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