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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BPW-1996-07-17BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. July 17, 1996 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (6) - Davidoff, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Seligmann, Smith, Vargas OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy City Controller - Thayer Deputy City Clerk - Kaupe Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison - Mackesey Assistant City Attorney - Kennedy EXCUSED: Superintendent of Public Works - Gray 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. 2. MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the June 26, 1996 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Smith RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the June 26, 1996 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously 3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: 5. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Attorney Dick Ruswick, representing Brenda Marston and Sarah Simpkins spoke to the board concerning the ongoing use of City property - the undeveloped portion of Treva Ave near Bridge St - by neighbors in the area. Mayor Cohen responded that staff would look into the situation and that this would be a future agenda item. Regina Deschere and Bill Kaupe asked the board to implement the proposed change of the 100 block of South Hill Terrace to one-way (south) ASAP 6. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC: Commissioner Ehrhardt responded to the South Hill Terrace request positively, but wanted to check with Traffic Engineer Cole about possible impacts on other neighborhood streets before proceeding 7. REPORT OF CITY CLERK: 8. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY: Assistant City Attorney Kennedy presented a letter from General Accident Insurance (City's insurer) which detailed several "liability exposures" on City property. GA recommended the implementation of a permit system for Six Mile Creek. The report alsoadvised against the City's purchase of land in the Fall Creek gorge. The department will install the recommended safety equipment. 9. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: Deputy City Controller Thayer reported on the following matters: Golf Course concession vendor pulled out. The other bidder is being offered the contract. 10. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Alderperson Mackesey reported on the following Common Council actions: University Ave feasibility study 11. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the board on the following matters: sidewalk contract; parking equipment specs; Traffic Engineer studies; handball court design; skateboard park design; Southside concept and budget preparation; First St sewer interceptor line; dam study review completed by DEC; Cliff St parking - toe and slope; water plant lagoon cleanup; pump station roof work; DPW garage roof; W&S work on Mitchell St; Route 96: water and sewer, sidewalk/curb work; Giles St water main; NYSEG damage; sewer TV inspections of Rt 96 work; regional water study contract recommendations July 17, 1996 - Page 2 Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the board on the following matters: Highways: Mitchell St storm sewer; Highland Pl stabilization, gabion wall; patch crew - utility ditches, potholes, Suit-Kote contractor; concrete crews Parks & Forestry: Stewart Park cleanup; new playground equipment; tree inventory 80% complete; bucket truck repair; 6 Mile Creek arrests; City Forester Hillman's presentation on bare-root tree planting program Building Systems: Green St garage closing 7/22 for helix repair; ramp flushing; graffiti removal; Cass Park kiddie pool repaired; boathouse lights Sign Shop: cross walk striping, Cliff St detour signage Ithaca Transit: Cass Park summer service, drivers' schedule change Mayor Cohen mentioned the receipt of NYS funds for the Stewart Park boathouse Commissioner Reeves asked about the status of the traffic signal at Commercial Ave/Elmira Rd (waiting for County response - going to B&A next week Commissioner Ehrhardt asked about bare-root tree maintenance following planting (program in place) Alderperson Mackesey reported that IPD is sponsoring "Graffiti Cleanup Day" on August 24th and is looking for volunteers. Possible use of community service workers from City Court 12. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS: 13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: A. Request for Encroachment at 115 Pearl Street. By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received and reviewed a request for an encroachment agreement for Gertrude Ervay, owner of 115 Pearl Street, and WHEREAS, the existing garage and garden shed are located over a water and sewer easement granted to the City of Ithaca in 1940; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the requested encroachment for the property at 115 Pearl Street contingent upon the approval of the City Attorney, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board reserves the right to direct the encroachment be removed at no cost to the city if the department requires use of the property in accord with its easement or may make arrangements with the property owner to recover any excess costs associated with alternative construction techniques employed to avoid removal of encroachment, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the usual terms and conditions. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: A. Request for Cross-walk Removal on Court Street. By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Smith WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request to remove the mid-block cross-walk on West Court Street at GIAC, and WHEREAS, the board has reviewed recommendations provided by the Traffic Systems Engineer and the Acting Chief of Police to remove the cross-walk due to safety reasons; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to remove the mid-block cross-walk on West Court Street at GIAC and to restore curb side parking as appropriate. Extensive discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. 1994 & 1995 Sidewalk Assessments. By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves July 17, 1996 - Page 3 WHEREAS, notices of defects and, public hearings were provided to property owners for the installation and repair of their sidewalk in 1995; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works, in conformance with section C-73D(2) of the City Charter approves of the attached list of assessments for mailing to the property owner for their review prior to finalizing the list and forwarding it to Common Council for collection. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding sidewalk maintenance. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried (5-2) Ayes (5): Seligmann, Smith, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Davidoff Nays (2): Vargas, Cohen C. Award of Bid for Granite Curbing. By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner WHEREAS, bids were received on July 9, 1996 for Granite Curbing for use during calendar year 1996; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby accepts staff’s recommendation to award the granite curb bid to Geneva Granite Co., Inc., P.O. Box 834, Geneva, New York for their low bid of $7.65 per linear foot for straight curbing; and $10.00 per linear foot for 15 foot radius curbing, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Assistant Superintendent for Streets and Facilities to enter into an agreement with Geneva Granite Co., Inc. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 15. TRAFFIC ITEMS: 16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: 17. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: 18. WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: 19. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Commissioner Ehrhardt (Traffic Committee) reported on the following matters: • drawings for South Hill/Elmira Rd area traffic design complete; neighborhood input after Labor Day • safety studies - Dan Cole becoming pro-active on traffic issues Commissioner Davidoff asked about the Tioga/Lincoln traffic light - discussion of repair procedures 20. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Commissioner Davidoff (Disability Advisory Council) reported on the following matters: • DAC would like to have letterhead. Mayor Cohen replied that City letterhead was under review in general Commissioner Seligmann (Recreation Partnership) reported on the following matters: • working on financial structure - does the board have input? (Discussion) 21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 22. NEW BUSINESS: 23. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. William Kaupe Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor