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