HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1995-01-11
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. January 11, 1995
PRESENT:
Mayor Nichols
Commissioners (5) Rusoff, Tripp, Reeves, Ehrhardt, Smith
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities - Ferrel
Asst. Superintendent of Water & Sewer - Fabbroni
Common Council Liaison - Johnson
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Deputy City Clerk - Conley Holcomb
Fire Chief - Wilbur
EXCUSED:
Commissioner Seligmann
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 December 14, 1994 and December 28, 1995
Board of Public Works Meeting
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the December 14, 1994 Board of
Public Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the December 28, 1994 Board of
Public Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Parking and Traffic Items
Commissioner Tripp requested the addition of Item D - Request for
Change in Parking Regulation on Edgemoor Lane - Resolution.
No Board member objected.
Budget, Administration & Communications Items
Commissioner Reeves requested the addition of Item A - Thanks to
Retiring City Clerk, Cookie Paolangeli - Resolution, and Item B -
Thanks to Outgoing Commissioner Guy Gerard - Resolution.
No Board member objected.
Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Items
Commissioner Reeves requested the addition of Item A - Resolution
Authorizing Agreement Between the City of Ithaca and the New York
State Department of Transportation Relative to Utility
Improvements Concerning Rehabilitation and Relocation of New York
State Routes 89 and 96 Including Two New Bridges Over the Cayuga
Inlet Flood Channel (Capital Project Identification Nos. 506 and
606 City of Ithaca) - Resolution.
No Board member objected.
ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR:
Mayor Nichols requested nominations for the position of Vice Chair
of the Board of Public Works.
BPW Minutes
January 11, 1995
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Resolution
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
RESOLVED, That Carol Reeves be elected Vice Chair of the Board of
Public Works.
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Nichols reported that he is still working on the Committee
and Liaison appointments and will announce them at a later date.
REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
Alderperson Johnson reported that Common Council approved the
following items at the January 1995 Council meeting:
Bond Resolution which included funding for parking meters,
recycling vehicles and other DPW items.
SBA Grant for tree planting on the Old Elmira Road.
1995 Sidewalk Program
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT:
Superintendent of Public Works Gray reported on the following:
Thurston Avenue Parking Meters - experiencing software glitches
Water & Sewer Bonding Increases
Traffic Engineer - Council approved salary, Mr. Cole will begin
work on February 6, 1995
City Court HVAC Project Close-Out
Mitchell Street Curve - property surveys being completed
Fiber Optic Cable Installation in Progress
Maple Avenue - Cornell Parking Lot Work
Dryden Road - Cornell is installing a steam line under road
CDBG - will include Northside Park improvements, Southside
Community Center and Cleveland Avenue improvements
Transit Fare Changes - raised questions from Council, further
discussions may be forthcoming
REPORT OF ASST. SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER & SEWER:
Asst. Superintendent of Water & Sewer Fabbroni reported on the
following:
Hazard Communications Training
Culvert Widening by Silt Dam
Dam Service Road Work
Draft Report on Modeling System is Complete
Access Road Work for Archer Bridge Project
Route 96 Discussions - Fulton Street sewer design
Wastewater Treatment Plant Transformer Cover Work
Daycare Center Site Clean-Up
Wood Street Pump Station Leakage
REPORT OF ASST. SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS & FACILITIES:
Asst. Superintendent of Streets & Facilities Ferrel reported on
the following:
City Forester - 20 approved applications are being reviewed
Seacord Property Clean-Up
Christmas Tree Pick-Up Through January 20, 1995
Golf Course Building Repairs
Off-Season Maintenance Work
Storm Sewer Maintenance
City Buildings Maintenance
Annual Work Schedule Preparation
Highway Supervisor Henry Blake will retire in February
BPW Minutes
January 11, 1995
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Bridge Light Replacements
Staff Relocation Possibilities
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS:
Request to Declare 530 West Buffalo Street as Surplus Property
Michael Greschler, Real Estate Agent for R. Greschler &
Associates, is requesting that the City declare 530 West Buffalo
Street as surplus property. Mr. Greschler has spoken to Ken
Harding, of the Water and Sewer Division, because this property
contains a building which houses a control panel and tunnel to the
pump station under the nearby intersection. Mr. Harding explained
that the building is not necessary, although accommodations must
be made for access to the panel and tunnel.
Resolution
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from R.
Greschler & Associates to declare 530 West Buffalo Street as
surplus property, and
WHEREAS, staff has indicated that the building on the site is not
crucial to departmental operations, except for access to the
control panel and a tunnel to the pump station under the
Meadow/Buffalo Street intersection; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that the
Planning and Development Committee and Common Council review the
property at 530 West Buffalo Street and declare the property as
surplus provided certain provisions are made for Water and Sewer
functions, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That DPW staff work with the Attorney's Office and the
Planning Office to develop provisions which meet the requirements
of the Water and Sewer Division and allows redevelopment of the
site.
Carried Unanimously
HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALK ITEMS:
Interim Program for Pedestrian Routes During Snow Emergencies
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, pedestrians found it very difficult to travel around the
City due to the unusual amount of snow fall during the winter of
1993-94, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works received a request to implement
an emergency pedestrian snow route, similar to the emergency
program for street clearing; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to
implement an interim emergency pedestrian route when an emergency
is declared by the Mayor based on the following:
That the primary pedestrian snow route is:
east-west route - Buffalo Street from Meadow to Eddy Street
north-south route - Cayuga Street from the High School to
Clinton Street
That the secondary pedestrian snow route is:
east-west route - Clinton Street from Meadow Street to Cayuga
Street
north-south route - Albany Street from Cascadilla Street to
Spencer Road
BPW Minutes
January 11, 1995
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and, be it further
RESOLVED, That staff monitor the staff and equipment requirements
as well as any comments from police, fire, transit, and citizens,
and report to the Board once adequate experience has been
collected to judge the benefits and cost of this program.
Commissioner Tripp and former Commissioner Guy Gerard relayed the
history of the Resolution. They explained that this proposal
would allow one side of the sidewalk on these designated routes to
be plowed by DPW staff, once, during the snow emergency at no
charge to the homeowner.
Commissioner Rusoff spoke in opposition of the Resolution stating
that she didn't think that the City should incur the costs
involved with this program.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding property
owners responsibilities.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (4) Tripp, Reeves, Smith, Ehrhardt
Nays (1) Rusoff
Carried
PARKING AND TRAFFIC ITEMS:
Request for Changes in West State Street Parking Lot
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
WHEREAS, Chief Brian Wilbur, Ithaca Fire Department, has requested
that the Board of Public Works modify the West State Street
parking lot behind the Fire Station, and
WHEREAS, Chief Wilbur has explained that there is a need for
additional space by his department as well as a one-way
configuration which will allow emergency apparatus to exit the lot
in a safer manner, and
WHEREAS, Superintendent Gray has suggested that all meters be
removed from the lot; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby directs staff to
remove the meters from the West State Street lot and to install
signage which would require permit parking on the east side of the
lot as well as signage to establish a one-way traffic pattern,
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board requests Chief Wilbur to monitor the use
of the lot by the department and report back to the Board by
January, 1996.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the removal of parking
meters and the establishment of a permit system.
A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (4) Tripp, Reeves, Rusoff, Ehrhardt
Nays (0)
Abstentions (1) Smith
Carried
Permanent Change in Farm and North Tioga Streets Curb Alignment
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
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January 11, 1995
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WHEREAS, in the fall of 1993 temporary bump outs were installed on
Farm Street at the North Tioga Street intersection, and
WHEREAS, accident data has been collected and reviewed by the
Board of Public Works; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby directs staff to
implement permanent bump outs on Farm Street at North Tioga
Street.
Carried Unanimously
Request for Temporary Change in Curb Alignment at North Tioga And
Tompkins Streets
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works placed temporary bump outs
at the intersection of Farm and North Tioga Streets, and
WHEREAS, data shows that the number of accidents at Farm and Tioga
have decreased; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to move the
temporary bump outs from Farm Street to Tompkins Street on a trial
basis for a one year period.
Carried Unanimously
Request for Change in Parking Regulation on Edgemoor Lane
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Ithaca charges the Board of
Public Works with the power to regulate the streets of the City
(C-71), and
WHEREAS, Chapter 346, Vehicles and Traffic Legislation is under
preparation and Chapter 60, Traffic and Vehicles of the old Code
is still in effect, and
WHEREAS, staff of both the Department of Public Works and the
Ithaca Police Department has recommended that 24 hour parking on
Edgemoor Lane be moved from the north side to the south side; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Section 60.43,"Parking Prohibited in Designated
Locations", be modified to read "Edgemoor Lane, north side, from
Stewart Avenue to West Avenue".
