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