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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2000-12-20BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting 4:30 p.m. December 20, 2000 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (4) - Beach, Leonardo, Gutenberger, Jenkins OTHERS PRESENT: Administrative Secretary - Payne 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 EXCUSED: Commissioner(s) Korherr and Vargas-Mendez 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 November 6, 2000 Board of Public Works Meeting By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Beach RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the November 6, 2000 Board of Public Works meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Public Hearing: Open Public Hearing: Collegetown Special Benefit District By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins 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 the Collegetown Special Benefit District. Carried Unanimously No one from the public appeared before the Board. Close Public Hearing: Collegetown Special Benefit District By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works close the public hearing on the Collegetown Special Benefit District. Carried Unanimously BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT: Land Swap at 705 Giles Street By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the new property owner of 705 Giles Street would like to “clean up” the property survey since a portion of the existing structure and its related parking are located on City property, and WHEREAS, the current and previous owners are proposing a land swap of .125 acres of land, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has considered both a swap and the outright sale of the .125 acres of land, and WHEREAS, the board requested input from the Natural Areas Commission who approved the swap, as well as receiving input from the City Attorney and the Superintendent of Public Works; now, therefore, be it Board of Public Works – December 20, 2000 - Page 2 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests the neighborhood and Community Issues Committee review this item and recommend that Common Council approve the land swap as proposed in the letter of November 17, 2000 and as shown on a preliminary survey map by TG Miller, P.C. dated May 15, 2000 for 705 Giles Street and that the Attorney’s Office and Mayor complete the transaction. Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: Award of Playground Equipment for Cass Park By Commissioner Jenkins :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, bids were received on October 27, 2000 for Playground Equipment at Cass Park, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and found that only one bidder meets required specifications and recommends that the bid be awarded to R. E. Woodson Inc.; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid for playground equipment at Cass Park to R. E. Woodson Inc., 3520 Dewey Avenue, Rochester, New York 14616, for their bid (meeting specifications) in the amount of $39,893.00, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Assistant Superintendent for Streets and Facilities be authorized to enter into agreement with R. E. Woodson, Inc. with the usual terms and conditions. Carried Unanimously Mayor Cohen stated that the bid included in the resolution is the highest cost but the only one submitted that clearly complies with the bid specifications. Mayor Cohen stated that Common Council has reviewed the concept of a Children’s Garden at Cass Park. The Board will be discussing the elaborate plan in the future. WATER AND SEWER: Request for Water and Sewer Bill Reduction at 119 E. Buffalo Street By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo WHEREAS, the Affiliated Psychological Consultants, owner of 119 East Buffalo Street received their adjusted June water and sewer bill for $602.08 covered a substantial variation between the inside and outside meter readouts, which were last read together 10 years ago, and WHEREAS, the property owner purchased the building last year used the quarterly meter reading rather than calling for a special meter reading, but still feels it would be unfair to pay the full difference, and WHEREAS, after several correspondences between the property owner and staff has recommended an adjusted bill of $163.49 which the board reviewed with Dr. Maxwell; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works agrees to reduce the water and sewer bill for 119 East Buffalo Street to an amount of $163.49, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board requests the Chamberlain’s Office issue a new bill as soon as possible covering the bill in question and any outstanding bills with the usual terms based on the new billing date. Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works – December 20, 2000 - Page 3 Request Expungement of in Bill for Service Upgrade at 119 Terrace Place By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Beach WHEREAS, Dominick LaCapra of 119 Terrace Place received a project notice dated May 4, 2000 that a bill for a service upgrade at his property would be issued to cover material costs associated with his individual service upgrades, and WHEREAS, the upgrade was completed during infrastructure work on Terrace Place; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed the request and feels that Mr. LaCapra was given sufficient notice of the service upgrade and that the expenses being billed are related to the property, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board reaffirms its policy of requiring property owners to upgrade their water and sewer services to modern standards when major utility and road reconstruction is undertaken, because it not only reduces the home owner’s liability for their laterals at a minimal cost, it reduces the cost of operating the utility systems by reducing lateral leaks, it improves public health and safety by reducing system breaks and it extends the life of the new paving system by reducing the number of times the pavement has to be cut and patched, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board denies Mr. LaCapra’s request for elimination for expungement of any property owner cost for service upgrade at 119 Terrace Place. Carried Unanimously ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS: Collegetown Benefit Assessment District By Commissioner Beach :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works adopts the Collegetown Special Benefit Assessment District charges for 2001 as prepared by the City Controller’s Office; and be it further RESOLVED, That the City Chamberlain be requested to make the billing at the appropriate time, and be it further RESOLVED, That staff distribute a copy of the 2001 detailed assessment schedule for the public to review. Carried Unanimously Mayor Cohen noted for public record that two members of the Board of Public Works own property in the Collegetown Benefit Assessment District. Due to the inclusion of a set formula based on square footage, the opportunity for Board members to influence assessments does not exist. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Discussion to Establish Traffic Calming Implementation Procedures Superintendent Gray asked that the discussion be postponed until the Planning Dept. provides their draft of a proposed method to the Board. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Donna Payne Alan J. Cohen Board of Public Works – December 20, 2000 - Page 4 Administrative Secretary Mayor