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