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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1998-04-21BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 5:30 p.m. April 21,1998 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (5) - Ehrhardt, Leonardo, Smith, Gutenberger, Jenkins OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – Conley Holcomb Deputy City Controller - Thayer Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni Common Council Liaison - Marcham EXCUSED: Commissioner Vargas PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Commissioner Ehrhardt requested the addition of the following items: Power to Act to consider bids for Sewage Pumps Power to Act to consider bids for TV Equipment No Board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: John Beach, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board on the issue of Southwest Park. He suggested that the Board consider not spending money on infrastructure until the traffic problems in the area are addressed. Currently Spencer St., Spencer Rd., Elmira Rd. and S. Albany Street are burdened with 13,000 cars per day along with increased truck traffic. Eliminating the truck traffic by posting signs and enforcing the law is needed. Neighborhoods would like to see reduced traffic by 50% in the next year, and the heavy traffic channelled to other streets. Frost Travis, Boy Scouts of America, was in attendance to support their group’s request to use Dewitt Park. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Commissioner Ehrhardt pointed out that on May 5,1998 the Traffic Committee will be meeting with City representatives from IPD, City Court, and Board of Public Works members to develop a plan for strong enforcement of truck ordinances. Mayor Cohen agreed that traffic problems exist but Southwest Park efforts should not be delayed because of it. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Alderperson Marcham complimented the staff at the Department of Public Works on the Structural Soil Award from NYCOM. The presenters also captured another grant at the conference. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: Deputy City Controller Thayer reported on the 1997 financial activity for DPW and the department’s ability to show a remaining balance of $ 123,000 spread over the 30+ accounts. He complimented and thanked the staff for their hard work. Board of Publ;ic Works April 21,1998 Page 2 of 6 BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Approval of Festival Contract. By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca Festival are desirous of entering into an agreement to outline expectations and responsibilities during the festival events of June 4 through June 7, 1998, and WHEREAS, the Festival Director has met with City staff including the Police Department, Fire Department, and Department of Public Works to review the details of the events, and WHEREAS, the director of the Ithaca Festival has met with the Board of Public Works to request the use of specific areas and services for the Ithaca Festival, including DeWitt Park, Stewart Park and the Commons; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the agreement with the Ithaca Festival which includes the following: 1. The use of the Commons for a Community Dinner on Thursday June 4, 1998, 2. The closing of the parade route (Washington Park to the Commons) on Friday, June 5, 1998. 3. The use of DeWitt Park on Saturday, June 6, 1998 and Stewart Park on June 7, 1998. 4. Supplemental volunteer labor to be provided by the Ithaca Festival for trash collection during all phases of the festival. 5. Additional items covered by the agreement between the City of Ithaca and the Ithaca Festival for 1998, said agreement outlines the details and expectations of both parties, including finances, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Mayor be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Ithaca. A vote on the resolution was as follows: Ays: (4) Jenkins, Ehrhardt, Gutenberger, Leonardo Nays: (0) Abstentions: (1) Smith Carried Authorization to Handle Future Festival Contracts By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works annually reviews and approves the Ithaca Festival contract, and WHEREAS, staff is recommending that the annual contract be handled administratively unless new and unusual requests are made; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into future Ithaca Festival contracts unless new and unusual requests are made. Carried Unanimously Mayor Cohen noted that the Superintendent of Public Works would review the requests and the Mayor would sign the agreements. Request for Use of DeWitt Park. By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Smith Board of Publ;ic Works April 21,1998 Page 3 of 6 WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from the Boy Scouts to hold an Activity Day on May 9, 1998 in DeWitt Park, and WHEREAS, the event will be an informational day for Boy Scouts to attend and learn more about the scouts; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the use of DeWitt Park to the Boy Scouts on May 9, 1998. Commissioner Gutenberger led discussions with a concern over the intended usage of the park. She suggested that the Commons would be a good place for these events, as opposed to Dewitt park due to the long standing agreement with the neighboring church that the park be used for quiet, peaceful events. Mayor Cohen felt that a written agreement with the church would allow additional groups to utilize the space as well. The Ithaca Festival as well as other groups have used it in the past. Amending the Resolution By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo RESOLVED, That the following Resolved clause be added to the end of the Resolution: “RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works is temporarily suspending the granting of permits for the use of Dewitt Park until the Mayor and the church have had an opportunity to revisit the agreement and come to mutual understanding on the expectations of it’s use.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion as Amended: A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS: Power to Act at C.O.W. By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works have the Power to Act to consider bids on a television camera for inspection of sewer pipes as well as sewage pumps for repair of sewage pump stations. Carried Unanimously Installation of Parking Barriers on Eddy Street at Buffalo. By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the traffic sub-committee has reviewed the parking situation on Eddy Street at Buffalo Street, and WHEREAS, the traffic sub-committee is recommending the installation of timber and gravel “bump out” which will occupy the parking lane in order to prohibit illegal parking, and WHEREAS, input has been received from the Police and Fire Departments on this installation; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the installation of “bump outs” on Eddy Street at the top of East Buffalo Street and that work be done by city crews as soon as scheduling allows. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Ehrhardt clarified that the purpose of this is to enhance the “no parking near the corner” signs on Eddy Street adjacent to Buffalo Street. He stressed that making the intersection safer is the goal. Board of Publ;ic Works April 21,1998 Page 4 of 6 Resubmittal of Funding Request for North Cayuga Street Bridge at Fall Creek By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the engineering staff has become aware of a NYSDOT program to consolidate and coordinate bridge paintings programs which may afford cost savings to the state, the county and the city, and WHEREAS, staff has been advised by Assemblyman Luster’s office that additional bridge funds may be available if we were only more aggressive in seeking them through the MPO and DOT; now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff to work with the county engineering staff to submit a consolidated program for bridge painting to NYSDOT Region 3, and be it further RESOLVED, That staff resubmit funding requests through the MPO and NYSDOT for the North Cayuga Street Bridge at Fall Creek which results in improved Fire Department access to the High School Complex while assuming what ever aggressive posture is necessary. Carried Unanimously Joe Daley, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board as the former Chair of the Traffic Task Force. He stated that the issues relating to the traffic situation in the S. Albany Street area must be reviewed. The traffic levels are similar to those at the Tioga and East Seneca Streets intersection as well as the Buffalo and Fulton Streets intersection. In order to maintain the viable neighborhood some action must be taken. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following matters: Highways: Golf Course opened on April 5,1998 and mowing will improve when seasonal staff is hired. Storm sewer installations on Elm Street and College Ave. Various repairs made to catch basins.Meter post installation on West State Street Parks & Forestry: Tree planting at many locations. Arbor Day festivities at Belle Sherman School. Awards- 10th consecutive City Tree Certification and the 3rd Growth Award as well as 1st Place by NYCOM for the Structural Soil Demonstration video. Stewart Park playground structure for younger children is being installed. Staff will attempt to open pavilions earlier than usual if possible. Monument at Dewitt Park has not been repaired. The veterans organizations have been notified of the City’s intent to combine efforts with them. Building Systems: Many plumbing projects at facilities and Commons. Garage crews are working on snow equipment change over. Specifications on new plowtruck and upgrade of fuel dispenser system are being prepared, federal compliance mandate for fuel dispensing must be complete by December 31. Electrician: Lights have been installed at Frosh Alley. NYSEG will need to fine tune the project. Transit: Bus #119 circa 1983 had a new engine installed after 500,000 miles of use. Board of Publ;ic Works April 21,1998 Page 5 of 6 Earth Day bus will be available on the Commons. Other items: DPW crews were called in to assist the Building Department after a fire occurred at a downtown residence. The house needed to be leveled due to extensive damage. A private contractor is currently removing the debris. The Great American Car Race is coming to the Commons June 12th as an alternate site. The B.I.D. is excited about the opportunity. Program budgets are being created in addition to the 33 line items. Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters: Spring contracts will begin: Cass Park lighting, Cass Pool work. Completion of Cold storage building, Southside facility and bridge programs Linn Street bridge community hearing took place. Additional meetings will occur before final plans are made. T.C.A.T. senior staff have been working on dissolving the old operations committee as well as making new Board appointments. New rules of order need to be established for the facility. Five year capital project budgeting should be implemented for DPW. One year planning doesn’t incorporate multi-year projects in the process. The staff operates with long range planning in mind so it would be helpful if the Board had the same perspective. Mayor Cohen expressed his desire to allocate one hour of the June C.O.W. meeting to discuss the five year Capital Project projections. TC3 has been working with the City Chamberlain to discuss the value card system for their students and staff. TC3 would only pay for what the actual usage is rather than a monthly permit. Superintendent Gray and Chamberlain Parsons will present their discussions to the Board at a later date. Mayor Cohen expressed his concern that the number of programs established through the Program Analysis process should be at least the number of current line items since they are each very identifiable programs. Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the following matters: Staff has been working on the grant application process through the Environmental Facilities Corp. for permanent financing of one half of the state bond pool. The current rate is 2.7% on this borrowing plus administrative fees for a total of approx. 3%. Controller Cafferillo is the designated City representative. Savings on this funding source is $244,000 per million or $480,000 total interest savings. An additional water main has been requested behind the Ithaca Plaza for fire prevention purposes for Titus Towers, Special Children’s Center, and the Cellular One plaza. The CellOne developer agreed to pay $ 5,000 of the total $ 10,000 cost for the additional main. The work was completed due to the mild winter. Board of Publ;ic Works April 21,1998 Page 6 of 6 Cascadilla Street to Carpenter Park sewer work has resumed. Cornell, landowner Friedman and landowner Giordano have provided easements for the continuance of the project. Ithaca High School sewer work was recently completed while school was not in session due to the impossible traffic situation in the area. Extended staff efforts have been necessary. The final project outcome as well as positioning and details for manholes are being evaluated in cooperation with the School Districts efforts. The Wastewater Plant startup of new pumps has been able to add 3,000,000 gallons capacity. Remote monitoring devices have been installed at three remote pumping stations to determine simultaneously when and for how long the pumps are operating. These devices will allow preventative maintenance programs to be implemented. Bid results have made expansion to all stations difficult due to specification differences. Water Plant negotiations have been unsettling and very time consuming. The plant staff has maintained their professional responsibility over the daily matters and the continuous equipment failures despite the instability of the future of operations. The time has come for the City to expand and welcome the reliable technological advancements that could be available. Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni expressed his desire to modernize the City’s hiring procedures. A quality review process would alter the current point system process of positioning titles in the salary grade structure. Novarr et al project at Cornell had lines added on City property portions in anticipation of the expanded needs. Police Dept. have new sanitary facilities at the pistol range. Clean Water Clean Air Act projects are continuing but applications for additional funding have recently failed. Group applications merging the other municipality’s efforts with the City’s may leverage the ability to receive funding. The lack of computerized billing systems make quick responses to customer questions impossible. In the future MUNIS should provide the technical assistance. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Alan J. Cohen City Clerk Mayor