HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1999-02-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. February 10, 1999
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (3) - Vargas, Gutenberger, Jenkins
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy City Clerk – Korherr
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 – Hershey
EXCUSED: Commissioner Leonardo
MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Cohen reported that an insufficient number of Commissioners
are in attendance for a quorum. Members of the public will be
heard and informational discussion will follow. Reports from
staff will also be presented. This meeting shall be considered a
C.O.W. session, and the February 17,1999 meeting shall be a
voting session.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Elizabeth Smith, Town of Ithaca, representing the South Hill
Civic Association and Ithaca College, addressed the Board
regarding the issue of safety, and the sidewalks on Hudson Street
Extension and the City portion of Coddington Road. The
Transportation Equity Act recently signed by President Clinton
provides communities investment alternatives for safety projects.
This Act provides funding for bike safety projects. She asked
that the Board of Public Works develop a strong bicycle and
pedestrian plan before they continue their efforts in developing
traffic calming measures in the area.
Guy Gerard, City of Ithaca, spoke of his frustration with NYSEG
subcontracting with a firm that ruined many trees in his area.
The company in question trimmed trees in front of his house in
order to drop fiber optic cable, not just regular maintenance. Mr
Gerard questioned why the company performed the services without
City supervision and why NYSEG was able to subcontract a specific
use permit. He was concerned about the amount of time that lapsed
between when the problem became an issue and when the permits
were rescinded and work halted. The damage was already done.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
Superintendent Gray explained that the City Forester demanded
that the contractor cease trimming immediately. The City will
determine why the contractor continued after that point once the
application for a new permit is requested. The City’s tree policy
is strong.
Mayor Cohen stated that NYSEG permits can be complicated due to
rights of way and use for other purposes. Easement agreements go
back decades. The Public Service Commission has allowed NYSEG
permission for some of the work that was completed. The City
considers NYSEG to have abused their rights and taking the City’s
property. The Personnel matter is being handled appropriately in
an effort to prevent this from happening again.
REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the
following matters:
Board of Public Works
February 10,1999
Page 2 of 2
Vinegar Hill Pumping Stations-major renovations, contract work
has begun. Major fire knocked out all five pumps around
Christmas. Rebuilt electrical box quickly to temporarily maintain
services. Electrical work was long overdue.
Buffalo,Giles,Island pump stations all have current projects
scheduled. Buffalo station is located under the intersection of
Buffalo and Meadow Sts. and will be completely rebuilt. The
construction will block two lanes of the street. The Dept. of
Transportation placed the curb incorrectly during the Octopus
construction. The 24 hr. per day project will begin in three
weeks. Dan Cole and the DOT are working together on this also.
Parking will be temporarily eliminated while construction is in
progress.
Mayor Cohen stated that he recently received a letter from the
Dept. of Transportation regarding pedestrian traffic and vehicle
accidents at the intersection. He has requested a pedestrian wall
similar to the one on Hoy Road. The DOT is evaluating his
request.
Waste Water Treatment Plant Master Plan results will be available
at the next meeting.
Bolton Point and Cornell Lake Source cooling project efforts
continue. City will work along side of their efforts down Lake
Street for City water system improvements. The LSC project
schedule is very ambitious. Many elements will be completed by
the end of August, before moving day for student return. ICSD
approved easement for work to be completed on their property. The
district was wonderful to work with. LSC wants our work down
before the 2” mains are placed. New interceptor between campus
and the treatment center will be the end result. 100 year old
pipes will be replaced. Barnard Construction from Montana will
oversee the project beginning 2/15/1999. Discussions between
Cornell, Bolton Point and the City are accomplishing mutual gains
through regional cooperation.
Sewer Bond Act Grant-proceeding well. Phosphorus removal is a
part of the plan.
Water Main breaks also taking place.
Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni distributed the completed project
list for 1998.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Robin Korherr Alan J. Cohen
Deputy City Clerk Mayor