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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2000-06-14BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. June 14, 2000 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (4) - Beach, Vargas-Mendez, Gutenberger, Korherr EXCUSED: Jenkins, Leonardo 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 REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the board on the following matters: The delivery of the Adams Street bridge crane required a police escort and the concrete work will be done within a few weeks. Pavement patching work is underway at Lake and Monroe Streets. There is a lot of activity at Stewart Park. Tom Trenchard’s dock project was installed without the permit from the Corps of Engineers. The pavilion floor repair is being completed and additional work is needed. The Carousel inspection was successful and it will be in operation as of June 14, 2000. During the inspection, a broken support beam was discovered and replaced. The project was not completed in time for the Ithaca Festival weekend. The crews have expressed their desire to operate the Carousel for free. The current fee is 50 cents. The Friday afternoon storm caused tree and branch damage along with power outages. The Department of Public Works involvement with the Ithaca Festival went well. The Great Race went through Ithaca today with street closings and traffic congestion. The Department of Environment Conservation staff and Asst. Superintendent Ferrel recently inspected the South West Park area. The DEC expressed concerns over Rueben Weiner’s property and the landfills in the area. Mayor Cohen initiated a discussion over the Carousel revenue. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel confirmed that 1999 revenue grossed $8000 and that the staff has recommended that the fee be waived due to the problems with change and collections. Alderperson Herhsey wondered whether the tremendous staff time expended in setting up the Carousel could be amortized. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that a temporary walled shelter would save a lot of staff time setting up at the beginning of each season. Alderperson Hershey suggested that private corporation’s could be solicited to subsidize the Carousel operations in exchange for inexpensive goodwill. Mayor Cohen brought to Mr. Ferrel’s attention a complaint from an Adams St. resident. Several trees were removed to accommodate the crane delivery for the bridge project. Superintendent Gray stated that staff obeyed the City Tree Ordinance guidelines. Board of Public Works – June 14, 2000 - Page 2 Superintendent Gray noted that the Coast Guard “request for application” memorandum was received. Mayor Cohen stated that the Board agreed to the 400 feet and nothing else. Asst. Superintendent Ferrel questioned concerns raised regarding driving their vehicles up to the docks and damaging the area. The surveying for the project has already taken place. Commissioner Beach expressed concern over a possible lack of Golf Course parking. Commissioner Vargas-Mendez arrived at 5:00 pm. Discussion followed on the floor relating to supporting documentation for agenda items. Commissioner Korherr arrived at 5:20 pm. The meeting was called to order at 5:20 pm. 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 April 12 and May 10, 2000 Board of Public Works Meetings By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Beach RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the April 12 and May 10, 2000 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Mayor Cohen requested that the following items be added to the agenda: 18B - Request of Waiver of Fee for Stewart Park Pavillion 18c – Power to Act – Giles Street Bridge reconstruction project No board member objected. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIAISON: Alderperson Hershey expressed concerns over the involvement of the Board of Fire Commissioners and recent traffic calming efforts. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT, PARKS, WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE ITEMS: Request for Sale of State Street Bricks. By Commissioner Beach: Seconded Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the ILPC has approved the use of State Street Bricks for use at 404 S. Aurora Street, and WHEREAS, ILPC has forwarded this request to the Board of Public Works for the approval of sale of those bricks to the property owners, Kenneth and Madeline Young; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants the sale of 7,112 bricks at 25 cents each to Kenneth and Madeline Young to be used as approved by the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to enter into agreement with Mr. and Mrs. Young. Carried Unanimously Review of Coast Guard Auxiliary for Use of City Property. The Board reviewed recent correspondence from Diane Galbraith, Esq. Concerning the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s request for use of Board of Public Works – June 14, 2000 - Page 3 the shoreline along Newman Golf Course. This correspondence was not available at the time when the board took action on June 7, 2000 and was provided for informational purposes. HIGHWAYS, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS Discontinuance of “Old Taughannock Boulevard”. By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request to discontinue a portion of Old Taughannock Boulevard to allow additional parking for a proposed restaurant on Inlet Island, and WHEREAS, additional parking lots will be open to the public, although maintained by the owners of the restaurant; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby directs the Superintendent to meet the charter requirements to provide public notice by publication as well as direct notice to adjacent property owners as required in order to hold a public hearing to consider discontinuing use of approximately 80 feet of Old Taughannock Boulevard for Marine Realty of Ithaca to install a parking lot and other improvements in accordance with Planning, and be it further RESOLVED, That the board calls a special meeting for June 21, 2000 at 4:30 p.m. to hold a hearing and to act on any resolution related to the discontinuance indicated above. RESOLVED, That if the hearing notification requirements as dictated by state law cannot be complied with in time to hold a hearing on June 21, 1000, the Board then calls a Special Meeting for July 5, 2000 at 4:30 pm to hold a hearing to act on any resolution relating to the discontinuance indicated above. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Gutenberger expressed her need for a copy of the inlet island master plan so that it could be reviewed for pertinent changes that are the responsibility of the Board of Public Works. PARKING AND TRAFFIC Summer Parking Rates at Dryden Road Garage. By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has decreased the hourly summer rate in the Dryden Road Garage in 1999, and WHEREAS, the board believes that the reduction is successful and would like to continue the experiment; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby adopts a rate of 45 cents per hour in the Dryden Road Parking Garage from June 1, 2000 until August 15, 2000. Cash Income Dryden Road Garage 1998 Hourly $36,465 Permit $16,575 1999 Hourly $38,065 Permit $17,252 Cash flow does not look at accruals, fines, multi-month permits or other items, which might make the income different from the revenue. Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works – June 14, 2000 - Page 4 ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: Request for Permanent Positions in Water and Sewer. By Commissioner Vargas-Mendez:Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Water and Sewer division is in an extended period of Capital Reinvestment to rehabilitate and improve both the Water Treatment and distribution system and the wastewater collection and treatment system, and WHEREAS, the Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer has done some initial work with the Human Resources Department and the Human Resources Committee to create the necessary staff positions to support the increased work load which has initially been carried out by contracted consultants, and WHEREAS, the Board foresees at least a two year period of continuing capital projects which will be recommended by the board and funded by Common Council to further the rehabilitation and improvements; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works request a briefing from the Assistant Superintendent for Water and Sewer and the Director of Human Resources on the remaining steps necessary to meet the requirements of our current staffing needs as well as those of our labor contracts and Civil Service Law. Carried Unanimously Request for Waiver of Fee for Stewart Park Pavilion. By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from the City Clerk to waive the pavilion fee at Stewart Park for the annual City of Ithaca Employee Recognition Picnic on Friday, September 15, 2000; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of waiving the fee for the use of the large pavilion at Stewart Park on September 15, 2000, and joins the City of Ithaca in thanking its employees for their dedication and commitment to quality public service. Carried Unanimously Power to Act – Giles Street Bridge Reconstruction By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Vargas RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants itself the Power to Act at its Committee of the Whole meeting on June 21, 2000 for the award of bid for the Giles Street Bridge Reconstruction Project. Carried Unanimously REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Commissioner Korherr initiated a discussion relating to the acceptance of Golf Course fees via credit cards. The Golf sub- committee was led to believe that this was possible. Deputy Controller Thayer will let the Board know of any obstacles. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Commissioner Gutenberger expressed her concern over the Ithaca Journal article relating to Department of Public Works staff and their inability to repair sidewalks in a timely manner. She felt that this “bad press” is undeserving. Superintendent Gray will research the basis for the complaint. Mayor Cohen notified the Board of the Public Hearings for the diverters on South Street and Titus Avenue. Two hearings will be held; the first on July 12, 2000 in Common Council Chambers at 4:30 and the second on July 13, 2000 at Titus Towers at 5:00 pm. Public notification should include a post card mailing to residences in the area for both hearings. Mayor Cohen set the Board of Public Works – June 14, 2000 - Page 5 limit of the City Hall hearing to one hour. This hour will be divided by the number of registered speakers in order to determine the length for each presentation. The Titus Tower hearing will be two hours and the same formula will be used to determine maximum length of speech. Alderperson Hershey expressed the need for traffic counts. A professional analysis would be helpful in determining the future of the traffic diverters. John Beach praised the Police Department’s efforts in warning the Ithaca Festival participants of the serious storm on the opening day. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor