HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1996-05-08BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. May 8, 1996
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen (arrived 4:10 pm)
Commissioners (6) - Davidoff, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Seligmann, Smith, Vargas
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Deputy City Clerk - Kaupe
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Common Council Liaison - Mackesey
EXCUSED:
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Vice-Chair Reeves led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
2. MINUTES:
Approval of the Minutes of the April 10, 1996 Board of Public Works Meeting
By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the April 10, 1996 Board of Public Works meeting be
approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Reeves requested that Items 13B, 13C and 16B be added to the agenda. No board
member objected.
4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:
5. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Doria Higgins presented a list of members of "Citizens to Save Our Parks"
Guy Gerard discussed the Ithaca Journal article about Burlington, Vt, making the Commons area
"pedestrian-friendly" by installing brick crosswalks around the Commons area and changing the
timing of traffic lights on Seneca St
6. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC:
Commissioner Ehrhardt responded to Mr Gerard that his proposals had merit, but had to be
considered in the light of time and money constraints. Commissioner Ehrhardt responded to Ms
Higgins that while she was not required to provide names of CSOP members, it was the board's
responsibility to represent city residents by being aware of the status and standing of groups making
requests of the board.
Commissioner Reeves responded that coordination of traffic lights required new controllers and that
brick crosswalks presented handicapped-accessibility problems
7. REPORT OF CITY CLERK:
8. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY:
9. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER:
Deputy Controller Thayer reported that the Golf Course contract would be discussed at a meeting on
the following Friday and the final terms would be agreed upon
10. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
Alderperson Mackesey reported on the following Common Council actions:
• approval of a public parking area on Cliff St
• City Emergency Operations Center moved to Central Fire Station
11. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
2
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the board on the following matters:
Highways:
Taber St reconstruction; Cascadilla St storm sewer; Esty St drainage; Forest Home Dr storm
damage repair; Cliff St paving
Parks & Forestry:
Treeworks planting program (120 trees); mowing; Gorge Ranger interviews; Six Mile Crk
memorial benches; Haley Pool preparation; NYS plantings will be phased in on Rt 96
Sign Shop:
street striping started; street sign stock has been replenished
Building Systems:
automatic doors being installed in City Hall bathrooms; Golf Course building
Solid Waste:
volume collected is up; yard waste collection is heavy
NYS Hazmat annual report; DPW hazardous waste removal; May 4th Collegetown cleanup; May
18th Stewart Park cleanup; Commons water is on
Commissioner Ehrhardt asked about survival rate for bare-root plantings (90%); disposition of
wood chips from Stewart Park cleanup; location of parking signs (Ferrel to contact Blumenthal)
Council Liaison Mackesey asked about homeowner information for new trees
Commissioner Reeves asked about upgrading the parking garages per DII recommendations
Mayor Cohen asked about acceptance of hazardous materials by the Solid Waste Facility and the
possibility of bringing back swap and cleanup days (discussion)
Superintendent Gray reported to the board on the following matters:
water system upgrades (4 consultants in selection pool); water testing; City Hall bathroom door
openers; outdoor water is on; gravel/desilting in watershed; silt contract (2000 CY/year); Esty and
Mitchell St neighborhood meetings; Youth Bureau punch list; Lynne Yost has returned - working on
parking lot epqt; Southside client group program development - waiting for HUD; traffic counts;
Transit service disruptions from student demonstrations; arbitration settlement in favor of bus
drivers - more money to cover staffing costs; Stewart Park cleanup crews have done a great job
Commissioner Davidoff asked about the Transit General Manager hiring (1 of 3 interviews
complete)
Discussion of Jim Crandall's letter regarding the electrical system at the Cass Park Kiddie Pool and
general electrical maintenance. An inspection will be performed.
12. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS:
13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS:
A. Request to Obtain State Street Bricks.
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
WHEREAS, the Drop In Children’s Center has requested the use of State Street Bricks, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Committee has approved of the use of these bricks,
and
WHEREAS, staff has indicated that there is an adequate amount of State Street bricks to allow such
a request to be met; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants the request for sale of 3,000 bricks at $.25
each to pave the tree lawn for the width of the property, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an
agreement with the Drop in Children’s Center under the usual terms.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Amending Resolution
Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Davidoff
RESOLVED, that the first WHEREAS clause be amended to read:
"WHEREAS, the Drop In Children’s Center, a not-for-profit organization which provides a
valuable service to the community, has requested the use of State Street Bricks, and"
and that the first RESOLVED clause be amended to read:
"RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants the request for sale of 3,000 bricks for a
total price of $1.00 (one dollar) to pave the tree lawn for the width of the property, and, be it
further"
A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
The amended Resolution reads as follows:
A. Request to Obtain State Street Bricks.
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
WHEREAS, the Drop In Children’s Center, a not-for-profit organization which provides a
valuable service to the community, has requested the use of State Street Bricks, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Committee has approved of the use of these
bricks, and
WHEREAS, staff has indicated that there is an adequate amount of State Street bricks to allow
such a request to be met; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants the request for sale of 3,000 bricks for a
total price of $1.00 (one dollar) to pave the tree lawn for the width of the property, and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an
agreement with the Drop in Children’s Center under the usual terms.
A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
B. Approval of Tuesday Market Contract.
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Farmer’s Market wishes to renew its contract for the Tuesday Market
during the 1996 season adjacent to DeWitt Park, and
WHEREAS, the conditions of the contract remain the same as those in previous contracts; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the board hereby authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to renew
yearly requests for the Farmer's Market Contract, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That any changes in the initially approved Contract shall be reviewed by the
board for its approval, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to
enter into agreement with the Ithaca Farmer’s Market to conduct business adjacent to DeWitt
Park on Tuesdays during the 1996 season.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
C. Call For Public Hearing - Order to Esty Street Owners to Install Sidewalks.
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the possibility of installing sidewalks on
Esty Street in conjunction with the Route 96 project, and
WHEREAS, according to the City Charter Section C-73 (A-4) the board must hold a public
hearing in order to require the property owners to install the walk; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the construction of sidewalks on
Esty Street, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the board hereby sets the public hearing date for May 22, 1996 at 4:00 pm in
the Common Council Chambers.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS:
15. TRAFFIC ITEMS:
A. Request for Change in Parking Restrictions at 123 East Seneca Street.
By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Smith
WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca has requested that the existing meter in front of their building at
123 East Seneca Street be removed and a 15 minute parking zone be installed, and
WHEREAS, the Traffic Systems Engineer recommends that the space be changed to a 15
minute zone; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request and approves of the
installation of a 15 minute parking zone enforceable from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Ayes (6): Seligmann, Smith, Reeves, Davidoff, Vargas, Cohen
Nays (1): Ehrhardt
Carried 6-1
B. Request for Change in Parking Restriction at 116 North Cayuga Street.
By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann
WHEREAS, the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County has requested that a
parking meter be removed and a 15 minute parking zone be installed at 116 North
Cayuga Street; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request and approves
of the installation of a 15 minute parking zone enforceable from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
C. Installation of Meters on Tioga Street in Front of Tompkins County Court
House.
By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves
WHEREAS, the existing no parking zone on Tioga Street in front of old entrance to the
Tompkins County Court House is no longer needed since the entrance has been
moved, and
WHEREAS, the meters in the adjacent parking lot have been removed allowing parking
for official vehicles which have previously used the no parking zone from time to time;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to install meters in front of the
Tompkins County Court House, replacing the no parking zone.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS:
A. Support of Cass Park Light Committee Recommendations.
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
WHEREAS, the Cass Park Lighting Committee presented the Board of Public Works
with a recommendation to replace the lighting fixtures with new ones, and
WHEREAS, the attached outline of recommendations and time line dated May 1, 1996
is a compromise between city staff, organized park users and local residents; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the committee’s recommendation
for replacement of lighting fixtures with new efficient fixtures, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That staff review the 1996 Work Plan in order to implement the existing
Capital Project of $145,000 for replacement lighting fixtures at Cass Park Union Fields
in conformance with the proposed time line and report any changes that would be
necessary to the work plan to the board for its review.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Smith
RESOLVED, that the following RESOLVED clauses be inserted as the second and third
RESOLVED clauses in the Resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works supports the recommendations of the Cass
Park Ball Fields Lights Committee for long-range planning for Cass Park through the
Mayor's Ad Hoc Committee for a Cass Park Master Plan, including representation from
West Hill residents, as well as continuation of the Recreation Partnership Program in
the hope of addressing program density planning and intermunicipal cooperation for
additional recreational facilities, and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works accepts the final report of the Cass Park
Ball Fields Lights Committee, and, be it further
A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
The amended Resolution reads as follows:
A. Support of Cass Park Light Committee Recommendations.
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
WHEREAS, the Cass Park Lighting Committee presented the Board of Public Works
with a recommendation to replace the lighting fixtures with new ones, and
WHEREAS, the attached outline of recommendations and time line dated May 1, 1996
is a compromise between city staff, organized park users and local residents; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the committee’s recommendation
for replacement of lighting fixtures with new efficient fixtures, and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works supports the recommendations of the Cass
Park Ball Fields Lights Committee for long-range planning for Cass Park through the
Mayor's Ad Hoc Committee for a Cass Park Master Plan, including representation from
West Hill residents, as well as continuation of the Recreation Partnership Program in
the hope of addressing program density planning and intermunicipal cooperation for
additional recreational facilities, and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works accepts the final report of the Cass Park
Ball Fields Lights Committee, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That staff review the 1996 Work Plan in order to implement the existing
Capital Project of $145,000 for replacement lighting fixtures at Cass Park Union Fields
in conformance with the proposed time line and report any changes that would be
necessary to the work plan to the board for its review.
A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
B. Award of Bid for Brush Chipper
By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann
WHEREAS, bids were received on April 23, 1996 for the purchase of a trailer-mounted
drum-style brush chipper for use by the Parks and Forestry section, and
WHEREAS, Staff has reviewed the specifications and participated in operational
demonstrations of the two units which were bid, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works accepts the staff recommendations and
awards the bid purchase to:
Vermeer Sales and Service, Inc.
1235 Route 9
PO Box 127
Castleton-on-Hudson, NY 12033-0127
for their Vermeer Model 1800 Brush Chipper at the low bid price of $21,792.00
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
17. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
Commissioner Vargas left the meeting prior to consideration of Item 18A.
18. WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS:
A. Request to Expunge Water and Sewer Bill at 424 North Cayuga Street.
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt
WHEREAS, Eleanor Cunningham, owner of 424 North Cayuga Street, received an
unusually large water and sewer bills for the third and fourth quarters of 1995, and
WHEREAS, upon notification of the high water consumption, Mrs. Cunningham hired a
plumber to investigate the problem, and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Cunningham states that a leak was not detected, that neither she nor
her plumber can explain the apparent high use periods followed by a current low
(normal) use period and she is not financially able to cover the bill, and
WHEREAS, the board has reviewed the information provided by Assistant
Superintendent Fabbroni to Mrs. Cunningham; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the expungement for the
water and sewer bill, and directs staff to assist Mrs. Cunningham to set up a payment
plan with the City Chamberlain.
Discussion followed on the floor.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Mayor Cohen
RESOLVED, that the RESOLVED clause be amended to read:
"RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves a reduction in the water
and sewer bill of $250, and directs staff to assist Mrs. Cunningham to set up a payment
plan with the City Chamberlain for payment of the balance."
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows:
Failed (3-3)
Ayes (): Smith, Cohen, Davidoff
Nays (): Seligmann, Ehrhardt, Reeves
A vote on the original resolution resulted as follows:
Failed (3-3)
Ayes (): Seligmann, Ehrhardt, Reeves
Nays (): Smith, Cohen, Davidoff
19. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
20. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS:
21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
22. NEW BUSINESS:
23. ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6 p.m.
William Kaupe Alan J. Cohen
Deputy City Clerk Mayor