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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1997-02-26BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:00 pm. February 26,1997 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (4) -Ehrhardt, 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 CD Administrator - Stevenson EXCUSED: 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 January 15, 1997 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the January 15, 1997 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously 3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: 4. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Cohen reported that he would be nominating two new board members at the March 5th Council meeting. 5. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: CD Administrator Stevenson gave a report on CD activities: Conway Park community build April 26; discussion of memorial in park; Southside renovations; Cleveland Ave street improvements; MHA street project; MHA board recommending "Alice Miller Way" as street name; Northside Park; 611 W Buffalo St; 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: 11. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF. Superintendent Gray reported to the board on the following matters: cold storage bldg; boathouse stabilization; sidewalk contract; Cass Park pool bids; Frosh Alley; skateboard park, 500 block Mitchell St; 611 W Buffalo; parking lot eqpt bid draft; MHA street, bioremediation project - successful; Youth Bureau slide; YB HVAC adjustments; Cleveland Ave; site plan reviews Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the board on the following matters: Highways: snow removal - $I OK overtime; Stewart Park beach cleanup; Rt 13 fence line; boathouse cleanup; road milling; street sweeper repairs; street sweeping (dust issue) Parks & Forestry: large tree removal program; wind -blown tree removal; A Hillman/Parks Comm Stewart Pk playground eqpt Building Systems: City Hall office moves, GIAC painting; Southside boiler; S&F renovs Sign Shop: new Baker Park sign; park signage standardization; recycling stations Electrician: windstorm damage repairs; boom truck work Solid Waste: TC enforcing no household trash in public barrels; trash tonnage is down - may affecr personnel Other items: personnel changes; 1996 NYS hazardous waste report Questions: Mitchell/State road repairs; speed limit signs to be posted at city entrances; signage at Green St ramp entrances showing limited hours for Green St exit; N Meadow sign "City Speed Limit 40" [will be corrected) Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the board on the following matters: personnel reorganization; Rt 96 - excellent progress; 30 -foot Dam area repairs; silt dam repairs; WWTP contract approved by 3 municipalities - notice of award and contracts being issued; Wegmans project and W &S along Rt 13; water model; Buffalo St, Island and Giles St pump stations; water meter readers; Fall Creek inteceptor, 12. REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS: 13. BUILDINGS. PROPERTIES AND TRANSIT ITEMS: By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt A. Cold Storage Building. WHEREAS, the city has undertaken a long term project for consolidation of DPW support facilities and has funded both a planning/design stage and construction of the first cold storage building as part of that project, and February 26, 1997 - Page 2 WHEREAS, the construction of the Route 96 Improvement Project by New York State has provided an opportunity to acquire an interim storage facility by reuse of a building segment that was originally scheduled for demolition providing immediate replacement of storage space which has been lost in recent years as part of the Northside Landuse Plan have been implemented, and WHEREAS, the acquisition allows greater flexibility in the timing of various elements of both the Northside Plan and the DPW Consolidation Plan; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that Common Council authorize the expenditure of up to $250,000 from Capital Project 314 (DPW Cold Storage Building) as well as up to $150,000 Water and Sewer Fund for the purpose of acquisition and minor remodeling for conversion, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer be authorized to negotiate for, and the Mayor be authorized to acquire, the interim storage facility, subject to the approval for form of the City Attorney. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Request for Encroachment at 907 -917 West State Street. R\ Commissioner Smith Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request for an encroachment agreement for 907 West State Street, and WHEREAS, the two story building located at 907 West State Street includes an area of approximately 7.8' x 33.4' in the city's right of way and WHEREAS, the City Attorney has reviewed and approved of the encroachment agreement for form, now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants an encroachment for the property at 907 West State Street, 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 of Public Works requires use of the property, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Mayor to enter into an encroachment agreement for the property. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 14. HIGHWAYS, STREETS AND SIDEWALK ITEMS: By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas A. Approval of Sidewalk Assessments. WHEREAS, notices of defects, public hearings and notices of assessment were provided to property owners prior to the installation and repair of their sidewalk in 1994. 1995 and 1996: now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the finalization of the attached list of assessments, and requests Common Council to direct the City Chamberlain to collect such assessments A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 15. TRAFFIC ITEMS: By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Smith A. Request for Free Parking in Dryden Road Garage. WHEREAS. the Board of Public Works received a request to allow four volunteer bunkers to receive free parking in the Dryden Road garage while working at the Number 9 station in Collegetown, and WHEREAS, the board reviewed and denied the request based on a previous resolution requesting the Ithaca Fire Department to make budgetary provisions for these parking spaces in 1996 and succeeding years and again in 1997 after their request, and WHEREAS, it was brought to the attention of the board that all city employees and various volunteer board members receive free parking and it was suggested that these volunteers should receive free parking as well; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the Fire Chief four parking permits for use by the bunkers for 1997 while requesting that he budget this expense in 1998, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board plans to review the free permit parking situation and consider charging each department for the spaces used by the associated permits in order to properly account for the cost of operation. