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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1998-01-20BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 5:30 p.m. January 20, 1998 PRESENT: Commissioners (6) - Ehrhardt, Vargas, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Leonardo, Smith OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy City Clerk - Kaupe Deputy City Controller - Thayer Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Common Council Liaison - Marcham Alderperson Vaughan EXCUSED: Mayor Cohen PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice-Chair Ehrhardt led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the December 17, 1997 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the December 17, 1997 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously COMMUNICATIONS: Election of Vice-Chair Vice-Chair Ehrhardt opened the nominations for the Vice-Chair position, and explained the duties that accompany the position. Commissioner Vargas nominated Steven Ehrhardt as Vice-Chair of the Board of Public Works. No other nominations were offered. Commissioner Ehrhardt closed the nominations. Resolution By Commissioner Vargas: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, That Steven Ehrhardt is hereby elected as Vice-Chair of the Board of Public Works for 1998. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: Deputy City Controller Thayer reported that his office is in the process of closing out the 1997 books. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Request to Increase License Agreement for Johnson Boat Yard By Commissioner Vargas: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, Johnson Boat Yard holds a yearly, renewable license agreement for property leased along the inlet, and WHEREAS, Johnson Boat Yard is requesting to add additional water front to the area that they currently lease; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the request to increase the area being leased from 3000 square feet to an area of approximately 4500 square feet, with a final figure to be determined, and, be it further January 20, 1998 2 RESOLVED, That the new license fee be calculated based on the current formula, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an agreement with Johnson Boat Yard. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Ehrhardt noted that Alderperson Blumenthal voiced concern regarding the lack of involvement of the Planning Department in this agreement. Commissioner Ehrhardt reiterated that this agreement is based on an existing use, and is a renewable, one year lease, which can be revoked with proper notice. Discussion followed on the floor regarding appropriate license fees and parking areas. Commissioner Smith arrived at the meeting at 6:00 pm. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: Approval of Permanent Bridge Systems Engineer By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, the city is eligible for substantial matching funding for three major bridge projects as part of the New York State Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and these projects have been included in the current 5 year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) which is slated to end in 1999, and WHEREAS, current staff levels are not adequate to permit additional assignments for projects of this magnitude within this time frame, and WHEREAS, staff expenses for these projects shall be funded through capital project authorizations and can comprise the city’s share of matching funds; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends the addition of a permanent, full time Bridge Systems Engineer to the City Engineer’s Office roster, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the job description prepared by the City Engineer be forwarded to the Personnel Administrator for Civil Service review and determination of salary and classification and that such salary be added to the personnel line of the City Engineer’s 1998 budget. Superintendent Gray reported that matching grant funds are available for bridge projects, but his office is not adequately staffed to complete the projects. If this position is approved, it will be a permanent, full-time position, which will only exist until the grant funding is exhausted. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Ayes (5) Gutenberger, Vargas, Ehrhardt, Jenkins Leonardo Nays (0) Abstention (1) Smith Carried Approval of Extension for Temporary Employment at Water and Sewer By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Smith January 20, 1998 3 WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works and Common Council approved a temporary engineering position within the Water and Sewer Division during 1997 to provide support and contract supervision for the water and sewer contracts let in 1997 as well as construction of utilities related to the NYSDOT Route 96 project, and WHEREAS, the 1997 sewer contract have been extended into 1998 and the funds budgeted for contract supervision are available to cover that work and WHEREAS, as the City has applied to the 1997 Environmental Bond Act for a sequence of water and sewer projects totaling over $6 million starting in 1998; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends the creation of a temporary part time Assistant Civil Engineer position in Water and Sewer with a minimum of 17 hours per week through December 31, 1998, and be it further RESOLVED, That the funding for the position will be derived from existing capital projects at the time the work is being done, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer keep the Board and Common Council aware of any capital funding needs required to take advantage of the 1997 Bond Act should those projects be approved. Superintendent Gray noted that this position may only be needed through June 1998, depending on the award of funding. If the funding is awarded, the position may need to be expanded in the future. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Ehrhardt: Seconded by Commissioner Smith RESOLVED, That the first Resolved clause be amended to read as follows: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends the creation of a temporary part time Assistant Civil Engineer position in Water and Sewer with a minimum of 17 hours per week through June 30, 1998, and be it further”, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the third Resolved clause be deleted from the resolution. Carried Unanimously Main Motion as Amended A vote on the Main Motion as Amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Approval of New Position of Laboratory Technician By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, the Assistant Chief Water Plant Operator retired, and WHEREAS, the consolidation of laboratory functions of the Water and Wastewater plants using a lesser title of Laboratory Technician has helped modernize the laboratory during 1997, and WHEREAS, the efficiency of a highly trained scientist in performing laboratory testing to modern day standards and processing the versatile knowledge necessary to answering broad water and wastewater water quality and watershed concerns and regulatory mandates; now, therefore, be it January 20, 1998 4 RESOLVED, That the roster for 1998 be amended to include a permanent full time Laboratory Technician/Ecologist position in place of the Assistant Chief Water Plant Operator position, and be it further RESOLVED, That funds included in the 1998 approved budget for a Laboratory Technician and overtime funds budgeted for water plant construction (now principally projected for 1999) be used to fund this position without any change in total budgetary funds. Superintendent Gray explained the need for this position as well as the job duties that this person will perform. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding current staffing levels and water issues. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously BPW Meeting Schedule By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is required to change its meeting schedule because of a conflict with the Common Council schedule; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby adopts the following meeting schedule: 4:00 p.m. Second Tuesday of each month - Committee of the Whole Meeting 5:30 p.m. Third Tuesday of each month - Voting Meeting Carried Unanimously Natural Areas Ordinance – Discussion Alderperson Vaughan, Council Liaison to the Six Mile Creek Committee, joined the Board for discussion on the proposed Natural Areas Ordinance. Alderperson Vaughan addressed the language in Section 114-4 A and B as it relates to work that the Department of Public Works would do in the watershed area, and the process established for notifying the Six Mile Creek Committee. Superintendent Gray noted that it becomes increasingly difficult to perform job duties efficiently when additional requirements such as notification to different committees are established. Alderperson Vaughan further asked if the Board was comfortable with the fact that emergency repairs, and necessary improvements were exempt from the notification/consultation process. Alderperson Vaughan noted that the Six Mile Creek Committee is uncomfortable with the idea of separate zones marking which lands are watershed land, and which lands are natural areas. The City is required to establish a Natural Areas Commission as a condition to the acquisition of the Ithaca Falls property. The Six Mile Creek Committee will be folded into the Natural Areas Commission to create the core of that Commission. Superintendent Gray noted that the requirement of the establishment of the Natural Areas Commission was submitted by the City, and that he is not comfortable with certain wording within the Ordinance as written. This matter was referred to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion. January 20, 1998 5 REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported on the following matters: Highways: Snow removal/salting; pothole patching, sidewalk clearing, building repairs/improvements Parks & Forestry: tree trimming/removal, parking ramp and parks sidewalks and driveways clearing Building Systems: City Hall improvements, ceiling repairs, the Custodian who was projected to be laid off, has been promoted as a truck driver Other items: 1998 projects are being reviewed, end of year budget report preparation Superintendent Gray reported on the following matters: Stewart Avenue Landslide – a portion of the landslide has slid further Parking Equipment Project – nearly complete Southside construction – 2nd phase of work has begun Bridge projects - GIAC door replacements – project nearly complete GIS monument stations – survey work is ongoing Cold Storage Building – project is proceeding City Hall code compliance project – work is ongoing Skate Park – design is complete Traffic signal system – TIP project City Hall renovations – painting schemes have been selected Site Plan Review Personnel/Legal issues REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Commissioner Ehrhardt reported on the following matters: The SJS did not have a quorum for a meeting today. The Traffic Committee has not met, next meeting is scheduled for February 3, 1998 at 5:00 pm. There was a meeting with the City Judge, Chief Basile, Sgt. Keith Loson, the Mayor, and Steve Ehrhardt regarding the Board’s request that Common Council investigate the possibility of lowering City speed limits to 25 mph, and that the Police Department further heighten speed enforcement. The Police Department noted that they were offended by the Board’s request as they feel their enforcement limits are at 110%, and explained the difficulties that they face in writing speeding tickets in a 30 mph zone. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. January 20, 1998 6 Julie Conley Holcomb Steven Ehrhardt City Clerk Vice-Chair