HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1995-12-13BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. December 13, 1995
PRESENT:
Commissioners (5) - Reeves (Vice-chair, presiding), Seligmann, Smith, Ehrhardt, Davidoff
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
Mayor-elect - Cohen
Transit Systems Manager - Oltz
EXCUSED:
Mayor Nichols
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Commissioner Reeves led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
2. MINUTES:
Approval of the Minutes of the November 29, 1995 Board of Public Works Meeting
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the November 29, 1995 Board of Public Works meeting
be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Reeves requested that Item 12C be added to the agenda. No Board
member objected.
Commissioner Reeves requested that Item 14A (sub) be added to the agenda. No Board
member objected.
4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE VICE-CHAIR:
Commissioner Reeves read a petition requesting that the traffic signal at the Elmira
Rd/Commercial Ave intersection be made more visible in order to correct safety problems.
5. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
6. REPORT OF CITY CLERK:
7. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY:
8. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER:
Deputy City Controller Thayer reported that the 1996 Budget was passed by Common
Council
9. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
Alderperson Johnson reported on the following Common Council actions: budget passed;
Ray Benjamin’s transfer to Supervisor of Streets; transportation enhancement program
grants ($48,000) for: Cayuga Inlet bike/pedestrian bridge pathway, Old Inlet Trail pedestrian
facility, Elmira Rd bicycle/pedestrian improvements, Circle Greenway handicapped
accessibility improvements, Farmers’ Market branch path, Steamboat Landing
bicycle/pedestrian access system, Drury Hill trail; GIS agreement with: County, Town,
NYSEG, Cornell, Dryden; IAWWTP capacity upgrade; land purchase near
Coddington/Burns Rd (Walker property); report from community group monitoring the
Recycling Center on Elmira Rd; Commissioner Reeves began an extensive discussion of
parking for the County’s DSS site on West State St
10. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters: budget; CU Lake
December 13, 1995
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Source Cooling Project; Youth Bureau skateboarding discussions; transit system
consolidation; water systems planning for RFP; sidewalk program complete for 1996; Youth
Bureau renovations; Oak Ave parking meters; Junior Engineer vacancy; Lynne Yost
maternity leave
Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the following matters: Water
Plant problems; sulfur dioxide facility relocation to lagoons; Six Mile Creek rules and
regulations; arch project; Rt 96: water main tested across bridge, Seneca St water services
and sewers; Mitchell tank zone: talks with CU, 100GPM leak discovered, Stewart Ave
excavations; personnel changes - loss of experience; personnel analysis and
reconfiguration; water system planning meeting; drug/alcohol testing program;
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following matters: employees’
childrens’ Christmas party; Highways: 108 Cascadilla Park Rd curb repair, Maple Ave
retaining wall, routine maintenance, Ray Benjamin started work; Parks & Forestry: storm
damage cleanup, downtown DII banners; Building Systems: maintenance; Electrician:
Christmas lights, signage brackets at intersections; Sign Shop: overhead signage, street
signs; budget work; grievance; DEC work application for Cascadilla Creek; CHIPS funding
reimbursement reports; drug/alcohol testing policy; Landmark Square street name change
(Parkside Gardens); Commissioner Ehrhardt asked about the traffic light at S Titus/Albany
St and the “No Turn on Red” signs at Dryden Rd/College Ave; Alderperson Johnson asked
about new meter installations on Oak Ave; Commissioner Smith asked about the shoring
work on Oak Ave
11. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS:
At this point the Board took up Item 17B.
12. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS:
A. Public Notice and Participation in Ithaca Transit
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca desires to promote public participation in public works
operations and
WHEREAS, the City is a recipient of monies form the Federal Transit Administration which
requires recipients to adopt a policy for soliciting public comment on proposed fare
increases and on major service reductions, and
WHEREAS, Nancy Oltz, Transit Systems Manager, has submitted a draft policy for
consideration; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopts the policy outlined in Ms. Oltz’s memo
to William Gray dated December 6, 1995, a copy of which is attached.
Discussion followed on the floor with Transit Systems Manager Oltz
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
B. 1996 Transit Fares
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is considering an interim change in bus fares for
Ithaca Transit for 1996 while the Operations Committee of the Joint Transit Facility
works on a consolidated fare system, and
WHEREAS, the board is generally considering an increase in cash fares from $.50 to
$.60 per ride with appropriate changes in related fares, which results from changes in
federal and state funding as well as changes in operating expenses; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to prepare the necessary
materials for a public hearing, to open the public comment period, and schedule the
hearing.
December 13, 1995
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Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
C. Request for Encroachment at 563-565 Spencer Road
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Smith
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works received a request for an encroachment at 563-565
Spencer Road, and
WHEREAS, the existing structure contains two portions of the house which encroach into
the city right of way by no more than 2 feet; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the requested encroachment,
contingent upon approval from the City Attorney, for the property at 563-565 Spencer
Road, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the acting Mayor to enter into an agreement.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Motion to Table
By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Smith
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
13. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS:
14. TRAFFIC ITEMS:
A. Proposed Rate Increases for Off Street Parking (sub)
By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Smith
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed Common Council’s revenue
projection for the 1996 budget of $735,000 as well as their assumptions on how that might
be produced by various rate increases for hourly nad permit parking, and
WHEREAS, staff has recommended several changes in permit parking rates in order to
better match permit demand to available spaces and avoid implementing a lottery system
or monthly sell out of a fixed number of permits; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Borad of Public Works approves the following proposed rates to
become effective January 1, 1996 and used for all permits sold which are to be used after
that date:
Garage/Lot Existing Proposed Comments
Green Street
Hourly $0.35 $0.40
Covered $47.00 $50.00 Level 2
Uncovered $25.00 $30.00 Level 3
Seneca Street
Hourly $0.35 $0.40
Covered $47.00 $50.00 Limit to Levels 5, 6 & 7
Uncovered $25.00 $30.00 Levels 8 & 9
Dryden Road
Hourly $0.65 $0.75
Monthly Day $50.00 $60.00
Monthly Night $40.00 $44.00
State Street (Lot F)
Uncovered $22.00 $28.00 Limit to 20 Permits
December 13, 1995
Page 4
Woolworth’s (Lot D)
Hourly $0.35 $0.40 Limit to south of standing
lighting, adjacent to
Covered $36.00 $40.00 Clinton Street. Don’t
sell more than 50. Desired level is 25.
be it further
RESOLVED, That the limitations of covered permits in the Seneca Street Garage to levels
5,6&7 become effective until the approved security improvements are in place and
operating.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Motion to Table
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by
Motion Failed for lack of a Second
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (0)
Nays (4) Reeves, Smith, Ehrhardt, Davidoff
Abstention (1) Seligmann
Motion Failed (0-4-1)
15. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS:
16. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
17. WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS:
A. Request for Expungement of Water and Sewer Bill at 317 Ithaca Road
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner
In 1991 a water leak was detected and repaired on private property at 317 Ithaca Road.
The leak, between the curb box and the house, was repaired by a private contractor. Mr.
Whitman, owner of
the property feels that the work was not done effectively and that the inspection made by
the Water and Sewer Department should have indicated that repairs were not adequate.
Mr. Whitman feels that the city’s inspection could have avoided additional repairs made in
1994. Mr. Whitman is asking that the additional repairs made by the city in 1994 be
expunged.
WHEREAS, Rex Whitman, owner of 317 Ithaca Road, had a water service repair in 1994
which he feels is the result of a poor inspection on previous repairs; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Whitman is asking the city to expunge the repair bill; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies Mr. Whitman’s request to expunge
the water and sewer bill for service repairs, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the board feels that Mr. Whitman’s concerns should be directed to the
contractor hired for the initial repairs.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (4)
Nays (0) Reeves, Smith, Ehrhardt, Seligmann
Abstention (1) Davidoff
Motion Carried (4-0-1)
B. Request for Expungement of Water and Sewer Bill at 320 Elm Street.
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
December 13, 1995
Page 5
Michael and Sharon Kasel, owners of 320 Elm Street, requested that the Water and Sewer
Department upgrade their existing 1/2-inch water copper water service to 1 inch. Mr. Kasel
has stated that he believed the cost would be for the curb box replacement and material
costs for the 1 inch copper pipe rather than 3/4 inch, a cost of approximately $150. Mr.
Kasel stated that the work would not have been a consideration had he been given that as
an estimate approaching the $1456.15 bill. Mr. and Mrs. Kasel are requesting the Board of
Public Works to reduce the bill.
WHEREAS, Michael and Sharon Kasel, owners of 320 Elm Street, requested and received
a water service upgrade for, which they were billed $1,456.15, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kasel feels that he was over billed based on the initial phone conversation
he held with a Water and Sewer employee, and
WHEREAS, both the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent have reviewed this
matter with Ken Harding, who spoke with Mr. Kasel over the phone and in person when he
signed the work order; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That after reviewing the situation, the Board of Public Works regrets the
misunderstanding concerning the service replacement bill, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the board denies the request for expungement of the additional labor
and material costs for the replacement of the water service at 320 Elm Street, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That staff is directed to create a work order form that helps inform property
owners of their responsibilities and reduces the chances of misunderstandings when
requesting work from the division.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor with Mr. Kasel.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Smith
RESOLVED, that the second RESOLVED clause be amended to read:
RESOLVED, that the Board will accept a a payment of $750, payable in FIVE (5) annual
installments of $150 billable beginning in January 1996 for the replacement of the water
service at 320 Elm Street and hereby expunges the remainder of the bill, and be it further
A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
At this point the Board resumed the regular Agenda with Item 12A.
18. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
19. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS:
20. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
21. NEW BUSINESS:
On a Motion, the Board gave itself Power to Act at its December 20, 1996 on the
following items:
Request for Encroachment at 563-565 Spencer Road
Proposed Rate Increases for Off Street Parking
Drug and Alcohol Testing Program
22. ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:10p.m.
December 13, 1995
Page 6
_____________________________
______________________________
William Kaupe Carol Reeves
Deputy City Clerk Vice-Chair
December 20, 1995
Page 7
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:00 p.m. December 20, 1995
PRESENT:
Commissioners (4) - Reeves (presiding), Davidoff, Smith, Ehrhardt
OTHERS PRESENT:
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
The board had Power to Act on the following items from the December 12, 1995 regular
meeting:
16. ADMINISTRATION & COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS
A. Approval of Department Policy Regarding Drug and Alcohol Testing of Employees as
Mandated by the Omnibus Transportation Act of 1991.
By Commissioner Reeves, Seconded by Commissioner Davidoff.
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works is mandated by the Federal Government’s Omnibus
Transportation Act of 1991 to begin testing its employees holding commercial drivers licenses for
use of Alcohol and Drugs, and
WHEREAS, the Department is required under the mandate to adopt a formal policy statement
regarding the rules and consequences of Drug and Alcohol use by its employees, and
WHEREAS, staff has developed a policy statement, with aid from the Personnel Department, which
includes the required Federally mandated information and states the consequences of violation of the
rules based on the Department’s current work rules; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopt the proposed policy as written with an
implementation date of January 1, 1996.
Discussion followed. Comm. Davidoff questioned if the union has been informed of the proposed
policy. Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that the DPW unit president received a copy and that a response has
not been received.
A vote resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously (4-0)
12. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS.
C. Request for Encroachment at 563 - 565 Spencer Road.
By Commissioner Reeves, Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt.
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works received a request for an encroachment at 563-565 Spencer
Road, and
WHEREAS, the existing structure contains two portions of the house which encroach into the city
right of way by no more than 2 feet; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the requested encroachment,
contingent upon approval from the City Attorney, for the property at 563-565 Spencer Road, and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Acting Mayor to enter into an agreement.
Discussion followed. Supt. Gray noted that he had brought the encroachment to the Building
Department’s attention a few years ago. He noted that the city probably won’t need the property
being encroached upon. He added that it appears that the banks have modified their mortgage
requirements, this may explain the increase in number of encroachments. Supt. Gray stated that he
would discuss the matter of encroachments with the City Attorney as well as with several bank
December 20, 1995
Page 8
attorneys.
A vote resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
(4-0)
Off Street Parking Rates for 1996
Commissioner Reeves explained that the board had power to act on this item although there wasn’t a
resolution presented for a vote. She questioned if the board wanted to adopt rates or opt to take no
action. Supt. Gray explained to the board that the City Charter states that he is able to
administratively adopt rates for parking. He added that he has adopted the rates proposed at the
December 13, 1995 regular meeting. Discussion followed concerning the proposed rates.
Alderperson Johnson noted that if the board did not act on the item, Common Council will take it
upon themselves to adopt rates. It was noted that if rates increase, usage of the garage may decrease.
It was also noted that customers are still able to receive parking stickers from merchants if they
want to avoid the increase. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that he did not want to rubber stamp the
resolution to adopt the rates. He stated that he feels strongly about being left out of the loop.
Comm. Smith proposed that the rates be adopted except for the downtown hourly rate, which would
not be increased. He further stated that he would not vote for a resolution adopting the proposed rate
changes. Mayor-elect Cohen stated that he understood Comm. Smith’s position but that the rates
would be adopted with or without the board’s approval. He further noted that with the department
moving ahead with automated equipment, it may allow the board to adjust the rates later in the year.
Comm. Smith recommended the following resolution:
14. TRAFFIC ITEMS
By Commissioner Smith, Seconded by Commissioner Davidoff
A. 1996 Parking Rates.
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works reluctantly accepts the parking rates set by Common
Council and monthly permit rates set by staff and that the board will review revenue and rates in
early 1996.
A vote resulted as follows:
Passed Unanimously (4-0)