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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BPW-1998-09-15BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 7:30 p.m. September 15, 1998 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (6) - Ehrhardt, Leonardo, Smith, Vargas, Gutenberger, Jenkins OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk - Holcomb Deputy City Controller - Thayer Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer - Fabbroni PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Additions: Roller Sports Park-Possible resolution Deferral: Approval of Design for Spencer/Turner/Prospect Intersection COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Hwa Suk Choong, 210 N. Geneva Street, spoke to the Board in regards to a bill for recycling which was not correct. She contacted Superintendent Gray’s office but had no response. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC: The matter was referred to the Properties Committee meeting on September 22,1998. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: Deputy City Controller Thayer reported on the following matters: The Golf Course Concession Stand lease will expire in December 1998. The Board needs to consider renewal options. The Golf Course has year to date net income of $ 30,000. The Golf cart lease has ended. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Concession within Stewart Park By Commissioner Vargas :Seconded by Commissioner Ehrhardt WHEREAS, the Ithaca Youth Bureau has reported to the Board of Public Works that it is operating the Stewart Park concession stand at a loss and would therefore like to transfer the responsibility back to the Department of Public Works, and WHEREAS, the Capital Review Committee did not want to address upgrading the utilties within the facility in order to assist in its operation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works does not wish to open a concession stand based on the condition of the facility nor does it wish to operate a concession stand while the Youth Bureau operates the others, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board clarifies Section 336-21 Selling and Soliciting by modifying the first sentence to read in part”no person shall sell or offer for sale any article or thing in the park except as permitted under Section 336-2 Food Concessions, and no person…” and be it further Board of Public Works – September 15, 1998 - Page 2 RESOLVED, That the Board recommends that the current Cass Park fee of $25 be increased by $25 each year until the seasonal fee is $150 for each vendor in the park and that the same fee structure be used in Stewart Park. Amending Resolution By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the following language be substituted for the existing resolved clauses: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works does not wish to open a concession stand based on the condition of the facility nor does it wish to operate a concession stand at Stewart Park, and be it further, RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs Superintendent of Public Works staff to work with the Controller’s Office to offer a concession stand lease to any party interested in opening concession operations at Stewart Park, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board clarifies Section 336-21 Selling and Soliciting by modifying the first sentence to read in part”no person shall sell or offer for sale any article or thing in the park except as permitted under Section 336-2 Food Concessions, and no person…” Carried Unanimously Main Motion as Amended A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Discussion followed on the floor regarding combination bidding for both Stewart Park and Golf Course concessions. Interested parties could bid on them separately or together. Once the City acquires ownership of the carousel then the possibility exists that these operations be included in the bid. Rollersports Park Bids By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Smith WHEREAS, the bids for the Rollersports Park far exceeded original estimates for this facility, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works rejects all bids for the Rollersports Park and directs staff to look at components of the project in order to evaluate the inclusion of each of them in the bid package and to then re-bid the same project as designed. Amending Resolution By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commssioner Smith RESOLVED, That the following language be added to the existing resolved clauses: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works asks the IURA to consider funding the balance of the project.” 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: Approval of Cleveland Avenue Proposal By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas WHEREAS, a proposal from Community Development has been brought forward to the Board of Public Works for lighting installation and street improvements on Cleveland Avenue, and WHEREAS, the grant proposal for the Department of Housing and Urban Development for this project included a variety of suggestions for street improvements in this neighborhood, and Board of Public Works – September 15, 1998 - Page 3 WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has identified two specific street improvements needed in this neighborhood (1) An improved crosswalk at the Southside Community Center on Plain Street and (2) A physical improvement located in the street to demarcate the boundary between the residential and commercially zoned sections of Cleveland Avenue, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the proposal for the installation of lighting in this area, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approval is contingent upon $35,000 of grant monies being held in reserve to cover construction costs for the two street improvements identified above. Carried Unanimously A discussion followed on the floor regarding street improvement grant funding. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: Adjustment in Permit Hours for Dryden Road Parking Garage By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Mayor Cohen WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request to modify the permit hours for the Dryden Road Parking Garage, and WHEREAS, the Board feels that the request is reasonable in order to allow night shift employees the ability to park without purchasing both the day and night permit (currently $85 each); now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves changing the Dryden Road Garage day permit hours from 6:00 am until 9:30 pm to 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm and the night permits from 6:00 pm to 9:30 am to 4:00 pm until 9:30 am, and be it further RESOLVED, That this change take effect October 1,1998. Commissioner Smith spoke against this change since only one merchant has expressed the need. He did not want this change to take place until further information is received from other merchants. The motion was withdrawn until more information can be obtained from the Collegetown merchants and the Chamberlain’s Office. Mayor Cohen stated that the Collegetown merchants are interested in obtaining discounted parking proportionate to that of the downtown merchants. Discussion followed on the floor regarding different options by pulling together a package to review all garages and appropriate parking rates. This discussion was referred to the Parking Committee along with the need for a decision no later than the December 1998 meeting. Mayor Cohen noted that a memorandum of understanding exists that precludes the city from altering the current downtown parking discounts. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the following matters: Speed bumps on Wood Street and South Street Site restoration at Ithaca High School, Cayuga Street and Fall Street for water and sewer work Cornell Street repairs near water tower Chip sealing on Valley Road and Floral Avenue Department of Public Works staff assisted with Syracuse storm damage Park restoration on Alice Miller Way Board of Public Works – September 15, 1998 - Page 4 Grant for trees to be planted under high voltage wires Concrete repairs to parking garages Cleaning and inspections to heating units East Hill street sweeping Southside elevator inspection needed for certificate of occupancy Proposals for electric upgrades The Commons ADA compliance items, ie. Storm sewer grates Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the following matters: Roof repairs at Water Plant Bids to refurbish Vinegar Hill pumpstation Need for Power to Act on bid awards Water plant pumpstations in desperate need of repair Water discussions on-going Completion of West Fall Street sewer work East Fall Street construction on-going IHS site restoration completed Water improvement grant lobbying Safety training increased Water hydrant replacement schedule NYSEG removal of coal tar substance at WasteWater Treatment Plant Lake Source Cooling Project will go out to bid December 1 Power To Act: Pumpstation Upgrades By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Smith RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves the Power to Act to review bids for pumpstation upgrades at the next Council of the Whole meeting. Carried Unanimously Mayor Cohen led a discussion regarding water negotiations and the capacity expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Joint funding is dependent upon the city’s intent to expand the plant. REPORT OF BOARD LIASONS: Commissioner Ehrhardt stated that the preliminary site plan review has been completed for the new Auto Zone store. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 pm. ______________________ _______________________ Robin Korherr Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor