HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2000-03-08BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. March 8, 2000
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (6) - Beach, Leonardo, Vargas, 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 Board of Public Works Meetings
By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the October 13, 1999, July 21,
1998, August 25, 1998, October 20, 1998 and November 17, 1998
Board of Public Works meetings be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Superintendent Gray requested that the following item be added to
the agenda:
Reduction in Hours for Staff
No board member objected.
MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS:
The following liason appointments were made by the Mayor:
Art Design for Public Space: Commissioner Gutenberger
Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee : Commissioner Beach
Capital Projects: Commissioner Vargas-Mendez
Commons Advisory Board: Commissioner Korherr
Conservation Advisory Council: Commissioner Jenkins
Parks Commission: Commissioner Beach
Planning Board: Commissioner Vargas-Mendez
Natural Areas Commission: Commissioner Jenkins
Special Joint Sewer Sub-Committee: Commissioner(s) Gutenberger
and Leonardo
Youth Bureau Advisory Board: Commissioner Gutenberger
Special Assignments:
Golf Committee: Commissioner(s) Gutenberger and Korherr
Open Public Hearing: 1999 Sidewalk Assessments:
By Commissioner Korherr, Seconded by Commissioner Vargas-Mendez
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works open the public hearing
portion of the meeting to allow the public to speak on the topic
of Sidewalk Assessments.
Carried Unanimously
Russ Brann appeared before the Board to contest the assessment
billing for his property on Cascadilla Street. Had prior notice
of the needed repairs been given to him, he would have been able
to perform the work himself at less expense.
Board of Public Works – March 8, 2000 - Page 2
Motion to Close Public Hearing: 1999 Sidewalk Assessments
By Commissioner Vargas Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works close the public hearing
on the Sidewalk Assessments.
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF CITY CONTROLLER:
Deputy City Controller Thayer distributed the 1999 Annual Report
for Newman Golf Course. He stated that weather conditions led to
the high revenue figures.
REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON:
Alderperson Hershey reported on the following Common Council
actions:
The pedestrian walkway in front of the College Avenue
construction project still does not exist. Superintendent Gray
stated that he has spoken with the Building Department and he
also plans to speak with the architect and give them the deadline
for compliance.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID
WASTE ITEMS:
Award of Bid for City Hall Renovations – General Construction.
By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas-Mendez
WHEREAS, bids were received on February 17, 2000 for the
renovations of City Hall, and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids for the general construction
contact and recommends that the board award the bid to the lowest
bidder; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid
for general construction in City Hall to S&W General Contractors
of Tioga, Inc., 161 McMaster Street, Owego, New York 13827 for
their low bid of $246,827.00, including alternates 1, 2 and 3,
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized
to enter into an agreement with S&W General Contractors of Tioga,
Inc. with the usual terms and conditions.
Carried Unanimously
Award of Bid for City Hall Renovations – HVAC Contract.
By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WHEREAS, bids were received on February 17, 2000 for the
renovations of City Hall, and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids for the HVAC contact and
recommends that the board award the bid to the lowest bidder;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid
for HVAC construction in City Hall to Collins & Walton Plumbing
and Heating Contractors, Inc., 1525 Lake Street, P.O. Box 295,
Elmira New York 14902 for their low bid of $131,590.00, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized
to enter into an agreement with Collins & Walton Plumbing and
Heating Contractors, Inc. with the usual terms and conditions.
Carried Unanimously
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT
Award of Bid for City Hall Renovations – Electrical Contract
Board of Public Works – March 8, 2000 - Page 3
By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, bids were received on February 17, 2000 for the
renovations of City Hall, and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids for the electrical contact
and recommends that the board award the bid to the lowest bidder;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid
for electrical construction in City Hall to Fischblach and Moore
Inc., 235 Metro Park, Rochester, New York 14623 for their low bid
of $169,600.00, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized
to enter into an agreement with Fischbach and Moore, Inc. with
the usual terms and conditions.
Carried Unanimously
License Agreement for ‘Old East Street’
By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WHEREAS, The Board of Public Works has received a request for a
License Agreement from the property owner of “Old East Street”,
and
WHEREAS, the property owner, Joan R. Piggott, currently residing
at 1005 Giles Street, would like to install an underground
footing drain pipe discharging into the “Storm Gully”, as shown
on the attached sketch; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of a license
agreement for the installation of a drainage pipe across “Old
East Street”, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public
Works to enter into a License Agreement with Ms. Piggott, and be
it further,
RESOLVED, That this license has to do with the installation of a
pipe and does not express any opinion about the hydraulic
capacity of the gully and does not accept responsibility for any
impacts due to the discharge to that gully.
Carried Unanimously
TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS:
Approval of 1999 Sidewalk Assessments
By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopts the 1999 Sidewalk
Assessments as presented to them by staff following a public
hearing held on March 8, 2000, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the assessments be forwarded to the City
Chamberlain for billing to the property owners.
Commissioner Gutenberger expressed interest in tabling the
resolution.
Commissioner Leonardo expressed interest in tabling the
assessments which the public responsed to only and adopting all
of the other assessments.
Commissioner Gutenberger questioned the timing of notification.
Superintendent Gray stated that the notification recently took
place for projects dating back to 1996 and that the city crews
performed the work in 1999.
Amending Resolution
By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Korherr
Board of Public Works – March 8, 2000 - Page 4
RESOLVED, That the following language be substituted for the
existing first resolved clause:
“RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works table the assessments
for property owners Schug, Brann and Ferriss and that all other
assessments be charged as stated.
Carried Unanimously
A vote on the Main Motion resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
* Post script note- see end of meeting for further discussion and
legislation on this matter
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
Power to Act at March 15, 2000 Committee of the Whole
By Commissioner Jenkins :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants itself Power to
Act at its March 15, 2000 Committee of the Whole to vote on a
resolution thanking former Commissioner and Vice Chair Steve
Eharhart for his service to the board.
Carried Unanimously
Power to Act at April 5, 2000 Committee of the Whole
By Commissioner Jenkins :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants itself Power to
Act at its April 5, 2000 Committee of the Whole to vote award the
initial bid for renovations to the Seneca Street Parking Garage.
Carried Unanimously
Approval of 2000 Golf Course Rates.
By Commissioner Korherr :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WEHREAS, Steve Torrant, Golf Course Manger, has submitted
recommended rates for 2000, and
WHEREAS, The Board of Public Works has reviewed the rates and
recent operating budgets; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the rates as
proposed and directs staff to publish the rates in anticipation
of the 2000 season.
2000 Newman Golf Rates
Weekday Weekends
18 Holes $12.00 18 Holes $15.00
9 Holes $ 9.00 9 Holes $ 9.00
Sr. & Jr. $ 9.00
Sr.Special$ 6.00
Memberships City Residents Non-Resident
Individual $305 $340
Domestic Couple $425 $475
Senior $280 $310
Senior Couple $375 $415
Junior $140 $155
Family $470 $520
Weekday Only $200 $220
Commissioner Beach questioned the increase over the 1999 rates.
Commissioner Gutenberger stated that the 2000 rates are 5% above
the 1999 rates for memberships and the increases vary in
individual greens fees.
Carried Unanimously
Request for Reduction in Hours
By Commissioner Vargas :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
Board of Public Works – March 8, 2000 - Page 5
WHEREAS, Lynne Yost, Assistant Civil Engineer, has just returned
from maternity leave and is requesting her hours be reduced to 35
hours a week from 40 hours, for personal reasons, and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works has reviewed the
request and recommends the request be granted, and
WHERAS, additional staff has been retained on a temporary basis
to assist with the workload of the Department of Public Works;
now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the
request to reduce the hours of Assistant Civil Engineer Lynne
Yost from 40 hours a week to 35 hours a week until December 31,
2000 or some earlier date convenient to both the department and
Ms. Yost, and be it further
RESOLVED, That an amount not to exceed the direct salary not paid
out may be expended in the part time and seasonal line to replace
the hours lost be reducing the work week, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the board requests that the Human Resources
Committee of Common Council approve this request.
Carried Unanimously
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Neighborhood Troubleshooting: Mayor Cohen questioned the progress
in the park development off Titus Avenue. He led a discussion
relating to the diverter installation in the same area.
Commissioner Gutenberger spoke in support of extensive public
notification with the assistance of the media.
Alderperson Hershey suggested that the advertising person from
the local radio station be contacted for a public service
announcement and volunteered to proceed.
Commissioner Beach brought into the discussion the plan for
temporary signage for advanced warning of the changes in the
neighborhood. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that permanent
signage is available.
REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the board on the
following matters:
Water main breaks have occurred from cold ground surface coming
into contact with warm temperatures.
Island pump station is in operation. Shifting sewer services will
allow the City to retire an antiquated and troublesome portion of
sewer lines.
Collapse of the main on Hillcrest Avenue has caused the crews to
complete its replacement earlier than expected.
Linn Street efforts have culminated into an agreement with the
Ithaca City School District incorporating the additional need for
parking and the need for sewer main work in that area.
Future mailing to Linn Street residents will notify them of the
possible future billings that may occur with the main work.
Commissioner Beach asked Asst. Superintendent Ferrel about the
removal of trees along the Cascadilla Creek bank and any future
replacement. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that they were
dangerous older trees that were broken and mangled and that
sidewalk excavation may be installed in that location.
Board of Public Works – March 8, 2000 - Page 6
Approval of 1999 Sidewalk Assessments
Judith Holiday, a Cascadilla Street resident, arrived late for
the public hearing on sidewalk assessments. She expressed her
concern that the Department of Public Works did not notify her of
the need for repair prior to the work being completed. She
complained about the quality of work performed.
Commissioner Vargas expressed interest in tabling all of the
assessments rather than taking action on individual cases.
Mayor Cohen stated they could give themselves Power to Act on the
remainder of the list with the exception of the four cases.
Alderperson Hershey questioned the three-year waiting period for
sidewalk repair completion.
Superintendent Gray stated that the Board of Public Works has
altered the notification period several times over the past
decade. The three-year term is a friendly way of allowing people
the opportunity to perform the work. In this situation several
older projects are now current.
Resolution
By Commissioner Vargas-Mendez; Seconded by Commissioner Beach
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works rescinds the approval of
the 1999 Sidewalk Assessment item that was passed earlier in this
meeting by the Board, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves the
Power to Act at the March 15, 2000 meeting to adopt the Sidewalk
Assessment with the exclusion of the Schug, Brann, Ferriss and
Holiday assessments that will be handled at a later date.
Carried Unanimously
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen
Deputy City Clerk Mayor