HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2001-08-08BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. August 8, 2001
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (4) - Beach, Leonardo, 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
EXCUSED: Commissioner(s) Gutenberger, 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 July 11, 2001 Board of Public
Works Meeting
By Commissioner Jenkins: Seconded by Commissioner Korherr
RESOLVED, That the Minutes of the July 11, 2001 Board of Public
Works meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Mayor Cohen requested that 16B: Conversion of Cecil A Malone
Drive Bridge to One Lane be removed from the agenda.
Superintendent Gray requested that the language for resolution
18A: Approval for Funding of Demolition at 402 South Cayuga
Street be added.
No Board member objected.
MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS:
Mayor Cohen reported that the residents of Nate’s Floral Estates
have expressed their desire for safe pedestrian traffic to the
retail vendors in their area and it has been brought to his
attention that the large scale vehicles that support commercial
businesses in the area are wider than the proposed changes. He
added that comprehensive traffic study data for this area is
forthcoming and the Board will have the opportunity to review its
impact. Mayor Cohen noted that although the item is pulled from
the agenda, the public hearing portion would continue to allow
for input from the community.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Open Public Hearing: Conversion of One Lane Bridge at Cecil A
Malone Drive:
By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
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 converting the one lane bridge at Cecil A. Malone Drive.
Carried Unanimously
Richard Woodhouse, legal representation for Nate’s Floral
Estates, addressed the Board regarding the proposed bridge width
and the fact that deliveries of new and old mobile homes will be
impacted.
Board of Public Works – August 8, 2001 - Page 2
Kevin Nole, Facility Manager for Nate’s Floral Estates, supported
Mr. Woodhouse’s comments.
Bill Riemer, Manager of Wallace Industries, noted that the
proposed reduction in bridge width would create a problem for all
commercial truck traffic. He presented the Board with an
alternative of using an existing steel structure owned by Wallace
Industries as a separate pedestrian bridge.
Graham Littlefair, Chairman of Ben Weitzman, Inc., noted that
although a pedestrian bridge should accommodate the residents,
their business is supported by deliveries and the proposed change
would drastically impede their business operations.
Don Chandler, President of Precision Filters, Inc., requested
that the Board not restrict access to the industrial park but
added that safety of the residents be addressed.
Bernie Carpenter, resident of Nate’s Floral Estates, agrees that
the pedestrian bridge is needed and supports Mr. Reimer’s
alternative solution.
Frank Paolengeli, Paolengeli Construction, noted that the
excavation component of his company requires the use of large
commercial vehicles and added that the bridge width should not be
altered.
Conclude the Public Hearing: Conversion of One Lane Bridge at
Cecil A Malone Drive
By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works close the public hearing
on the conversion of the one lane bridge at Cecil A. Malone
Drive.
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Cohen reported that Tompkins County has notified the City
that have unused bridges in their inventory and that one may be
used as an alternate pedestrian bridge.
Open Public Hearing: Discontinuance of Carpenter Circle
By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
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 discontinuing Carpenter Circle.
Carried Unanimously
Hoyt Benjamin, Owner of B&W Supply Company, stated that his
company uses Carpenter Circle daily for deliveries and customer
traffic. In a previous arrangement with the City, Mr. Benjamin
stated that he traded land to allow the City access to Carpenter
Park Circle for a curb cut.
Conclude Public Hearing: Discontinuance of Carpenter Circle
By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works close the public hearing
on the topic of discontinuing Carpenter Circle.
Carried Unanimously
Discontinuance of Carpenter Circle
By Commissioner Jenkins :Seconded by Commissioner Beach
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency and the City of Ithaca
have entered a binding purchase agreement to sell the property at
and adjacent to Carpenter Circle except for the Community
Gardens; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works has reviewed input from
a public hearing concerning the discontinuance of the street
known as Carpenter Circle, and be it further
Board of Public Works – August 8, 2001 - Page 3
RESOLVED, That the Board hereby discontinues Carpenter Circle but
retained easements for existing and future utilities and drainage
located at the location.
Superintendent Gray discussed the issue of accessibility for the
Community Gardens and stated that the City Attorney’s Office
staff is reviewing the accessibility options.
Mayor Cohen noted that closing documents would need to clarify
maintenance issues and that access rights should remain the same
regardless of public or private ownership.
Commissioner Korherr suggested that the item be tabled and that
the Board grants themselves the Power to Act at their August 15,
2001 Committee Of The Whole meeting to review the draft language
and ensure that truck deliveries to the business will not be
affected.
Motion to Table
By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr
RESOLVED, That the item be tabled.
Carried Unanimously
Power to Act: Discontinuance of Carpenter Circle
By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grant themselves the
Power to Act at their August 15, 2001 Committee Of The Whole
meeting to discuss the discontinuance of Carpenter Circle.
Carried Unanimously
IURA staff stated that the draft language would be delivered to
Superintendent Gray’s office in advance of the meeting.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT:
Request for Encroachment for Town Pump Station
By Commissioner Beach :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca has proposed building a pump station
at the Oakwood Lane water tank near the town/city line within a
proposed right of way to improve water service within the town
and upper elevations of the city on west hill; now, therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants an encroachment
of about 3 feet + to the Town of Ithaca for its proposed pump
station to be built as shown on the town site plan, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public
Works or the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Town of
Ithaca.
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Cohen noted that this is a feasible alternative to
abandonment.
HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALK:
Approval of Brick Crosswalk at Cleveland and Plain Street
By Commissioner Korherr :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency has a block grant for
street improvements for Cleveland Avenue which includes a raised
intersection at Cleveland and Plain Streets and
WHEREAS, the design has been modified to include a brick
crosswalks instead due to cost restraints and design concerns;
now, therefore, be it
Board of Public Works – August 8, 2001 - Page 4
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of the design
change to a brick crosswalks at the intersection of Cleveland and
Plain Street with the understanding that this modification is
acceptable to the neighborhood.
Carried Unanimously
PARKING AND TRAFFIC
Traffic Signal on Meadow Street at Kmart Driveway.
By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works authorizes a performance
bond in the amount of $50,000 as required by the state in order
for the installation of a new traffic signal on Meadow Street at
the Kmart driveway, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public
Works to enter into an agreement with the Sear-Brown Group for
design work on the signal for an amount not to exceed $12,000.
Amending Resolution
By Mayor Cohen: Seconded by Commissioner Korherr
RESOLVED, That the following language be added as a third
resolved clause:
“RESOLVED, That the Superintendent of Public Works not take
action until said time that all parties are in agreement and a
written agreement has been executed.”
Carried Unanimously
Main Motion As Amended
A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows:
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Cohen and Superintendent Gray noted that the property owner
is responsible for all costs associated with the traffic signal.
CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS:
Request to Waive Pavilion Fee at Stewart Park
By Commissioner Jenkins :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has received a request from
City Clerk Julie Conley Holcomb to waive the pavilion fee at
Stewart Park for the City of Ithaca Employee Recognition Picnic
on Friday, September 21, 2001; now, therefore
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works approves of waiving the
fee for the use of the large pavilion at Stewart Park on
September 21, 2001, and joins the City of Ithaca in thanking its
employees for their dedication and commitment to quality public
service.
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Cohen noted that Pud’s Run is another event where the fine
work of City staff can be acknowledged.
Acceptance of Ownership and Award of Bid for Gateway Pedestrian
Bridge
By Commissioner Beach :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins
WHEREAS, discussions with the City and the Town of Ithaca have
taken place concerning the ownership of the proposed Gateway
Pedestrian bridge, and
WHEREAS, the proposed bridge construction has been bid out and
reviewed by City staff; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby accepts ownership
and maintenance responsibility of the proposed Gateway Pedestrian
Bridge over Route 13, and be it further
Board of Public Works – August 8, 2001 - Page 5
RESOLVED, That the Board awards the bid of the gateway pedestrian
bridge to Economy Paving, 1819 NYS Rt. 13, Cortland, NY 13045
for their low bid of $331,053.00, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public
Works to enter into an agreement with the usual terms and
conditions with Economy Paving
Carried Unanimously
Mayor Cohen reported that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board has
recently addressed this issue. He added that the Gateway
Pedestrian Bridge will connect to sections of the Black Diamond
Trail and will be owned and operated by the City and Town. Town
of Ithaca Supervisor Valentino and Mayor Cohen will establish a
joint working group to discuss maintenance and planning for the
bridge. Wording stating that until such time as the trail is open
the bridge will remain closed may be included in the Town’s
resolution.
Commissioner Beach noted that access to the bridge would
accommodate future foot traffic in the Widewater’s development
area.
Commissioner Leonardo questioned the timing of the project.
Superintendent Gray noted that completion would occur during Fall
of 2001.
ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
Approval for Funding of Demolition at 402 South Cayuga Street
By Commissioner Beach :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
WHEREAS, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) owns the vacant
property at 402 South Cayuga Street, and
WHEREAS, Common Council has established a capital project in the
amount of $56,000 to assist with the demolition of the property,
and
WHEREAS, bids were received on August 6, 2001 for the demolition,
and
WHEREAS, City and IURA staff have reviewed the bids and
recommends that the low bidder be awarded the bid; now, therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby awards the bid of
demolition of 402 South Cayuga Street to Diversified Developers
of CNY Inc., 18 A Cherry Street, Phoenix, New York 13135 for
their low bid of $53,400, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public
Works to enter into an agreement with Diversified Developers of
CNY Inc.
Carried Unanimously
Commissioner Korherr questioned the inclusion of landscaping
costs in the contract. IURA staff confirmed that the costs are
included.
REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following
matters:
The progress of several bridge projects was presented. A
discussion relating to the weight limitations that fire trucks
place on future Cayuga Street Bridge renovations followed.
A public meeting to be held at the Chamber of Commerce is
scheduled for SJS sewer arrangements. A broader based discussion
will take place during a future scoping session. Mayor Cohen
Board of Public Works – August 8, 2001 - Page 6
explained the planning process and added that a project this size
would require a full CEQR environmental evaluation which could
take as long as a year to complete.
The timeline for State Street work has not been altered.
Rumors have been circulating that City fill has been dumped near
a Brooktondale creek. Staff has viewed the debris and it is not
property of the City.
Commissioner Korherr shared the concern of a resident that has
stated that the arch on the bridge restricts the view of oncoming
traffic when pulling out onto North Cayuga Street. He added that
City staff working on the North Cayuga Street sewer project acted
in a professional manner and were considerate to the residents.
Mayor Cohen stated that language addressing the safety of
students attending schools in the area and access of emergency
vehicles should be added in the future resolution regarding North
Cayuga Street Bridge improvements.
Commissioner Beach complimented the City staff on the Dryden Road
Project.
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the
following matters:
2 Department of Public Works employees have required medical
attention for heat stroke. Mayor Cohen confirmed that safety of
the workforce is the City’s highest priority.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen
Deputy City Clerk Mayor