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