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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1998-10-13CW BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE October 13, 1998 NOTES PRESENT: Commissioners Ehrhardt, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Smith, Vargas, Mayor Cohen, and Assistant Superintendent Ferrel. Commissioner Ehrhardt chaired the meeting. There were no deletions from the agenda. Additions: Request for Use of Agway Building Signage for Truck Routes Request for Tree Planting on the Commons 1. Request for use of Agway Building. Nels Bohn of the Planning Department was present to address the board. He explained that Marina Realty of Ithaca, Inc. (MRI) would like to lease the Agway property from the city through May 1, 1999 for storage of boats. Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that the property was formerly leased by RIBS and that the State deemed their use illegal. He explained that the property is park land and that it needs to be used as such. Mr. Bohn noted that the State Parks Department is now more flexible but that he would check with them on the request. The consensus of the board was to approve the request contingent upon approval by the Attorney's Office and the State Parks Department. 2. Award of Bid for Pump Station Upgrades. This item was previously tabled by the board at their meeting on September 15, 1998. Moved by Mayor Cohen to remove it from the table, seconded by Commissioner Smith. Moved by Commissioner Leonardo, seconded by Commissioner Smith. WHEREAS, bids were opened on September 15, 1998 for the Pumping Station Upgrades, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids along with O'Brien and Gere, consulting engineer, and have made a recommendation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the Pump Station Upgrades general contract to Henderson Brothers Contracting, Inc., 47 Gildner Road, P.O. Box 788, Central Square, NY 13036 for their low bid of $176,701.00, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board hereby awards the Pump Station Upgrades electrical contract to O'Connell Electric, Co., 830 Phillips Road, Victor, NY 14564 for their low bid of $97,687.00, and be it further r Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole October 13, 1998 RESOLVED, That these funds are approved for expenditure within Capital Project #506 and that the board authorizes the Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer to enter into agreement with both Henderson Brothers Contracting, Inc and O'Connell Electric, Co. Discussion followed concerning the costs of the estimates. Carried Unanimously (5 -0) 3. Encroachment at 127 Giles Street. The board was presented with a survey map which indicates an encroachment at the property on 127 Giles Street. A proposed agreement was not presented and therefore, details of the encroachment is not known at this time. The board agreed that a resolution could be passed indicating that the board approves of the encroachment if the usual terms and conditions are present in the agreement. 4. Discussion of Parking Sticker Program for Dryden Road Garage Comm. Gutenberger explained that the merchants in Collegetown would like to participate in a sticker program as the downtown merchants do. She told the board that the Traffic Sub - Committee has discussed the request and feels that the downtown merchants pay 5 /8ths the amount of hourly parking for each sticker and that the Collegetown merchants should also pay 5 /8ths the cost of their parking. She then noted that she received a letter from the merchants just prior to the meeting and that they are also requesting free parking during the holidays, reduced rates in the summer and more lighting and striping in the garage. In addition, the letter states that they want to pay 25 cents which is the cost to the downtown merchants. Discussion followed concerning the fairness of the cost to the merchants. Alderperson Marcham told the board that she felt the request should be honored since that was the price they were willing to pay. She added that she did not see where the reduced amount would effect revenue. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that the cost is proportional to the demand for use of the lot. Discussion included the other requests from the merchants. It was agreed that free parking during the holidays could be done on a trial basis and that reduced summer rates could be looked at. The board also noted that staff should include maintenance, including repairs to the lighting and re- striping be done in 1999. The board agreed that a resolution would be presented at the next regular meeting. 5. Request for Change in Parking_ Comm. Ehrhardt noted that Dan Cole, Traffic Systems Engineer, received two requests for change in parking on Eddy Street. Mr. Cole has denied the requests and Comm. Ehrhardt feels that a resolution backing the decision is needed. Resolutions will be presented at the next regular meeting. Page - 2 Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole October 13, 1998 6. Capital Project for Elmira Road /Albany Street & South of the Creek Traffic Calming. Comm. Ehrhardt explained to the board that the proposed project for the intersection was not included as a Capital Project but that he'd like to push it to get funding for it. He reviewed the changes including dead ending Park Street with a mountable curb, installing a four way stop and improving the safety of the Spencer Road "entrance" to the intersection. Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that IFD will probably object to the mountable curbs since they are tough on equipment. Mayor Cohen noted that he supports the changes because it has many benefits such as diverting cars to Route 13 instead of through the neighborhood. The discussion then turned to the possibility of installation of the Plain Street Bridge. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that he did not want to see the installation of the bridge and that a better use of it could be made. This discussion will continue with members of the board, IFD and IPD at a later date. 7. Signage for Truck Routes. Comm. Ehrhardt told the board that this project is moving forward and that Dan Cole, Traffic Systems Engineer, will be directed to install the Truck Route signage on city streets where the State DOT does not need to give permission. Asst. Supt. Ferrel noted that the signs are on order. He noted that the department is requesting a couple of routes be excluded from the project since they are direct routes for the department. Comm. Ehrhardt noted that the department could argue that those routes are local delivery since they would be en route to Streets and Facilities. 8. Request for Tree Planting on the Commons. Comm. Ehrhardt reviewed a letter requesting that the board approve of a tree to be planted memory of a young girl. The mother, who would like to remain unidentified, explained that her daughter had been involved with drugs and had completed the twelve step program to recovery. Her daughter was then involved in a tragic vehicle accident which took her life. The mother would like permission to plant a tree on the commons as a reminder of her daughter's life. She hopes that it will offer other youths in trouble a sign as an alternative way of life. The board was concerned that by allowing the planting on the commons, it would set a precedent. The board agreed that this is a difficult decision but that maybe the memorial would be better suited in Stewart Park or a neighborhood park. The consensus was to refer this item to the properties sub - committee for their review and recommendation. Page - 3 Board of Public Works r Committee of the Whole October 13, 1998 9. Schedule of Bike Plan Discussion Comm. Ehrhardt told the board that he would like to begin the process of reviewing and implementing bike routes. He explained that he would like to involve the stakeholders, such as BPAC, IFD, IPD and the neighborhoods. Discussion followed on a time table for meetings. It was decided that the board would hold three special meetings (November 5`h at 4:30 - 6:30, November 19th at 5:00 -7:00, and December 1' at 4:30- 7:00). The meeting adjourned at 6 :05 p.m. Page - 4 Notes taken by: Donna L. Payne Administrative Secretary