HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1995-07-12
1
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. July 12, 1995
PRESENT:
Mayor Nichols
Commissioners (6) - Seligmann, Smith, Tripp, Ehrhardt, Reeves,
Rusoff
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Senior Stenographer - Holcomb
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
Common Council Liaison - Johnson
EXCUSED:
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
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 28, 1995 Board of Public Works
Meeting
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the June 28, 1995 Board of Public
Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Reeves requested that Substitute Resolution 16A
replace Item 16A on the agenda. No Board member objected.
Commissioner Rusoff requested that Item 12B be removed from the
agenda. No Board member objected.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR
Mayor Nichols reported on the installation of large "Welcome to
Ithaca" signs by the Chamber of Commerce at the entry points to the
City. His office has contributed $250 to the project.
REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
Alderperson Johnson reported on the following: Southwest Park
property acquisition; Council request to modify policy for sale of
bricks to non-profits; BPW liaison for CU rezoning; personnel
roster changes; Youth Bureau renovations; financing for purchase of
buses
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT:
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters:
Fire Dept equipment maintenance; windstorm damage; Conway Park;
summer youth program; Southside roof problems and grant; Sign Shop
work; small buses ordered; ESG busing and route maps; budget
preparation; sidewalk program; bridge painting field trip; Youth
Bureau renovation; Rt 96 project; Cass Park lighting -
consulting/budget; sewer negotiations with Town of Dryden
REPORT OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER AND SEWER:
Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the
following matters: roof repair - Franklin St DPW buildings; dam
road work; flood lagoons cleanup; High School video; DEC letter -
cleanup plan w/ Sciencenter; rechlorination - WWTP; water model
study; sludge disposal design work; Threshold Plaza; consolidation
study; silt dam; Rt 96; sewer mains; GIS; valve exercising
2
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS:
12A. Historic Ithaca's Request for State Street Bricks
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, Historic Ithaca has requested the use of State Street
Bricks, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Landmark Preservation Committee has approved
of the use of these bricks, and
WHEREAS, Historic Ithaca 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 donation of
State Street bricks with all the other usual terms and conditions,
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to
enter into an agreement with Historic Ithaca.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS:
13A. Award of Bid for Sidewalk Program (Phase I)
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, bids for Phase I of the 1995 Sidewalk Contract were
received and reviewed by staff, and
WHEREAS, Bergman & Sons, Inc. Of Waverly, NY submitted the low bid
of $37,266.00; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works awards the 1995 Sidewalk
Contract to Bergman & Sons, Inc. Of Waverly, NY for their low bid
of $37,266.00, and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Board authorizes the Superintendent to enter
into an agreement for the project.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
TRAFFIC ITEMS:
14A. Change in Parking on Delaware Avenue.
By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, residents in the 100 block of Delaware Avenue have
requested that parking regulation be changed to modify parking
patterns on the street, and
WHEREAS, the Traffic Systems Engineer has reviewed the request and
has recommended changes to the parking regulations which may be
used to address the individual request, and
WHEREAS, several neighboring streets have similar parking
restrictions, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request and
staff input to modify the current parking regulations; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the board directs staff to install signage in the
100 block of Delaware Avenue (between Mitchell Street and Oxford
Place) which prohibits parking from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon),
Monday through Friday.
Discussion followed on the floor.
3
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Rusoff: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
RESOLVED, that the RESOLVED clause be amended to read:
RESOLVED, that the board directs staff to install signage in the
100 block of Delaware Avenue (between Mitchell Street and Oxford
Place) which prohibits parking from 12:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday
through Friday.
A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
16A. Appeal of Code Violation for Yard Maintenance - Substitute
Resolution.
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, Sue Kittel, the Community Service Officer, issued a
violation of section 325-23 (B)(1)(b) regarding yard maintenance to
Kathryn Dietz, the owner of 211 Columbia Street, and
WHEREAS, Ms. Dietz appealed the violation on the basis that the
tall grass is being grown for ornamental purposes and a hearing on
the appeal was held at the Board meeting of July 5, 1995, at which
time Ms. Dietz presented her arguments and information in support
of the appeal and the Board reviewed photographs of the property
and neighboring properties in addition to other evidence, and, both
prior to the hearing and afterwards, Board members viewed the
property and the neighborhood; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works upholds the action of the
Community Service Officer and denies the appeal, finding that the
yard maintenance is not consistent with neighboring yards and is
not being maintained in accordance with the Ordinance, and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That Ms. Dietz has one week from the passing of this
resolution to comply with the Building Department notice, and shall
be considered to have met the minimal requirements of the Ordinance
so long as the following conditions, which reflect the neighborhood
standards, are maintained:
1) lawn and tree lawn (the lawn area between the sidewalk and
the street) grasses of whatever type must be trimmed to a uniform
height not to exceed six inches, with the exception that clearly
marked patched of ribbon grass may be maintained at above that
height, so long as the ribbon grass patches are used for border
delineation and/or does not have other grasses intermixed in the
patch;
2) any portions of the yard area which are intended to be
gardens, rather than lawn area, shall be weeded to remove all non-
ornamental flowers, grass, trees and shrubs and to visually
delineate lawn from gardens and gardens from natural succession to
forests;
3) any delineation of garden beds or protection of ornamental
grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees must be done to neighborhood
standards using only methods or materials consistent with
neighborhood standards;
4) all vegetation must be maintained in a manner which leaves
sidewalks clear and unobstructed.
Mayor Nichols and Commissioner Reeves read letters from Ms. Dietz.
Discussion followed on the floor.
4
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Rusoff
RESOLVED, that the following RESOLVED clause be added to the
resolution:
[, and, be it further
RESOLVED, that, if Ms. Dietz does not comply with the Building
Department notice within one week of the passing of this
resolution, the Department of Public Works is directed to mow the
vegetation on the curb lawn and front yard of 211 Columbia Street
to achieve such compliance and that Ms. Dietz be held responsible
for reimbursing the City for the cost of the mowing.]
A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (5): Rusoff, Reeves, Seligmann, Ehrhardt, Tripp
Abstentions (1): Smith
Carried (5-0-1)
16B. Appeal of Denial for Second Curb Cut.
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Tripp
WHEREAS, Anthony Tzivaeris, owner of 309 Hector Street, has been
denied a second curb cut on his property, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Tzivaeris has stated that not having the additional
curb cut is a safety hazard since he or other residents at 309
Hector Street must park across the street; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies Mr. Tzivaeris a
second curb cut due to concerns for general traffic, bicycle and
pedestrian safety, and in accordance with the board's rules and
regulations for driveways.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (3): Ehrhardt, Rusoff, Tripp
Nays (4): Seligmann, Reeves, Smith, Nichols
Denied (3-4)
Motion to Uphold the Appeal
By Commissioner Tripp: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
RESOLVED, that the appeal be upheld and the permit be issued
subject to the approval of the Superintendent of Public Works.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (4): Seligmann, Reeves, Smith, Nichols
Nays (3): Ehrhardt, Rusoff, Tripp
Carried (4-3)
Mr. Tsivaeris agreed that he would not do any work before
consulting with the Superintendent of Public Works to work out
mutually acceptable solution.
REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS:
Alderperson Johnson reported on: a proposed membership change in
the Six Mile Creek Committee; the grade of the parking lot access
at Six Mile Creek; Pakkala property purchase; creation of a Natural
Areas Commission (discussion); water quality task force
(discussion)
Commissioner Reeves reported on: recreational needs assessments;
intermunicipal water and sewer agreements.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:35p.m.
5
William Kaupe Benjamin Nichols
Deputy City Clerk Mayor