Carried Unanimously
BUDGET, ADMINISTRATION, AND COMMUNICATION ITEMS:
Thanks to Retiring City Clerk, Cookie Paolangeli
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, the Clerk of the City of Ithaca, Callista F. Paolangeli,
better known to all of us as "Cookie", joined the City Hall forces
as Deputy City Clerk in 1977, and
WHEREAS, Cookie was appointed to the City Clerk's position on
March 31, 1986, and
WHEREAS, part of the City Clerk's many duties is to take official
minutes of the Regular meetings of the Board of Public Works, and
to provide any other historical and/or factual information needed
by the Board, and
WHEREAS, Cookie is retiring after 17 years of dedicated service to
the City of Ithaca; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works extends heartfelt thanks
to Cookie for her years of service to the City and to the Board of
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January 11, 1995
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Public Works, and acknowledges with appreciation her wonderful
organizational abilities and way with people that help make
communications with the Clerk's Office a real pleasure, and, be it
further,
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works wishes Cookie a very
happy and healthy retirement.
Carried Unanimously
Thanks to Outgoing Commissioner Guy Gerard
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, Guy Gerard was appointed to the Board of Public Works by
Mayor Benjamin Nichols for a three year term beginning in 1992,
and
WHEREAS, Guy's duties included the Creeks, Bridges and Parks
Committee of the Board of Public Works, as well as liaison
assignments to the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) and Parks
Commission in 1992; CAC, Parks Commission and Six Mile Creek
Committee in 1993; Youth Bureau, Disability Advisory Council, and
Art & Design in Public Spaces Committee in 1994, and
WHEREAS, Guy will be remembered for his avid interest in
environmental issues including City street trees and the budget to
replace the trees, beaver in Six Mile Creek, and most important,
the safety and well being of pedestrians and bicyclists; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works extends thanks to Guy for
his service to the City of Ithaca, and to the Board of Public
Works, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works wishes Guy success in all
his future endeavors.
Carried Unanimously
WATER, SEWER, AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS:
Resolution Authorizing Agreement Between the City of Ithaca and
the New York State Department of Transportation Relative to
Utility Improvements Concerning Rehabilitation and Relocation of
New York State Routes 89 and 96 Including Two New Bridges Over the
Cayuga Inlet Flood Channel (Capital Project Identification Nos.
506 and 606 City of Ithaca.)
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, the State of New York proposed rehabilitation and
relocation of Routes 89 and 96 generally from Meadow Street to
west of the Flood Channel in the City of Ithaca necessitates the
adjustment of utility facilities; and
WHEREAS, the State will relocate and replace in-kind utilities
necessary to the project at project expense, and
WHEREAS, the State will upgrade utilities within the project
limits at City expense; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Mayor be and he hereby is authorized to enter
into agreements for utility adjustments with the New York State
Department of Transportation wherein the City agrees to accept
full title and responsibility for utility adjustments resulting
from the rehabilitation and relocation of New York State Routes 89
and 96 including but not limited to BETTERMENT upgrades:
1) 18" sewer across new Buffalo Street - Cliff Street bridge
($20,245.)
2) 12" water main of Fulton Street from Sta. 2+20 to 24+30
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January 11, 1995
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($79,775.)
3) 8" water main on Buffalo Street from Sta. 94 to Sta. 100
($3,520.)
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS:
Six Mile Creek Committee
Commissioner Tripp thanked Assistant Superintendents Ferrel and
Fabbroni for meeting with the Committee regarding upcoming
projects in the Six Mile Creek area.
Parks Commission
Commissioner Reeves reported that the Parks Commission met with
area residents to discuss future improvements to the Northside
park area.
City Hall Parking Lot/Dumpster Sub-Committee
Commissioner Reeves reported that the sub-committee would like to
see discussions initiated with store owners to find solutions to
the garbage/dumpster problems behind City Hall. The property is
legally considered public space, and as such, parking cannot be
restricted. This matter will be discussed further at the next
Committee of the Whole meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adjourned into Executive
Session at 5:40 p.m. to discuss a personnel item.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Julie Conley Holcomb Benjamin Nichols
Deputy City Clerk Mayor