HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1998-08-25BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 5:30 p.m. August 25, 1998
PRESENT:
Commissioners (4) - Ehrhardt, Leonardo, Smith, Gutenberger
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk - Holcomb
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni
Common Council Liaison – Marcham
Assistant Civil Engineer - Yost
EXCUSED: Commissioner(s) Jenkins and Vargas
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Commissioner Ehrhardt led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance
to the American flag.
Open Public Hearing: 1998 Sidewalk Assessment
By Commissioner Ehrhardt : Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works open the public hearing
portion of the meeting to allow the public to speak on the topic
of the 1998 Sidewalk Assessment.
Carried Unanimously
Superintendent Gray presented two protests from residents Linda
Lerch and Rudolph Saccucci.
Close the Public Hearing: 1998 Sidewalk Assessments
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, that the Board of Public Works close the public hearing
on the 1998 Sidewalk Assessments.
Carried Unanimously
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Alfonse Peeper, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board regarding the
Campbell Park property. He stated that a reasonable solution to
the problem at hand would be for the City to pay for a survey and
the property owner to pay minor fees.
Doug Pessefall, Ithaca Downtown Partnership, thanked the Board
for the expansion of the outdoor dining program.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC:
Superintendent Gray responded to comments made by Mr. Peeper
regarding the cost of the survey for the Campbell Park Property.
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY:
City Attorney Geldenhuys stated that property owners have
indicated that the proposal being made is acceptable for the City
to pay for the survey and the property owners will be responsible
for the recording fees. She will contact the two property owners
who have not responded.
REPORT OF OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS:
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID
WASTE ITEMS:
Conveyance of Campbell Park.
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has been made aware of an existing
parcel (between Ithaca Road, Elmwood Avenue and Mitchell Street)
which according to the Crandall maps, was known as Campbell Park,
and
Board of Public Works – August 25,1998 - Page 2
WHEREAS, the current owners of 108 Elmwood Avenue park in their
driveway which is located on the right of way to this parcel, and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney’s Office has researched deeds of the
adjacent owners of this city parcel and discovered that some
owners have been paying taxes on portions of the land; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works feels that a survey of
the parcel should be completed in order to convey the city owned
land to the adjacent land owners to alleviate any potential
liabilities and to clear title to these lands and that the City
Attorney take any additional steps necessary to complete this
process.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
RESOLVED, That the following language be added to the existing
resolved clauses:
“RESOLVED, That this recommendation is contingent upon the
approval of all of the affected property owners.”
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion As Amended
A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Request for Additional Funding for Garage Lighting Capital
Project
By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WHEREAS, There has been a request to the City of Ithaca for
additional funding in the amount of $ 213,000 for a project to
improve the lighting in the Seneca Street Parking Garaga, the
Green Street Parking Garage, and the parking lot adjacent to the
former Woolworth’s store; and,
WHEREAS, The Board of Public Works has been asked to make a
recommendation to Common Council concerning this request; and,
WHEREAS, The Board of Public Works believes that the parking lots
serving downtown Ithaca are in need of improvements related to
lighting, cleanliness, and perceived safety. Based on commonly
accepted lighting standards and on responses obtained from users
of these parking lots; and,
WHEREAS, This need must be balanced in the context of all of the
needs which make demands on the City’s budget and on the
resources of the Department of Public Works; and
WHEREAS, The City of Ithaca, property owners on the Ithaca
Commons, and owners of retail businesses on the Ithaca Commons
have joint responsibility for improving downtown Ithaca and
promoting downtown Ithaca as a lively, clean and safe location
for people to use twenty four hours a day; and
WHEREAS, The Board of Public Works believes that the merchants of
downtown Ithaca who provide evening shopping hours and the
tenants of the former Rothschild’s building and of Center Ithaca
who promote activity late into the evening need the support and
encouragement of the City of Ithaca; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works thanks the Lighting
Committee for their important work and informative report; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that Common
Council provide additional funding for the Garage Lighting
Capital Project according to the following terms:
Board of Public Works – August 25,1998 - Page 3
1. funding for the engineering design for lighting all of the
parking lots identified above be approved immediately so that
the design phase can be completed in its entirety;
2. funding for installing improved lighting and security in the
Green Street Parking Garage be approved immediately due to
the demand for night time parking generated by Center Ithaca
and Tompkins Cortland Community College;
3. funding for implementing improved lighting and security for
the lower half of the Seneca Street Parking Garage be
approved only after the regular uniform standardized hours
recommended by Leadership Tompkins for downtown retailers are
adopted as a common practice by at least 50 percent of
Commons area retailers;
4. funding for implementing improved lighting and security for
the upper half of the Seneca Street Parking Garage be
approved only after the regular uniform standardized hours
recommended by Leadership Tompkins for downtown retailers are
adopted as a common practice by at least 75 percent of
Commons area retailers;
5. funding for implementing improved lighting and security for
the parking lot adjacent to the former Woolworth’s store be
approved only after the new occupant or occupants re-open the
site and adopt the suggested hours recommended by Leadership
Tompkins.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Smith
RESOLVED, that the following language be substituted for the last
two whereas clauses:
“WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works believes that the City’s
responsibility to provide downtown parking should be based in
part on the City’s financial capacity to do so and on the demand
for downtown parking.”
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion As Amended
A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the linkage
of lighting and security issues with retail business hours.
Ithaca Downtown Partnership Director Pessefall stated that the
two issues should not be linked as the parking garages serve
residents, restaurants and taverns, community events, etc. The
Ithaca Downtown Partnership is already trying to address the
standardization of hours.
Commissioner Leonardo noted that he surveyed the Seneca Street
Parking Garage on a Saturday night and found approximately 20
cars in the total garage.
Acting Assistant City Attorney Dunn reported on the nature of the
City’s liability. She recommends that the City not link issues
and that the priority should be to conduct the construction as
safely as possible.
1998 City Employee Picnic
By Commissioner Smith: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of free use of
the Stewart Park pavilion for the 1998 City Employee Picnic.
Carried Unanimously
Alderperson Vaughan stated that the picnic will take place on
October 2,1998.
Board of Public Works – August 25,1998 - Page 4
TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS:
Approval of 1998 Sidewalk Assessments.
By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
WHEREAS, notices of defects, prior public hearings and notices of
assessments were provided to property owners prior to the repair
of their sidewalks during the summer of 1998; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the
finalization of the attached list of 1998 Sidewalk Assessments
and requests Common Council to direct the City Chamberlain to
collect such assessments.
Motion to Table
By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
RESOLVED, That the item be tabled.
Carried Unanimously
Superintendent Gray suggested that the item be tabled in order
for the City to review the two properties which protested the
assessments.
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
Award of Bid for Fuel System Upgrade.
By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WHEREAS, The city’s fuel dispensing system must be upgraded to
meet mandated EPA regulations by December 31, 1998. Bids were
received on July 14, 1998 to perform the work necessary to meet
the regulations. Staff has reviewed the submissions and is
prepared to award the work to the low bidder, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Beaver Petroleum, 88-B Ridge Road, Horseheads,
New York 14845 be awarded the bid to upgrade the fuel dispensing
system for their low bid of $77,250, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the funding be authorized by expending the $70,000
Capital Project established for this project and use of operating
funds from the A 5010-5430 and 5435 accounts to cover the amount
exceeding the capital funding, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent for Streets and
Facilities be authorized to enter into the agreement with Beaver
Petroleum.
Carried Unanimously
A discussion followed on the floor regarding the consolidation of
services with Tompkins County on fuel dispensing. Asst.
Superintendent Ferrel stated that the county uses diesel gasoline
obtained from a private contractor at their Bostwick Road
facility.
Authorization to Extend Labor Contract.
By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WHEREAS, Steve Torrant, Golf Course Manager, has been working
without a contract during 1998; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby extends the terms
and conditions of the 1995 contract with Mr. Torrant and that he
receive a 2.5 percent raise for 1998 (retroactive to January
1998) which is consistent with other negotiated contracts for
this year.
Carried Unanimously
Board of Public Works – August 25,1998 - Page 5
REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the board on the
following matters:
The City costs relating to First Lady Hillary Clinton’s
visit amounted to approxiamtely $ 2,500 with some additional
costs billed to GIAC.
Paving Cayuga Street, West Fall Street and Cascadilla Street
Reconstruction of Fall Creek Drive
Mitchell Street and the loading zone located near Belle
Sherman School work has been completed
Extensive tree damage caused by thunderstorms
The amount of grass mowing has been reduced and tree
watering has been increased
Parking ramp patching and flushing of stairways
City Hall air conditioning work has been performed
Youth Bureau repairs in the garage area
Crosswalk painting
Sign repair and replacements
Need for design and specifications of Streets anf Facilities
roof
Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the board on the
following matters:
Sewer installation on the south side of Ithaca High School
is complete
West Falls Street sewer installation is on-going
Since the death of a Bolton Point employee, safety issues
have been a top priority
Sewer Grant lobbying
Planning of a water system upgrade
Cornell University Lakesource Cooling Project
WasteWater Plant repairs
Pump stations
REPORT OF BOARD LIAISONS:
Commissioner Ehrhardt noted that a Planning Board discussion at a
subsequent meeting will include a resolution relating to curb
cuts at the corner of Commercial Avenue and Route 13. The
resolution presented will not include the location of the curb
cuts. Their placement will be determined on the basis of good
faith negotiations between S-Mart and the City and that the city
reserves the right to make changes in the future at the owner’s
expense.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm
Robin Korherr Alan J. Cohen
Deputy City Clerk Mayor
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