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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1994-12-28 1 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 P.M. December 28, 1994 PRESENT: Commissioners (5) Reeves, Vice Chair, Tripp, Seligmann, Smith Gerard OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets & Facilities - Ferrel Deputy City Clerk - Conley Holcomb EXCUSED: Mayor Nichols Commissioner Rusoff PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chair Reeves led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes of the December 14, 1994 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That approval of the Minutes of the December 14, 1994 Board of Public Works meeting be deferred until the January 11, 1995 meeting. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Parking and Traffic Items Commissioner Tripp requested the addition of Item B - Recommended Salary for Traffic Systems Engineer - Resolution. No Board member objected. Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Items Commissioner Seligmann requested the addition of Item A - Water and Sewer Projects During Route 96 Reconstruction - Resolution. No Board member objected. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: Superintendent of Public Works Gray reported on the following: North East Transit contract extension negotiations Traffic Engineer - job offered to Daniel Cole 1995 Water & Sewer bonding level increase Bus consolidation system DPW consolidation discussions - site plan work Water & Sewer site adjustments for Daycare Center Court Facility project close-out Empire State Games discussions Parking meter installations Golf Course Manager negotiations REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS & FACILITIES: Assistant Superintendent of Streets & Facilities Ferrel reported on the following: Route 89/Hangar Theater drainage ditch clean-up - beaver dam was removed as it posed a potential flood hazard Seacord Property clean-up Seasonal maintenance projects Thurston Avenue meter zone signage BPW Minutes December 28, 1994 2 German Cross Road monitoring station Meadow Street lighting Buffalo Street flashing lights Christmas Tree pick-up - first few weeks of January 1995 Transit fare changes BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: Request for Encroachment Agreement - 305, 307-309 Stewart Avenue By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has received and reviewed a request for an encroachment agreement for 305, 307-309 Stewart Avenue from the current owner, RHP Properties, in preparation for the sale of these properties; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the requested encroachments, contingent upon approval from the City Attorney, for the property 305, 307-309 Stewart Avenue, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Mayor or Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an agreement. Carried Unanimously Request for License Agreement for 322 East Seneca Street By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has received and reviewed a request for an encroachment agreement for 322 East Seneca Street from the current owner, RHP Properties in preparation for the sale of this property, and WHEREAS, the survey shows an enclosed, controlled parking lot which encroaches into the street area behind the sidewalk and is a use that the City licenses to the adjacent property owner if they wish to use in this manner; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests staff to establish a 1995 license fee and prepare an agreement license for the parking lot located at 322 East Seneca Street and forward it to RHP Properties, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent and Attorney may make any necessary financial and legal arrangement to establish a new license if the property is transferred and the encroachment is to continue. Carried Unanimously PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS: New Parking Meter Rates - Oak Avenue, Stewart Avenue, and Edgemoor Lane By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works will be installing metered parking on Oak Avenue, Stewart Avenue, and Edgemoor Lane, and WHEREAS, the Parking Committee, DPW staff, and IPD have made recommendations for the hourly rate and enforcement; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works sets the following rates and hours of enforcement for meters: Location Rate/Hr. Hours of Enforcement Stewart Avenue $.25 9:00am - 6:00pm, M - F Edgemoor Lane $.25 9:00am - 6:00pm, M - F BPW Minutes December 28, 1994 3 Oak Avenue West end, 20 spaces $.50 9:00am - 6:00pm, M - F Remainder $.25 9:00am - 6:00pm, M - F Carried Unanimously Recommended Salary for Traffic Systems Engineer By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann WHEREAS, a committee of the Board of Public Works has interviewed candidates for the position of Traffic Systems Engineer and made recommendations to the Superintendent of Public Works, and WHEREAS, the Superintendent has approached Daniel G. Cole with an offer of employment based on his work experience and the job which is covered by the City Executive Association Contract; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that Common Council approve the hiring of Mr. Cole at a 1995 salary of $39,000. Carried Unanimously BUDGET, ADMINISTRATION, AND COMMUNICATION ITEMS: Request for Sidewalk Program Capital Project By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, during the 1995 budget process the capital costs of the sidewalk program was inadvertently omitted from both the operating account A-5410 and from the list of proposed Capital Projects; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby requests the Budget and Administration Committee to create a Capital Project for the 1995 Sidewalk Program in the amount of $75,000., similar to those in the 1993 and 1994 budgets. Carried Unanimously Designation of Emergency Snow Routes By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works, in accordance with the Resolution of Common Council adopted February 2, 1994, designates the following streets as emergency snow routes: EMERGENCY SNOW ROUTES Albany Street - Green Street to Elmira Road Aurora Street - S. City line to Green Street Cayuga Street - N. City line to Green Street Cliff Street - W. City line to Octopus Court Street - University Avenue to N. Cayuga Street Elmira Road - S. City line to Albany Street Green Street - Meadow Street to E. State Street Hector Street - W. City line to Octopus Hudson Street - Coddington Road to Aurora Street Ithaca Road - Mitchell Street to City line Meadow Street - Elmira Road to N. City line Mitchell Street - E. State Street to Ithaca Road Seneca Street - E. State Street - W. State Street State Street - Octopus to Meadow Street State Street - Tuning Fork to E. City line University Avenue - Court Street to Lake Avenue and these streets shall be marked as required for public information and proper enforcement, and, be it further BPW Minutes December 28, 1994 4 RESOLVED, That the DPW shall work with the Police and Fire departments to refine and coordinate the concept of emergency routes and the primary routes within the response hierarchy of safety, commerce and convenience. Discussion followed on the floor regarding primary and emergency routes, and towing policies. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Water and Sewer Projects During Route 96 Reconstruction By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp WHEREAS, the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works for Water and Sewer is working with NYSDoT to address water and sewer issues resulting from the reconstruction of Route 96, as well as to preserve opportunities to replace and upgrade the existing facilities in the project area, and WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works has reviewed the current level of financing available for the anticipated replacements and improvements during this project with the City Controller and has recommended increases; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the current Capital Projects for Water Distribution System and Sewer Collection System Improvements (CP 506, $500,000 and CP 606, $500,000) be increased to $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 respectively. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Emergency Pedestrian Snow Routes Commissioner Gerard reported that he met with Assistant Superintendent Ferrel to discuss the possibility of pedestrian snow emergency routes. Commissioner Gerard stated that he is proposing that two streets running East & West, and two streets running North & South, along with the bridges, be designated as emergency routes for pedestrians. He proposed that only one side of the street be designated, and that the DPW would not be responsible for maintaining the sidewalks, but would supplement whatever the homeowners have not done. Assistant Superintendent Ferrel noted the DPW manpower limitations. Commissioner Seligmann spoke against the proposal stating that he did not feel that the City should be encouraging people to be out during a snow emergency. He also stated that he did not think this proposal was fair to the homeowners on the designated streets as they would be billed for the work the DPW completed, while other residents had more time to clear their sidewalks. Commissioners Smith and Gerard suggested that the homeowners on the designated streets not be billed for this service. Commissioner Gerard will submit a written proposal to the Board. NEW BUSINESS: Commissioner Reeves reported that she has received letters from Ralph Jones of the West Hill Civic Association, and Ray Schlather, BPW Minutes December 28, 1994 5 representing Mr. Mohanty regarding the Cass Park ballfield lighting system. The letters stated that the lights are a nuisance to the West Hill neighborhood. This matter was referred to the City Attorney's office for review. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb Carol Reeves Deputy City Clerk Vice-Chair Board of Public Works