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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 _________________ ___________________