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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2000-02-09BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. February 9, 2000 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (6) - Ehrhardt, Leonardo, Vargas-Mendez, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Korherr OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy 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 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the Minutes of the December 15, 1999 and the January 12, 2000 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the December 15, 1999 and the January 12, 2000 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Superintendent Gray requested the addition of the following items to the agenda: Temporary Docking at Stewart Park-Resolution Water and Sewer Materials Bid-Resolution No Board member objected. REPORT OF CITY CLERK: Deputy Clerk Korherr reported that the July 1998 through November 1998 minutes are complete and in the Mayor’s Office for his approval. Once they are mailed all minutes will be up to date. The Clerk’s Office has moved to the second floor due to the first floor renovation project. Deputy Clerk Korherr wished to thank Jim Kelly and his crews for their efforts assisting the staff during the move. REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER: Deputy City Controller Thayer reported that 1999 year end activity is in progress and the Collegetown Special Assessment figures are being calculated. The year end figures will be made available to the Board when they are available. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following matters: -Water and Sewer discussions as well as Dept. of Transportation meetings relating to bridge projects have consumed numerous staff hours. -Traffic signal costs may be excessive based on Dept. of Transportation standards and recommendations -Work is being performed in preparation for bid acceptance for current construction projects -Renovations and necessary relocation of City Hall offices will improve electrical and communication systems throughout the Board of Public Works – February 9, 2000 - Page 2 building. The high traffic flow to the Clerk’s and Chamberlain’s Offices will be improved. -Sidewalk projects are a work in progress. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Revision to Collegetown Special Assessments for 2000. By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the 2000 Collegetown Special Assessment District charges adopted by the Board of Public Works on December 12, 1999 contained errors; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the December 12, 1999 resolution passed by the Board of Public Works is hereby rescinded, and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopts the revised Collegetown Special Assessment for 2000 dated January 28, 2000 (attached), and be it further RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain be requested to make the billing at the appropriate time, and be it further RESOLVED, That staff distribute a copy of the 2000 detailed assessment schedule for the effected parties for their review. Carried Unanimously Request for Expungement of Trash Violation. By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr WHEREAS, Paulyne Wasilchak, owner of 110 South Plain Street, received a trash violation for placement of recycling material on the wrong week, and WHEREAS, Ms Wasilchak states that her tenant made a mistake, that they are conscientious when it comes to recycling and they should not be charged for their initial error; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request for expungement of the trash violation for 110 South Plain Street, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board denies the request because they feel that they cannot pass the expense on to the taxpayers. Carried Unanimously TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS: Request for Waiver of Stewart Park Pavilion Fee. By Commissioner Korherr :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Center for Environmental Sustainability is requesting that the Stewart Park pavilion fee be waived for the Earth Day event on April 22, 2000, and WHEREAS, staff does not open the pavilion or turn on the water that early in the season; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby denies the request for waiver of the pavilion use fee based on its policy to not approve such requests, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board suggests that the Center for Environmental Sustainability obtain port-a-johns for the event due to water not being available and work with the Youth Bureau to obtain the program space they need. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Vargas arrived at 4:50 pm Request to Install Temporary Docking Facilities in Stewart Park. By Commissioner Korherr :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins Board of Public Works – February 9, 2000 - Page 3 WEHREAS, Tom Trenchard is requesting permission to install seasonal docking facilities in Stewart Park near the large pavilion, and WHEREAS, he is proposing to rent out non-motorized boats to the public from these facilities, as well as operating a motorized “snack boat” and separate ferry boat service on the lake, which will use these facilities as one of their stops, and WHEREAS, the Youth Bureau is very interested in this proposal because it will assist their summer camp programs for sailing and canoeing, and WHEREAS, the Parks Commission has approved the concept and is willing to work with Mr. Trenchard to make this a successful operation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves in concept of Mr. Trenchard installing temporary docking facilities in Stewart Park and operating concessions for rental of small craft, a snack boat and a ferry boat, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests staff and the Parks Commission work with Mr. Trenchard on finalizing details of the dock installation and small craft storage and return to the board for final review, and be it further RESOLVED, That the City staff and City Attorney’s Office work with Mr. Trenchard to draft a five year revocable agreement with a clause allowing either party to terminate the agreement with 30 day notice, and which lays out financial terms, insurance requirements and other standard terms necessary for the concessions agreement. Ayes: (5) Korherr, Gutenberger, Leonardo, Jenkins, Cohen Nays: (0) Abstentions: Vargas-Mendez Mayor Cohen stated that this is a conceptual approval. Restrictions on parkland usage City wide need to be evaluated with the assistance of the Attorney’s Office for future reference. The details and findings will be brought back to the Board. Award of Bid for Ductile Pipe By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas-Mendez WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca received bids on February 7,2000 to furnish and deliver 16” and 20” ductile iron pipe, butterfly valves, fittings, and accessories, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids, including noted exceptions or deviations from the minimum bid specifications, and recommends that the bid be awarded to the low total base bidder, now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the contract for bid on ductile iron pipe to Martisco Corp., 107 Terminal Road East, Liverpool, New York 13088 for their total bid of $241,021.75 and, be it further RESOLVED, That this be paid out of Water funds that follow: Capital Project 506 $ 235,496.75 Capital Project 606 5,625.00 Total $ 241,021.75 And, be it further Board of Public Works – February 9, 2000 - Page 4 RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to award the bid. Carried Unanimously Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni stated that the lowest bid on the list of bidders does not meet the specifications required for the project. ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: Rescheduling of Public Hearing for Sidewalk Assessments. By Commissioner Jenkins :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works scheduled a public hearing for the 1999 sidewalk assessments, and WHEREAS, staff has requested that the meeting be postponed until the March meeting; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby schedules a public hearing on March 8, 2000 for the 1999 sidewalk assessments. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Gutenberger initiated a discussion relating to sidewalks and the need for them to be installed at certain areas. She also noted that on February 28, 2000 the TCAT bus routes will be changed and notification should take place to residents and businesses in the Southwest section of town. Alderperson Hershey stated that he and Commissioner Ehrhardt have drafted the press release for the notification. The Board decided that March 15,2000 would be an appropriate date for the mailing and press release. Mayor Cohen suggested that a comprehensive city wide sidewalk study be prepared to determine where it would be appropriate for the sidewalks to be installed. The areas in question could be pulled from the GIS data and a Capital Project should be established. Mayor Cohen stated that Alderperson Vaughan will be presenting to the Budget and Administration Committee of Common Council the idea of the city assuming the full expense for the sidewalk maintenance program. This would eliminate the notification to residents and the time frame for them to complete the work along with the entire sidewalk assessment process. Common Council members have expressed some support for this for residential properties but not for businesses. The B&A meeting will be held February 23, 2000 and Board of Public Works members are invited to come to discuss this issue. Commissioner Ehrhardt arrived at 5:15 pm MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Cohen stated that the following vacancies exist and that Commissioner Vargas-Mendez has agreed to serve as the new liason to the Planning Board: Natural Areas Commission Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee Parks Commission Mayor Cohen noted that the Special Joint Sewer Committee works with the operations of the Wastwater Treatment Plant. There are four City representatives; two are from the Board of Public Works. Commissioner Gutenberger expressed interest in representing the Board of Public Works as the liason. Board of Public Works – February 9, 2000 - Page 5 Mayor Cohen stated that John Beach, with Common Council approval, will fill the vacancy. His history with the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee makes him the best choice for placement as liason to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee. SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Commissioner Ehrhardt stated that the Traffic Committee has determined that their current focus should be on volume and residential density. This Board has directed staff to install diverters and return with additional recommendations. Commissioner Ehrhardt stated that the additional traffic calming measures should be developed by the consultants and then shared with the Board. Mayor Cohen stated that a recent vote of the Board has created a problem with the installation of a new traffic light. Traffic Systems Engineer Cole will be sharing the specifics with this Board in the near future. Mayor Cohen stated that the current issue with the traffic light at the K-Mart intersection of Route 13 is currently a low liability for the City of Ithaca. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor