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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2001-07-11BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. July 11, 2001 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (6) - Beach, Leonardo, Vargas-Mendez, Gutenberger, Jenkins, Korherr 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 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 2001 Board of Public Works Meetings By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas-Mendez RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the January 17, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9, 2001 Board of Public Works meetings be approved as published. Carried Unanimously ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Commissioner Korherr requested that Item 18A be deleted from the agenda. Common Council has already taken action on the item. Commissioner Leonardo asked that the status of the position be added to the COW meeting agenda on July 18, 2001. Mayor Cohen suggested that a representative from Human Resources be included in the discussion. Superintendent Gray requested that a Power to Act item regarding the award of a construction bid be added to the agenda. Mayor Cohen requested the addition of a Power to Act item regarding the award of bids for the new pedestrian bridge. No Board member objected. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Cohen reported that he conducted his annual field trip to review road conditions. He noted that Seneca and Green Street construction work was being completed in conjunction with New York State and NYSEG. Work crews were enthusiastic and morale was high. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Rick Manning presented an update to the Board on the Inlet Island Waterfront Project. The intent to extend the trail loop around the park was discussed noting that additional funds have been made available to complete the two-mile section. City crews will be constructing the trail during 2001. The Ithaca Youth Bureau has expressed their satisfaction with the project and playing field placements. Twenty-five to thirty feet of the old airport runway and current parking lot will be used for the trail expansion. A copy of the plan map will be placed in Common Council Chambers for Boards and Committees to review. Board of Public Works – July 11, 2001 - Page 2 Barbara Blanchard, City of Ithaca, Tompkins County Board of Representatives, spoke in support of the Town of Ithaca Water Pump Station item. She noted that Town of Ithaca parkland is adjacent to the property and expressed concern that a street could be constructed at a later date in the residential area. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Superintendent Gray addressed comments made by County Representative Blanchard and spoke in support of maintaining the easement so that the City and Town will have the ability to respond to the needs of the residential area in the future. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the term “collector” in the West Hill Master Plan. Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni suggested that the dead end section be designated as a dedicated driveway to the park. Ms. Blanchard stated that the neighborhood is concerned about additional traffic and would like assurance that the pavement would not be designated a roadway. BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT: Award of Contract for Building Assessment Program By Commissioner Beach :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works received two proposals in response to a Request for Proposals for a city wide building assessment program, and WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the proposals and has recommended the one received from Thomas Group of Ithaca, New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes the Superintendent to enter into a contract with the Thomas Group based on their proposal dated May 25, 2001, which includes a fee proposal of $138,451 and a project span of 77 days for completion. Carried Unanimously Commissioner Korherr questioned the cost and timing of the project. Mayor Cohen confirmed that the Capital Project funding was approved in the 2001 budget. The scope of the project includes a structural, as well as programmatic, analysis of 28 city facilities. Superintendent Gray noted that the Thomas Group would be dispensing two crews. Mayor Cohen noted that multiple department requests for maintenance have been placed and that long term building usage is a component of the five-year capital project budget forecast. Award of Contract for Survey of Canal Corridor Initiative By Commissioner Korherr: Seconded by Commissioner Vargas-Mendez RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works awards the contract for surveying for the Inlet Island Waterfront Promenade to T.G. Miller, 203 North Aurora Street, Ithaca, New York 14850, for an amount not to exceed $4500 and that funding come from CP #375, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an agreement with T.G. Miller for the survey. Carried Unanimously Board of Public Works – July 11, 2001 - Page 3 Award of Contract for Design of Canal Corridor Initiative By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Beach RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works awards the design contract for the Inlet Island Waterfront Promenade to Trowbridge and Wolf, 1345 Mecklenburg Road, Ithaca, New York 14850, for an amount not to exceed $71,200 with additional reimbursable expenses not to exceed $3800 and that the funding come from CP #375, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an agreement with Trowbridge and Wolf for the design of the project. Mayor Cohen questioned the inclusion of the parking lot in the bid scope. Motion to Table By Commissioner Leonardo: Seconded by Mayor Cohen RESOLVED, That this item be tabled pending the compilation of additional information. Carried Unanimously WATER AND SEWER Town of Ithaca Water Pump Station By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca Engineer, Dan Walker, P.E., made a presentation to the Board of Public Works on March 7, 2001 for a new water pumping station which would be located that the City’s Oakwood Lane Tank to supply water to the Town’s Trumansburg Road tank, and WHEREAS, the water supplied to the City’s western boundary including Oakwood Lane, and Warren Road is derived from the Town’s Trumansburg Road tank, in accord with the city/town water supply agreement, and WHEREAS, the Town is preparing information for submittal of the proposed pump station for review under the city’s site plan review ordinance which will address the Board’s concern for review of the structure’s impact on the site and the neighborhood; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works supports the project in concept and is willing to grant the Town of Ithaca the necessary easements for the pipeline and structure once a site plan has been agreed to by both the Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer as well as the Site Plan Review process for the city. Carried Unanimously Motion to Remove From the Table - Award of Contract for Design of Canal Corridor Initiative By Commissioner Vargas-Mendez: Seconded by Mayor Cohen RESOLVED, That the Award of Contract for Design of Canal Corridor Initiative be removed from the table. Carried Unanimously Award of Contract for Design of Canal Corridor Initiative By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Beach RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works awards the design contract for the Inlet Island Waterfront Promenade to Trowbridge and Wolf, 1345 Mecklenburg Road, Ithaca, New York 14850, for an amount not to exceed $71,200 with additional reimbursable expenses not to exceed $3800 and that the funding come from CP #375, and be it further Board of Public Works – July 11, 2001 - Page 4 RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an agreement with Trowbridge and Wolf for the design of the project. Mayor Cohen confirmed that both the waterfront promenade and the surface parking lot are included, and asked that the record reflect the accurate project number. A vote on the Resolution resulted as follows. Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: Conversion to One-Lane Bridge at Cecil A. Malone Drive By Commissioner Gutenberger: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Planning and Development Department has proposed that the bridge over the flood relief channel on Cecil A. Malone Drive be converted into a one-lane bridge in order to accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and WHEREAS, discussion of a proposed trial design would include the installation of concrete jersey barriers in order to separate the vehicle traffic from pedestrian traffic, and WHEREAS, staff has supplied land use information showing the industrial zoning as well as traffic counts showing an ADT of 2600 vehicles of which 19% are trucks and buses while Route 13 is 4-5% trucks and buses and other streets are 2% trucks and buses, and WHEREAS, staff does not recommend this change due to these factors while the Board feels that one-lane bridges function will at several locations in the area and this one has low vehicles counts and a good line of sight on the approaches, and WHEREAS, traffic information can be gathered during a six-month implementation period to determine the impact of the change and the future of the bridge; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves the proposal from the Planning and Development Department to convert the bridge over the flood relief channel on Cecil A. Malone Drive into a one-lane bridge for a period of six months from July 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001. Commissioner Korherr questioned the notification of local businesses. Superintendent Gray asked that the dates should accurately reflect the time period following notification. Discussion followed on the floor regarding accessibility for required construction vehicles and cranes. Peak times when the train proceeds through the area may create traffic problems. Mayor Cohen noted that the residents of Nates Floral Estates are forced to walk into traffic to access shopping in the area. Commissioner Gutenberger suggested that a separate pedestrian bridge be installed. Superintendent Gray noted that pedestrian bridges are rated differently than motor vehicle bridges and are not always simple alternatives. Motion to Table By Commissioner Beach: Seconded by Commissioner Korherr RESOLVED, That this item be tabled pending further discussion. Carried Unanimously Mayor Cohen stated that he would add this item to the August 8, 2001 agenda. He added that he will contact Tompkins County for available bridge structures, and that neighborhood notification will occur. Board of Public Works – July 11, 2001 - Page 5 Contract to Operate Concession Stand in Stewart Park By Commissioner Vargas-Mendez :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, Tom Trenchard of Cayuga Boat and Cottage Marine Contracting is seeking an agreement to operate the concession stand in Stewart Park, and WHEREAS, the Board accepts the request provided that the facility is brought up to code, that a security deposit of $1,000 and a rental fee of $1,000 are incorporated into the twelve (12) month agreement, and WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that the final agreement could be constructed in several ways to give equivalent protection and compensation to the City; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed and accepts Mr. Trenchard’s request to operate the concession stand in Stewart Park for the summer of 2001, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Mayor to enter into a twelve (12) month (June 1, 2001 until May 31, 2002) agreement with Mr. Trenchard after developing a final agreement in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Works and the City Attorney. Carried Unanimously Mayor Cohen stated that written notification of future contract renewals should be submitted prior to the end of the contract. Power to Act – Route 13 Gateway Pedestrian Bridge By Commissioner Leonardo Seconded by Commissioner Beach RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves Power to Act at the July 18, 2001 COW meeting to take possible action on the award of a contract for the Route 13 Gateway Pedestrian Bridge. Carried Unanimously Mayor Cohen stated that he would negotiate with the Town for future maintenance costs and added that a three-way partnership with NYS Parks would best serve the community. He explained that the bridge project was initiated by the City. Power to Act By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Korherr RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves the Power to Act at their July 18, 2001 COW meeting to discuss contract work for sidewalks and retaining walls on the 200 and 300 blocks of Spencer Road. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen Deputy City Clerk Mayor