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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2002-02-13BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. February 13, 2002 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (5) - Beach, Leonardo, Tsegaye, Gutenberger, Korherr OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk – Holcomb 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 City Forester - Hillman EXCUSED: Commissioner Jenkins PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA: Superintendent Gray requested that item 16C regarding the North Cayuga Street bridge project be added to the agenda. No board member objected. COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: Fay Goukakis, City of Ithaca, addressed the Board on the following items: Sagan Walk sculptures near the Sciencenter, the Commons fountain, bike racks on the Commons and the new CVS store, traffic on ayuga and Tioga Streets. C RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Commissioner Beach stated that the CVS project developers should be made to adhere to all of the provisions of the site plan, including the installation of bike racks. Mayor Cohen noted that the Planning Board should ask staff to notify the various parties involved in writing. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discussion Concerning Tree Memorials with City Forester Mayor Cohen stated that the Board of Public Works has received a proposal to create a tree memorial registry from the Parks Commission and Shade Tree Advisory Committee. He added that this registry would be integrated into the GIS overlay. City Forester Hillman stated that annual requests come in for memorial plaques and maintenance is a key issue. Process standardization should occur so that the registry is properly archived. Commissioner(s) Leonardo and Korherr stated that plaques should physically be placed for adequate recognition in addition to the registry entry. A standardized process for placement of plaques would limit maintenance expenditures. The Board agreed that the standardization guidelines be referred to the Parks Commission for their design and implementation ideas. Commissioner Tsegaye arrived at the meeting at 4:45. CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS Investigation of Duck Pond By Commissioner Leonardo; Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Parks Commission is recommending that the duck pond in Stewart Park be abandoned and made into wet lands, and Board of Public Works – February 13, 2002 - Page 2 WHEREAS, the swans that formerly occupied the pond were found to have high levels of lead indicating the need of an investigation of the pond and other swan habitat; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby directs staff to conduct an investigation to locate the lead source before a final decision is made on whether to abandon the site and eliminate the swan population in Stewart Park. Amending Resolution By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr RESOLVED, That the following language replace the resolved clause: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby directs staff to conduct an investigation to locate the lead source before any further decisions are made.” Carried Unanimously Main Motion As Amended A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Stewart Park Concession Stand By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Beach WHEREAS, the Parks Commission has forwarded a resolution recommending that the Board of Public Works approve licenses and agreements with Tom Trenchard in a timely manner to allow concessions and rental facilities to begin operation in the Spring of 2002; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works directs staff that negotiations for the 2002 contract covering operation of the Stewart Park Concession Stand will not be completed until accounting for the 2001 season is finalized, including payments for city utilities and use of the park, and be it further RESOLVED, That no operation of concessions in Stewart Park shall occur in 2002 until there is an acceptable and fully executed contract on file with the City Clerk that covers 2001 and 2002. Carried Unanimously Superintendent Gray noted that the 2001 contract included fire suppression equipment that was not installed due to changes in proposed equipment. Mayor Cohen stated that a certified letter should be mailed to Mr. Trenchard requesting that 2001 accounting e submitted and 2002 negotiations begin. b North Cayuga Street Bridge over Fall Creek Rehabilitation Project P.I.N. 375305 Designation of Lead Agency Status for Environmental Review By Commissioner Korherr :Seconded by Commissioner Beach WHEREAS, State Law and Section 176.6 of the City Code require that a lead agency be established for conducting environmental review of projects in accordance with local and state environmental law, and WHEREAS, State Law specifies that for actions governed by local environmental review, the lead agency shall be that local agency which has primary responsibility for approving and funding or carrying out the action, and WHEREAS, the proposed adoption of the Bridge Rehabilitation Project for North Cayuga Street over Fall Creek is a “Type II” Action pursuant to CEQR because it is the maintenance of an existing facility and therefore does not require the preparation of an EIS or nay other determination or procedure under the City’s Environmental Quality Review Ordinance; now, therefore, be it Board of Public Works – February 13, 2002 - Page 3 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works of the City of Ithaca does hereby declare itself lead agency for the environmental review of the proposed adoption of the Bridge Replacement Project for North Cayuga Street over Fall Creek, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board concurs with determination that the bridge replacement is Type II action and directs staff to ensure that the construction documents contain all necessary requirements to see that there are no long term negative environmental impacts resulting from the construction process. Superintendent Gray stated that Type II actions do not require further review. Mayor Cohen noted that separate resolutions should be drafted to reflect the differing City CEQR and State SEQR processes. Superintendent Gray noted that a presentation to the Board would occur on February 20, 2002 detailing the different processes. Mayor Cohen added that notification of lead agency would need to include NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Transportation. Superintendent Gray informed the Board of temporary walkway options while the N. Cayuga Street bridge is taken out of operations. The Board discussed the risks involved with blocking access to the student population. Superintendent Gray stated that the construction of a temporary bridge would take over five months. After discussion, the Board requested that the Traffic Engineer investigate the option of installing a temporary traffic light at East Fall and Lake Streets to respond to the potential increased traffic flow. Motion to Withdraw By Commiss RESOLVED, That the resolution be withdrawn from the agenda. ioner Korherr: Seconded by Commissioner Beach Carried Unanimously ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS Newman Golf Course 2002 Rates By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Korherr RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves the following rates for the 2002 season at the Newman Golf Course: Memberships Individual $360 Senior $325 Domestic Couple $495 Family $550 Junior $165 Weekday $230 Weekday D/C $345 Daily Rates Weekdays $13.00 Weekends $16.50 9 Holes - after 2:00 p.m. $10.00 Junior and Senior $10.00 Senior – Sunday after 2:00 p.m. $ 7.00 Discounts 1. 10% discount for city residents available for all membership 2. 10% discount for senior domestic couples when both members are seniors, i.e. 65 years or older during the year of membership 3. Discounts are cumulative, i.e. a resident senior can get a 20% discount. Board of Public Works – February 13, 2002 - Page 4 Carried Unanimously NEW BUSINESS: Election of Vice Chair By Commiss RESOLVED, That Commissioner Leonardo be appointed the Vice Chair of the Board of Public Works for 2002. ioner Beach :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger Ayes: (6) Commissioner(s) Beach, Korherr, Tsegaye, Gutenberger, Mayor Cohen Nayes: (0) Abstention: Commissioner Leonardo PARKS COMMISSION REPORT: Mayor Cohen reported that the Parks Commission was upset over the lack of communication in the Board’s naming of Conley Park. The Parks Commission had previously approved a resolution recommending naming the park Neptune Park. Mayor Cohen agreed to work with the commission on improved communication flow. REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF: Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni reported to the board on the following matters: Water service work is constantly being conducted. Very few water main breaks have occurred due to the mild weather. Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni’s time has been consumed with the Bond Act application process and the Wastewater Treatment Plant engineering agreement. Phosphorus removal project design is ongoing. The Board SJS liaisons (Gutenberger, Leonardo, and Cohen) are encouraged to attend the SJS meetings to assist Assistant Superintendent Fabbroni with the many issues relating to personnel and planning. The First Street joint interceptor project has been scheduled to begin March 1, 2002 although the Town of Ithaca has not responded to the City’s request for approval. The addition of Ruby Tuesday’s at the old Wood Motors location will require sewer work to be performed at the site. A discussion was held regarding the Town of Ithaca’s interpretation of the City’s accounting practices as it relates to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. NEW BUSINESS: Change in Meeting Time Commissioner Tsegaye stated that he is unable to attend the Board of Public Work’s meetings until 4:45 pm. The Board agreed that the 2002 meeting time for the Board of Public Works be changed to 4:45 – 6:30 pm. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Julie Conley Holcomb Alan J. Cohen City Clerk Mayor