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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