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