bicycle
safety during the bike- a -thon) now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of barricading
off the west loop from traffic for the bike -a -thon.
Carried Unanimously
B. Award of Contract for Consulting Services for Cass Park Rink)
The Department has stated that the Cass Park Rink mechanical
equipment has outlasted its anticipated life. The last couple of
years have seen several expensive repairs or replacements of
compressors, motors and controls in order to keep the rink
operating. Some major components are still in use at Cass Park
long after the same equipment has failed at rinks which were built
about the same period as the Cass Park Rink.
Resolution
By Commissioner Gerard: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, the Capital Project #272 was established in 1993 to fund
the cost of planning and writing specifications for replacement of
the mechanical equipment at the rink, and
WHEREAS, staff has sought and received a proposal for this work}
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the proposal from
Davis Mechanical Services, Inc., 6892 Kinne Street, East Syracuse,
New York to plan recommended equipment and to write bid
specifications of the new equipment for an amount not to exceed
$5,000 and that the Assistant Superintendent for Streets and
Facilities is authorized to sign the contract.
Carried Unanimously
Dy �ommissloner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works }reserves the power to act
regarding amendment of Perkins Eastman Contract for construction
Phase services for City Court construction at its Committee of-the
Whole meeting on September 21, 1994.
Carried Unanimously
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B. Request for Power to Act for 1995 Transit Budget
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works reserves the power to act
regarding the 1995 Transit Budget at its Committee of the Whole
meeting on September 21,'1995. _
Carried Unanimously
C. Use Of $20.000 Of Capital Reserve #26
By Commissioner Tripp: Sebonded by Commissioner Rusoff
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca, Tompkins County, Tompkins County Soil
and Water Conservation Department, Ithaca Subdistrict USGS, and
Town of Dryden, have entered in an agreement to establish a
monitoring and sampling station on Six Mile Creek, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca contribution of $10,000 cash is
required in 1994 to cover costs of the station startup and to help
fund and leverage additional funds to study erosion and control
r measures in the entire Six Mile Creek Watershed; now, therefore, be
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r RESOLVED, To use $10,000 of Capital Reserve #26 for this purpose as
the information gained will be key to land purchase and control
m decisions in the future.
Z Carried Unanimously
D. Reguest for Transfer of Funds
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Water and Sewer Division has undertaken
intensive sewer construction and water construction activities, and
extraordinary maintenance has resulted from this construction, and
general maintenance has been deferred the past five years, and
WHEREAS, the unanticipated repairs to the John Deere Loader,
Vehicle #448 in the amount of $9,312.85; to the John Deere 710
Backhoe #385 in the amount of approximately $5,000; and to the
Caterpillar D -611 Bulldozer in the amount of approximately $15,000
exceed the budgeted amount; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the repairs to
this equipment, and that the following account transfers be
effected:
FROM: TO:
F -17 -5- 8341 -435 - $24,000 F -15 -5- 8316 -477 - $24,000
G -12 -5 -8121 -435 - 5,300 G -10 -5 -8116 -477 - 5,300
Carried Unanimously
WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS•
A. Request for EXDUngement of Water and Sewer Bill
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, Suzanne Fine, owner of 803 South Plain Street, has
requested that the Board of Public Works expunge her water and
sewer bill for replacement of the clay tile sewer lateral, and
WHEREAS, Ms. Fine feels that circumstances beyond her control
caused two breaks in the line, including heavy equipment during
road construction, detoured traffic onto South Plain Street and a
street tree which she had previously requested to be removed, and
WHEREAS, the city's policy for replacement of clay tile is to bill
the homeowner, which Ms. Fine was made aware of before the work
took place; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request
and Ms. Fine's concerns, and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Board is willing to expunge $707 33, or one-
half, of Ms. Fine's bill of $1,414.66 since it is possible that
unusual circumstances contributed to the breaks in the sewer line.
Discussion followed on the floor with Superintendent Gray answering
questions from Board members.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Aye (1) - Tripp,
Nays (4) - Seligmann, Rusoff, Smith, Gerard
Motion Failed (1 -4)
Resolution to Deny Exnunaement
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Smith
RESOLVED, That the request of Ms. Suzanne Fine, for expungement of
a water and sewer bill at 803 South Plain Street be denied.
Ayes (4) - Seligmann, Rusoff, Smith, Gerard
Nay (1) - Tripp
Carried (4 -1)
REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS:
Six Mile Creek Committee
Commissioner Tripp reported on the items that were discussed at the
Six Mile Creek meeting on Monday, September 12.
Golf Course
Commissioner Tripp reported that Assistant City Attorney Kennedy
wants the Board's directive to send Steve Torrent a letter saying
that the 1983 contract with him having concessions at the Golf
Course will not be in effect for the 1995 season.
Discussion followed on the floor. There was general agreement that
such a letter is appropriate.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Connie J.- Holcomb
Senior Stenographer Benjamin Nichols
Mnyoi
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