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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