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. "No Right on ReclExcept for Buses" at College Avenue and Dryden Road. February 26, 1997 - Page 3 By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Smith WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works passed a resolution on May 25, 1995 for the installation of "No Right on Red" signs at the intersection of College Avenue and Dryden Road, and WHEREAS, buses turning right have had to wait several cycles of the traffic light in order to safely proceed through the intersection; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby modifies its prior resolution and directs staff to install signage to prohibit right turns on red except for buses. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 16. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: By Commissioner Vargas: Seconded by Commissioner Smith A. Approval of Skateboard Site. WHEREAS. the Board of Public Works has been presented with a drawing indicating the preferred site for a new skateboard park located behind the Ithaca Youth Bureau east of the railroad tracks, and WHEREAS, input has been received from the Parks Commission on this suggested site, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves of the site location for the proposed skateboard park, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board requests staff to work with the Parks Commission in order to address their concerns outlined in their memo of January 22, 1997 related to the building of such a facility, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board considers that this proposed facility be maintained and operated by the Ithaca Youth Bureau as it does with the Youth Bureau itself. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously 17. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Smith A. Board of Public Works' Future Meeting Schedule. WHEREAS, with the election of a new Vice Chair, availability of time for preparation of meetings has changed,and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has discussed the possibilities of changing the meeting schedule for future meetings in part to accomodate increased public partcipation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby adopts a new schedule to be implemented in March, 1997 along with a new format for board operations as follows: Committee of the Whole Meetings 2nd Wednesday of each month 4:00 - 6:00 pm Regular (Voting) Meetings 4th Wednesday of each month 7:30 - 9:30 pm and, be it further RESOLVED, That the board establishes two sub - committees consisting of three members of the Board of Public Works (chair of each committee to be appointed by the Mayor), with each committee meeting at its convenience and bringing items to the COW meeting for discussion; and, be it further RESOLVED, That the two sub - committees be based on current liaison assignments as follows; Committee A: Traffic, Highways, Streets, Sidewalks, Parking, Creeks and Bridges; Committee B: Buildings, Properties, Transit, Parks, Water, Sewer and Solid Waste and, be it further RESOLVED, That each sub - committee will be responsible for administration and communications items as it applies to their committee, while staff support will be drawn from the two operating divisions and the engineering group as needed. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously B. Approval of Bid for Golf Course Concessions. By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Seligmann WHEREAS, bids were received for food concessions at Newman Golf Course, and WHEREAS, only one bid was received based on a larger portion of the club house than that which was intended; now therefore, be it February 26, 1997 - Page d RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves in concept of the bid received from Frank Welch, owner of Fall Creek House, Inc. for a two year contract (at a rate of $1,200 for 1997 and $1,600 for 1998), and be it further RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Assistant Superintendent for Streets and Facilities to enter into an agreement with Mr. Welch, subject to the approval pro forma of the City Attorney. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously C. 1997 Golf Course Rates. By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt Golf Course rates were modified (and generally increased) in 1996. However 1996 fees produced revenues $25,000 less than those collected in 1995. We believe this was largely due to the poor weather and flooding in the spring of 1996. Other 1996 revenues were also affected (cart rental, food other concessions) producing a total revenue short fall of $55,000. The operating expenses were reduced by $27,000 so the total short fall of revenues below expenses grew by $28,000 ($55,000 - $27,000) from $10,000 to $38.000. The Golf Course Manager has recommended that the 1996 fee structure be maintained. He believed that the new food concession and modest fee increases at the competing courses will allow Newman to regain players (market share) and return to a balanced budget. RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopts the 1996 Golf Course Rates for use in 1997, as follows: 1997 Rates Weekday 18 Holes $10.00 9 Holes $ 7.00 Senior $ 7.00 League $ 7.00 Sr. Special $ 5.00 - Sun Afternoon Weekends 18 Holes $12.00 9 Holes $ 7.00 Membership Resident Non - Resident Individual $255.00 $285.00 Couple $350.00 $390.00 Senior $230.00 $255.00 Senior Couple $315.00 $350.00 Junior $120.00 $135.00 Family $425.00 $475.00 Weekday Only $180.00 $200.00 Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried (4 -1) Ayes (4): Seligmann, Smith, Ehrhardt.Vargas Nays (1): Cohen 18. WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: 19. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: 20. REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS: Commissioner Seligmann reported on the following matters: recreation rates going up ex. adult swimming Commissioner Ehrhardt reported on the following matters: • Planning Board - approved site plans for Savings Bank of the Finger Lakes, Rite Aid; delayed Valvoline Quick Lube and Underwood Lighting site; accepted draft EIS for Collegetown Motor Lodge property redevelopment • meeting with Supt Gray re BPW worklist from Commissioner Reeves and division of work to new committees Asst Supt Fabbroni asked for greater coordination during the site plan review process [LF will be included in the Project Coordination Committee meetings] Supt Gray expressed concern with the Collegetown Motor Lodge project; he will ask for a Planning Dept work plan which shows the 20% time allocation to Water and Sewer February 26, 1997 - Page 5 The board discussed the issue of departmental notification to the public for projects such as tree removal. 21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 22. NEW BUSINESS: 23. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Commissioner, seconded by Commissioner , the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. William Kaupe Deputy City Clerk Alan J. Cohen Mayor