HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2001-10-10BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. October 10, 2001
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Commissioners (5) - Beach, Leonardo, 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:
Vice-Chair Leonardo led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance
to the American flag.
ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA:
Asst. Superintendent Ferrel requested that a discussion relating
to golf activity at Cass Park be added under New Business.
Commissioner Leonardo requested the addition of a discussion
concerning the rescheduling of the October 17, 2001 COW meeting.
No Board member objected.
BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, TRANSIT:
Request for Encroachment at Oakwood Lane
By Commissioner Beach :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr
WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca has requested an encroachment at the
Oakwood Lane water tank for a pump house that encroaches by three
feet from the tank lot onto the adjacent city lot; now, therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the encroachment at Oakwood Lane on parcel number
3-1-14 is hereby approved in concept under the usual terms and
conditions, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Attorney, Superintendent of Public Works and
the Mayor will finalize such an agreement with the Town, and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor be granted authorization to enter into
such an agreement with the Town of Ithaca.
Carried Unanimously
Request for Water Easement with Town of Ithaca at Oakwood Lane
By Commissioner Korherr :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca is requesting a permanent easement
for water transmission, distribution, supply and service pipe(s)
and appurtenances on parcel number 3-1-14; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves, in
concept, a permanent easement for water transmission,
distribution, supply and service pipe(s) and appurtenances on
parcel number 3-1-14 at Oakwood Lane, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Attorney, Superintendent of Public Works and
the Mayor will finalize such an agreement with the Town, and be
it further
Board of Public Works – October 10, 2001 - Page 2
RESOLVED, That the Mayor be granted authorization to enter into
such an agreement with the Town of Ithaca.
Carried Unanimously
Commissioner Jenkins arrived at the meeting at 4:45 pm.
PARKING AND TRAFFIC
Change in Parking Policy for Dryden Road Garage
By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has recently reviewed a
determination from the City Attorney’s Office indicating that
waivers of rental fees are not acceptable unless some other fair
and adequate consideration is provided from the organization
receiving the waiver, and
WHEREAS, it has been brought to the attention of the board that
members of the Lutheran Church on Oak Avenue have received free
parking in the Dryden Road Garage from 9:00 am until 1:00 p.m. on
Sundays since June, 1990; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby directs staff to
charge all users of the city’s parking lots and garages uniformly
based on the determination by the City Attorney’s office, while
still respecting any legal contracts between the City and certain
garage users, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Lutheran Church be notified of this decision.
Carried Unanimously
Superintendent Gray confirmed that the passage of this resolution
would cancel out a practice that has been in use since 1999 and
added that this action eliminates the trial period that has been
extended indefinitely.
CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS:
Request for Refund or Credit of 2001 Newman Golf Course
Membership
By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Beach
WHEREAS, Joyce Masterpaul has requested a refund or credit for
her 2001 membership at Newman Golf Course due to a physical
injury, and
WHEREAS, Ms. Masterpaul is part of a Senior Domestic Partnership
membership for $375; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants Ms. Masterpaul a
credit of $95.00 which represents the difference between the
partnership and individual membership of $280 per year, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Board will provide a cash refund at the
beginning of the 2002 golf season if Ms. Masterpaul is unable to
continue to play and requests the refund.
Carried Unanimously
Ban on Smoking in Cass Park Pool Area
By Commissioner Jenkins :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger
WHEREAS, the Parks Commission has requested that the Board of
Public Works ban smoking in the pool area of Cass Park for health
and safety reasons; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby bans smoking in
the pool area of Cass Park and directs staff to appropriately
sign the area and provide notice to the Ithaca Youth Bureau for
publication with the 2002 pool membership applications.
Carried Unanimously
Board of Public Works – October 10, 2001 - Page 3
The Board agreed that this would include the grassy area
surrounded by the pool fence.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Commissioner Beach stated that a meeting to discuss the elements
of the Six Point Plan is scheduled for October 17, 2001. The
presentation will take place in conjunction with the Planning
Committee meeting at 7:30. Pat Pryor noted that the Board should
be in attendance.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Superintendent Gray addressed the Board regarding the Town of
Ithaca contract for phosphorous removal. The expensive consulting
bill, which includes the design of sophisticated equipment,
should be paid in part by the Town of Ithaca. The Board should be
informed that these negotiations would be taking place in the
near future.
Superintendent Gray noted that he has extended an invitation to
Human Resource Director Nunn to attend the Committee Meeting of
the Whole meeting on October 24, 2001 to address the
Environmental Engineer position for Water and Sewer. Mayor Cohen
stated that the position is not in the City roster and its
omission was an oversight on the part of staff.
NEW BUSINESS:
Commissioner Leonardo asked that the Council of the Whole meeting
be moved to October 24, 2001. The Board agreed.
Asst. Superintendent Ferrel stated that his office has received
correspondence from the public requesting that golfing activity
be restricted at Cass Park fields. He added that there have been
accidents during youth programs where a child has come into
contact with the balls that are not retrieved. The Board agreed
that they would consider banning this activity after reviewing
accident data filed with City departments. A discussion relating
to the future of a driving range at Newman Golf Course followed.
Commissioner Beach asked that this item be added to the COW
agenda for October 24, 2001 and that a Parks Commission
representative be asked to join.
Superintendent Gray and Mayor Cohen shared the overall 2002
budget data with the Board. Mayor Cohen noted the lack of
flexibility built into the budget structure and added that
overestimated revenues cannot be absorbed by cost conservatism.
Commissioner Beach questioned the City’s ability to fund heavy
snow removal. Mayor Cohen confirmed that contingency funds for
snow removal have been included into the budget. The secondary
Seneca Street renovation project phase has been removed from the
budget along with the Commons capitol project. Inter-municipal
projects will require substantial negotiations to ensure that
expenses are appropriated accordingly.
Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni informed the Board that future
water and sewer excavation along Route 13 would require reducing
Meadow Street to one lane for a short period of time. The Board
suggested many ways to reduce the level of inconvenience for the
public. Asst. Superintendent Fabbroni will take into account the
suggestions of the Board and consult with Mayor Cohen before
plans are finalized. Mayor Cohen suggested that the Planning
Department assist the Water and Sewer Division with notification
of this altered traffic situation to local businesses in the
area.
REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
Superintendent Gray reported to the Board on the following
matters:
Stewart Avenue Bridge opening should be early next week.
Board of Public Works – October 10, 2001 - Page 4
Assistant Superintendent Ferrel reported to the Board on the
following matters:
Seneca Way re-paving will begin next week.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Robin L. Korherr Alan J. Cohen
Deputy City Clerk Mayor