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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1996-09-25BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. September 25, 1996 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen (present and voting on Item 14A only) Commissioners (6) - Davidoff, Ehrhardt, Reeves (Vice-Chair, Presiding), 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 Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison - Mackesey EXCUSED: 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice-Chair Reeves led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. 2. MINUTES: 3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: 4. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: 5. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: 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: American Waterworks Assoc meeting; paving work; NE Transit RFP; Mitchell St; Vinegar Hill pump station; Rt 96 - Buffalo St water main; valve turning program; watershed gravel removal; traffic counts; NYS signalization projects (K-Mart signal upgrade); W&S/S&F computer installations; Cass Park Pool bids; Sue Kittel - data collection improvements; NYSEG - gas main on W. State; Youth Bureau project document cleanup (liens); Clinton St bridge repairs; staff discussion re: "Cliff St Weeks" - annual repair periods - coordinated projects; light pole maintenance and safety problems Commissioner Reeves asked for the status of the W&S rates [budget work taking precedence] Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the board on the following matters: Highways: Mitchell St overtime; Mitchell/Cliff/Marshall/Cascadilla paving; pictures and report on street problem areas Sign Shop: downtown parking signage Electrician: light pole deterioration -emergency repairs - Jim Crandall needs help with maintenance Other items: meeting with Thruway Auth on dredging project for lower Inlet and 6-Mile Creek - spoils site needed Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the board on the following matters: water service shutoffs; dechlorination bldg; O'Brien and Gere studying water plant electrical controls; WWTP bid from Stearns & Wheler; use study for cost sharing from Stearns & Wheler; Mitchell St; silt dam slide gate and silt removal; German Cross Rd gauging station; bank stabilization; water planning study kickoff meeting; Route 96 progress 12. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS: 13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: 14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: A. Replacement of Street Trees in 100 Block of Cayuga Street By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt WHEREAS, in September of 1993, the Board of Public Works granted permission to Joe Ciaschi, owner of Clinton Hall, 112 North Cayuga Street, to remove three Sophora japonica trees on city property contingent that the trees would be removed one a year and with the replacement of a tree no smaller than a 4 inch caliper, and WHEREAS, during the summer of 1996, conversations took place between Mr. Ciaschi and the City Forester regarding the removal and replacement of the three trees in front of Clinton Hall, and WHEREAS, a permit was issued to Mr. Ciaschi for removal of the trees with the understanding that it would be in accordance with the board’s resolution of 1993, and WHEREAS, on September 8, 1996, Mr. Ciaschi removed all three trees at 112 North Cayuga Street, and WHEREAS, Mr. Ciaschi failed to notify the city of the date of removal which did not allow the city time to remove the holiday lighting from the trees or protect the planting in the flower beds; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works wishes to convey its dissatisfaction for Mr. Ciaschi’s disregard to the 1993 board resolution permitting removal of the three trees, one tree per year over three years, in front of Clinton Hall, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board imposes the conditions of Chapter 306-5© of the City Code upon Mr. Ciaschi concerning the removal and replacement of street trees, and be it further RESOLVED, That based on City Code that the equal caliper of removed trees will be replaced within the city: three - three and one half inch trees and nine - two inch trees with the species recommended by the City Forester in his letter of September 12, 1996 which is made part of this resolution, and be it further RESOLVED, That Mr. Ciaschi be billed for the overtime plus administrative charges for the City Electrician who was called in on September 8, 1996 to remove the lighting from the location after the trees had been removed, replacement of plantings and any other bills or charges that result from compliance with the City Code. Discussion followed on the floor with Mr. Ciaschi. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Ayes (7): Seligmann, Smith, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Davidoff, Vargas, Cohen Mr. Ciaschi was given a copy of the Resolution and supporting material. Letter from City Forester Andy Hillman attached the resolution. 15. TRAFFIC ITEMS: 16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: A. Rejection of Bids for Titus Flats Park Handball Court. By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works put out bids for the installation of a Handball Court in Wood Street Park, and WHEREAS, the Office of the City Engineer and the Office of Community Development have received bids for the construction of a handball court at Titus Flats Park on Wood Street, and WHEREAS, the current funds available are roughly $13,000 in CD funds and another $13,000 in unexpended capital project funds for Wood Street Park; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the contract for construction of the handball court wall be awarded to McPherson Builders for their low bid of $15,959, and be it further RESOLVED, That the court surface shall be constructed by the Department of Public Works and shall be funded by Community Development for up to $9,000. Discussion with Paul Stevenson present Motion to Table Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 17. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: 18. WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: 19. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Commissioner Ehrhardt reported on the following matters: • South Hill Terrace traffic changes packet given to board • Spencer/Albany/Elmira traffic changes meeting 10/15 7:00pm • meeting with Northside residents - traffic calming experiments • BAC client committee meeting 10/26 to discuss bike routes 20. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Commissioner Seligmann reported on the following matters: • Recreation Partnership renewal approvals are needed for this year 21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 22. NEW BUSINESS: 23. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Commissioner Seligmann, seconded by Commissioner Smith, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. William Kaupe Carol Reeves Deputy City Clerk Vice-Chair