HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1995-06-28
1
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. June 28, 1995
PRESENT:
Mayor Nichols
Commissioners (5) - Seligmann, Smith, Tripp, Ehrhardt, Reeves,
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Deputy City Clerk - Kaupe
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
Common Council Liaison - Johnson
EXCUSED:
Commissioner Rusoff
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Nichols led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American flag.
MINUTES:
Approval of the Minutes of the June 14, 1995 Board of Public Works
Meeting
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the June 14, 1995 Board of Public
Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Reeves requested that Item 15A be substituted for Item
15 on the agenda. No Board member objected.
Commissioner Seligmann requested that Item 17A be substituted for
Item 17 on the agenda. No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Gary Sloan presented a petition signed by 268 persons from the golf
league at Newman Golf Course. The petition raised the issues of
cart rental discounts and beer sales. Mr. Sloan raised further
issues regarding current operating procedures. Mayor Nichols,
Alderperson Johnson, Superintendent Gray and Commissioners Smith,
Tripp and Reeves responded.
Margot Brinn of the Hector Street Neighborhood Association brought
the following issues before the Board: speeding traffic on Hector
St., provision of a Park & Ride lot, lack of sidewalks, lack of
crosswalks, lack of parking, access to Cass Park, Cass Park lights
and noise. Commissioner Ehrhardt responded.
David Nutter of the Bicycle Advisory Commission suggested that a
bike lane be provided on Hector Street. Commissioner Ehrhardt
responded. Mr. Nutter requested that the BAC be notified of pending
traffic agenda items and changes to streets which will affect
bicycle traffic. Commissioners Ehrhardt and Reeves responded.
Ralph Varn of Varn Brothers sought an explanation for the Board's
refusal to grant the sewer expansion (Item 17B). Mayor Nichols
responded.
REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
Alderperson Johnson reported on the following: B&A discussion of
the Engineering reorganization plan (expansion to be put off until
'96)
June 28, 1995
2
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT:
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters:
Route 96; Youth Bureau rehab; transit operations and consolidation;
WWTP and County septage agreement; MPO meeting; outdoor dining
policy; B&A re: Dept reorganization; Traffic Engineer's report.
Commissioner Tripp questioned outdoor dining. Commissioner Reeves
asked about the procedure for citizen requests to the Traffic
Engineer. Superintendent Gray discussed the procedure.
REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS AND FACILITIES:
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the
following matters: Maple Ave reconstruction; Stewart Park; Stewart
Ave wall at Edgecliff; detour route signage; Flood Control Project;
plantings; 112 and 119 Cleveland Ave boarded up; Cascadilla Park Rd
sidewalk; drug testing for drivers; town supervisors meeting;
budget preparation. Alderperson Johnson asked about reseeding at
the Stewart Park shoreline.
REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER AND SEWER:
Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the
following matters: High School video project; dechlorination
building nearly complete; dam road construction; Threshold Plaza;
water lines; student interns working on: GIS, consolidation plan,
IFD bunker working on the water model, structural engineer working
on silt dam; Fulton St sewer; City of Auburn re: sludge. Mayor
Nichols mentioned the JTPA offer of no-cost labor available 7/10-
8/19.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS:
A. Request for Free Bricks for IPAC
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Performing Arts Center has requested 4,000
State Street bricks for use in the Cayuga Street Alley of the State
Theater, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Landmark Preservation Committee has approved
of the use of these bricks at this historical site, and
WHEREAS, the IPAC is requesting that the city donate the bricks in
order to reduce the installation expenses, and
WHEREAS, staff has indicated that there is an adequate amount of
State Street bricks to allow such a request; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants the transfer of
State Street bricks under the usual terms and conditions, and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to
enter into an agreement with IPAC.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, that the first RESOLVED clause be amended to read
"...grants the donation of State Street bricks with all the other
usual terms and conditions..."
A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
June 28, 1995
3
TRAFFIC ITEMS:
A. Approval of Procedure for Requests in Traffic Changes Procedure
By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Tripp
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works requested that the Mayor
appoint a special committee to draft a procedure for responding to
traffic-related proposals which are brought before the board, and
WHEREAS, the board has reviewed and amended the procedure
recommended by the special committee; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopts the attached
Procedure for Responding to the Traffic-Related Proposals dated
June 21, 1995.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor.
Motion to Table
A vote to table the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Motion to give the Board Power to Act
A vote to give the Board power to act at the next Committee of the
Whole meeting resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS:
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann
A. Request to Waive Pavilion Fee at Stewart Park
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from
Deputy Planning Director, Herman Sieverding to waive the pavilion
fee at Stewart Park for the City of Ithaca Employee Recognition
Picnic on Friday, September 15, 1995; 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 15, 1995.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS:
A. Request for Water and Sewer Expungement
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
The Board of Public Works received a request to expunge late fees
for several water and sewer bills on properties owned by Jason
Fane. The bills, due February 15, 1995, are required, at the
least, to be postmarked that date. The bills were paid, in person,
at the Chamberlain's Office on the morning of February 16, 1995.
Employees of Mr. Fane are requesting that the late fees be expunged
since the city was not harmed (the checks were hand delivered
earlier than mail could be received) and because the client has an
excellent record of on time payment.
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works received a request to expunge
late charges to several water and sewer bills received on
properties owned by Jason Fane, and
WHEREAS, the bills were paid at the Chamberlain's Office on
February 16, 1995, one day after the required postmarked date, and
WHEREAS, the bill was paid after the due date and was shown to
carry the usual (10%) penalty for late payment and
WHEREAS, the board adopted a policy on April 24, 1991 for late
payments on large accounts whereby the grace period is extended
from 15 days to 20 days for bills over $10,000; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves
expungement of $1257.33 in late fees on the water and sewer bills,
June 28, 1995
4
accrued since February 16, 1995, for the various properties owned
by Jason Fane.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, that the third and fourth WHEREAS clauses be deleted.
A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (4): Tripp, Seligmann, Smith, Ehrhardt
Nays (1): Reeves
Carried 4-1
B. Request to Expand Sewer Service to Peregrine Hollow Subdivision
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden, in accordance to the Intermunicipal
Sewer Agreement, has requested the joint owners to consider
allowing the town to expand their service area to include the
Peregrine Hollow Subdivision (this area is outside of the current
service area, with a portion outside the planning area), and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has concerns about the final
service and planning areas of the current and proposed new
agreement, as well as current and past compensation for the use of
city sewer lines; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works is not prepared to
approve of the Town of Dryden's expansion until a new agreement is
in place which specifically addresses the questions of service and
planning areas and the contributions of the Towns of Ithaca and
Dryden to the maintenance and installation of the lines which are
used to move sewage to the plant, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the board is willing to review the request once
these concerns are resolved.
Discussion followed on the floor. Assistant Superintendent
Fabbroni disclosed a conflict of interest in this matter.
Amending resolution
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, that the first RESOLVED clause be amended to remove the
reference to the Town of Ithaca and to read:
[RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works is not prepared to
approve of the Town of Dryden's expansion until a new agreement is
in place which specifically addresses the questions of service and
planning areas and the contribution of the Town of Dryden to the
maintenance and installation of the lines which are used to move
sewage to the plant, and, be it further...]
A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Commissioner Smith reported on the Golf Subcommittee's recommended
changes for 1996 operations
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
On a motion the Board went into executive session at 5:45 p.m.
June 28, 1995
5
William Kaupe Benjamin Nichols
Deputy City Clerk Mayor