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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2002-05-08BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 4:45 p.m. May 8, 2002 PRESENT: Mayor Cohen Commissioners (4) - Leonardo, Tsegaye, Gutenberger, Jenkins OTHERS PRESENT: Administrative Secretary - Payne 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 Beach 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 the following items be added to the agenda: 16-C Award of Bid for Cass Park Boathouse Roof 14-C Power to Act: Closure of Additional Roads for Ithaca Festival 17-B Designation of Lead Agency for Phosphorus Treatment No Board member objected. PRESENTATION ON SOUTH PLAIN STREET BRIDGE OVER SIX MILE CREEK Representatives from McFarland Johnson presented the Board with final design drawings and a project schedule. Sam Baki stated that the removal of the retaining wall is a change to the final design. Superintendent Gray addressed comments that were brought out during previous public comment sessions. Crosswalks and permanent markings will correspond to the 20 mph zone that the Board has already established and bike lanes are incorporated into the design. He added that the community is in support of the handrails incorporated into the design. Commissioner Tsegaye questioned the speed limit posting. Superintendent Gray stated that the postings would occur at the rise in the bridge and warning signs of speed changes are posted 85’ prior to the zone itself. 1 Open Public Hearing: South Plain Street Bridge Design By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins 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 the South Plain Street Bridge design. Carried Unanimously The following people spoke in support of the bridge design: Joel Harlan Rick Grossman Jennifer Dotson Fay Gougakis Paul Friend, also addressed the issue of signals versus stop signs. Board of Public Works – May 8, 2002 - Page 2 Close Public Hearing: South Plain Street Bridge Design By Commissioner Leonardo : Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works close the public hearing on the South Plain Street Bridge Design. Carried Unanimously COMMUNICATIONS AND HEARINGS OF PERSONS BEFORE THE BOARD: The following people addressed the Board: Steve Ehrhardt stated that turning Northbound from Cascadilla Street onto Cayuga and turning onto Meadow Street from the Ithaca Bakery parking lot are difficult to maneuver if drivers choose to ignore the “no parking” signage. He asked that the Board install bump outs in those areas to improve visibility. Joel Harlan addressed the Board on the issue of parking at Ruby Tuesdays. Rick Grossman thanked the Board for the traffic calming workshop and the hard work that the Department of Public Works has put into the Plain Street Bridge project. The community as well as City staff have invested a lot of energy into the success of the bridge and would like to see the department expedite the process as much as possible. Jennifer Dotson spoke in support of Mr. Grossman’s comments. Fay Gougakis also spoke in support of Mr. Grossman’s comments and thanked the Board for the bike lanes. She added that the Commons planters emit an unpleasant odor. The Oregon Pedestrian Plan should be presented to the Ithaca community. The impact of traffic and noise on the downtown area should be addressed. RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC Superintendent Gray stated that brewery yeast sludge is used in the Commons planters. This odor from the compost can be offensive for a short time until it disseminates into the ground. REPORT OF COUNCIL LIASION Alderperson Hershey reported that the Tompkins County Board of Representatives has distributed a brochure that omitted the Board of Public Works. He asked staff to contact the County to alert them of the error. He added that the Board of Public Works is the appropriate body to resolve water and sewer utility billing disputes. HIGHWAYS, STREETS, SIDEWALK: Declaration of Emergency - State Street Storm Sewer Repairs By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, DPW staff detected problems in early April with the East State Street (NYS Route 79 East) pavement adjacent to a storm sewer running diagonally across the street from #966 to drive between #967 and #969 East State Street, and WHEREAS, staff has completed their investigation of the pavement and discovered that the pavement has been undermined due to the failure of a 36"diameter corrugated metal pipe in which the pipe invert has rusted away allowing stormwater to wash away surrounding gravel, and WEHREAS, sudden large storm flows could result in a disastrous localized failure of the road with damage to water mains feeding two different pressure zones on East Hill as well as the City's major employer, damage to a major collector sewer, disruption of a major transportation route and damage to adjacent property or the traveling public at the time of failure, and Board of Public Works – May 8, 2002 - Page 3 WHEREAS, staff has determined that a trenchless repair method (such as slip lining or inversion lining) which requires a specialty contractor may be both cheaper and faster thus reducing risk to the public, cost to the City, and inconvenience due to conventional construction methods, while the inhouse cost is estimated to be $64,000 and a 3 to 4 week street closure; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works declares the storm sewer failure at #967 East State Street an emergency condition requiring immediate repairs and directs staff to make the fastest, least expensive repairs to eliminate risk and control costs, including entering into a contract with a specialty contractor for trenchless repairs in an amount not to exceed $50,000 if necessary, and be it further, RESOLVED, That the funds for these repairs shall be derived from recent capital projects for road construction and repair. Carried Unanimously Superintendent Gray stated that this project could be done quicker and less costly by outsourcing. Power to Act - Adopt Design for South Plain Street Bridge By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has scheduled and held a public hearing on design of the South Plain Street Bridge on May 8, 2002, and WHEREAS, the Board wants to give staff and itself time to reflect on public comments and propose any changes that may seem appropriate; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works gives itself Power to Act on the final design of the Plain Street Bridge at its meeting of May 15, 2002. Mayor Cohen stated that concerns over the rise of the bridge, visibility through the handrails and speed enforcement came out during the public comment portion of the meeting and should be addressed. Superintendent Gray stated that the height would be similar to the Albany Street Bridge. In response to the issue of speed, he added that the shape of the bridge would cause the driver of a speeding vehicle a level of discomfort. If traffic calming is not achieved and the speed limit is not respected then the Ithaca Police Department could assist with enforcement. In response to the rail visibility concerns, he added that the wider bridge lanes and the presence of bike lanes would improve visibility. A discussion relating to installing stop signs as an alternative to traffic signals followed. Superintendent Gray stated that stop signs are less expensive and the cost savings could be used to fund other aspects of the bridge construction. The traffic signal provides for smoother traffic but the stop signs can be used as a method of controlling speed. Superintendent Gray stated that the bid would include the option of deleting the traffic signals when the Board awards the bid to the vendor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Power to Act: Closure of Additional Roads for Ithaca Festival By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works has been approached by the Ithaca Festival to consider the closure of several blocks in the vicinity of the Commons in downtown Ithaca, now therefore be it Board of Public Works – May 8, 2002 - Page 4 RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants itself the Power to Act on whether to close said streets after a presentation by the Ithaca Festival Committee at its meeting on May 15, 2002. Superintendent Gray stated that the Ithaca Police Department had expressed reluctance to the street closings and Commissioner Leonardo confirmed the Board’s desire to obtain their input before deciding on this issue. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously CREEKS, BRIDGES AND PARKS: Request for Wood Street Park From First Assembly of God By Commissioner Tsegaye: Seconded by Commissioner Gutenberger WHEREAS, the First Assembly of God has requested the use of the Wood Street Park for a Community Outreach between July 22, 2002 and July 26, 2002 from the hours of 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby grants of the use of Wood Street Park by the First Assembly of God between July 22, 2002 and July 26, 2002 from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board reminds the First Assembly of God Church that the park is a public use area, which should not interfere with other public uses during their event. Amending Resolution By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo RESOLVED, That the following language be added as an additional resolved clause: “RESOLVED, That the Assembly of God Church is required to remove all of their equipment by 10:00 pm each evening.” Carried Unanimously A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Approval of Contract for Stewart Park Concession By Commissioner Jenkins :Seconded by Commissioner Leonardo WHEREAS, Tom Trenchard is requesting that the Board of Public Works approve a three-year lease of the Concession Stand and a contract to allow the installation of temporary docks in Stewart and Cass Parks; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves a three- year lease (June 2000 – May 2003) of the Stewart Park Concession Stand and a three-year contract to allow for the installation of temporary docks in Stewart and Cass Parks, and be it further RESOLVED, That a deposit of $1,000 for the use of the facilities is required, along with a certificate of insurance and rent of $750 per season for the 2002 and 2003 seasons, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent to enter into an agreement with Tom Trenchard with the usual terms and conditions, contingent upon approval by the City Attorney's Office. Mayor Cohen stated that the City Attorney’s Office has confirmed that the Board is limited to granting a maximum three-year lease for City owned property. The Board discussed the need for time to negotiate and bid out future contracts. Board of Public Works – May 8, 2002 - Page 5 Amending Resolution By Commissioner Gutenberger :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the following language replace the first resolved clause: “RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby approves a three-year lease (June 2001 – December 2003) of the Stewart Park Concession Stand and a three-year contract to allow for the installation of temporary docks in Stewart and Cass Parks, and be it further” Carried Unanimously A vote on the main motion as amended resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Award of Bid for Cass Park Bathhouse Roof By Mayor Cohen :Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye WHEREAS, staff received bids on May 7, 2002 for the replacement of the roof at the Cass Park Bathhouse, and WHEREAS, staff 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 the Cass Park Bathhouse Roof Replacement to Excelsior Systems, Inc., 10 Cayuga Vista Drive, Lansing, NY 14882 for their low bid of $54,240, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to enter into an agreement with Excelsior Systems, Inc. Carried Unanimously WATER AND SEWER: Declaration of Lead Agency for University Avenue Water Tank By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye 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; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works of the City of Ithaca hereby declare itself lead agency for the environmental review of the proposed construction of the University Avenue Water Tank. Commissioners Leonardo and Tsegaye withdrew their motions from the floor. Declaration of Lead Agency for University Avenue Water Tank By Commissioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Tsegaye 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; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works of the City of Ithaca declares its intent to declare itself lead agency for the environmental review of the proposed construction of the University Avenue Water Tank. Board of Public Works – May 8, 2002 - Page 6 Carried Unanimously Power to Act: Declaration of Lead Agency for the Phosphorus Reduction Design By Commis RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works grants itself the Power to Act on the declaration of lead agency for the phosphorus reduction design at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant at its May 15, 2002 Committee of the Whole meeting. sioner Leonardo :Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Donna Payne Alan J. Cohen Administrative Secretary Mayor