HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1996-09-11BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. September 11, 1996
PRESENT:
Commissioners (4) - Ehrhardt (Acting Chair, Presiding), Davidoff,, Seligmann, Smith
OTHERS PRESENT:
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
EXCUSED:
Mayor Cohen, Commissioner Reeves, Commissioner Vargas
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Commissioner Ehrhardt led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
2. MINUTES:
Approval of the Minutes of the August 14, 1996 Board of Public Works Meeting
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the August 14, 1996 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
Approval of the Minutes of the August 28, 1996 Board of Public Works Meeting
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the August 28, 1996 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
4. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS:
5. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Regina Lennox of Friends of the TC Library (509 Esty St) presented a letter concerning the unsafe curb cuts in front of
her building
Regina Deschere (202 South Hill Terrace) spoke about the proposed change to one-way on the 100 block of SHT. She
presented a petition signed by 34 residents of SHT in favor of the change.
Bill Kaupe (521 S. Cayuga St) spoke in favor of the one-way change to South Hill Terrace.
Charles Zhou (940 E. State St) asked for a review of his sidewalk assessment.
Irene Feldman (323 W. Buffalo St) asked for a review of her sidewalk assessment and particularly the question of timely
notice.
6. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC:
Superintendent Gray will provide the correspondence involving Mr Zhou and Ms Feldman to the board for review. The
board discussed the issue of timeliness and notification for sidewalk repairs.
7. REPORT OF CITY CLERK:
8. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY:
9. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER:
10. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
Alderperson Mackesey reported on the following Common Council actions:
HUD grant ($5M) awarded which will involve several public works projects. Discussion of coordination of planned West
State St work with current west end projects
11. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the board on the following matters:
Mitchell St - W&S work essentially complete; Rt 96 - W&S work on W Buffalo, Fulton, Taughannock Blvd; Santaro
bldg possibly used by W&S; Buffalo/Giles/Taughannock design work; Water Study: contract on Pat Kennedy's desk,
first meeting Friday 9/13; First St/Fall Creek interceptor line plan/spec ready in October; water shutoffs on W State St
and elsewhere
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the board on the following matters:
Highways: all employees working on Mitchell St; concrete crew doing sidewalks and aprons; Suit-Kote crews on
Marshall/Mitchell/Cliff - Thurs/Fri/Mon; crew is short 3 seasonal and 2 full-time workers (seasonals quit early,
one FT suspended, one FT "missing"); Cliff St repair work - street closed next week; 10-ton roller disabled -
will be repaired
Parks & Forestry: voting machines for primary; Seneca St tree lost
Building Systems: boiler/HVAC maintenance; emergency flooding repairs at Southside - hose left charged
Sign Shop: Cliff St detour
Electrician: Court St flashing lights operating; J Crandall inspecting City buildings for code compliance
Alderperson Mackesey asked about the trees removed in front of Clinton Hall [owner J Ciaschi removed the trees -
Superintendent Gray to report - board will act]
Commissioner Davidoff asked whether a replacement for the 10-ton roller was in the 1997 budget [no - roller will be
repaired] and about the "missing" employee [employee AWOL 1 week - Ferrel to determine if he will return to work]
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters:
traffic count studies; MPO and City; Sept 25 changeover; CDBG: MHA road and park items; Cliff St survey at lower end
for permanent repairs; Clinton St bridge "scour" problem; handball court bids received today 2x budget; tour of the
"jungle" area with Mayor, Police, DPW, Attorney and Conrail; Cass Park Pool bids out this week; transit consolidation
meetings: employee/management, management/union, employee/general manager Q&A
12. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS:
13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS:
14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS:
A. Modification to Sidewalk Assessment at 525 West Buffalo Street.
By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann
In 1995, 525 West Buffalo Street was found to have areas of both sidewalk and driveway apron out of compliance with
city code. A portion of the work was tree-damaged and therefore, city responsibility. The city’s contractor completed all
of the work at that property since the owner did not make arrangements to make repairs to the driveway apron.
Notification of the 1995 sidewalk assessment was sent to Margaret Anne Smith, owner of 525 West Buffalo Street. Ms.
Smith is appealing the assessment and claims that she only owns half of the driveway apron that was replaced. Staff has
reviewed the survey map provided by Byrne Dairy and has determined that the assessment should be split between the
two property owners.
WHEREAS, the driveway apron at 525 West Buffalo Street was repaired in 1995 by the city’s contractor, and
WHEREAS, Margaret Anne Smith, owner of the property is appealing the assessment because one half of the driveway
is owned by the adjacent property owner, Byrne Dairy; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the information provided by Ms. Smith and by staff, and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That the board agrees to modify the assessment by splitting the bill in half, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain issue assessments in the amount of $258.75 to Ms. Smith and Byrne Dairy for
the replacement of a driveway apron.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously
B. Sidewalk Assessment Appeal for 327 Center Street.
By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Smith
The owner of 327 Center Street received a notice in 1992 with a sketch indicating that 75 square feet of
sidewalk was not in compliance with the city code. The sketch revealed that there was no driveway apron,
but did not indicate that one was to be installed. Although the notice did not indicate it, the 75 square feet
of sidewalk was tree damaged and therefore the city’s responsibility. When the city’s contractor repaired
the sidewalk in 1995, a driveway apron was installed and a notice of assessment was sent for the
driveway apron. Norfe Pirro, owner of 327 Center Street is appealing the assessment because the
notification did not mention that a driveway apron should be in place. Staff has recommended that the
board not expunge the assessment because the apron is required by code, there was no owner response
to either the 1992 or 1995 inspection notices and the cost of the sidewalk work indicated two thirds of the
amount billed.
WHEREAS, Mr. Pirro, owner of 327 Center Street, is appealing the sidewalk assessment for the
installation of a driveway apron, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pirro states that the initial notification did not directly state an apron was to be in place
and feels he should not have to pay for it; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies Mr. Pirro’s request based on the City Code which
states that homeowners are required to install and maintain driveway aprons to specification and because
there was no homeowner response to either of the 1992 or 1995 notices of defective conditions.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously
15. TRAFFIC ITEMS:
A. Request for 24 Hour Parking at Willow and Lake Avenue.
By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Davidoff
WHEREAS, residents on Willow and Lake Avenues have submitted a petition to the Board of Public Works
requesting that parking on these streets be changed to 24 hour zones, and
WHEREAS, the Traffic Systems Engineer recently removed “No Parking” signs from the creek side of the street in
order to allow odd/even parking on Willow and Lake Avenues; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works does not wish to take action on this request at this time, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the board intends to review the general odd/even parking regulation at its Committee of the
Whole Meeting of October 2, 1996, and be it further
September 11, 1996 - Page 3
RESOLVED, That the board agrees that if changes to the regulation are not made by November 1, 1996 a 24 hour
parking zone on Willow and Lake Avenues will be implemented, subject to the approval of the Ithaca Police and
Fire Departments.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously
16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS:
17. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
A. Request to Close Parking Lots for Employee Recognition Picnic.
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Davidoff
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca will hold its annual Employee Recognition Picnic on Friday, September 20, 1996,
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works wishes to recognize all of its employees; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works wishes to encourage the participation of the parking lot attendants,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the closing of the parking booths at all city facilities on Friday, September
20, 1996 at 11:30 am for the remainder of the day, provided the lot attendants participate in the scheduled events or
are otherwise assigned work tasks to complete their work day.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously
18. WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS:
A. Request for Approval of Private Water Source.
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Smith
WHEREAS, James Marshall, owner of 111 Cottage Place, has requested that the city allow him to have a private
water source due to the current problems with the water service, and
WHEREAS, the current water service is in poor condition and is not at a sufficient depth because of bedrock
resulting in freezing problems during the winter, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Marshall has investigated the cost to replace the service line at a proper depth and has found that it
is a very costly procedure approaching $30,000, and
WHEREAS, the distance to a public water main is over 400 feet in any direction, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Marshall is requesting the board to allow a private water source be installed at 111 Cottage Place;
now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the staff and the Board of Public Works has reviewed this request, and approve of a private well
to be drilled at 111 Cottage Place due to the ground conditions, distance to public water, and total cost to install a
new service line, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That all necessary state and county authorizations must be obtained by the owner in order to proceed
with the drilling of a well, and that the city water service must be terminated at the main, prior to putting the well
into service.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously
B. Extension of Employment for Engineering Employee.
By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Smith
WHEREAS, Toby Krantz was hired as a part-time and seasonal employee to manage the city’s 1996 sidewalk
program through August 30, 1996 which he has successfully completed, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Krantz demonstrated good skills and judgement in developing the contract documents and
managing the construction phases of the work, and
WHEREAS, the Engineering Group and the Water and Sewer Group have an extensive backlog of approved capital
projects which they wish to complete and which can benefit from both Mr. Krantz’s skills and his familiarity with
city personnel, procedures and projects, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Krantz is currently available while he searches for a permanent position to start his career; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that Mr. Krantz’s employment be extended until December
31, 1996 and that staff supply the B&A committee with a proposed budget that covers the work to be done and
expenses incurred.
Discussion followed on the floor.
A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously
19. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Commissioner Ehrhardt (Traffic Committee) reported on the following matters:
• South Hill Terrace report next week
• meeting tonight with Northside residents
September 11, 1996 - Page 4
Commissioner Smith asked when the South Hill Terrace change might come to a vote (late October - waiting for IFD
comments)
Commissioner Seligmann remarked on the favorable publicity for the Recreation Partnership
20. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS:
21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
CU Sailing Program use of Flood Control Channel (Chip Dauber made proposal to Parks Comm - no response yet;
CUnot using FCC at this time)
22. NEW BUSINESS:
Commissioner Smith asked if the HUD/CDBG funds could be used for City Engineer salary (make suggestion in
budget request)
Commissioner Davidoff expressed concern over Cornell's influence on Transit operations and the effect on open
management and public accountability (discussion)
23. ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:55p.m.
William Kaupe Steven Ehrhardt
Deputy City Clerk Commissioner and Acting Chair