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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BPW-1996-10-23BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. October 23, 1996 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (6) - Davidoff, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Seligmann 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 Fire Chief - Wilbur Acting Police Chief - Barnes IPD Sgt. Loson EXCUSED: Commissioners Smith and Vargas; Common Council Liaison - Mackesey 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 October 9, 1996 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the October 9, 1996 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously 3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Commissioner Reeves requested that Item 18A be added to the agenda and that Item 15A be deleted from the agenda. No board member objected. 4. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: 5. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Graham Kersnick (Northside Civic Assoc) spoke on Lake Ave and Willow Ave parking; Alderperson Efroymson spoke on Lake Ave and Willow Ave parking; Charles Zhou spoke on his sidewalk assessment appeal; Sam Blake requested a bike lane on Cayuga St from IHS; Tracy Farrell spoke on speeding and traffic safety near IHS A. Public Hearing on Odd/Even Parking Regulation. The following people spoke on odd/even parking: David Nutter (Bicycle Advisory Comm); Tim Terpening; Sandy Wold; Joe Daley; Judith Tanenbaum; Alderperson Jane Marcham; Alderperson John Johnson; Rick Manning; Lance Barr; Tracy Farrell; Alderperson Susan Blumenthal; David Ayers; Caleb Kleppner; Alderperson Roey Thorpe; Acting Police Chief Barnes; IPD Sgt. Loson; Fire Chief Wilbur; Commissioner Reeves read two letters from residents 7. REPORT OF CITY CLERK: 8. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY: 9. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: Deputy City Controller Thayer reported on the following matters: City Hall elevator maintenance bid; Cass Park ballfield light engineering bids; NYSEG utility cost analysis; Golf Course contract; Steve Torrant’s contract 10. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: 11. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the board on Streets and Facilities operations. A proposed traffic circle at the Lake St/University Ave/Willard Way intersection was discussed. The board asked that the traffic circle proposal go through the usual board procedures and not be an administrative action by the DPW. The board also requested that all substantive traffic items be presented to the board for normal review. Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the board on Water and Sewer operations. 12. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS: 13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner 14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: A. Request to Expunge 25% Sidewalk Assessment Surcharges for 323 & 325 West Buffalo Street By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, Irene Feldman, owner of 323 & 325 West Buffalo Street, has requested that the Board of Public Works expunge her 25% sidewalk assessment surcharges because she had hired a contractor to complete sidewalk repairs prior to the city doing the work, and , Ms. Feldman stated that the city’s contractor demolished the sidewalk in October 1995 without notice and without a fair chance for her contractor to complete the work; now, therefore, be it WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request to expunge the 25% sidewalk assessment surcharges for 323 & 325 West Buffalo Street, and the initial sidewalk notice sent to Ms. Feldman in August 1995, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board hereby grants the request to expunge the 25% sidewalk assessment surcharges for 323 & 325 West Buffalo Street. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried (4-0-1) Ayes (4): Seligmann, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Davidoff Abstention (1): Cohen B. Request to Expunge Sidewalk Assessment for 704 West Buffalo Street. By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves The sidewalk at 704 West Buffalo Street was replaced in 1993. Angelo DiGiacomo, owner of the property chose to pay the assessment over a five year period. During the current Route 96 project, the sidewalk at 704 West Buffalo Street was removed. Mr. DiGiacomo is requesting the board to expunge the remaining balance due on the assessment because of the loss of business due to the Route 96 reconstruction project. WHEREAS, Angelo DiGiacomo, owner of 704 West Buffalo Street, has requested that the Board of Public Works expunge the remainder of his assessment from 1993 sidewalk repairs because the Route 96 project required the sidewalk removal; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works sympathizes with Mr. DiGiacomo and recognizes the hardship that the Route 96 project has put upon him, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board denies Mr. DiGiacomo’s request for expungement but wishes to compromise by allowing a two year delay in payments, and be it further RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain delay the sidewalk assessment bills for 704 West Buffalo Street, without penalty, for the balance due of $665.49 until January of 1999. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously C. Request to Expunge Sidewalk Assessment for 940 East State Street. By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves WHEREAS, Charles Zhou, owner of 940 East State Street, has requested that his sidewalk assessment be expunged due to financial hardship; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request for expungement of sidewalk assessment for 940 East State Street, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board understands Mr. Zhou’s hardship but denies the request, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board requests staff to assist Mr. Zhou in obtaining information on programs for financial assistance. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Reeves RESOLVED, That a the following RESOLVED clause be inserted as the third RESOLVED clause: “RESOLVED, That the board hereby expunges the 25% sidewalk assessment surcharge, and be it further” Discussion followed on the floor. Motion to Table Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Failed (2-3) Ayes (2): Davidoff, Cohen Nays (3):Seligmann, Ehrhardt, Reeves A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried (4-1) Ayes (4): Seligmann, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Davidoff, Cohen Nays (1): Davidoff A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows: Carried (4-1) Ayes (4): Seligmann, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Davidoff, Cohen Nays (1): Davidoff The Resolution as Amended WHEREAS, Charles Zhou, owner of 940 East State Street, has requested that his sidewalk assessment be expunged due to financial hardship; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request for expungement of sidewalk assessment for 940 East State Street, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board understands Mr. Zhou’s hardship but denies the request, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board hereby expunges the 25% sidewalk assessment surcharge, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board requests staff to assist Mr. Zhou in obtaining information on programs for financial assistance. 15. TRAFFIC ITEMS: 16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: A. Titus Flats Handball Court. (Tabled from 9/25/96 and 10/9/96) By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Davidoff 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 followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried (4-1) Ayes (4): Ehrhardt, Reeves, Davidoff, Cohen Nays (1): Seligmann 17. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: 18. WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: A. Award of Bid for PVC Pipe. By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt WHEREAS, bids were received for 36" PVC Pipe to be used for the Fall Creek interceptor project being completed by the Water and Sewer Division, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and found that the low bidder is not qualified since the wrong material was bid and therefore staff recommends the second low bidder to be awarded the bid; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid for 36" polyvinyl pipe to Lamson Vylon Pipe of 25701 Science Park Drive, Beachwood, Ohio 44122 for their bid of $34.00 per linear foot and their alternate bid of $76.21 per linear foot of 36" slipliner pipe, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Asst. Supt. for Water and Sewer to enter into an agreement. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 19. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: 20. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: 21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 22. NEW BUSINESS: Commissioner Reeves requested that the board consider publishing a letter expressing the board’s position on Proposition 4 (Common Council oversight of the BPW) on the November 5 ballot. 23. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Commissioner Reeves, seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt, the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. William Kaupe Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor