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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1996-12-11BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 p.m. December 11, 1996 PRESENT: 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 Assistant Fire Chief - Dorman EXCUSED: Mayor Cohen 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Reeves led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. 2. MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the October 23, 1996 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Smith RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the October 23, 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: Assistant Fire Chief Dorman spoke on Item 15C. The board then took up Item 15C. 7. REPORT OF CITY CLERK: 8. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY: 9. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: Deputy City Controller Thayer reported on the following matters: NYSEG metering change at Cass Park saved $3000. Cass Park lights RFP - 2 responses 10. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Alderperson Mackesey reported on the following Common Council actions: 1997 budget passed. Commissioner Reeves reported on water and sewer meetings and on the Ithaca Falls Park working groups 11. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the board on Streets and Facilities operations. Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the board on Water and Sewer operations. Superintendent Gray reported to the board on Engineering office operations. 12. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS: 13. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: 14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: A. Request for Wagon Rides Around Commons. By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Smith WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received the annual request to allow free horse and wagon rides by the Marquis family on December 14 and 15, 1996, and WHEREAS, the Marquis family will follow the requirements as noted in the past, including providing certificates of insurance and good health of the horses and a “slow moving vehicle” sign on the wagon; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves of the request for horse and wagon rides around the Commons December 14 and 15, 1996 (beginning at South Cayuga, to Green, to East State to Seneca and ending at North Cayuga), and be it further RESOLVED, That the certificates of insurance and good health of the horses be received as well as having a “slow moving vehicle” sign on the wagon. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 15. TRAFFIC ITEMS: A. Request for On-street Handicap Parking. By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Davidoff WHEREAS, Dr. Smoolca, 406 Second Street, has requested that on-street Handicap Parking be installed at her office, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request and is willing to approve the installation with limited hours based on the Dr. Smoolca’s office hours; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves of the installation of Handicap Parking signs at 406 Second Street with limited hours as follows: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays - 10:00 am until 7:00 pm. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Request for DII for Free Downtown Parking on December 23 and 24, 1996. By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, DII has requested that the Board of Public Works allow free parking downtown for the Christmas Holiday, Monday, December 23, 1996 and Tuesday, December 24, 1996, and WHEREAS, the board has requested Common Council’s approval since free parking will result in a loss of revenue; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of free parking in the downtown area for December 23 and 24, 1996. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas RESOLVED, that a third WHEREAS be added as follows: WHEREAS, the revenue received year-to-date from the parking garage is in excess of what we anticipated one year ago and exceeds the amount we will lose by providing free parking, and A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Amending Resolution By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt RESOLVED, that a fourth WHEREAS be added as follows: WHEREAS, Common Council gave its approval for free parking at its December 4, 1996 meeting A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Resolution As Amended WHEREAS, DII has requested that the Board of Public Works allow free parking downtown for the Christmas Holiday, Monday, December 23, 1996 and Tuesday, December 24, 1996, and WHEREAS, the board has requested Common Council’s approval since free parking will result in a loss of revenue; WHEREAS, the revenue received year-to-date from the parking garage is in excess of what we anticipated one year ago and exceeds the amount we will lose by providing free parking, and WHEREAS, Common Council gave its approval for free parking at its December 4, 1996 meeting; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of free parking in the downtown area for December 23 and 24, 1996. A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously C. Request for Free Parking at Dryden Road Garage. By Commissioner Davidoff: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from the Fire Department to allow free parking for bunkers at Station 9 in Collegetown, and WHEREAS, the board approved of this request in 1995 and 1996 with the intent that the Fire Department would obtain funds in their budget to reimburse the Department of Public Works for the parking; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works denies the request for free parking to bunkers at the Dryden Road Parking Garage in 1997, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board is willing to work with the Fire Department to establish a procedure for the reimbursement of parking expense if bunkers are allowed to park for free. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously D. Parking Permit Fees for City Garages. By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas Every year the Board of Public Works reviews the permit fees for all of the city garages. The City Chamberlain and Superintendent of Public Works are recommending that the fees for the downtown ramps and lots remain the same. These fees should be reviewed once data is received from equipment to be installed in the early part of 1997. It is recommended that the permit fees for the Dryden Road garage be raised in order to meet the market demand which will then eliminate the current lottery system to distribute the permits. WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the parking permit fees and usage of the city’s garages, and WHEREAS, the board has received recommendations from the City Chamberlain and the Superintendent of Public Works to raise the Dryden Road permit fee and keep the current downtown parking permit fees; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts the recommendation of the City Chamberlain and the Superintendent of Public Works by keeping the current downtown parking permit fees at $30 on the top level of December 11, 1996 - Page 3 Green and Seneca Street ramps, $50 on the lower levels of Green and Seneca Street ramps, $40 for Woolworth (Lot D) and $28 for the East State Street lot, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board approves of an increase for the 1997 Dryden Road garage permits to $75 for day permits and $75 for night permits (currently $60 for day permits and $44 for night permits) in hopes that this will meet the market need for parking in the garage. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann RESOLVED, that the words “ in hopes that this will meet the market need for parking in the garage” be removed from the second RESOLVED clause. A vote on the amending resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Resolution As Amended A vote on the amended resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously E. 1997 Hourly Rate for Parking Garages. By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Smith WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the parking lot and garage hourly rates for 1997, and WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain and the Superintendent of Public Works have recommended that the hourly rate for the lots and garages remain the same as the 1996 rates; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works wishes to continue the 1996 hourly rates for parking lots and garages into 1997 as follows: Lot D, Green and Seneca Street Garages are 40 cents and the Dryden Road Garage is 75 cents per hour. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously F. DII/BID Parking Sticker Program. By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann WHEREAS, in November, 1994, the Board of Public Works approved a parking sticker program for the Downtown Ithaca Incorporated, and WHEREAS, the sticker program allowed DII merchants to purchase stickers from the city for $.25 each and the sticker would be given to customers to allow one hour of free parking, and WHEREAS, this program was handled mainly by DII, in that a large amount of stickers would be purchased from the city and then distributed to each merchant from DII, and WHEREAS, the board wishes to extend this program into 1997 and to the new Business Improvement District; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of extending the parking sticker program to the newly developed BID and continue at a rate of $.25 for each sticker. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously G. Residential Parking Lots. By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, several residential parking lots have been established with the Route 96 project, and WHEREAS, in order for the Department of Public Works to maintain these residential parking lots, the Board of Public Works has determined that a parking fee must be collected, and WHEREAS, a parking permit for the residential lots will allow easier parking enforcement; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopts a parking permit policy for the residential parking lots established by the Route 96 project, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board recognizes that residents have been forced to utilize these lots and therefore wishes to set the fee at a low price to avoid a financial burden on the residents, and be it further RESOLVED, That a fee of $ for 1997 be established and that permits be made available to residents as soon as possible. Extensive discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Failed (0-6) Ayes (0): Nays (6): Seligmann, Smith, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Davidoff, Vargas H. Residential Parking Lots. By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Smith WHEREAS, several residential parking lots have been established with the Route 96 project, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has determined that the cost of operating these lots is approximately $12,800 per year, and WHEREAS, this amount has not been added to the 1997 budget for the Department of Public Works; now, therefore, December 11, 1996 - Page 4 be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests Common Council to add $12,800 to the Department of Public Works budget to pay for the operation of these residential parking lots. Extensive discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried (5-0-1) Ayes (5): Smith, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Davidoff, Vargas Nays (0): Abstentions (1): Seligmann 16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: A. Award of Bid for Cass Park Pool Repairs. By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, bids were received for repairs to Cass Park Pool on October 30, 1996, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and recommends that the second lowest bid be accepted based on the fact that the low bidder (Patterson-Stevenson, Inc.) did not attend the mandatory pre-bid meeting; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works accepts staff’s recommendation to award the bid for Cass Park Pool repairs to the second lowest bidder John Pausley, Inc., 55 Genesee Street, Auburn, New York 13021, for their bid of $28,862.00, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into the agreement. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Request for Waiver of Stewart Park Pavilion Fee. By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Davidoff WHEREAS, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has requested that the Stewart Park pavilion fee be waived during their walk-a-thon in April, 1997; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the request for waiver of the pavilion fee at Stewart Park based on the board’s policy to not waive the pavilion fee. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 17. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: A. 1997 Trash Tag Fee. By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas The City Chamberlain and the Superintendent of Public Works have recommended that the Board of Public Works modify the current trash tag system. The current system has two tags, one for 20 pound bags and one for 35 pound bags. In order to simplify administering the system, it is recommended that both tags be eliminated and that a one tag system be adopted. A one tag system would consist of a 20 pound tag. Additional tags would be placed on the trash if the weight exceeds 20 pounds. RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works wishes to streamline the trash tag system required by the Tompkins County Solid Waste Division, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the board hereby eliminates the current practice of using two tags for different weights of bags and adopts a system to allow one tag for 20 pounds and that multiple tags may be used if the bag weighs more, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the board will not raise the 1997 trash tag fee and wishes to allow the City Chamberlain to use all of the current tags in stock. Motion to Table By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas A vote on the motion resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Power to Act By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas RESOLVED,that the board gives itself Power to Act on the 1997 Trash Tag Fee at its meeting of December 18, 1996. A vote on the motion resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Thank You to Commissioner Al Davidoff By Commissioner Reeves: Seconded Unanimously WHEREAS, Commissioner Al Davidoff was appointed to the Board of Public Works by Mayor Ben Nichols in 1995 to fill a one-year vacancy when Denise Rusoff resigned, and WHEREAS, Commissioner Davidoff has been a strong supporter of Public Works, and WHEREAS, Commissioner Davidoff will be remembered for his attention to detail, his willingness to learn about all areas of public works, especially the DPW’s complex budget process, and his conscientiousness in his liaison assignment to the Disability Advisory Council; now, therefore, be it December 11, 1996 - Page 5 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works extends sincere thanks to Commissioner Davidoff for the time and effort he spent as an extremely interested and caring member of the Board of Public Works during 1996. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 18. WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: A. Request for Expungement of Sewer Portion of Water and Sewer Bill - Nates Floral Estates. By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works received a request for expungement of an upcoming water and sewer bill for Nates Floral Estate, and WHEREAS, on October 18, 1996, Nate’s experienced a water break and lost several thousands of gallons of water, and WHEREAS, the board has reviewed the situation with staff and recommends that a portion of the sewer bill for Nates Floral Estates be expunged; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby expunges a portion of the sewer bill for Nates Floral Estate due to a break on October 18, 1996, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works shall calculate the estimated loss of water based on a previous readings. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Failed (0-6) Ayes (0): Nays (6): Seligmann, Smith, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Davidoff, Vargas B. Award of Bid for Polyvinyl Pipe Phase II. By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt WHEREAS, bids were received on October 17, 1996 for Polyvinyl Pipe, Phase II, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and recommends that the bid be awarded to the low bidder; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works awards the bid of Polyvinyl Pipe, Phase II, to Jones Water Supply Inc., 183 Corporate Drive, Binghamton, NY 13904 for their low bid of $30.15 per linear foot and a total bid of $84,420.00 for 2,800 linear feet of pipe, and be if further RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer to enter into an agreement with Jones Water Supply. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 19. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Commissioner Ehrhardt (Traffic Committee) reported on the following matters: • Spencer Rd 2-way traffic proposal petition - 216 signatures. 2 neighborhood meetings 20. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Commissioner Reeves (Parks Commission) reported on the following matters: • Ithaca Falls Park Committee and Council resolution regarding Ithaca Falls oversight • Herb Gottfried (Cascadilla Boat Club) request to build a building in Cass Park • park usage and fees Commissioner Davidoff (Disability Advisory Council) reported on the following matters: • January meeting with Cortland group ticketing HC parking violations • sidewalk shoveling using community service workers 21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: • Commissioner Reeves reported that Asst City Attorney Kennedy had determined that the Golf Course could not be privatized without approval of NYS. Proposal to open the concessions for bids. Possibility of licensing portions of the course operations. Proposal to retain Steve Torrant with a COLA. • request from merchants to open Seneca St exit from parking ramp - will be opened unstaffed Power to Act By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann RESOLVED,that the board gives itself Power to Act on Steve Torrant’s contract extension and to bid out the Golf Course concessions at its meeting of December 18, 1996. A vote on the motion resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 22. NEW BUSINESS: Thank You to Commissioner Carol Reeves By Commissioner Seligmann: Seconded Unanimously WHEREAS, Commissioner Carol Reeves was appointed to the Board of Public Works by Mayor John Gutenberger December 11, 1996 - Page 6 in 1985 and reappointed by succeeding Mayors, and WHEREAS, Commissioner Reeves was elected Vice-Chair by the board in 1988 and has been re-elected to that post annually since then, and WHEREAS, Commissioner Reeves’ organizational and leadership skills have guided the board through many difficult decisions as well as remain responsive to the public and staff requests that come before the board, and WHEREAS, Commissioner Reeves’ knowledge of operation and history of the Department of Public Works will be greatly missed by both the board and staff, and WHEREAS Commissioner Reeves’ pursuit of excellence, her tireless support to staff and the department, and her “hands on” approach to operations have won her the respect of the full complement of department employees; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works extends sincere thanks to Commissioner Reeves for the dedication she has given to the Department of Public Works, various committees and the Board of Public Works, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board wishes Commissioner Reeves the best of luck in her future endeavors. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 23. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Commissioner Ehrhardt, seconded by Commissioner Seligmann, the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. William Kaupe Carol Reeves Deputy City Clerk Vice-Chair December 11, 1996 - Page 7 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE December 18, 1996 PRESENT: Commissioners Davidoff, Ehrhardt, Reeves, Seligmann, Smith, Vargas (arrived at 4:30), Alderperson Mackesey, Superintendent Gray and Assistant Superintendents Fabbroni and Ferrel. Commissioner Reeves chaired the meeting. The board had power to act on the following items. 1. Newman Golf Course: Renewal of Manager’s Contract and Bid of Food Concession for 1997. By Commissioner Reeves, seconded by Commissioner Seligmann. WHEREAS, extensive discussions took place in 1995 regarding the operation of Newman Golf Course, and WHEREAS, a new contract with Steve Torrant was negotiated in 1995, said contract was signed and effective for 1996 and was to be renewed annually, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works attempted to bid out the Newman Golf Course concession for 1996, and was unsuccessful, and WHEREAS, the Newman Golf Course operations and manager’s contract need to be set for 1997; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests Rick Ferrel, Assistant Superintendent, Streets and Facilities, to renew the contract for Golf Course Manager, Steve Torrant for 1997 with a three percent (3%) increase in salary, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests Deputy City Controller, Steve Thayer to bid out the Newman Golf Course Concession for a two-year period - 1997 and 1998 using the same terms and conditions established for the previous bid. Discussion followed. Commissioner Smith stated that he supports the contract and request for bid. He noted that the Golf Sub-Committee is requesting that a few changes be made to the club house, including a new grill and sink to be installed. It was noted that the 3% increase is based on the Administrative Unit contract. Discussion also included 1996 revenues and expenses. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 4. 1997 Trash Tag Fee By Commissioner Ehrhardt, seconded by Commissioner Davidoff WHEREAS, the Mayor and Controller have determined that the current trash tag fee is adequate to produce the budgeted revenues for 1997 and WHEREAS, the City Chamberlain and Superintendent of Public Works have recommended that the trash tag system be simplified from 35 pound and 20 pound tags to only 20 pound tags; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the current trash tag fees be maintained for 1997, subject to review of revenue and expense figures mid year by the Superintendent and Controller, and be it further RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain continue to sell both 20 and 35 pound tags until the 35 pound tags are used up, at which time the city will sell only 20 pound tags with the understanding that two tags will be used for 40 pound bags in lieu of the separate 35 pound tag. Discussion followed. A vote resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 5. Request for On-street Handicap Parking on Second Street. By Commissioner Ehrhardt, seconded by Commissioner Smith WHEREAS, Dr. Smoolca, 406 Second Street, has requested that on-street Handicap Parking be installed at her office, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request and is willing to approve the installation with limited hours based on the Dr. Smoolca’s office hours; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves of the installation of Handicap Parking signs at 406 Second Street with limited effective hours as follows: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays - 7:00 am until 9:00 pm. It was noted that the purpose of this resolution was to approve of the hours, the previous resolution did not correctly reflect Dr. Smoolca’s office hours. A vote resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously