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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2000-05-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. May 10, 2000 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (6) - Ehrhardt, Leonardo, Vargas-Mendez, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Korherr OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy Clerk – Korherr Superintendent of Public Works - Gray 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 September 15, 1999 and March 8, 2000 Board of Public Works Meetings By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the September 15, 1999 and March 8, 2000 Board of Public Works meetings be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: The following items were added to the agenda. 16A Stewart Park Pavilion Emergency Repairs 16B Power to Act – Design Services New Business: -Schedule for Parking Garage repairs -Schedule for Adams Street Pedestrian Bridge repairs -Alternate accommodations for Seneca Street Parking Garage Renovations -Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee – its role with Department of Public Works projects No board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board with her concerns with the Adams Street Bridge being named after Carl Sagan. Her main concern is that Cornell should pay for half of the renovations to the bridge if in fact it is a legacy to one of Cornell’s dignitaries. She went on to add that she supports the addition of bike lanes because of the unsafe conditions in the streets. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Approval of Outdoor Dining By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Beach WHEREAS, the Ithaca Downtown Partnership is requesting permission to administer outdoor dining on the Commons as it has since 1998, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works agrees to waive the 2000 fee for the usage of the areas by the Common’s Merchants provided that it is accounted for as part of the city support to the downtown partnership; now, therefore, be it Board of Public Works – May 10, 2000 - Page 2 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants permission to the Ithaca Downtown Partnership (IDP) to administer the 2000 outdoor dining program, and be it further RESOLVED, That the IDP is required to provide the Superintendent of Public Works applications and certificates of insurance of the merchants utilizing space on the Commons for outdoor dining and a summary of waived permit fees be submitted to the City Controller by September 30, 2000. Carried Unanimously Special Permit for Alcoholic Beverages on City Property By Commissioner Jenkins :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has reviewed Chapter 128 of the City Code concerning alcoholic beverages which restricts the use or consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places, with the exception of Cass Park, Stewart Park and Treman Marina, and WHEREAS, Section 128.5 allows the Mayor to grant permission for a licensed organization to dispense alcoholic beverages, and WHEREAS, the New York State Liquor Authority has developed a new special permit for catering organizations which requires the owner of the involved property and the related law enforcement organization to sign off on an event; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs the Superintendent of Public Works to work with the Mayor and City Attorney’s Office to develop a procedure to adequately protect the City of Ithaca while providing the catering organizations who are properly licensed by the New York State Liquor Authority, the signature the they need to obtain the special permit. Carried Unanimously TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CREEKS AND BRIDGES ITEMS: Request for Waiver of Sidewalk Assessment – 112 Cascadilla Street By Commissioner Korherr :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the sidewalk at the property at 112 Cascadilla Street was repaired under the 1999 sidewalk program after notice of defects were mailed to property owner of record in 1996 and 1999, and WHEREAS, the property was now has a new owner that claims they were not notified of the unsatisfactory sidewalk or the outstanding notice of defect to the prior owner and is appealing the sidewalk assessment; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works forwards the assessment to the Common Council for adoption in accordance with the City Charter Code Section C-73 (D-2), and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board recommends that the new property owner review their rights for full disclosure and the obligations of the previous property owner for not disclosing all deficiencies prior to the closing of the property sale. Carried Unanimously Removal of No Right Hand Turn Sign on Stone Quarry and Spencer Road By Commissioner Beach, Seconded by Commissioner Vargas-Mendez WHEREAS, staff has received complaints concerning the “No Right Turn” on Spencer Road at Stone Quarry Road prior to and since the time of the installation of the traffic diverters on Wood and South Streets, and WHEREAS, staff recommends the removal of the “No Right Turn” on Spencer Road to improve traffic flow to South Hill; now, therefore, be it Board of Public Works – May 10, 2000 - Page 3 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby directs staff to remove the “No Right Turn” on Spencer Road at Stone Quarry Road. Carried Unanimously Stewart Park Pavilion Emergency Repairs By Commissioner Vargas-Mendez :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr WHEREAS, the 100 year old flooring within the Stewart Park large pavilion collapsed unexpectedly under a crowd of dancers on Sunday, May 7, 2000, which fortunately resulted in no reported injuries, and WHEREAS, staff is recommending immediate repairs to the structure due to substantial commitments for use by Youth Bureau Programs and private rentals during the spring and summer of 2000; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works determines the floor failure constitutes as an emergency, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to obtain quotes for immediate repairs to the pavilion, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests B&A to authorize funding for this emergency project. Amending Resolution By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, That the following language be substituted for the last resolved clause: “RESOLVED, That the Board requests B&A and Common Council to authorize additional funding for this emergency project.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Power to Act By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves the Power to Act at their May 17th, 2000 Committee of the Whole to award the repair project to the lowest bidder. Carried Unanimously Alderperson Hershey stated that since this is an emergency, the Board should take fiscal action and have this fixed immediately. Power To Act – Design Services By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants itself power to act at the May 17, 2000 Committee of the Whole meeting in order to award the contract for Design Services for Sidewalk Management System. Carried Unanimously Superintendent Gray invited the Board of Public Works Commissioners to take part in the selection process. NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Cohen asked Superintendent Gray of the timeline for the Adams Street bridge repair. Superintendent Gray stated that the project would be complete in the next two weeks. Superintendent Gray added that the Seneca Street parking garage delays are due to paperwork issues. Parking problems will occur and the dept. will notify the public appropriately. Alternate parking could be made available at the old Wilcox Press facility. Board of Public Works – May 10, 2000 - Page 4 Mayor Cohen led a lengthy discussion describing the creation of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee and its need in the City Charter to have the ability to consult with the City on all projects. Superintendent Gray stated that the chair of Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee regularly attends the project oversight group and is notified then. Mayor Cohen stated that additional projects are added throughout the year and their input is not considered. He added that the Board of Public Works needs to ensure their involvement and define a process of communication. Mayor Cohen stated that the Board of Public Works should seek the recommendations of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee and other committees listed in the charter for their concerns and expertise up front. The Board of Public Works oversees the overall infrastructure of the City with the other committees concerns in mind. Commissioner Leonardo stated that the liaison to the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee is currently on the Board. The project planning mailings should include the committee chair and the Board of Public Works should stay cognizant of their involvement. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the Board on the following matters: Linn Street work is on going. They have been able to keep one half of the street open for traffic flow in areas. The families in the neighborhood have been supportive of the city crews efforts and are satisfied with the level of disruption. The timing is difficult to determine based on the age of the piping being replaced. A city-wide analysis for water leakage was completed and a consultant was hired to perform it. Ten minor leaks were located and all are being fixed. A 12” water main is being installed to accommodate the restaurant that is being built on Inlet Island. West State Street work will begin in June and three crews will be placed on the site, one on each block. Woodcrest area water mains were found to be faulty and insufficient. The neighborhood problems will be addressed and replaced as soon as possible. The 2000 NYS anticipated funding was not approved but lesser amounts will be forthcoming. There is a chance that additional monies weren’t allocated because the city’s history of expenditures didn’t dictate its future need. Southwest Park DGEIS work has required a creative way of recouping costs for utilities from the future contractors and tenants. The city will be using the cost per square foot method of costing out services. Watershed Management Plan prioritizes funding through the Bond Act Fund and the City’s rating is very important. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Board of Public Works – May 10, 2000 - Page 5 Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor