HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1996-02-28BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. February 28, 1996
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (4) - Seligmann, Smith, Reeves, 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 - Mackesey
Assistant City Attorney - Kennedy
EXCUSED:
Commissioner Ehrhardt
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
2. MINUTES:
3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Reeves requested that Item 17B be added to the agenda and that Item 15A
be removed from the agenda. No Board member objected.
4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:
Mayor Cohen read a letter from Yarrow Nelson, thanking DPW for keeping the Commons
bike racks free of snow. Mayor Cohen reported that Leonardo Vargas's appointment to the
Board had been approved by Council.
5. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
At the request of Assistant City Attorney Kennedy the Board went into executive session at
4:05 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter.
The Board resumed regular session at 4:20 p.m.
6. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC:
7. REPORT OF CITY CLERK:
8. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY:
9. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER:
10. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
11. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters:
Youth Bureau contract; YB will move during the week of April 13; computer networking at
YB, W&S, S&F; Oak Ave meters; work w/CU on Collegetown bus pull off; RFP on water
consolidation
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following matters:
Banner repairs: fixtures reinforced, no failures yet
Highways: extensive pothole repairs; street and ditch cleaning; Commons cleanup;
sidewalk violation appeals
Parks & Forestry:
Building Systems: routine maintenance; Southside gym repairs, GIAC heaters, W&S
plumbing; barricades being made
FEMA flood damage reports
Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the following matters:
Water system RFP; local coordination efforts w/Municipal Engineering Group; WWTP pump
blueprints available for review; Esty St work to start 3/11; good progress on Rt 96; silt dam
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flood repair; leak detection: finding one per night w/new equipment, 1M gal/day saved since
October; out-of-title work study: 17 employees found, department reorganization
necessary; interceptor replacement program starting; income possibilities from leachate
treatment from the Cortland landfill and glycol treatment from Hancock Airport; GIS work
w/Doug Foster and Creig Hebdon; workfare program
Mayor Cohen asked Supt. Fabbroni to meet with the Board to discuss the future of the
water system.
12. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS:
13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS:
14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS:
15. TRAFFIC ITEMS:
16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS:
17. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
A. Recommendation of Change in City Code.
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Smith
The Ithaca Youth Bureau Outing Program has conducted supervised activities such as rock
and ice climbing in the Six Mile Creek Natural Area for years. This past fall, the Gorge
Ranger notified them that the City Code prohibits such activities. The Youth Bureau
approached the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee to request that an exception to the
Code be given. The Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee passed a resolution requesting
that the Board of Public Works consider this request and to recommend Common Council
to allow such exceptions as part of the Code.
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from the Six Mile Creek
Advisory Committee to allow exceptions to Chapter 320-4 of the City Code, and
WHEREAS, the intent of the exception is to allow the Youth Bureau’s Outing Program to
rock and ice climb in the Six Mile Creek Natural Area; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works upholds its resolution passed on October 10,
1984 (copy attached) prohibiting rock and ice climbing except under the direct supervision
of the Ithaca Youth Bureau, that resolution shall be made a part of this resolution, and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Board recommends that the Law and Governance Committee seek
to modify Chapter 320-4 (Prohibited Activities) of the City Code by adding the following:
"The Board of Public Works is authorized to grant specific, revocable exceptions to any of
the above prohibitions, upon consultation with the Six Mile Creek Advisory Committee and
a finding of special circumstances. When granting such an exception, the Board shall
retain the right of the City to impose reasonable conditions intended to protect public safety,
the water supply system, the natural environment or to control the City's potential liability."
Discussion followed with Superintendent Gray.
Carried Unanimously
B. DPW - Request to Amend 1996 Golf Course Budget.
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Smith
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has undertaken a program to consolidate the Golf
Course operations for 1996 and beyond, and
WHEREAS, bids were sent out to lease the food and beverage and Golf Pro concessions
portions of the Golf Course for 1996, and
WHEREAS, no bids were received, prompting a need to examine the Golf Course
operations for 1996 and make the appropriate budget adjustments; now, therefore be
RESOLVED, That the 1996 operating budget for the Golf Course be amended as follows:
Increase Revenue
Account:
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A 2013Golf Course Concession $31,700.00
Increase (or deletion of)
Appropriation Accounts:
A 7250-
120
Part-time Seasonal
($2,000.00)
A 7250-
410
Utilities
5,900.00
A 7250-
465
Concessions
26,300.00
A 7250-
475
Property Maintenance
1,500.00
$31,700.00
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Golf Course Subcommittee meet with City staff to examine and
establish a five year plan for the Golf Course, including and not limited to rebidding
concessions and leasing out the entire golf facility and operations, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to continue to make
appropriate Golf Clubhouse building renovations as approved in the 1996 Budget.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor with Deputy Controller Thayer.
Carried Unanimously
18. WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS:
A. Request for Expungement of Trash Tag Violation - 423 First Street.
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
WHEREAS, Angelo and Irene Petito, owners of 423 First Street have appealed a trash tag
violation received by their tenant, Hair It Is, and
WHEREAS, the tenant claims to have placed a trash tag under the lid upon placing the
trash at the curb, and
WHEREAS, City crews followed the procedures set by the City Code by placing a 24 hour
warning sticker on the trash notifying the owners of non-compliance of the City Code,
picked up the trash the next day and issued a bill for special service in accordance with the
City Code; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby expunges the bill because it feels that
the tenant of 423 First Street made an honest attempt at placing the trash at the curb with
the appropriate tags.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Carried Unanimously
19. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
20. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS:
21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
22. NEW BUSINESS:
Superintendent Gray mentioned the upcoming demolition of the roof at 510 First St.
Commissioner Smith brought up the possibility that Santoro Construction could also
demolish the Agway building near the boatyard.
Commissioner Smith brought up the possible impact of the Wegman's project on the "South
of the Creek" neighborhood. The Board will issue a comment to the Planning Board on this
matter.
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The Board discussed the proposed Cliff St parking area.
23. ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
William Kaupe Alan J. Cohen
Deputy City Clerk Mayor