Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-1999-03-24BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting 4:30 p.m. March 24, 1999 PRESENT: Vice-Chair Ehrhardt Commissioners (5) - Leonardo, Vargas, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Korherr OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy Clerk – Korherr Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel Common Council Liaison - Hershey PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Ehrhardt led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Citizen Pruner Video Project Grant Application By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, City Forester Andrew Hillman has prepared a grant application for $7,500 for a “Citizen Pruner Video Project”; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes and directs William J. Gray, P.E., Superintendent of Public Works to file an application for funds in an amount not to exceed $7,500, and upon approval of said request to enter into and execute the project agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for such financial assistance to this municipality for “Citizen Pruner Video Project”. Carried Unanimously Superintendent Gray clarified the fact that this grant is a matching grant that would require $7,500 of City funds also. Mulholland Wildflower Preserve Community Forestry Project Grant Application By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo WHEREAS, City Forester Andrew Hillman has prepared a grant application for $7,500 for the “Mulholland Wildflower Preserve Community Forestry Project”; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes and directs William J. Gray, P.E., Superintendent of Public Works to file an application for funds in an amount not to exceed $7,500, and upon approval of said request to enter into and execute the project agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for such financial assistance to this municipality for “Mulholland Wildflower Preserve Community Forestry Project”. Carried Unanimously Power to Act - 1999 Newman Golf Course Rates By Commissioner Ehrhardt :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr WHEREAS, the Newman Golf Course income exceeded expenses in 1998 and is projected to do so in 1999, now, therefore be it Board of Public Works – March 24, 1999 - Page 2 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Superintendent and the Golf Course Manager to maintain in 1999 the identical rates that prevailed in 1998. Carried Unanimously Superintendent Gray explained that the 1998 rates were increased dramatically so his recommendation is to keep them the same. Steve Torrent, Newman Golf Pro, explained that course membership sales decreased and have since increased. The resident and non- resident rates have survived the transition. The daily rates are approaching those at other courses and the recommendation is to not increase them further. Commissioner Ehrhardt questioned the amount of encumbered expenses. Superintendent Gray confirmed that expenses should meet revenues in all cases. Commissioner Ehrhardt shared Mayor Cohen’s intention to not increase rates unless red accounts existed. Northland Request to Remove Tower Crane from 312 College Avenue By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, The Board of Public Works received a request from Northland Associates, general contractors for the building at 312 College Avenue, dated March 17, 1999, to close College Avenue for several days in order for the contractor to remove the tower crane currently in place at 312 College Avenue, and WHEREAS, The Board reviewed their concerns with representatives of Northland at their committee meeting on March 17, 1999, and received assurances that Northland had, or would shortly, coordinate all issues associated with informing the local merchants, arranging for police to direct traffic, arranging for changes in bus routing, impacts on fire safety involving the fire department and Cornell’s Environmental Health and Safety Department, as well as public information through the media and other items which might be identified during the coordination efforts and WHEREAS, members of the board who have reviewed the current status of the project with police, fire, public works and local merchants now feel that steps taken to date are inadequate, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works, in an effort to accommodate the contractor’s proposed schedule, while protecting the needs of the City, its residents and merchants, delegates its authority to enter into a written agreement with Northland Associates to a sub-committee consisting of the Mayor, Board members Joe Leonardo and Mary Gutenberger and Alderpersons Joan Spielholz and Jane Marcham who will be assisted by the Superintendent and the City Attorney, prior to issuing a street permit, and be it further RESOLVED, that the agreement shall address or include provisions covering the following items: 1. Fire safety and all direct costs associated with protecting the community. 2. Traffic coordination and all costs associated with police efforts to accommodate the street closing. 3. Public transit issues and the public information required to notify users of any changes. 4. Time limits in days for the street closing held to four days and a penalty of $ 10,000 per day or any portion there of beyond four days. 5. Coordination with local merchants and public of timing and impacts due to closings. 6. And all other items needed to produce a joint agreement which protects the City from all costs. Board of Public Works – March 24, 1999 - Page 3 Carried Unanimously Commissioner Ehrhardt clarified that this issue involves erecting an additional crane in order to dismantle the larger crane that was required for the construction project. In order for this to happen the streets need to be closed to traffic for several days. Commissioner Gutenberger stated that TCAT and the Police have not been informed that the work will be done. Mike McKenna , the representative for Northland Associates, responded that he felt that approval and specific dates needed to be established before he went forward with notifying all parties involved including the media. Superintendent Gray stated that the crane must be removed. If Fire and Transit charges were billed to the contractor for additional work performed due to rerouting bus service, etc. due to the street closing then discussions should have taken place already. Commissioner Gutenberger discussed the alteration that the area will have to undergo to meet fire and safety demands as they arise. Signs will be placed at Stewart Ave. and E. State Streets. Police officers will be placed at Dryden Rd. and College Ave. as well as Mitchell St. and College Ave. A flagman will be placed at the bottom of Catherine Street. The fire route will be moved to Catherine Street. The meters on Catherine Street will be bagged for adequate fire access. A sign at Annabel Taylor Hall will reroute campus traffic. Another sign will be placed at the five corners. Commissioner Leonardo confirmed with Mr. McKenna that the work will be performed during the week of April 5,1999. Bob Ripa, City of Ithaca Building Inspector, stated that this is the first time that a tower crane was involved in a project in the Collegetown area so this problem was not foreseen when the permit was issued. Commissioner Ehrhardt discussed his sharing of this issue with the Planning and Development Committee. The $ 10,000 performance penalty was brought to their attention and they expressed no objection to imposing it. The Committee felt that the Contractor should have known that this crane issue would arise. Committee members should have flagged this during site plan review. John Curatolo, Ithaca Police Officer, stated that the IPD, Fire and Mr. McKenna should coordinate their efforts in the planning stages of the crane removal. The level of traffic confusion may require more than one flag person at certain intersections. When the boom is coming off of the crane the large end may swing out into the intersection of College Ave. and Dryden Road. This may cause a media event and additional officers may be necessary. Alderperson Marcham was present to express concerns with daily deliveries to businesses in the area. Noise may also be an issue and the resolution does not mention it. Excessive construction noise is not allowed prior to 7:30 am and this would be a hardship for those individuals that live in the area. Superintendent Gray stated that the project should not involve loud noises. The time constraints and impacts on the merchants should be the major issues at hand. Superintendent Gray further stated that in construction law arbitrary penalties should not be allowed. $10,000 per day may not be enforceable on a flat rate basis and the sub-committee should create a reliable figure. Board of Public Works – March 24, 1999 - Page 4 Mr. McKenna stated that after hour work cannot be performed due to safety issues and 5:30 am on the first day is the startup time scheduled. A rough schedule can be made available for the public. The hourly crane costs are considerable. His company has a very high incentive to get the work done. Commissioner Korherr stated that several hours would be made available if the work could be performed during the early morning hours. Alderperson Hershey expressed concern over the main flow of traffic in this particular area. He suggested closing off the traffic further back. Commissioner Leonardo confirmed that 24 hour/day security at the project site be guaranteed. The sub-committee will discuss alterations to the plan in the event of severe weather. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Robin L. Korherr Steve Ehrhardt Deputy City Clerk Vice-Chair, BPW