HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2001-04-11BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. April 11, 2001
PRESENT:
Commissioners (4) - Beach, Leonardo, Vargas-Mendez, Jenkins
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
Deputy City Controller - Thayer
Superintendent of Public Works - Gray
Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel
Common Council Liaison - Hershey
EXCUSED: Commissioners Korherr, Gutenberger
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Vice Chair Leonardo led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance
to the American flag.
Easement Request from Marina Realty of Ithaca
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, Marina Realty of Ithaca, LLC has requested an easement
for the construction of a parking lot on city property, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is also seeking an easement that
would allow a public promenade to be built on MRI property; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the
request of an easement for the construction of a parking lot on
city property located on Taughannock Boulevard, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the board authorizes the Mayor to enter into an
easement agreement with MRI with the usual terms and conditions
including a mutual 1 year revocable clause.
Ayes: (4) Leonardo, Jenkins, Vargas-Mendez, Beach
Nays: (0)
Abstention: Mayor Cohen
Carried
Superintendent Gray explained that the Board voted to abandon 80
feet of Taughannock Boulevard last year and this resolution is
the final phase.
Public Hearing to Consider the Abandonment of a portion of
Taughannock Boulevard
Resolution to Open Public Hearing
By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas-Mendez
RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing to consider the abandonment of
a portion of Taughannock Boulevard be declared open.
Carried Unanimously
Paul Caruvia, owner of Castaways, questioned the purpose of the
abandonment, its impact on adjoining properties, and the possible
loss of federal funding.
Cora Bangs, US Coast Guard representative, voiced her concern
regarding future access to the Coast Guard offices.
Steve Flash, Marina Realty of Ithaca, spoke in favor of the road
abandonment.
Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca, addressed fairness issues regarding
Inlet Island projects.
Board of Public Works – April 11, 2001 - Page 2
Mr. Campbell, Coast Guard representative, addressed the Board
regarding access to their emergency vehicle and parking lot.
Terry Ciaschi, West End restaurant owner, spoke in favor of
abandonment of the entire length of the street.
Resolution to Close Public Hearing
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the Public Hearing to consider the abandonment of
a portion of Taughannock Boulevard be declared closed.
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Cohen noted that the abandonment would occur from Route 89
to the current right of way. He added that the status would
change from a road, to a city owned parking lot. This action will
not alter access rights. Maintenance issues have not been
finalized and the possibility of creating a special benefit
assessment district exists.
Superintendent Gray stated that he needs to clarify access issues
of abandonment with the City Attorney’s Office.
COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD:
Paul Caruvia, City of Ithaca, expressed concern over a proposed
special benefit assessment district for the Taughannock Boulevard
area.
Cora Bangs, Coast Guard, requested information contained in a
letter to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation from
the City.
Terry Ciaschi, spoke of a 6’ by 60’ tract of land that he would
like to purchase from the City and improve. The improvement would
compliment what the City has been trying to achieve in the area.
Fay Gougakis, noted her concern over the crumbling concrete on
Cascadilla Creek near Tioga and Cayuga Streets. She expressed
concerns regarding development on Inlet Island.
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC:
Mayor Cohen responded to Terry Ciaschi’s desire to purchase
parkland that is included in the alienation process on Inlet
Island. The disposition of designation is unclear. City staff is
reviewing all City owned land and an appropriate disposition
process.
Mayor Cohen stated that a special benefit assessment district
would only be created in conjunction with public improvements to
the area such as financing a new parking garage. The property
owners benefiting from the improvements would be assessed
accordingly.
Award of Bid for Commons Waste Receptacles.
By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas-Mendez
WHEREAS, bids were received on April 3, 2001 for new waste
receptacles on the Commons, and
WHEREAS, the Planning Department and the City Controller’s Office
have reviewed the bid and request that the Board of Public Works
award the bid to the lowest bidder; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid of
Commons waste receptacles to Victor Stanley, Inc., 2103
Brickhouse Road, Dunkirk, MD 20754 for their low bid of
$22,603.40, and, be it further
Board of Public Works – April 11, 2001 - Page 3
REOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Director of Planning and
Development to enter into an agreement with Victor Stanley, Inc.
for new waste receptacles for the Commons.
Carried Unanimously
Award of Bid for Structural Soil.
