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
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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
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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