By Commissioner Vargas-Mendez: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, bids were received for Cornell University Structural
Soil on March 27, 2001 for use on the West State Street Project,
the Commons and where needed throughout the City, and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and recommends that the
Board of Public Works award the bid to the lowest bidder; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid of
Cornell University Structural Soil to Sultana Sand and Stone,
2935 Slaterville Road, Brooktondale, New York 14817 for their low
bid of $19.15 per ton, to be delivered as needed, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Assistant Superintendent
of Public Works to enter into an agreement with Sultana Sand and
Stone.
Carried Unanimously
Request for Exchange of Land from Johnson Boat Yard.
By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is interested in working with
Tom Cleveland and Johnson Boat Yard to clear up a number of
property issues to both parties mutual benefit by addressing lot
lines and permanent easement locations, and
WHEREAS, the proposed exchanges of land and relocation of a sewer
easement will recognize current uses the city has made of private
property, such as the sewer lift station and the turn around at
the west end of Pier Road, and will improve the utility of the
boat yard to the property owner; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works recommends that Common
Council approve the sale of land in exchange for the purchase of
land of equal area as shown on the survey map of Johnson Boat
yard by T.G. Miller, P.C. dated October 14, 1992, last amended
July 21, 1999, as well as the exchange of sewer easements and
other easements, as may be negotiated by the Mayor in
consultation with the Superintendent of Public Works and the City
Attorney, required to close the deal.
Carried Unanimously
Superintendent Gray noted that this transaction could not be
completed administratively through the lot line adjustment
process.
Award of Bid for West State Street Lighting.
By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, bids were received for the West State Street Lighting
project on March 13, 2001, and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the bids and recommends that the
board award the bid to the low bidder; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid
for the West State Street Lighting project to Booth Electric
Supply, 604 Hancock Street, Ithaca, New York 14850, for their low
bid of $51,952.94, and be it further
Board of Public Works – April 11, 2001 - Page 4
RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public
Works to enter into an agreement with Booth Electric Supply for
the West State Street Lighting Project.
Carried Unanimously
Clarification of Solid Waste Handling
By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas-Mendez
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is responsible for the
implementation and oversight of Chapter 196, Garbage, Rubbish and
Refuse, adopted by Common Council in 1992, and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent has requested some clarification of
issues in the application of Chapter 196, particularly Section
196-6, Non Compliance; special service charges, due to requests
by city residents for first time warnings especially in relation
to recycling violations, and
WHEREAS, the Board reviewed the rules and the current operation
which allows property owners a twenty-four hour grace period
before picking up the trash and recycling resulting in a special
service charge and feels that the system works well but would
consider some flexibility useful in dealing with individual
situations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works requests that the
Neighborhood and Community Issues Committee review Section 196-6
of the City Code with the Superintendent of Public Works to
provide clarification concerning intent and, if necessary,
request any changes they may recommend be adopted by Common
Council.
Carried Unanimously
Commissioner Vargas-Mendez left the meeting at 5:30 pm.
REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following
matters:
The Canal Division Hydrologist has indicated that the lake levels
would not be rising much higher than their current position. Flow
profiles cannot be altered at this time.
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the
following matters:
Neighborhood and Community Issues will be presented with a report
of salt use over the winter season. The $64,000 treated salt
supply was depleted and a mixture of sand and salt was used to
complete the season. The salt cost in 2000 was $74,000 and the
overtime expenses for 2001 were half of the previous year. Only
one member of the public has commented on the new salting
process. Catch basins are cleaner than in prior years. Catch
basin maintenance cycles prevent any cost savings determination
at this time.
The Department of Public Works crews were granted the City of
Ithaca Quarterly Recognition Award for their efforts in the
Spring clean-up of 2000. A clean up effort limited to furniture
or appliances has been discussed for 2001. Mayor Cohen noted that
Commissioners should gather feedback from their constituents as
to their preference of disposal items.
The yard waste program is being offered during opposite recycling
weeks. Unsuccessful attempts to hire seasonal truck drivers have
forced the department to staff 12-13 hour days. The program will
have to be modified if the current waste levels continue.
Board of Public Works – April 11, 2001 - Page 5
Many residents do not take advantage of curbside collections and
choose to collectively transport trash to the Tompkins County
Solid Waste Division to save trash tag fees.
Street cleaning should be expedited since the use of salt versus
sand has left the streets cleaner than usual.
Spring tree planting has begun.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Julie Conley Holcomb Alan J. Cohen
City Clerk Mayor